All About Disney Value Resorts

I’ve talked before about the benefits of staying at Walt Disney World Resorts. Beyond convenience, you can get some special perks.

However many families may think that the Walt Disney World resorts may be a little too expensive for their budgets. While luxury deluxe resorts are offered for guests looking for an upscale stay, Walt Disney World also has value resorts in addition to their moderate resorts.

These budget-friendly resorts offer the same conveniences of staying on property, at a greater value for families. Here’s everything that you need to know about Walt Disney World value resorts.

We stayed at Disney’s Art of Animation as part of a complimentary press trip. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. A purchase/click through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you.

All About Disney Value Resorts

Walt Disney World currently offers five value resorts. Disney’s All-Star Resorts includes three separate properties – All-Star Movies, All-Star Music, and All-Star Sports. There’s also Disney’s Pop Century Resort, and the newest Disney value resort – Disney’s Art of Animation. These resorts offer the same on-property benefits as the other Disney resorts, at a value price.

Like other resort guests, guests at Disney’s Value Resorts receive complimentary transportation to the theme parks. The value resorts are all on bus routes, so while you won’t be able to take a boat or monorail to the resorts, you’ll still have buses.

The buses travel to each of the parks as well as Disney Springs throughout the day. The bus service can be extremely convenient because you won’t need to worry about renting a car for your Disney vacation. In addition, Disney’s Pop Century and Disney’s Art of Animation also have access to the Disney Skyliner, which goes to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The value resorts also have themed pools and pool activities at each resort. We typically spend most of our time at the parks, but it’s always nice to have activities available at the resort if you want to relax for a day or even just an afternoon.

Looking to eat while you are at your Disney value resort? Each of the Disney value resorts offers a food court.

The food courts all have plenty of delicious food options in a fun environment. Although you’ll probably be eating many meals at the parks, it’s always nice to have some great options at the resort, especially for breakfast.

You won’t find table service restaurants at the value resorts, but I haven’t found that to be a problem. Because there are so many options available throughout Walt Disney World, you don’t necessarily need them.

Disney’s All-Star Resorts

There are three All-Star resort properties – All-Star Sports, All-Star Movies, and All-Star Music. These are different resorts with different themes, but they are all within walking distance of each other.

Like the other Disney value properties, they are motel-style properties with external entrance doors. All of them are styled based on their themes. If you are planning to reserve a standard room, the main difference between these resorts is the specific theme.

Rooms at the All-Star Resorts include standard amenities. In addition to standard rooms, the Disney All-Star Music resort also offers family suites. These suites, which sleep up to six, are perfect for larger families.

In addition to the master bedroom with a queen bed, the family suites include a living room with a full-size sleeper sofa, a convertible twin chair sleeper, and an ottoman that turns into a twin bed. They are a great option for a family that needs a bit more space than a standard room would provide.

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

My favorite of the value hotels is Disney’s Pop Century Resort. This fun celebration of pop culture includes buildings themed for each recent decade with bright colors.

The whole resort has a larger-than-life and fun vibe that is perfect for families. The rooms at Disney’s Pop Century Resort are located in buildings themed after specific decades.

So for instance, you’ll find gigantic yo-yos at the edges of one of the 60s buildings. The resort offers exterior entry doors, as well walkways and elevators on the upper floors.

The rooms have standard amenities, and while they aren’t large, they are very comfortable. If you plan to spend some time at the resort, you’ll enjoy the large Hippy Dippy Pool, in the center of the resort, which has a small pool bar along with numerous pool activities throughout the day. There’s also a kiddie pool as well as some smaller pools located throughout the resort.

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Disney’s newest value resort is also one of the most fun. Located across the bridge from the Pop Century Resort is Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. This resort is a highly themed resort offering several distinct areas, including Finding Nemo, Cars, the Lion King, and The Little Mermaid.

The Little Mermaid rooms are standard rooms that are similar to the other value resorts, while the other three areas have family suites. These suites have two separate rooms and can sleep up to six. The living space includes a pull-out sofa and a dining room table that turns down into a bed.

The highlight of Disney’s Art of Animation is the Big Blue Pool, a Finding Nemo-themed pool located right in the center of the resort. The Big Blue Pool area also has a small splash area and the main pool even has an underwater sound system. There are two other pools on the property – one in the Cars section and one in the Little Mermaid section – but the big pool is so fun that it’s definitely worth the walk.

Choosing From the Value Resorts

All of these options are great – you really can’t go wrong with any Disney resort hotel – value or otherwise. So when it’s time to choose, you should look at a few things.

If you are traveling with a larger family, I’d definitely look at the family suites at Disney’s Art of Animation. It’s a fun resort, and you’ll have some extra space to spread out.

However, these suites do come with a larger price tag. You’ll have to decide if it’s worth it to you.

If your Walt Disney World resort theme park plans include Disney’s Hollywood Studios and/or EPCOT, Disney’s Pop Century and the Little Mermaid room at the Art of Animation are great options. You’ll be able to walk to the Disney Skyliner station which is much more convenient than the buses.