I Booked the “Cheapest” Disney World Hotel for a Week — It Ended Up Costing Me $1,570

If you’re looking to go to Disney World the week of Christmas, this is exactly how much it will cost you to stay at Disney’s cheapest hotel.

Staying at a Disney resort during the week of Christmas can be special with Christmas trees and lights strung up everywhere. It can also be costly, as it is one of the most popular weeks at Disney World. Where there is demand, the prices will rise, and that’s exactly what we found out when booking a resort for that week.

When planning a Disney World vacation, many guests look to Disney’s Value Resorts as the most budget-friendly option on property. For this trip, I booked a week-long stay at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort from December 21 through December 27, right in the heart of the busy Christmas holiday season. On paper, the All-Star resorts are marketed as the “cheapest” way to stay on Disney property, with bright theming, oversized character icons, and easy access to Disney transportation. The rooms are smaller and more basic compared to the Moderate and Deluxe resorts, but for families looking to be close to the magic at a lower price point, they’re a popular pick.

Despite being labeled as the “budget” choice, the stay is far from inexpensive. For a standard room during the peak holiday season, the cost added up quickly. Over the six-night stay, my total came to $1,570, and of course, that’s before expenses like food, park tickets, or souvenirs. Rates at Disney resorts fluctuate significantly depending on the time of year, and Christmas is one of the most in-demand weeks of the year. While the same room might be several hundred dollars less in the off-season, booking around the holidays means you’re paying top-tier pricing even at the least expensive Disney hotel category.

As for the resort itself, All-Star Sports leans into its athletic theming with larger-than-life décor like football helmets, tennis rackets, and surfboards towering over the buildings. The rooms were recently refurbished with a cleaner, more modern design, including a queen bed and a pull-down Murphy bed. While the layout is compact, the room does a good job of maximizing space for families of up to four. The main pool, themed to surfing, is the heart of the resort. The food court provides quick-service options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, which is ideal for families looking for convenience before heading out to the parks.

It’s worth noting that staying at All-Star Sports also gives guests access to the complimentary Disney bus system, which is the only form of transportation here. That means relying on buses for every park trip and waiting in longer lines during peak hours. For some, the savings over a Moderate or Deluxe resort are worth it, but for others, the lack of dining variety and limited amenities may make the higher cost during Christmas week feel a bit steep. In the end, while the All-Star resorts are still technically the cheapest option on Disney property, the holiday pricing shows that even “value” at Disney can carry a hefty price tag.

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