Walt Disney World Resorts in Orlando, Florida, offers a wide variety of resorts to choose from. If you’re planning a trip to Disney, I’ve got you covered with this series comparing the three main types of Disney resorts! This first installment I’ll cover the value resorts, you can also check out my moderate resorts and deluxe resorts comparisons!
Value resorts are, of course, the most budget friendly resorts at Walt Disney World. If you’re looking for a full Disney experience of staying on property and want to save a little money, then these resort hotels are the ones for you. You still get the full Disney themed experience, for a little bit less money per night. In fact, some of the hotels have the best “Disney” themes of all the hotels on property! The value resorts all have different themes and locations.
Value Resort Rooms and Amenities
These resorts all have a lot in common as far as what they offer and what’s missing. For example, the value resorts have smaller rooms and beds. The rooms aren’t as plush as the moderate and deluxe resort rooms and they definitely have more of a “motel” feel to them. You notice it in the tiny details such as the chairs being plain plastic instead of cushioned.
The pools are definitely large and themed out! However, there’s no hot tubs at these resorts, except the campsite. The value resorts all have a food court type of restaurant you can eat in or grab food to go. You can also order pizza to eat in your room (or at the at the pool). However, you won’t find a sit down restaurant or a lobby bar. The pool bars are very good, though! There’s also walking trails, playground, arcade and movie nights for the family to enjoy. The resorts also have free wifi.
How to Select the Right Disney Value Resort for You
One of the biggest considerations in my opinion is location. The value resorts are mostly near the Animal Kingdom area and the World Wide Sports area. If you want to be close to AK then chose one of those. If you don’t mind the extra travel time to the parks, select one of the resorts in the World Wide Sports area. Pop Century and Art of Animation are on the Disney Skyliner route, which can be a fun way to get in to Hollywood Studies and Epcot! Otherwise, you can take the buses or drive and park. Note: the buses get crowded and there will be a wait to get on, especially if you’re going to Magic Kingdom.
Another consideration is your preferred theme. As for getting that “Disney magic” feeling, I think the Art of Animation is the best selection here! It also has the largest pool of all the resorts, which is a Finding Nemo theme. But, you and your family might prefer one of the other themes and there’s plenty to chose from. Besides the themes and locations, the value resorts are all very similar otherwise, as far as value for your money.
Comparison of Disney Value Resorts
Located near the Animal Kingdom area of Disney, All Star Movies is decorated to celebrate some of your favorite Disney movies. Scattered around the resort you will also find impressive statues of favorite characters. The main pool here has a Fantasia theme to it complete with a Sorcerer Mickey fountain. There's also a kiddie pool. Duck Pond Pool gets its inspiration from the Mighty Ducks movies. Location: Animal Kingdom area If you and your family love music this is the resort to choose! Located in the Animal Kingdom Area, All Star Music pays tribute to many of the most popular music styles. This resort also offers family suites. These suites can comfortably sleep up to six people. The main pool is shaped like a guitar with a Three Caballeros fountain. There is also a kiddie pool. The Piano Pool is shaped like a grand piano complete with black and white keys on the deck of the pool. Location: Animal Kingdom area In the Animal Kingdom area of the Disney parks, All Star Sports engulfs you in the world of competitive sports! From baseball to tennis and even surfing, this is the resort for all of the sports fans in your family. The main pool is lined by three foot tall surf boards and really makes you feel like you are at the beach. Nearby there is a kiddie pool for the little ones to enjoy too. Grand Slam pool is shaped like a baseball diamond complete with a Goofy fountain on the pitching mound. Location: Animal Kingdom area Located in the wide world of sports resort area, Disney’s Art of Animation puts you right into some favorite Disney animated movies! This is the best of Disney's value resorts, in my opinion! The theme is just awesome and the resort is even just fun to walk around! Here you can also find family suites that will easily sleep up to six people. This resort is also now on the skyliner gondola line, which can take you to Hollywood Studies via connections at other resorts. The big blue pool is themed like Finding Nemo. Within this pool there is also an interactive splash pad or the little ones. My kids absolutely loved the splash pad. Here you will also find a Cars themed pool and an underwater orchestra themed pool. Location: Wide World of Sports area Pop Century is located in the wide world of sports area. The theme covers many centuries at a time so you can take a step back into your favorite century! This resort is also now on the skyliner gondola line, which can take you to Hollywood Studies via connections at other resorts. The hippy dippy pool has a 1960’s feel complete with flower shaped jets! You can also visit the bowling pool which is shaped like a huge bowling pin. Here you will get a 1950’s vibe. Or, take a step back into the 1990’s at the computer shaped pool complete with a floppy disk and keyboard. Location: Wide World of Sports area Located in the Magic Kingdom part of the resorts, Fort Wilderness Campsites really are a one of a kind experience. If your family loves the outdoors and camping then the campsites at Fort Wilderness are the perfect spot for you! The campsites can accommodate anything from a tent to RV’s making it perfect for anyone who loves to camp. The main pool is the Meadow Swimmin’ pool and it features a corkscrew water slide along with a whirlpool spa. They also offer a toddler friendly pool area with kid sized water slides. There's also a quiet pool area where you will find another whirlpool spa. This is unique at the value resorts- the other ones don't have hot tubs! Location: Magic Kingdom areaDisney Value Resorts
All Star Movies Resort
Disney's All-Star Music Resort | Walt Disney World Resort
All Star Music Resort
Disney's All-Star Sports Resort | Walt Disney World Resort
All Star Sports Resort
Disney's Art of Animation Resort | Walt Disney World Resort
Art of Animation Resort
Disney's Pop Century Resort | Walt Disney World Resort
Pop Century Resort
The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort | Walt Disney World Resort
Fort Wilderness Campsites
