We have looked at Disney's deluxe resorts and Moderate resorts. Now we are going to take a quick look at Walt Disney World value resorts.
It was a big deal when Disney World added value resorts to its collection of resorts. Families no longer had to stay off Disney property if they couldn't afford an expensive hotel room. It really changed the landscape of Walt Disney World. And definitely changed it for the better!
More people could afford a Disney World vacation. It also helped Disney, because more people could afford a Disney vacation. You might call it a win-win situation. (I call it a smart business decision.)
Disney's All-Star Movies Resort
Walt Disney World's value resorts have 3 different "All-Star" resorts. The first one we are going to look at is the All-Star Movies Resort.
The value resorts are more like motels than hotels. The rooms open to the outside instead of an inside hallway or some highly themed area. The buildings are three stories tall and they are not very far apart from each other. As you can see in the image above, it does have very cute theming throughout the resort, celebrating Disney movies.
The All-Star Movies Resort has a Fantasia themed pool. It is a cute pool where Sorcerer Mickey sprays water into the pool. There is a kiddie pool and water play area nearby for little ones to play. And there is also a Duck Pond Pool that is in the style of a hockey rink like in THE MIGHTY DUCKS movies.
The All-Star Movies has a food court named the World Premier Food Court. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is supposed to look like a grand movie theater lobby of the past. One thing to keep an eye on here is the desserts. The All-Star resorts really have their dessert game going in high gear! You can almost always find something fun and different. You can also get pizza delivered to your room if you like.
The All-Star Movies does have movies under the stars, which is always a fun evening activity. And you have access to all of the benefits of any of the higher-priced resorts as far as extra magic hours go, and being able to book your Fastpasses in advance of your stay. You also have bus transportation to anywhere you would like to go on the resort.
Disney's All-Star Sports Resort
Another All-Star Resort is the All-Star Sports Resort. As you can imagine this resort has a sports theme. It is exactly like the All-Star Movies resort except in theme. There are sports images all over this resort. The pool has a surfboard theme and also has a kiddie pool and area nearby. There is a second pool in the shape of a baseball diamond and Goofy is spraying water into it. Very cute!
The food court is named End Zone Food Court. It has the same offerings as the All-Star Movies resort, along with great desserts. (Can you tell I like the desserts?) You can also have pizza delivered to your room.
You have access to all the benefits of the other resorts when it comes to extra magic hours and scheduling Fastpasses ahead of your arrival. You also have bus transportation to anywhere you want to go.
Disney's All-Star Music Resort
Can you guess what I'm going to say about this All-Star resort?
You got it! It is exactly the same as the other two resorts, only this one has a music theme. There are music images all over the resort (which is very cute.) The main pool is in the shape of a guitar with The Three Caballeros spraying water from the middle of the pool. There is (of course) a kiddie pool nearby. There is also a second pool in the shape of a grand piano featuring a deck of black and white keys.
The food court is the Intermission Food Court. It has a deli-style market and also has great desserts. And of course, you can order pizza in your room.
This resort also has what Disney calls "Family Suites". They have room for 6. There is a bedroom with a queen-size bed; a living area with a double-size sleeper sofa; a sleeper chair and ottoman; a kitchenette, and two bathrooms.
You also have access to the extra magic hours and early Fastpass reservations. As well as bus transportation.
Disney's Pop Century Resort
The next Walt Disney World Value Resort that we are going to a quick look at is Disney's Pop Century Resort. This resort is a little bit more expensive than the other value resorts we've talked about. The reason is that it is a little nicer, the rooms are a little bit bigger, and you have access to the new Disney Skyliner.
What's the Disney Skyliner you ask? It is the new gondola transportation system that Disney just opened on September 29th, 2019. It takes resort guests to Epcot or Hollywood Studios. No busses, and from what I understand (I haven't been on them yet) it is not slow. I have heard great things about it, and it is a great addition to this resort!
You have the Hippy Dippy pool inspired by the 1960s. It has water jets that are sprayed by flowers. There is also a kiddie pool with a pop-jet water fountain nearby. There are two other pools. One is a bowling theme pool from the 1950s, and one is a computer pool from the 1990s.
The resort has a dining and shopping area called Everything Pop Shopping And Dining. It has the usual offerings at seven food stations. And you can shop after you're done eating. You can also order pizza to your room.
This resort offers the same benefits as the other resorts with reserving Fastpasses before you arrive and access to Extra Magic Hours. Besides the Disney Skyliner, you also have bus transportation to get you where you want to go.
Disney's Art Of Animation Resort
The final Walt Disney World value resort that we are going to take a quick look at is Disney's Art Of Animation. This is the most expensive of the value resorts, but also probably the people's favorite of the value resorts. This resort is themed to Disney and Pixar animated features, including Finding Nemo, Cars, The Little Mermaid, and The Lion King.
The rooms at this resort are themed to each of these movies and are very cute. This resort also features family suites. The family suites sleep six, has 2 bathrooms, and a kitchenette. There is a bedroom with a queen bed, a double-size convertible table bed, and a double-size sleeper sofa. It also has a living area, which is really nice and makes the room feel much bigger.
The dining here is called Landscape Of Flavors and offers five food shops to get breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can also order pizza to your room.
The pool at this resort is called The Big Blue Pool and is inspired by Finding Nemo. It is the largest resort pool in all of Walt Disney World. And of course, there is a kiddie pool and area nearby. There are also two more pools. One is a themed after the Cozy Cone from Cars and the Flippin' Fins Pool which is from The Little Mermaid. And of course, it has Sebastian conducting the fun at the pool.
The Walt Disney World value resort also has access to the Disney Skyliner! You can also take busses to where ever you need to go. And the benefits of reserving Fastpasses before you arrive and you can take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours.
Walt Disney World Value Resorts Are Great!
The value resorts are great! They are a fantastic option that can help you go to Walt Disney World for a lower budget. They are well themed and provide everything you need. They are especially nice if you don't plan to spend much time in your room.
One thing I would warn you about it at the All-Star Resorts, it can get a little loud. These are the resorts that school groups tend to stay in when they come to Disney (bands, cheerleaders, sports teams, etc.) I have been there during those times, and while it isn't terrible, it is louder than normal. So if that is a concern then you might want to ask if there are groups staying at the resort you want, and if they are, book another location.
The All-Star resorts are also older than the other value resorts, and could probably use a little refreshing. I just want to be completely honest so you know what to expect.
