Disney Value Resort Comparison

 

Disney resort categories are extremely confusing. In this blog series I am going to be comparing the resorts in each category.  

Disney offers resorts with varying levels of amenities to fit every travel style and budget. 

• Value

• Moderate 

• Deluxe Resorts. 

For more info check out Understanding Disney World Resort Categories

Basically, as you move up categories the amenities increase, and so does the price… 

Value is Disney’s least expensive category 

Prior to Disney opening the value resorts if you were looking for an affordable Disney vacation you had to look at an offsite or non Disney resort. Disney realized that they were losing this market and opened these budget friendly resorts. They are often a better value than offsite resorts especially when you factor in the convenience, time saving, complimentary airport transportation and magic bands. 

If you are planning park rope drop to fireworks and just need a place to stay these are a great option. Each resort has transportation to and from the parks. Please make sure to check with the front desk for times and where to be picked up. 

There are five value resorts that you can choose from. Each one has a different theme with fun decor. 

• All Star Movies

• All Star Music

• All Star Sports

• Art of Animation 

• Pop Century 

The big character icons are extremely popular with young children at each of these resorts. They love seeing their favorite Disney characters at the pool or walking the halls of the resorts.  

If you are looking for resort/ pool time you may want to upgrade to a moderate resort. The pools and food courts are just as crowded as the parks so you don’t get much of a break. 

Rooms are currently undergoing renovations changing from two full size beds with carpet and a quilt to a queen size bed with a Murphy pull down queen bed, hardwood floors and clean white duvets. As of right now Pop Century and All Star Movies have been updated with Music currently under refurbishment. 

All Star Movies Resort

This is my favorite of the Value Resorts. The customer service is a step above here. The food and beverage is striving to set this resort apart with higher quality food, amazing cupcakes and a super fun and creative secret menu. 

All Star Movie shows respect to all of the Disney movies. You will find rooms dedicated to movies like Toy Story, Monsters Inc and 101 Dalmations. When you stay at this resort you will feel like you are part of the Disney movie. 

The All Star Movies resort is located near the Animal Kingdom. You will find bus transportation to all of the Disney Parks to enjoy your vacation.  

Sometimes you want to take a break from the park and enjoy a nice relaxing afternoon at a pool or a poolside bar. At Disney’s All-Star Movie Resort you will find a lot of fun activities to keep everyone in the family happy. You will always find great food options available at All Star Movies Resort. The restaurants are kid friendly and fairly priced.

Recreation:

Fantasia 

• Themed after the Fantasia movie

• Sorcerer Mickey sprays water at the swimmers

Duck Pond Pool

• Hockey rink-styled pool based on The Mighty Duck movies

Movies under the stars

• Complimentary screening of Disney Movies

• Located at The Reel Spot

• Check with the front desk for movie and time

Jogging Trail

• One-mile jogging trail 

For younger kids

• Kiddie pool

• Playground

Dining:

World Premiere Food Court 

• All American fare

• Order on your phone and pick up 

Silver Screen Spirits Pool Bar 

• Speciality Cocktails

• Located by Fantasia Pool

Disney Resorts Pizza Delivery 

• Dinner

• Late night

• Room service

All Star Music

When staying at the All Star Music Resort  located in the Animal Kingdom area you will stay in buildings themed to some of the most popular music genres. Let the rhythm move you to country, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll and broadway style shows. You will be in awe of the decorations and this is a treat for music lovers of all ages. 

There is so much to do at the All Star Music Resort. If you need a break from walking around the parks, enjoy your time cooling off at one of the two guest pools. Remember the pool will be crowded with other guests looking to cool down.

Recreation:

Guitar Shaped Pool

• Heated pool

• Themed around The Three Caballeros

• Playfully sprays water at the swimmers

• Pool will be closed in the fall of 2020 for refurbishment

Grand Piano Shaped

• Featuring a deck of black and white keys

Movies under the stars

• Complimentary screening of Disney Movies

• Located at Intermission food court

• Check with the front desk for movie and time

Jogging Trail

• One-mile jogging trail 

For younger kids

• Kiddie pool

• Playground

Dining:

Intermission Food Court 

• American Cuisine

• Order online and pick up to avoid long lines

Singing Spirits Pool Bar 

• Sit poolside

• Enjoy specialty cocktails

• Movies under the stars

Disney Resorts Pizza Delivery ($14.99 and under per adult)

• Late night pizza delivery



All Star Sports

Does your family have a love for sports? Does your family enjoy watching and playing sports? This resort is a great one to stay at. Celebrate your inner fan and the world of competitive sports. You will see some of your family’s favorite Disney characters dressed up in their favorite sports attire. 

This is actually one of the few resorts I have never stayed in. I personally do not find the sports theme appealing. This is typically the resort they use for school groups and Dance/Cheer/Pop Warner events so I do try to avoid it. I recommend checking the Wide World of Sports events calendar before booking this resort unless you like being woken up by early morning boom box led practices and late night giggling school kids.

Recreation:

Surfboard Bay Pool

• Giant swimming pool

• 242,471 gallons of water

• Feels like you are at the beach

• 3 Story Surfboards

Grand Slam Pool

• Shaped like a baseball diamond

• Goofy on the pitcher mound

• Sundeck is designed to be the outfield

• 3 story baseball bats lined the pool

Movies under the stars

• Complimentary screening of Disney Movies

• Located on the Football Field

• Check with the front desk for movie and time

Jogging Trail

• One-mile jogging trail 

For younger kids

• Kiddie pool

• Playground

Dining:

End Zone Food Court 

• American Cuisine

• Watch Disney cartoons and Sporting events

Grandstand Spirits 

• Located near Surfboard Bay Pool

• Specialty cocktails

Disney Resorts Pizza Delivery 

• Late night pizza delivery

While Art of Animation is officially categorized as a Value Resort the pricing is usually more in line with a Moderate Resort. This resort is popular for its really fun immersive themes and family suites. It is the newest of the Value Resorts and has the best food court with fresh healthy options, one of the best pools on property with music and your favorite Finding Nemo characters heard underwater.

You will find classics like Cars, The Lion King and The Little Mermaid. The decor is larger than life and you and your family will be able to make magical memories when staying at the Art of Animation Resort. 

While all the Value resorts have one additional less themed ‘quiet’ pool Art of Animations second pool is just as themed. 

Recreation:

The Big Blue Pool

• Find Nemo Themed

• Zero entry pool contains over 308,527 gallons of water

  • Makes this the largest pool

Cozy Cone Pool

• Inspired by Pixar Cars

• Life-sized models of Cars characters

  • Doc

  • Sally

  • Mater

  • McQueen

Flippin Fins Pool

• Inspired by Little Mermaid

• “Under the Sea Orchestra” conducted by Sebastian

Movies under the stars

• Complimentary screening of Disney Movies

• Located at Hippy Dippy Pool

• Check with the front desk for movie and time

Kiddie Area

• The schoolyard sprayground

  • Pop Up Jets

  • Gushing water

• Playground (for kids that want to stay dry)

  • Squirts Righteous Reef

Skyliner Transportation

• Epcot

• Disney Hollywood Studios

Jogging Trail

• 1.38 mile around the resort

Pixel Play Arcade

• Classic and new video games

Dining:

Landscape of Flavors 

• American Cuisine

The Drop off Pool Bar

• Thirst-quenching frozen cocktails

Disney Resorts Pizza Delivery

• Dinner 

• Late night

Pop Century

If you have a love for the different generations, you are going to love staying at Pop Century. Go back to the 1950’s, 60’s, 70’s 80’s and 90’s. Take a look at the beloved food, culture and toys from the different eras. You are going to enjoy going back in time and sharing some of your childhood favorites with your family.  

Pop used to be my favorite of the Value resorts. It always had its own bus system while the All Stars shared during slower times. The theming was fun with pop icons themed to the decades. The rooms have recently been updated and it has access to the skyliner. 

Unfortunately, I do not think the customer service is up to par at this resort. My last 2-3 stays have been rifled with lost luggage, leaking showers and terrible housekeeping. Of course as a frequent traveler I expect these things but usually disney resorts go above and beyond to make it right. They have made me feel like I was inconveniencing them and was even told my problem wasn’t important to them which is not the Disney way and unfortunately not an isolated incident. That being said, many of my clients LOVE this resort, have had no issues and wont stay anywhere else. 

Recreation

Pools:

Hippy Dippy Pool

• Flower shaped water jets

• Lazy 1960’s attitude

Bowling Pool

• Celebrate the 1950’s 

• Shaped like a bowling pin

Computer Pool

• 1990’s themed

• Computer shaped pool

• Giant floppy disk 

• Giant keyboard

Movies under the stars

• Complimentary screening of Disney Movies

• Located at Hippy Dippy Pool

• Check with the front desk for movie and time

Jogging Trail

• 1 mile jog around the resort

Playground

• Designed for younger guest

• Located in the 70’s

Dining

Everything POP Shopping and Dining

• Healthy grab and go options

Petals Pool Bar

• Bar service

Disney Resort Pizza

• Late night delivery

 

NEED HELP CHOOSING THE RIGHT RESORT?

The right resort can upgrade your entire Disney vacation—but with more than 25 Disney resorts and hotels to choose from, it’s easy to get overwhelmed! I can help you so you can choose the perfect-fit resort for your family—based on your budget, travel style, and family’s interests.

DOWNLOAD the Guide to Choosing the Right Resort to understand the differences in amenities, how to choose the resort with the right location and which resorts offer the activities you are looking for.

 

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