Disney Value Resorts are a must to consider when planning a trip to Disney world and looking for ways to do it on a budget without sacrificing experience. The Disney Deluxe Resorts and Disney Moderate Resorts are great options, but when you want to manage on a tighter expense, a Disney Value Resort may be the best solution for you and your family. With 6 options to choose from, there is an option for all tastes and budgets.
We are going to share what each Walt Disney World Value Resorts has to offer, which are worth the money spent, and which ones give you the best Disney experience. When booking a trip, be sure to check these 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 are options for all different tastes.
Value Resorts prove that there is a Disney World Resort for every person and every budget!!
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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 a Disney or Disney-like experience to its guests. Typically, they have accessible transportation to the parks, themed rooms, and are kid friendly. While they are on property, they are generally further from the parks, but are a great way to save money so you can spend more in the parks!
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. Ideal for the park goers who spend the majority of their time in the park and not focused on the hotel extras that the deluxe and even moderate resorts offer. While they are not 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 the Disney value resort list and the good news, 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. 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 as all resorts have free transportation, the value resorts are no exception. Saving on cost does not mean you save on the experience. Speaking of experience, if you stay at the campsites, you can take a ferry into the park, you cannot get more magical than that. Other than ferry, other options 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 Disney Value Resort. As mentioned before, Disney is nothing if not immersive and that includes the themes and décor. While the themes are not specific to the brand and resort you stay at, you still see the and experience Disney magic throughout the resorts. As mentioned, they are all affordable and easier on the pocketbook than the moderate and deluxe resorts.
The value resorts are the furthest resorts from the parks, they are still on property with is a definite benefit over staying off-site. Including access and transportation to not only the parks, but also shopping and dining at Disney Springs. Or 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, Disney Dining Plan, free MagicBands, free parking, FastPass reservations, and the ability to reserve dining in advance.
All of the All star Disney Resorts and the campground have heated pools, perfect for relaxation after a day of travelling to the resorts. In addition to these pools, Pop Century and Art of Animation also have kiddie pools accessible to and near the larger pools. The Resorts also offer playgrounds and arcades for the kids or the kid in you. Last, food. All of the resorts offer on site dining, while the value resorts do not offer sit down service, they still offer a variety of quick dining.
Pros and Cons Of Staying In A Disney Value Resort
There are four major pros of staying at a Disney Value Resort. 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 not at the resort. Walt Disney Value Resorts are on property, so yep, all those mentioned perks apply! The themes are done to a T and fully committed to the design of the hotel.
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 kid 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, lets 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, if you want to be somewhere by a certain time.
The rooms are smaller, 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 while the 1120 family suites are decorated in 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, outside be treated to the 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, and 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 Resorts.
Pop Century Resort
Pop Century Resort is the second most expensive on the Disney Value Resort list. At this resort, you will get to enjoy the pop culture from the 1950’s to the 1990’s. If you are a child of any of these decades, or just a fan, you will be totally immersed and nostalgic here. This hotel will bring you ack to the fashion, language, and toys of these eras gone by.
This resort is perfect for the family and park goers who want to be taken back in time, to the last half of the 20th century. Back to the beginning of modernity the first in home TV’s to the advent of in first in home internet access. Each part of the resort themed to an era gone by, you will see Disney as it was in these decades, from Mickey Mouse to Roger Rabbit.
Accommodations
This Disney Value Resort has 2880 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 rom 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.
Not to mention with Toy Story around, your little ones are sure to have an epic experience and memories. If you are a Disney traditionalist, this is the resort for you, it will take you back in time to Disney movie classics through each wing and each recreation.
Accommodations
This All-Star Movie resort has 1920 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 rom safe, telephone, iron, coffee maker, and refrigerator.
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, grill, 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.
While there are definite touches of Disney characters, including the Three Caballeros fountain at the pool, this resort is definitely more music inspired with touches of Disney. That doesn’t detract from its appeal at all, since Disney goes all out for its experience, this one will not disappoint.
Accommodations
This All-Star Music resort has 1604 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 gran ‘n’ go items, 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. The least Disney-ish in appearance and theme, focusing instead on baseball, football, basketball, surfing, and tennis. You can see influences of Disney and characters, so Disney is not altogether absent, but for the same price the other two All-Star Disney resorts offer more by way of Disney theme.
Accommodations
This All-Star Sports resort has 1920 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. Including smoothies and gelato.
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.
Accommodations
You can “tent” camp or park an RV. While you are immersed in the Disney outdoors, you are glamping as modern amenities, such as electricity and running water 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 Comfort Stations which offer restrooms and private shower stalls, you will need 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 are there amenities! This specific Disney Value Resort offers This 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. Add to all that, the option to canoe, horseback ride, learn archery, or swim at the Meadow Swimmin’ Pool with waterslide.
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.
