One of the very first and one of the most important decisions in the vacation planning process is choosing which Walt Disney World Resort hotel to stay at. How do you know which hotel is the best choice for your family? With more than 25 hotel options on Walt Disney World property, it can be hard to narrow down which one to choose! 

In this three-part blog we will help provide a better understanding of the different levels of resort hotels at Walt Disney World. 

•   Disney Value Resorts
•   Disney Moderate Resorts
•   Disney Deluxe Resorts & Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts

We will help unravel the many factors to consider such as price, resort location, resort theme, room types, pools and recreation, dining and transportation. 
 

Walt Disney World Value Resorts

The first category is the Walt Disney World Value Resorts. Value resorts will generally have a lower per night price than the other resort categories, but the hotels still offer all of the necessities that a vacation requires. Within this category, you will find that each resort will have a specific theme that is conveyed by larger than life icons that younger travellers (and the young at heart) will love! If you are a family looking to hit the theme parks every day or just want to focus on exploring what Walt Disney World has to offer, these resorts may be for you!

•    Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
•    Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
•    Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
•    Disney’s Pop Century Resort
•    Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

What you can expect:

Rooms: The rooms at the Walt Disney World value resorts are smaller than those at the Moderate and Deluxe resorts with a square footage of typically 260 sq. ft. in the standard rooms (520 sq. ft in the family suites). Most rooms with the exception of All-Star Sports, will contain two queen beds or one king bed in the standard rooms, as well as one vanity in the bathroom area that is typically separated by a curtain. Disney's All-Star Music Resort and Disney's Art of Animation Resort offer Family Suites that can sleep up to six people and include a kitchenette. The Family Suites are perfect value accommodations for a larger travel party! The buildings that house the guest rooms are going to be a motel style building with exterior entry.

Most Value Resort rooms are outfitted with 1 queen bed and 1 queen sized pull-down bed.

Dining: At the Value resorts, there are no table service restaurant options, but what you will find is multiple quick service options in a food court style setting. Here you will find your typical American style cuisine such as burgers, pizza, sandwiches and other popular dishes that will cater to everybody’s palette! Additionally, you will also have the option for in room pizza delivery and a themed poolside bar with themed cocktails!

Recreation: Often an important part of the vacation experience is the resort pool area! At the Value resorts you will find large pools that may include some interactive water elements, but you will not find pool slides or hot tubs. Typically you can expect to find include playgrounds, arcades and fun activities organized by the Walt Disney World Recreation Cast Members such as poolside games and movies under the stars!

The 1950's section at Disney's Pop Century Resort has a pool shaped like a bowling pin!

Transportation: The options for transportation are going to vary from resort to resort. At most Value resorts your transportation to the four theme parks and Disney Springs will be by the complimentary bus transportation provided at Walt Disney World.  Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort are also home to a Disney Skyliner station.  The Skyliner is a gondola style transportation system that allows for quick and convenient access to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. Guests at these two resorts will rely on bus transportation to get to Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and Disney Springs.

The Disney Skyliner provides transporation to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios

In summary, at a Disney Value Resort you find:

• Larger than life theming

• Quick service dining 

• Main transportation option is the Walt Disney World bus transportation

• Multiple pools (but no slides or hot tubs)

• Resort activities to enjoy such as arcades, poolside games and movies

So, what do you think?  Do you think a Value Resort would be the best choice for your next family vacation to Walt Disney World?

Planning magical vacations for families since 2011, Pure Magic Vacations is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner Travel Agency - EarMarked Platinum Producer.