by Fairy Diva
One of the most important decisions to make when planning a visit to Walt Disney World is choosing the best accommodations. Fortunately, there are options that fit most any budget if you choose to stay in a Disney resort. Resorts vary from value, moderate, deluxe and deluxe villas. Typically, our vacation time is planned around enjoying the theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs. Since we spend little time in our room, we like to save the money and stay in a value resort. The value resorts at Walt Disney World offer big fun, at a smaller price!
Our family has enjoyed staying in nearly every value resort, and while these resorts lack some of the glamour and extras the deluxe properties provide, they are an exceptional way to stay within the Walt Disney World Resort. The value resorts on Disney property include Disney’s Art of Animation (see my review of this property here), Disney’s Pop Century (Tangled Diva’s review), Disney’s All-Star Movies (Nick the Disney Devo’s review), Disney’s All-Star Music (Florida Diva’s review), and Disney’s All-Star Sports (Canadian Diva’s review). Each offers different themes and features that make them unique, but all offer the same basic amenities. Here are my top six reasons to stay in a value resort at Walt Disney World.
1. The Price! Obviously, if you are looking at staying at a value property, you are looking for a more economical choice. The nightly rates for a standard value room depend on the season and day of the week. We have stayed for as low as $89 a night, but rack rates show up to $200 for a weekend, peak season night. Room discounts are frequently offered, making these prices even lower. Disney’s Art of Animation offers a family suite that is higher in price, but can accommodate more than the standard rooms. Saving money on your resort stay frees up more for souvenirs, food and extras to enjoy while on vacation!
photo credit to Kerry Guedry
2. The Transportation! Once you arrive at a value resort (or any Disney resort), you do not have to do any more driving! One of our favorite perks of staying on property is using the Disney Transportation. The only option from the value resorts are Disney buses, which run frequently from the value resorts to the theme parks, Disney Springs and Disney’s water parks. The bus service is convenient, and I personally have had better luck with the buses at the values than the deluxe resorts, which often share buses with one or more other resorts. Diva Tip: Pop Century and Art of Animation do not share buses with other resorts. The three All-Star resorts share buses at times, not always. I prefer the transportation at Pop Century and Art of Animation, but have never had a lengthy wait or found the sharing of buses to be a problem at the All-Star resorts.
3. The Theming! Everyone has different tastes and preferences, but as a mom with two little children, the values definitely appeal to them the most. Larger-than-life characters and features are spread throughout the value resorts. I loved the theming at Art of Animation! Pop Century is also full of fun touches. My son loves the athletic themes at All Star Sports, and my daughter favors the 101 Dalmatians area at All Star Movies.
4. The Food! While the value resorts lack any table service options, they greatly make up for it if you are looking for great quick service food. The food courts offer a large variety sure to appeal to a variety of tastes. My personal favorite is the Art of Animation’s Landscape of Flavors, which serves traditional fare like burgers and pizza, but also offers some unique options like the Surf and Surf Burger, and tandoor oven-roasted meats and veggies. I also like to visit Pop Century’s Everything Pop for a slice of tie-dyed cheesecake. Seating is plentiful in the value resorts.
5. The Pools! There are some amazing resort pools at the moderate and deluxe resorts, but the value resorts also provide some really great options when you need to “just keep swimming!” All pools are themed and most contain a feature fountain, like Sorcerer Mickey at the Fantasia pool at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort. Art of Animation features the largest hotel pool in all of Walt Disney World Resorts called the Big Blue Pool, themed after Finding Nemo. Diva Tip: Listen as you swim underwater in the Big Blue Pool. Favorite Disney songs are played via underwater speakers (a first for a Disney resort). In addition to a feature pools, the resorts usually have at least one to two additional pools spread throughout the resort, making a swim convenient no matter the location of your room.
6. The Activities and Extras! Disney does not hold back on activities and extras at the value resorts. Guests can enjoy arcades, jogging trails, cast member-led poolside activities, and playgrounds. Movies Under the Stars includes outdoor screenings of favorite Disney films on select nights.
With all that is offered, the value resorts at Walt Disney World truly are a great value! Ready to book a stay at one of Disney’s value resorts? Or want to try a moderate, deluxe or deluxe villa? Contact Patricia with All for Dreams Travel today!
