Walt Disney World’s value resorts deliver iconic Disney theming at budget-friendly rates. With rates typically starting under $200 per night, these motel-style hotels provide family vacations with an affordable way to experience the magic.
In this guide, we’ll rank all Disney World value resorts from best to worst, including:
- Reasons to stay at value resorts
- Individual resort overviews
- Dining, transportation, recreation, and more
- Tips to maximize your value stay
Read on to determine which value hotel pairs affordable Disney charm with the amenities your family needs.
Disney Value Resort Basics
Disney’s value resorts comprise 5 hotels grouped into two campuses:
Disney’s All-Star Resorts: Sports, Music, Movies
Disney’s Pop Century & Art of Animation
Value resorts offer the most basic rooms and amenities balanced by low rates starting around $120-$250 per night depending on season.
Value Room Amenities
- 260 sq ft rooms sleeping up to 4
- Motel-style exterior entry
- Mini fridge
- Free WiFi (upgraded in 2023)
- In-room pizza delivery
Resort Amenities
- Food courts & pizza delivery only (no table service)
- Themed pools
- Playgrounds
- Arcades & recreation
- Park transportation
The fantastic theming and affordability make value resorts ideal for price-conscious families who plan on spending more time in the parks than hotels.
Reasons to Stay at Disney World’s Value Resorts
Beyond the wallet-friendly rates, value resorts offer compelling benefits:
1. Disney Hotel Perks
Value guests receive standard Disney hotel perks like early theme park entry, free transportation, package delivery to rooms, and charging privileges across the resort.
2. Spend Savings On Other Areas
The lower nightly rates free up budget for extras like park tickets, dining, or boutique hotel upgrades later in the trip.
3. Transportation Isn’t So Bad Anymore
The recent addition of bus service from value resorts to Magic Kingdom and Epcot via the Skyliner gondolas improves transportation convenience.
4. Ample Quick Service Food
Large food courts offer variety from pizza to salads to burgers at budget prices. And in-room pizza delivery means you can avoid leaving the hotel if needed.
5. Suites At A Reasonable Price
Art of Animation offers competitively priced family suites with room for 6 and kitchenettes, starting around $400 nightly.
6. They’re Not Stuffy
Kids love running around the whimsical themes without worries of damaging décor or bothering more upscale guests. The atmosphere is lively and casual.
7. Fun Theming
Iconic Disney movies come to life through oversized icons and colorful architecture. The theming creates an immersive escape for kids.
8. Unbeatable Energy
Value resorts brim with families and youth groups, allowing kids to easily meet others their age for poolside fun or park days. The social vibe creates a constant buzz.
Best Disney World Value Resorts
The rankings below evaluate each value resort across room quality, theming, amenities, dining, and transportation. Keep reading for full profiles!
- Pop Century Resort
- Art of Animation Resort
- All-Star Movies & Music Resorts (Tie)
- All-Star Sports Resort
1. Pop Century Resort
Theming: Pop Culture Icons from 1950s-1990s
As Walt Disney World’s newest value resort, Pop Century wins the top spot through its bright, hip-theming resonating with multi-generational travel groups.
Rooms: Standard value rooms sleeping up to 4.
Dining: Excellent food court covering all dietary needs.
Amenities: Newly expanded pool, bar, bowling & arcade.
Transportation: Skyliner gondolas to Epcot & Hollywood Studios.
Our Thoughts: We love the striking pop culture theming that connects generations. The hotel layout means shorter walks, and the dining options outpace all other values. The Skyliner adds quick transportation to two parks. It’s the best value for money among economy lodging.
2. Art of Animation Resort
Theming: Disney Animated Films
Art of Animation captures the spirit of Disney animation through brightly colored icons and themed lands. The spacious family suites offer a standout value.
Rooms: Value rooms & family suites fitting 6 with kitchenettes.
Dining: Large food court with inspired dishes.
Amenities: Feature pool, playground, arcade.
Transportation: Quick walk to Pop Century for Skyliner access.
Our Thoughts: We adore the oversized animated theming and amenities catering well to families. The family suites present a value-priced accommodation for groups needing more room. The resort layout does mean more walking from rooms to amenities. But with quality theming and rooms, Art of Animation gives guests excellent bang for their buck.
3. All Star Movies Resort
Theming: Disney Films
Larger-than-life Disney movie scenes surround this value hotel, creating an immersive escape for cinema fans.
Rooms: Standard value rooms.
Dining: Food court covers the basics.
Amenities: Feature pool, arcade.
Transportation: Buses to all parks & Disney Springs.
Our Thoughts: We appreciate how All-Star Movies’ giant set pieces and props transport you into Disney films. The expanded food court offers more variety than Sports. Room quality matches the other All-Stars. With better theming than Sports and less walking than Music, Movies hits a sweet spot for animation buffs.
4. All Star Music Resort
Theming: Musical Instruments
Whimsical giant jukeboxes, guitars and more create a melodic backdrop amid hotel buildings named after music genres.
Rooms: Standard value rooms.
Dining: Basic food court.
Amenities: Feature pool, arcade.
Transportation: Bus service to all destinations.
Our Thoughts: The giant musical instruments tower impressively over guest rooms. However, the sprawling layout requires more walking between rooms, amenities and bus stops than other values. Food court options are basic compared to Pop and Art of Animation. But for music fans, hitting the right hotel building location balances out the downsides.
5. All Star Sports Resort
Theming: Pro Sports
This resort celebrates athletics through larger-than-life football helmets, hockey masks, tennis rackets and baseballs framing hotel buildings.
Rooms: Standard value rooms.
Dining: Food court with basics.
Amenities: Themed pool, arcade.
Transportation: Buses to all destinations.
Our Thoughts: As the first value resort built, time has left Sports feeling a bit dated. But bright icons still capture sports fans’ imaginations. Rooms and amenities match other All-Stars with transportation requiring longer walks. Its theming and pricing still offer value, but we prefer the atmosphere of the other options.
Tips for Maximizing Your Value Stay
To enhance your value resort vacation:
- Request renovated rooms at Art of Animation or Pop Century
- Ask for a room near transportation hubs to avoid long walks
- Bring snacks and non-perishables to save money
- Use Disney transportation over rideshares or rental cars
- Purchase refillable mugs for soda and coffee savings
- Identify your must-do amenities before picking resorts
Conclusion
Disney’s value resorts allow visitors to experience the magic while sticking to a budget. Great theming, iconic locations, and family-friendly vibes define these hotels.
Choosing the best value resort means weighing your priorities across room types, themes, dining, amenities and transportation. Our top recommendation goes to Pop Century for its recent upgrades, Skyliner perks and striking theming.
But motivation like a Little Mermaid room or spacious suites could rank another resort higher for your family. Ultimately, Disney’s value hotels extend affordable access to the magic with compromises on room quality and amenities.
