Disney World hotels are NOT created equal, as much as we love each of them in their own special way.
Disney World’s Value Resorts can be particularly divisive. They have larger-than-life exterior theming, but they’re not as nicely appointed as their Moderate and Deluxe Resort counterparts. And our followers? They have some STRONG feelings about this hotel category.
5. Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
The lowest-ranked Value Resort for us (and many folks) is Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort. This is one of the cheapest resorts on the property (all three All-Stars are about the same cost), and it could be fun for people who love the sports theme, but there’s not much Disney theming, and the offerings aren’t very special.
The rooms are a pretty basic, light Disney theme. But one of the big problems with this hotel is that it’s often the choice of high school groups, sports teams, cheerleading squads, and dance teams during competition season. Want to spend your vacation listening to teens practicing outside during the day? Yeah, maybe not.
So what did you guys have to say about it?
“Value! When I stay at a value resort, it is literally only about a place to sleep. I always get the cheapest room at Sports for some reason.”
“Pleasantly surprised! Stayed here for one night. We used the room just to sleep in. Spent all of our time at the water park, mini golf, and Disney Springs. I have stayed in all the values except Movies, and this place was pretty much the same as all the others. Not sure why it gets such a bad wrap. If you are not spending any time in your room, then this is a great way to spend money.”
As long as you set your expectations beforehand, this could be a really decent resort stay.
4. Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
Similar in style to All-Star Sports, All-Star Movies Resort gets a leg up because of its incredible movie theming. The movie themes are only on the outside of the buildings (they don’t extend inside the rooms), but the chance to see some of your favorite characters in statue form is pretty fun. Your kids will love this!
The movie themes available around the resort are 101 Dalmatians, Herbie, Fantasia, Toy Story, and Mighty Ducks. They’re mostly more underrated films, but walking around this hotel is arguably more fun than exploring the other All-Stars.
One fan said, “It gets the job done! Not lots of bells and whistles, but the price is great, and the rooms are clean, but small.”
Another person noted, “We are park people, and this is in a reasonable price range. We loved staying at Movies.”
Like the other All-Star Resorts, it has the simple amenities of one food court, one gift shop, and bus transportation to all the parks and Disney Springs. Simple and straightforward.
3. Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
But of the All-Star Resorts, we’re ranking All-Star Music at the top! Why? There’s one singular reason — Family Suites. All-Star Music is the only hotel of the three that offers rooms that sleep up to six people, complete with a kitchenette, a bedroom, and an extra bathroom. They’re a STEAL for larger families.
Other than those suites, the rooms are the same as the other All-Stars. The exterior theming is dedicated to different types of music, including Country, Jazz, Calypso, and even Broadway (that section is our FAVE!).
Our readers had pretty nice things to say about this resort:
“I love the theming of this resort- reminds me of all the classic Disney tunes that we all love. Plus brings back special memories of my first ever Disney trip!!”
“Just got back from a Great Disney Vacation at All-Star Music Resort. Room was very nice. Bed was comfy and clean. Cast members were Great. Will definitely go back to All Star Music.”
If you’re a larger family traveling to Disney World, this is perhaps the most budget-friendly way to stay on property!
2. Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Even though the All-Stars are decent for what they offer, the other two Value Resorts top them on our list. Next up is Pop Century Resort, located on Hourglass Lake in the Hollywood Studios Resort Area. The main thing this hotel has going for it is the Disney Skyliner!
Pop Century and Art of Animation share a Disney Skyliner station — by taking this form of transportation, you can connect to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, as well as the Riviera Resort and Caribbean Beach Resort. It’s a really great perk!
The rooms here are simple, similar to those at the All-Stars. They sleep four adults maximum. The outdoor theming of the resort is pop culture, with sections of the resort themed to each of the decades from the 1950s to the 1990s. You’ll feel the nostalgia here!
Disney fans seriously rave about this one, saying:
“Pop is the ultimate WDW resort! I stayed there for the first time for a solo mom and son trip, and it was perfect. The Skyliner is the elite form of transportation. The pool is a blast, and Petals pool bar is fantastic. Hopping on the Skyliner to grab drinks at Bar Riva for Happy Hour and then heading back to Pop can’t be beat.”
“I love POP!! The access to the Skyliner is awesome, and a short walk to get to it. Also love how the hotel looks. I feel like I’m in Disney with all the theming! It saddens me that most of the other resorts have lost this, I feel.”
This hotel is not as cheap as the All-Stars, but it’s not as expensive as its next-door neighbor, either. It has a food court, gift shop, and bus transportation to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs.
1. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Finally, we’ve arrived at #1! Art of Animation Resort is right across the Generational Gap Bridge from Pop Century Resort, and it is Disney theming to the NINES. Each section of this hotel has over-the-top movie theming both on the outside AND inside.
One section of the hotel has standard rooms — the Little Mermaid area. However, the other three sections (Cars, Finding Nemo, and The Lion King) are all home to Family Suites. These rooms sleep six and come with a separate bedroom, a living area, and a kitchenette.
Now, the main issue here is that the Family Suites aren’t exactly cheap. In fact, that room type tends to fall towards Disney’s Moderate price range. However, with the affordability of the Little Mermaid rooms, the Skyliner availability, and the incredible theming of the resort as a whole, we still had to put Art of Animation at the top.
Some comments from our followers included:
“This resort has some of the cutest theming at Disney, and the Finding Nemo section was just the cutest, with the seagulls saying ‘mine’, the big blue pool, and the reef playground. The food is ok with a food court, but the Skyliner is available to EPCOT for dining.”
“I love the theming at Art of Animation! It feels so Disney and like you are in the movies! It also has good food options, a nice shop, good pools, and skyliner access! It’s my absolute favorite hotel! It’s also affordable if you do the little mermaid rooms, and those are some of my favorites!”
“Best value resort! Period! The best theming! Skyliner access is awesome! Pools are great! Rooms are the best theming, comfortable.”
That’s our full ranking of the Value Resorts in Disney World! These comments come from our readers who follow us on social media, so if you want to participate in our next poll, make sure to follow along as well.
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Which Value Resort is your go-to? Tell us in the comments!
Music has been our Disney home for years. Our son picked it out of a guidebook based on a picture of the Three Caballeros pool, and our budget was happy that it was a value resort. We have stayed at Movies and the very nice Swan, but always go back to Music. Love the grounds, pools, theming, clean refurbished rooms and helpful staff.