When it comes to places to stay at Disney, the value resorts are where I have some of my deepest memories. This is where we stayed before we became Disney Vacation Club members, and for some reason they get a really bad reputation. Sometimes that reputation is warranted, but a lot of the time it is not.

I do think value resorts are for a very specific type of traveler. There are people who will love them and people who absolutely will not. This blog is not here to convince you to stay at a value resort. It is here to give you a real look at what they are like so you can decide if it makes sense for your family, your budget, and your expectations.

What Are the Value Resorts at Walt Disney World Resort?

Let’s start with the basics, but I want to walk you through this the way you actually experience them, not just list them.

The value resorts include:

All-Star Movies
All-Star Music
All-Star Sports
Pop Century
Art of Animation

The lowest price point is always going to be your All-Star Resorts. That is Movies, Music, and Sports. These are the resorts where you will consistently find the cheapest rates on Disney property, especially if you are watching for discounts.

I actually just stayed at All-Star Music in March 2026 because I forgot to book a hotel near the airport. I jumped online and found an annual passholder rate for $147 for that night. And this was during spring break and UCA Nationals. So when I say there are deals, I mean it. Timing matters, sales matter, and flexibility matters.

Art of Animation

What makes the All-Star Resorts special to me is the nostalgia. I have pictures from the 90s and early 2000s standing in front of those same larger-than-life icons during UCA Nationals. Being back there now as a mom hits different.

Each of the All-Star Resorts is made up of multiple themed buildings spread across a very large property. They all have exterior doors, so you are walking outside to get to your room.

Inside each resort, you will find:

One main lobby area
One food court
One gift shop
One large themed pool
Two smaller pools
A large arcade
A pool bar

The main pool is where everything is happening. Music, games, kids running around. The smaller pools are calmer, but they are not quiet in the way a deluxe resort quiet pool is. They are just less busy.

The food courts are cafeteria-style, and while each one has a different name, the experience is very similar. You are going to find burgers, chicken tenders, pasta, pizza, breakfast platters, and grab-and-go items. It is simple, it is predictable, and honestly it works really well for families.

The gift shop is your one-stop shop for everything. If you forgot something, this is where you are going.

You can expect to find:

Disney merch (ears, shirts, toys)
Resort-specific items
Snacks and drinks
Basic essentials like sunscreen, medicine, and small grocery items

Now let’s talk about Pop Century, because this is where value starts to feel a little different.

Pop Century is rooted in Disney pop culture and is themed by decade. It is colorful, fun, and one of the most popular value resorts on property. I stayed here during the 2023 Princess Race, and it is a go-to for runDisney for a reason.

Pop feels more updated than the All-Star Resorts, and the layout is a little easier to navigate. The food court, Everything POP, tends to have slightly better options, and yes, it has the famous rainbow cheesecake, which I will always recommend.

The biggest difference at Pop is transportation. Pop Century has access to the Skyliner, which gives you direct transportation to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. That alone changes the experience.

Here is what you will find at Pop:

Multiple themed buildings by decade
Three pools (Hippy Dippy is the main one)
Everything POP dining and shopping combined
A large arcade
Pool bar
Bus + Skyliner transportation

Then we come to Art of Animation.

Art of Animation is technically a value resort, but the pricing can feel more like a moderate, especially for the family suites. This resort is built around immersive theming, and if you have younger kids, this is where you are going to feel the magic the most.

The resort is divided into four sections:

Cars
Finding Nemo
Lion King
Little Mermaid

The Cars, Nemo, and Lion King sections are family suites that sleep six people. The Little Mermaid section is standard rooms with two queen beds.

This is also home to the Big Blue Pool, which is the largest pool on Disney property, and it is very much a kid-first pool. There are underwater speakers (which I don’t love because the kids LOVE to listen to the music), splash areas, playground and constant activity.

Here is what you will find at Art of Animation:

Highly themed sections with immersive design
Landscape of Flavors food court (one of the better ones at value)
Ink & Paint gift shop
Pixel Play arcade
Pool bar
Bus + Skyliner transportation

The one thing to know here is that Little Mermaid rooms are a walk. A real walk. So if location matters to you, that is something to consider.

So What Makes a Value Resort “Value”?

This is where expectations matter, because this is what you are actually paying for.

Value resorts are designed to give you everything you need, but not a lot of extras. They are efficient, family-focused, and built to hold a lot of people.

Here is what defines them:

One main dining location (cafeteria-style)
One main shopping area
One large themed pool + smaller pools
Exterior entry rooms
Bus transportation (Skyliner at select resorts)
Large resort layouts with high guest capacity

But what really makes them “value” is not just what they have, it is how they are designed.

The food courts are built for speed and volume. You are not making dining reservations here. You are feeding your family quickly before heading to the parks.

The shopping areas are not full stores, but they are incredibly functional. You can grab:

Snacks for the room
Breakfast items
Drinks and water
Ponchos, sunscreen, medicine
Last-minute Disney souvenirs

The pools are designed for kids, not relaxation. That is the biggest difference compared to moderate and deluxe resorts.

At value resorts:

Pools are louder
More activity and games
Fewer slides and features
More families in the space

At moderate and deluxe resorts:

Bigger slides
Hot tubs
True quiet pools
More space and less crowding

Value pools are fun. Deluxe pools are relaxing. That is the trade-off.

Transportation: What You Really Need to Know

Transportation is one of the biggest concerns people have, and this is where I think people get it wrong.

Yes, value resorts rely heavily on buses. But buses are actually one of the most reliable systems Disney has.

In the morning, this is what you can expect:

Buses running every 15–20 minutes
Lines building quickly before park opening
Multiple buses arriving back-to-back

The lines can look long, but they move faster than you think.

Here are my real tips:

Plan 45–60 minutes from leaving your room to getting into the park
Check the My Disney Experience app for bus times
Know where your bus stop is the night before
Give yourself extra time if you have a stroller or scooter

If you have a scooter:

Buses can hold about 2–3 scooters (value resort tend to get the new larger buses that can handle high capacity)
If the bus fills, you will wait for the next one

If you are staying at Pop Century or Art of Animation, use the Skyliner whenever you can. It is often faster and honestly more enjoyable than taking the bus. Most of the time, buses are not even running to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios unless the Skyliner is down or under refurbishment. Lightning will stop the Skyliner from operating, so just know that buses are always the backup plan.

Now, let’s talk about the Skyliner in the morning. The line can be nuts. It gets long quickly, especially if you are trying to rope drop. The good news is it does move, but you should expect about a 30-minute wait during peak morning times.

On mornings when we really want to be on time for rope drop, I will order a Minnie Van instead. It is more expensive, but it takes the stress out of waiting.

The rest of the day, the Skyliner is usually very manageable. Lines are minimal until park closing. At night, my family will sometimes skip the Skyliner line altogether, walk over to BoardWalk, and then grab an Uber back to the resort.

Travel times from value resorts typically look like this:

Magic Kingdom: 20–30 minutes
EPCOT: 15–25 minutes (faster with Skyliner)
Hollywood Studios: 15–25 minutes (Skyliner is fastest)
Animal Kingdom: 15–20 minutes

But remember, that does not include waiting or walking time.

The Good Stuff About Value Resorts

You cannot beat the price. That is the biggest thing.

If the choice is staying off property or staying at a value resort, I will choose value every single time just to stay in the Disney bubble. You still get those on-property advantages like 30-minute early entry and being able to book Lightning Lane selections ahead of time, and that matters. But beyond the logistics, there is just something magical about staying on property and letting your kids fully experience that Disney feeling from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to sleep.

These resorts are made for kids. The theming is big, bold, and fun. The pools are designed for them, the food is easy for them, and the entire environment just works for families. There is not a lot of overthinking here, which honestly makes your trip feel easier.

Rest days are also so underrated at value resorts. The pools are big, there is plenty of space, there are activities happening, and you can actually sit and relax while your kids play. Being able to throw a load of laundry in and sit by the pool at the same time is something I will never stop talking about because it just makes life easier on a longer trip.

And yes, you might get more space at an Airbnb, but unless you are getting an incredible deal or staying for free, I would still choose staying on Disney property every time.

Why Do Value Resorts Get So Much Hate?

The biggest complaints about value resorts are always the same. People will tell you they are too far away, the rooms are too small, the food is basic, and the resorts feel crowded. And honestly, all of that is true. But what I think gets lost in those reviews is why that is the case and who these resorts are actually for.

A lot of the negative reviews come from people who are expecting a more luxurious experience, and that is just not what value resorts are. Some people are boujee, and that is okay. If you are used to deluxe resorts or high-end hotels, this is going to feel different. The better way to think about value resorts is that they are like an upgraded, Disney-version of a motel setup, but not in the way people assume when they hear that word.

Because when people hear “motel-style doors,” they think old, dirty, run-down. That is not what this is. These are clean, updated, Disney-designed rooms with thoughtful layouts, fun theming, and everything you actually need for a Disney trip. I personally have never stayed in a traditional roadside motel, but I can tell you this is not that experience. It is just a different layout, not a lower standard of cleanliness or quality.

Yes, the rooms are smaller, but they are designed to be functional. The Murphy bed setup is one of the best things Disney has done because it gives you space during the day. You can actually move around, sit at the table, and not feel like the room is closing in on you.

The food is not amazing, and no one is claiming that it is. But it is reliable. You know your kids are going to eat, you know it is quick, and you are not spending time stressing about where to find something they will like at the end of a long park day.

The crowds are real, but that is because these resorts are built to hold more people. They are designed for families, groups, and events, so yes, it is going to feel busier than a deluxe resort. That is part of the trade-off for the lower price point.

And then there is my biggest complaint, the fridge situation. Most of the rooms have beverage coolers instead of true mini fridges, which is honestly frustrating, especially if you have little kids and need to store milk or anything temperature-sensitive. This is one of those things you really need to plan for ahead of time.

If that matters to you, the better options are:

Art of Animation family suites
All-Star Music family suites

Those give you an actual fridge setup, and it can make a big difference depending on your family’s needs.

At the end of the day, value resorts are not trying to compete with moderate or deluxe resorts. They are offering something different. They are affordable, functional, and designed for families who want to be in the Disney bubble without paying luxury prices. And when you look at them through that lens, they make a lot more sense.

So Why Stay at a Value Resort?

If the difference between going to Disney and not going is the price of a moderate resort, I would choose value every single time.

Because being on property matters.

There is something about being fully immersed in Disney that changes the trip.

And honestly, there is magic here.

Watching families check in for the first time, seeing kids with their first visit buttons, the excitement… that is the part that keeps me coming back.

Tips If You Choose to Stay Here

Avoid All-Star Sports during cheer and dance competition weekends
All-Star Resorts, especially Sports, are often used for cheer, dance, and sports groups. These groups practice early, travel in large numbers, and can make mornings louder and buses more crowded. It is not a bad thing, just something to know. If you want a quieter stay, choose Movies or Music. You can find those dates but going to WDW Prep School Crowd Calendar.
These resorts are best for kids 10 and under
Value resorts are built for younger kids. The theming is big, colorful, and fun, and the pools and open spaces are designed for them to enjoy. Kids under 10 usually love it, while older kids may start to notice what is missing compared to moderate or deluxe resorts.
Art of Animation is the best family setup, but more expensive
If you need more space, Art of Animation is the best option. The family suites give you extra room, a kitchenette, and space to spread out. The theming is incredible, but the price is closer to a moderate, so it is a trade-off. Remember the beds are doubles in this room those, but the space is amazing!
Be prepared to walk, these resorts are big
Value resorts are spread out, and depending on your room location, you could have a decent walk to transportation or food. Preferred rooms help, but if you book standard, expect some walking at the beginning and end of your day.
Use a stroller, even for older kids at the end of the day
Disney days are long, and kids get tired. Even older kids benefit from a stroller at the end of the night when everyone is trying to get back to the room. It is less about age and more about energy.
Connecting rooms are not guaranteed unless you book them correctly
A connecting room means there is a door between the rooms, not just rooms next to each other. Disney only guarantees connecting rooms when you have two adults booked across the rooms, typically one adult per room. For families with multiple adults, it becomes a request, not a guarantee. Disney will try to place you close, but if connecting rooms are important, call ahead, add the request, and confirm at check-in.
Do not choose this resort for food, choose it for value and theming
The food is simple and reliable, but it is not why you stay here. You are choosing value resorts for the price, theming, and being on Disney property, not for dining.
If you need a real fridge, choose a suite
Most standard rooms only have beverage coolers. If you need to store milk or anything temperature-sensitive, book a family suite at Art of Animation or All-Star Music for a true refrigerator.

Value resorts are not perfect. They can be busy, loud, and simple, and that is part of the experience. But they are also affordable, fun, and full of Disney magic. And sometimes, that is exactly what you need. Because sometimes the goal is not the perfect resort, it is just getting there and being part of the magic.

Planning a trip to Walt Disney World? You're in the right place! At Well Hello Magic, we have tons of helpful resources to make your Disney vacation as magical and stress-free as possible. Whether you're looking for advice on the best time to visit Disney, tips on finding the perfect character meal, or learning how to skip the lines with Lightning Lane, we've got you covered.

As a therapist by trade and a mom of four, I use my expertise in understanding personalities to help you discover your "Disney Enneagram"—a fun way to tailor your Disney vacation planning to suit your family's needs or large group dynamics, ensuring everyone enjoys the magic in their own unique way. With my firsthand experience navigating Disney with babies and toddlers, I'll share all my best tips to make your trip smooth and fun for everyone. Plus, check out some of our family's favorite rides at Magic Kingdom—there's something for everyone to enjoy!

Make sure to explore our blog for even more Disney planning guides and insider tips!

.

Thank you for visiting the Well Hello Magic Blog. If you have questions, please leave them in the comments, and I will be sure to answer them.

Planning a Disney vacation can be overwhelming, but you don't need to worry because we have got your back! Here are a few blogs to help you get organized!

Follow me on Instagram, YouTube and Check out my Podcast!

How to Use My Disney Experience: Your Hub For Your Disney Vacation

How to Use Standby Skipper: The App That Books Your Lighting Lanes

Disney Infants: Everything You Need to Know! : Children under 3 are FREE at Disney

Tips for Traveling with Family, Friends & Large Groups

What is Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass? : Learn to Skip The Lines at Disney

Everything You Need to Know about Strollers at Disney

What to do if you Get Sick at Disney

Baby Care Centers at Walt Disney World

The Differences between Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort

Disney Park Maps

Who is the Mom behind Well Hello Magic?