In 1994, the first of the Walt Disney World Value Resorts opened. The All-Star Sports Resort became Disney’s first true low-priced, family hotel. Over the years, the rooms at the hotels have gotten refreshed with new additions and transportation options available. We’ll be sharing everything you need to know about the Disney World Value Resorts and how they compare to the other Disney World Resort hotel categories.
Disney World Value Resorts
There are five Walt Disney World Value Resorts. They are:
- Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort: A sports-themed resort featuring football, baseball, basketball, soccer, and tennis.
- Disney’s All-Star Music Resort: A music-themed resort that features country, jazz, rock, Calypso, and Broadway musicals.
- Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort: Features classic Disney movies like Toy Story, Herbie the Luv Bug, The Mighty Ducks, Fantasia, and One Hundred and One Dalmatians.
- Disney Pop Century Resort: Themed after decades from the 1900s like the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. This hotel will bring back memories.
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort: Themed after Disney movies like Cars, the Little Mermaid, the Lion King, and Finding Nemo are celebrated in this colorful resort.
The All-Star Resorts are basically identical except for the theming. The Pop Century was built years after the All-Stars and is basically the same, but there are a few enhancements.
About the Value Resort Rooms
Each of the Disney World Value Resorts offers Standard Room types, with options for Preferred Rooms with better locations. Most importantly for families, there are select Family Suite options at the Disney World Value Resorts.
Standard and Preferred Rooms
All of the Disney World Value Resorts have both Standard and Preferred rooms. The only difference between Standard and Preferred rooms is the location of the room. Preferred rooms are closer to the main building.
The rooms are 260 sq. ft. and are normal hotel rooms. For comparison, the Disney World Deluxe Resort rooms are larger, with a room at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort measuring approximately 440 square feet (though they range by location). Standard and Preferred rooms come with one King or two Full-size beds (two queen beds in the refurbished rooms), a TV, telephone, and more. All rooms are open to the outside; there are no enclosed halls. Rooms are decorated in the style and color of the building.
Family Suites
Disney’s Art of Animation and Disney’s All-Star Music Resort also offer Family Suites. These consist of one bedroom, a living space with furniture that converts into beds (a full-sized bed and two separated twin-sized beds), a small kitchenette, and two bathrooms. While these rooms will typically run more expensive than purchasing two Standard Rooms, they come with the added benefit of living space, more room, and the chance to all stay together as a family.
Disney World Value Resort Amenities
As far as amenities go, you’ll find less available to you then at a Moderate or Deluxe Resort. The Disney World Value Resorts do not offer a table-service restaurant, but instead have just quick-service dining available. The room sizes are smaller, and you’ll find less luxurious decor than at one of the Disney World Deluxe Resorts. However, if you are looking for a place to sleep and enjoy a bit of downtime away from the parks, you’ll find everything you need at these hotels.
These are the dining options you can find at each of the Disney World Value Resort hotels:
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Everything POP Shopping & Dining
- Petals Pool Bar
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Landscape of Flavors
- The Drop Off Pool Bar
Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
- Intermission Food Court
- Singing Spirits Pool Bar
Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
- End Zone Food Court
- Grandstand Spirits Pool bar
Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
- World Premiere Food Court
- Silver Screen Spirits Pool Bar
Disney World Value Resort Perks
Staying at a Disney World Value Resort will give you access to Early Theme Park Entry, meaning you will be able to enter any of the theme parks 30 minutes before their official opening time.
Value Resort Transportation
Disney Transportation does a wonderful job of moving millions of people around the park every year. However, transportation at the Disney Value Resorts can be frustrating. The Transportation mode for Value Resorts is mostly by bus. All-Star Resorts share a common bus system, except during rush hour, meaning you could be in for a longer ride to get to where you need to go.
Disney’s Pop Century and Disney’s Art of Animation both have the added bonus of being on the Disney Skyliner, which gives convenient access to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. If you plan on visiting those parks a bit, you may find picking one of those two options is a great perk of staying there!