Disney Value Resorts: The Best Disney World Hotels for Families on a Budget

Walt Disney World vacations are magical - but let's be honest, they can also be expensive. That's where Disney's Value Resorts come in. These budget-friendly, on-property hotels are the perfect solution for families looking to stretch their dollars without sacrificing the Disney magic.

I have personally stayed in every Disney resort category - Value, Moderate, and Deluxe - and I can tell you firsthand: the Value Resorts can be a smart and fun option.

What Are the Disney Value Resorts

Disney World has five Value Resorts, each designed for families, couples, and groups, and each themed in its own unique way.

• All-Star Movies

• All-Star Music

• All-Star Sports

• Pop Century

• Art of Animation

While each of these resorts has more basic accommodations compared to Moderate or Deluxe resorts, you still get the benefits of staying on-property with Disney, the fun theming, pools, dining, transportation, and early park entry.

Pro Tip: The money you save by staying at a Value Resort can go towards those extra Disney experiences, such as specialty dining, Memory Maker photo packages, Lightning Lanes, or even unique tours like Keys to the Kingdom!

Unique Theming at Each Value Resort

The Value Resorts are known for their bold, playful themes that kids (and adults!) love

All-Star Resorts (Movies, Music, and Sports)

Located near Animal Kingdom, these three resorts share a lot of features, but each has its own fun vibe:

• All-Star Movies

  Giant statues of Disney favorites like Toy Story, 101 Dalmatians, and Fantasia adorn this resort

• All-Star Music

  Musical theming with Jazz, Rock, and Broadway sections - family suites are available

• All-Star Sports

  Oversized footballs, surfboards, and sports details throughout

  
  

Pop Century Resort

A bright, colorful celebration of 20th-century pop culture, with giant yo-yo's, bowling pins, and nostalgic details from the 50s through the 90s

Art of Animation Resort

Perfect for Disney animation lovers, this resort features sections themed to The Little Mermaid for the standard rooms and the family suites themed to Finding Nemo, Cars and The Lion King

Transportation at the Value Resorts

Staying at the Value Resorts still means convenient Disney transportation - but with a few key differences:

All-Star Resorts

All three of these resorts share a bus system, with the first stop being at the All-Star Sports, then All-Star Music, with All-Star Movies being the last stop. This can lead to full buses and longer lines and extra wait times to get on and off the buses. This is especially true for park opening and closing.

Pro Tips:

• If you stay at All-Star Sports, you have your first pick of the bus line

• This is a great reason to sleep in if you aren't in a rush to get to the park in the morning

• This is a great reason to stay a bit later in the parks and catch that last ride after the fireworks

• You can budget some of the savings to use Uber, Lyft, or MiniVan service

Pop Century and Art of Animation

Both of these resorts have a dedicated bus line, meaning that the buses only travel to and from their respective resorts. This can result in short bus lines and increased wait times.

The Disney Skyliner is easily accessible from these resorts, making for a quick ride to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. In fact, if the Skyliner is running, there will be no bus service from these resorts to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios.

Pro Tip: If you get up early enough, hop on the Skyliner to EPCOT. It will drop you off in the back of the International Showcase near the French Pavilion. You can then rope-drop Remy's Ratatouille Adventure first thing in the morning!

Pools, Arcades, and Activities at the Value Resorts

While Value Resorts don't have water slides or hot tubs, they still offer plenty of fun:

All-Star Resorts

• Themed pools at each resort

• Smaller quiet pools

• Poolside activities and games

• Arcades for extra family fun

Pop Century Resort

• Hippy Dippy Pool (flower-shaped main pool)

• Smaller pools in different decades sections

• Arcade and playground

Art of Animation

• The Big Blue Pool, the largest pool at Disney World, features underwater music

• Cozy Cone and Flippin' Fins quiet pools

• Arcade and themed playgrounds

Dining at Disney Value Resorts

All Value Resorts feature quick-service dining with family-friendly favorites like burgers, pizza, and sandwiches

Dining Highlights

• Food courts serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner

• Mobile ordering is available (and highly recommended!)

• Limited late-night dining - most Moderate and Deluxe Resorts close earlier

• Pizza Delivery - available to your room for an extra cost, which is perfect for a quiet night in after a long day in the parks

Budget Tip: Staying at the Value Resorts could free up your budget to splurge on any of the popular Disney Character Meals or dine out at one of the many signature restaurants in the parks or at other resorts

Why Disney Value Resorts Are a Smart Choice

Disney's Value Resorts are fantastic options for families who want affordability without sacrificing convenience or fun. You'll still get great pools, transportation, and plenty of Disney magic. Whether you're planning a longer trip, traveling with kids, or just looking to maximize your vacation dollars, Disney Value Resorts let you do Disney your way.

Booking early often means better rates! Get in touch with me to discuss your options and see what I can do for you!

Looking for more options? Check out my other Disney Resort guides:

• Disney Moderate Resorts

• Disney Deluxe Resorts