You must consider Disney Value Resorts when planning a trip to Disney World! Looking for ways to travel to Disney on a budget without sacrificing experience can be overwhelming and confusing, but we’ve got you covered! The Disney Deluxe Resorts and Disney Moderate Resorts are great options, but when you want to manage a tighter expense, a Disney Value Resort may be the best solution for you and your family. With six options to choose from, there is an option for all tastes and budgets.
We are going to share what each of the Walt Disney World Value Resorts has to offer! We will also talk about which Disney Value resorts are worth the money spent, and which ones provide the best Disney experience. When booking a trip, be sure to check these resorts out as they can offer a big return on a smaller investment. From the All-star Disney Resorts to the campsites at Fort Wilderness, there is a variety of places to stay.
Disney Value Resorts prove that there is a Disney World Resort for every person and every budget!! Keep reading for more information!
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6 Best (And Worst!) Disney Value Resorts
What Is A Disney Value Resort?
Disney Value Resorts offer a great alternative to park goers who want to experience the magic of Disney without having to spend more money. You may be asking, “What is a Disney Value Resort?” In a nutshell, a Disney Value Resort is a more affordable accommodation that will offer Disney-like experiences for its guests. Typically, they have accessible transportation to the parks, themed rooms, and are kid friendly. While they are on property, they are generally a bit further from the parks, but are a great way to save money so you can spend more on other things!
Disney Value Resorts offer the biggest bang for your buck and while you are further from the parks, they are after all a perfect place to rest your head. The best Disney Value Resorts are ideal for the park goers who spend the majority of their time in the park. Those who are not focused on the hotel extras that the deluxe and even moderate resorts offer should really look into these Disney value hotel: While they may not be as extravagant as the other resorts within Disney World, nothing is skimped on. You will still get to enjoy the immersive environment that Disney is known for.
What is Transportation like from Disney Value Resorts?
There are various ways to get to the park from Disney value Resorts! And the good news is: none of them require you to drive! If you are staying on property, the first great offer is free shuttle service to and from Orlando International Airport. That’s right, no car rental needed! Without that added expense, you are saving even more money. They will also deliver your luggage right to your room. No need to haul it off the Express and onto the resort.
You can rent a car and drive yourself if you choose, but it is nice to not have to. In the end, the choice is up to you! But do make sure to select the Disney’s Magical Express option when booking your stay to secure your reservation for airport transport. For those park goers who are driving and not flying, all Disney Value Resorts have parking available.
Once you are on property, take away the worry of driving to and from the parks! All Disney Value Resorts have free transportation, which surprises many people. But we promise it is not too good to be true! Saving on cost does not mean you save on the experience.
Speaking of experience, if you stay at the campsites (who we will talk about more in a second!), you can take a ferry into the park. Can you get more magical than that?! Other than ferry, other options for transportation into the parks from Disney Value Resorts include: a complimentary bus from all locations, the skyliner is an option for two of the resorts, and you are also able to take a taxi or limo from the resort to the parks.
What Perks Do You Get Staying At A Disney Value Resort?
There are many perks to staying at one of the Disney Value Resorts. As mentioned before, Disney is nothing if not immersive and that includes the themes and décor, especially when on property. While themes are not specific to the brand and resort you stay at, you still experience Disney magic throughout the resorts, even those valued ones! As mentioned, these valued resorts are all affordable and easier on the pocketbook than the moderate and deluxe resorts.
The value resorts are the furthest resorts from the parks. However, they are still on property! This is a definite benefit over staying off-site. Being on-site included benefits like access and transportation to not only the parks, and also shopping and dining at Disney Springs. You may even take a ride to a different resort to have dinner!
As previously mentioned, all Disney Resorts come with complimentary transportation to and from the parks. In addition to this you still have the option to opt into the free childcare at most of the Disney Value Resorts. Also included at Disney Value Resorts: Disney Dining Plan, free MagicBands, free parking, and the ability to reserve dining in advance.
All of the All Star Disney Resorts and the campground have heated pools, which perfect for relaxation after a day of traveling to the resorts. They’re also a great way to cool off! In addition to these pools, Pop Century and Art of Animation also have kiddie accessible pools accessible near the larger pools. The Resorts also offer playgrounds and arcades for the kids or the kid in you. Last, food. Who doesn’t love food?! All of the Disney Value Resorts offer on site dining. We should note that while the value resorts do not offer sit down service, they still offer a variety of quick dining. But hey, this quick and easy service may be just want you need after a long day in the park!
Pros and Cons Of Staying In A Disney Value Resort
There are four major pros of staying at one of the Disney Value Resorts. First, pricing! They are the most affordable and definitely the best value for your money if you plan on spending most of your time in the park and are not worried about spending too much time at a resort. Walt Disney Value Resorts are on property, so yep, all mentioned perks apply! The themes are done to a T as well. The design teams were obviously fully committed.
From animation immersion at the Art of Animation to fully enchanting frontier at the Fort Wilderness campgrounds, Disney leaves no detail behind. Last, they are all very kid friendly, two with kiddie pools. They also have playgrounds and arcades. The themes and colors are right up the kids alley!
While the Disney Value Resorts have so much to offer, it is hard to find the cons. However, like any good list, let’s cover the few cons we found as well. Transportation, while free, the resorts are further, so you will have more stops on the complimentary bus transportation. Make sure you take that into consideration when planning your day, especially if you want to be somewhere by a certain time.
The rooms are smaller too, so when trying to bring a larger family, it makes it more necessary to consider the space. The rooms are also basic, while all the standard needs are met, there are not really any extras to create a luxury environment.
Best Disney Value Resorts
Art of Animation
On Average the Art of Animation is the most expensive on the Disney Value Resort list and is the only resort that offers interior hallway access. The 984 standard rooms are decorated with The Little Mermaid theming, while the 1120 family suites are decorated on theme with The Lion King, Cars, and Finding Nemo.
The Art of Animation also has the largest pool (Big Blue Pool) of all the resorts. The Art of Animation is perfect for the family who wants to be immersed in the animation of Disney and Pixar. Like walking into the Disney Vault, you get to experience the underwater enchantment The Little Mermaid to the desert of Radiator Springs.
Inside this four story resort, the lobby is decorated with larger than life sketches from the properties inspiration. The inside isn’t the only Disney magic you will experience either, though! The outside features larger than life replicas and features of Simba and Squirt. Art of Animation leaves no detail stone unturned.
Accommodations
The standard room has views of the courtyard, pool, and parking area. They sleep up to four adults and you can choose from two double beds or one king bed, depending on your needs. The family suites have the same views, but can sleep up to six adults. All family suites from with 1 queen bed, 1 double bed, and 1 double size sleeper. All rooms come with the standard amenities including free Wi-Fi. In addition to this, the family suites come with two bathrooms and a kitchenette.
Amenities
This Disney Value Resort includes three dining options, Landscape of Flavors, a counter service restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Drop off Pool Bar is another amenity offered. And don’t forget the Disney Resorts Pizza Delivery, which offers late night pizza delivery! Recreation includes the themed pools including the Big Blue Pool, which is the largest pool of all the Disney Value Resorts.
Pop Century Resort
Pop Century Resort is the second most expensive hotel on the Disney Value Resort list. At this resort, you will get to enjoy pop culture from the 1950’s through the 1990’s. If you are a child of any of these decades, or just a fan, you will be totally immersed and feeling the nostalgia when staying here.
This hotel will bring you back to the fashion, language, and toys of these eras gone by. If you are having a hard time choosing between Disney Value resorts, read our comparison between Art Of Animation Vs Pop Century to help you choose! Never be afraid to compare Disney Value resorts!
Pop Century resort is perfect for the family and park-goers who want to be taken back in time. Step back a few decades when here: back to the beginning of modernity with the first in-home TV’s, or maybe even back in time to the invention of in-home internet access. Each part of this resort is themed to an era gone by, so you will see Disney as it was in these decades. Say hello to characters from Mickey Mouse to Roger Rabbit.
Accommodations
This Disney Value Resort has 2,880 rooms and no suites, all sleeping up to four adults. While there are no suites, there is an option of a standard room, a standard room with pool view, or a preferred room with a view of the courtyard/landscaping. Each room comes with 1 king bed or 1 queen bed and 1 queen sized table bed. All rooms also include the basic hairdryer, free wifi, in room safe, telephone, iron, coffee maker, and refrigerator.
Amenities
Pop Century Resort has three options to choose from for dining: Everything Pop Shop, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner; Petal’s Pool Bar; and Disney late night pizza delivery. A 1960’s themed pool and a giant size foosball table round out the must sees at this resort!
Disney All-Star Movies Resort
First on the list of the All-Star Disney Resorts, is Disney All-Star Movies. This resort is themed to Toy Story, Fantasia, and 101 Dalmatians. This is a great resort for a family with little ones as it includes a kiddie pool and kid-friendly food court. And if you are staying visiting Disney with Toddlers but also want to save some money, you should definitely check out this resort!
With all the theming of Toy Story being around, your little ones are sure to have an epic experience and create awesome memories. If you are a Disney traditionalist, this is the resort for you, too! it will take you back in time to Disney movie classics through each wing and each recreation.
Accommodations
This All-Star Movie resort has 1,920 classically themed standard rooms and no suites, all sleeping up to four adults. While there are no suites, each room comes with 1 king bed or 1 queen bed and 1 queen sized table bed. All rooms also include the basic hairdryer, free wi-fi, in room safe, telephone, iron, coffee maker, and refrigerator. Are you sensing some trends between Disney Value Resorts yet in terms of their standard rooms??
Amenities
All-Star Movie Resort is the perfect resort to enjoy movies under the stars. Located right next to the food court, there is the Reel Spot. Right here you can watch complimentary Disney movies outside at night on select days. Also, let’s talk about the food court! With different meal stations to choose from, you can get cinema themed food like pizza, pasta, or bakery treats for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Disney All-Star Music Resort
Next on the list of the All-Star Disney Resorts, is Disney All-Star Music. If you are a fan of music, this is the resort for you. This resort is themed around rock and roll, jazz, and Broadway. The All-Star Music Resort is one of the least Disney inspired resorts, in all honesty. But that can be okay too: not everything has to have Disney theming to still have some Disney Magic!
However, there are definite touches of Disney characters in this resort, including the Three Caballeros fountain at the pool! Overall, this resort is definitely more music inspired with touches of Disney. That doesn’t detract from its appeal at all. We promise this one will not disappoint. And again, you cannot go wrong– compare Disney Value Resorts and decide which is best for you!
Accommodations
This All-Star Music resort has 1,604 musically themed standard rooms and 260 family suites. The standard room sleeps up to four adults in two double beds. The family suites sleep up to six adults with 1 queen bed, 1 twin sized sleeper, a double sleeper sofa and a twin-size sleeper ottoman. All rooms come with the standard in room amenities and are basic with colorful and tasteful decoration.
Amenities
All-Star Music Resort has a guitar shaped pool! You heard right, a guitar shaped pool for the whole family to enjoy. Dining includes the late-night pizza delivery, the Singing Spirits Pool Bar, and the Intermission Food Court which offers many meal options, including some grab ‘n’ go items. These options make it easy if you want to just grab something and take it back to the room after a long, fun day at the park.
Disney All-Star Sports
Last on the list of the All-Star Disney Resorts, is Disney All-Star Sports. If sports are your thing, this is the resort for you. However, if you are into the Disney theme like us, then this is probably not the resort for you. This is one of least Disney-ish resorts in appearance and theme. Instead, this hotel focuses on baseball, football, basketball, surfing, and tennis. You can see influences of Disney and characters throughout, so Disney is not altogether absent, but for the same price the other two All-Star Disney resorts, those two options offer more by way of Disney theme if that is something you want or need!
Accommodations
This All-Star Sports resort has 1,920 sports themed standard rooms and no family suites. The standard room sleeps up to four adults in two double beds. All rooms come with the standard in room amenities and are similar to the All-Star Music décor: basic with colorful and tasteful decoration.
Amenities
All-Star Sports Resort has a surf board themed pool and a pool shaped like a baseball diamond. Ideal for a sports enthusiast and less so for the Disney enthusiast, this resort is good for a family that enjoys the athletic side of life. Dining includes the standard late night pizza delivery, the Grandstand Spirits Pool Bar, and the End Zone Food Court, which offer a many meal options. You may want to check out their smoothies and gelato here :).
Campsites and Disney’s Fort Wilderness
Last on our list for Disney Value Resorts is the Campsites at Fort Wilderness. This particular resort is for the modern glamper. While these campgrounds offer cabins, we will specifically be focusing on the actual campsites. Situated in the American frontier, many a wild animal roam including, deer, ducks, armadillos, and rabbits. This resort is 750 acres if forest with the charm of Disney. And for more information on these campgrounds and campsites and cabins, check out our article on the Guide to Camping at Fort Wilderness!
Accommodations
You can “tent” camp or park an RV at this site. While you are immersed in the Disney outdoors, you are glamping with modern amenities, such as electricity and running water! These are available to the campers. That said, the campsites are excellently maintained and offer a set up tent for you to move right into.
There are also Comfort Stations which offer restrooms and private shower stalls. But make sure to bring your own toiletries and towels. There is also available self-service laundry, which requires credit card payment. This one is last on our list primarily because of the type of resort it is. Very self-serve and very little Disney theme, but do not let that deter you if you want to camp.
Amenities
Oh there are amenities here too! This specific Disney Value Resort is a pet friendly resort, so you can bring Spot along on this trip. You also have the option to rent golf carts to traverse the vast resort. In addition, this is the only value resort that you can ferry to and from the parks, adding to the magical ambiance of your roughing it at the resort. And to add to all that, there are also options to canoe, horseback ride, learn archery, or swim at the Meadow Swimmin’ Pool with waterslide. Talk about a full experience!
That sums up our Best (And Worst) Disney Value Resorts. We hope you enjoyed reading about the best and worst Disney Value Resorts and that we answered some of your questions. Please let us know in the comments which one you decided on and why.
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