When you are traveling to Walt Disney World, it’s important to know what type of accommodations you are going to be making as your home during your stay. Any seasoned Disney traveler will tell you that the Disney resort is more than a place to sleep~it’s part of the whole vacation experience. Disney wouldn’t offer over 20 resorts to choose from on their property if they didn’t agree! For some families, the value resort category is their option for their stay. While it is an affordable and often fun way to do a Disney vacation, there are some pros and cons to this category and the resorts themselves. Today, I am going to share some facts and tips to make your stay at Disney’s Value Resorts more magical!
Disney’s Value Resorts consist of Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s All Star Music Resort, Disney’s All Star Sports Resort, Disney’s All Star Movies Resort, and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. If you have a hard time choosing, I highly recommend either Pop Century or Art of Animation. There is one main benefit to these. They run their own buses to the parks. The All Stars share amongst the three of them. This makes for longer wait times when you want to get to the parks. And, getting home at night can take longer as well.
Two of Disney’s Value Resorts will accommodate more than 4 guests. Disney’s All Star Music and Disney’s Art of Animation have Family Suites that accommodate up to 6 and have a small kitchenette and two bathrooms in them. If you want to stay at a Value with a family of 5, your other option would be to get two rooms.
Disney’s Value Resorts have small rooms. The standard rooms for 4 guests have two double beds, or one king size bed in them. The rooms measure about 260 square feet. They will accommodate a family of 5, if one child is under the age of 3. However, it will be a tight fit with a pack and play set up, as well as a stroller and other necessities you need for a young child.
Disney’s Value Resorts only offer Quick Service Dining locations. There are no table service meals at the Value Resorts. So, if you are on the Disney Dining Plan, you will need to travel to another resort, Downtown Disney, or the parks for your table service meals.
Disney’s Value Resorts are farther from the parks than the Deluxe or Moderate. This is NOT a bad thing by any means. Many guests will pay the extra room rate to be closer to the parks or Downtown Disney. To be honest, my family is one of them. I share this with you because the Value resorts only offer views of a pool, the parking lot, or woods. No theme park views at the values.
The Value Resorts are heavily themed. If you want to feel like you are at Disney, or smack in a Disney movie, then a Value Resort is for you. All Star Movies has a Toy Story, Fantasia, 101 Dalmatians, The Mighty Ducks, and Herbie the Love Bug. Art of Animation is themed after Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, Cars, and The Lion King. Sports and Music have huge replicas of sports gear, musical intstruments, etc. And Pop Century ranges from the 1950s-1980s in its theming. The Values are brightly colored and really give you a great themed experience. The rooms are cartoony, as is the rest of the resort decor.
The Value Resorts offer themed pools, no quiet pools. They each have several large themed pools. For some guests with small children, the quiet pools at the moderate and deluxe are nice.
All Value Resorts participate in some great amenities and activities. You can enjoy movies under the stars, poolside games and entertainment, and playgrounds. You can also enjoy Disney’s Magical Express free when staying at a Value Resort, as well as Extra Magic Hours and package delivery.
Overall, Disney’s Value Resorts have great options for families or couples who want to enjoy all the perks of staying on Disney property without breaking the bank. Have you enjoyed a value resort? Which is your favorite?
Carrie is a vacation specialist with Destinations in Florida, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. She is ready to help your family make magical vacation memories at Walt Disney World, Disneyland or Disney Cruise Line at no cost to you! Contact her at carrie@destinationsinflorida.com or at 937.209.9473 to book your next Disney vacation!