Value resorts are the low-cost, economical option for staying at Disney. Value resorts will have basic hotel amenities: a pool, fast food court, arcade, and a gift shop. However some amenities will be missing: the pools will not have a water slide, no sit-down restaurants, the hotel rooms doors will open up to the outside instead of an indoor corridor, etc. Value resorts are also very large and require a lot of walking between amenities and your room. Depending on where your room is, the outside noise can also be quite loud.
Value Resort Recommendations
All Star Music, All Star Sports, & All Star Movies
While these are listed as separate hotels, in reality the All Star resorts are very close together; so close that guests at one resort often use the amenities at another. While these are value resorts, they still have the Disney magic.
Pop Century & Art of Animation
These resorts are newer than the All Star resorts and can cost a bit more. However, they offer a fantastic value with their additional amenities, such as fast Skyliner (cable car) transportation to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
Value Resort Overview
In regards to Value resorts, I recommend Pop Century or Art of Animation. They’re slightly newer compared to the other Value resorts: All Star Music, All Star Sports, and All Star Movies. Pop Century and Art of Animation have fast Skyliner (cable car) transportation to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, while the All Star series of resorts are farther away from the theme parks and only offer bus transportation. If you’re bringing a big family to Disney World, both Art of Animation and All Star Music offer family-sized suites that can sleep up to 6 adults.
One of the reasons I recommend Art of Animation is its food court, called Landscape of Flavors. The food court consists of many different stations: a grill for burgers, pizza, desserts, and a healthy food area. For breakfast, they offer the usual omelettes, waffles, bacon, cereal, and so forth, but for lunch and dinner the place comes alive. There are healthy meal choices such as chicken tikka masala, many different choices of toppings for pizzas, big and small burgers, salads – you name it, they have it. The food comes quickly with very little wait, and there’s plenty of it. I’ve stayed at other, more expensive Disney resorts, and there were many times I’ve wished for Landscape of Flavors food.
If you need to save your pennies, the All Stars series of hotels (All Star Sports, All Star Music, All Star Movies) are slightly cheaper, but still offer an incredible value for your money: you still enjoy the free bus transportation to theme parks, good pools and fast-food restaurants, and a very fun atmosphere.
Bottom line: if you’re looking for value-priced Disney resort, pick Art of Animation or Pop Century. Need a less expensive option? Any All Star resort is an excellent choice; choose All Star Music with their family suites if you’re bringing a big family.
Value resorts are a fantastic deal, but if you can afford to spend some more money, it’s worth considering a Moderate hotel. Click here to see Moderate hotel options, including my favorite hotel, Port Orleans – French Quarter.