Disney World value resorts are great for many reasons (primarily because they’re the least expensive on-site options). However, there are also many reasons why you shouldn’t book a stay at a value resort at Disney World.
Even though I can appreciate a Value resort, they are far from perfect – hence why I am writing about this today.
This post is all about the 8 reasons you should not book a stay at a value resort at Disney World.
Value Resort At Disney World
Here is a list of value resorts at Disney World:
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
- The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
1. They might be considered ‘Value Resorts, but they’re not inexpensive
Yes, unfortunately, the term ‘Value’ is deceptive.
If you want to stay on-site on a budget, you assume that Value resorts are your best option. Now, this is sometimes the case, but there are often exceptions to this rule.
For example, I have found Standard Rooms at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort (a moderate resort) for less than Little Mermaid Rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
I have found this to be the case on multiple occasions, so it’s worth looking out for these deals.
Little Mermaid rooms at Art of Animation start at $201, and can go up to $392 during the week of Christmas (based on 2023 room rates).
Does that seem like good value to you?
RELATED POST: The Worst Disney World Value Resorts You Should Avoid
2. Value resorts can feel like motels
When you think of motels, you probably think of cheap accommodation. I doubt you want to pay Art of Animation prices for a motel.
Value resorts have external hallways (apart from the family suites at Art of Animation), which is the main reason they feel comparable to motels.
In addition, the basic rooms (more on this later) don’t raise the bar.
That being said, they are more exciting than your average motel – with great pools and prominent Disney theming.
There is nothing horrifically wrong with the 3-star accommodation offered at the value resorts (excluding The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, which are considered 1-star).
But, that, combined with the high prices, can make staying at a value resort at Disney World seem less than favourable.
3. The Value resort rooms are small
At the value resorts, you can expect the rooms to be around 260 square feet for a standard room at the following resorts:
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
The Little Mermaid rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort are slightly larger at 277 square feet.
This isn’t a problem if you’re a solo traveller or travelling with just one other person. I recently stayed at All-Star Music with my Mum, and it didn’t feel spacious, but it didn’t feel cramped.
But if there are four adults in your party, it may get a little claustrophobic. I’ve stayed at Art of Animation and All-Star Movies with both my parents, and that’s when I realised how much smaller the value resort rooms are than Moderate (and especially Deluxe) rooms.
4. The family suites are a waste of money
Family suites may solve the problem of space. Art of Animation family suites are 565 square feet, and All-Star Music family suites are 520 square feet.
This can be great if you’re travelling with a larger party and need larger accommodation.
But, it’s not so great when you find out how much these family suites (which sleep up to 6 guests) can cost you.
If you booked a stay over Labor Day weekend (September 1st-3rd), this is how much you’d be paying for a family suite:
2 nights in a family suite at All-Star Music at this time would cost $894 (based on 2023 room rates)
The same 2 nights in a family suite (if you weren’t booking one in a particular section) at Art of Animation would cost $1,226 (based on 2023 prices)
That’s not exactly good value, considering these are 3-star resorts.
Luckily, there is an alternative: renting DVC points.
This is where a Disney Vacation Club member decides to sell their points, and you can use them to stay at a deluxe Disney World resort for a lower price (often about 50% less).
For example, here are some deluxe villa options that are in a similar price range (on David’s Vacation Club Rentals for the same period):
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – One Bedroom Standard View (sleeps up to 5 guests) – $1,050
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – One Bedroom Savanna View (sleeps up to 5 guests) – $1,302
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Two Bedroom Standard View (sleeps up to 9 guests) – $1,428
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort – One Bedroom Villa (sleeps up to 5 guests) – $1,050
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort – Two Bedroom Villa (sleeps up to 9 guests) – $1,470
- Disney’s Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort – One Bedroom Standard View (sleeps up to 5 guests) – $1,344
- Disney’s Boardwalk Villas – Two Bedroom Standard View (sleeps up to 9 guests) – $1,470
- Disney’s Riviera Resort – One Bedroom Standard View (sleeps up to 5 guests) – $1,428
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort – One Bedroom Standard (sleeps up to 5 guests) – $1,134
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort – One Bedroom Preferred (sleeps up to 5 guests) – $1,260
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort – Two Bedroom Standard (sleeps up to 9 guests) – $1,428
Not only are these options cheaper or similarly priced, but you also get access to the benefits and amenities of staying in a deluxe Disney World resort.
Do you think the Art of Animation and All-Star Music family suites are good “Value”?
RELATED POST: The Best Disney World Deluxe Resort You Should Book A Stay At
5. You don’t get access to Extended Evening Hours if you stay at a value resort at Disney World
Guests staying at any Disney World resort can enjoy Early Theme Park Entry. This allows you to enter the parks 30 minutes before offsite hotels. It’s certainly not the greatest perk, but hey, it’s something.
But unfortunately, Extended Evening Hours are exclusive to guests staying at Deluxe resorts.
If you opt for renting a Disney Vacation Club villa over a Family Suite at Art of Animation or All-Star Music, this is a great benefit you can take advantage of.
6. You don’t get a lot of transportation options at Disney World Value resorts
Disney World is known for being huge. Because of this, there are a number of transportation options to get around the colossal vacation destination.
Unfortunately, there aren’t many modes of transportation if you’re staying at a value resort.
The All-Star resorts only offer bus transportation to the parks and Disney Springs.
Art of Animation and Pop Century are significantly better, as they provide Skyliner access to Art of Animation and Pop Century.
They also provide buses to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs.
But none of them provide water taxis (except the campsites at fort wilderness to Magic Kingdom).
Similarly, none of the value resorts have monorail access – a perk exclusive to three deluxe Disney World resorts:
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
7. There aren’t table service restaurants at Disney World Value Resorts
Are you a foodie who loves exploring the different table service restaurants at Disney World? You might be disappointed at the Value Resorts.
@caffeinebythecastle Are you making dining plans and reservations for your next Disney World trip? Here are 9 reasons why table sercice dining is your best option! To read the full post, visit caffeinebythecastle.com #disneyworldfood #disneyworlddining
These resorts – with the exception of the Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – only offer quick service dining.
That being said, it might not be that big of an issue, if you spend most of your time at the parks, and rarely dine at the resort you’re staying at.
RELATED POST: 8 Reasons Why Quick Service Dining Is Better Than Table Service
8. They have swimming pools, but they don’t have water slides
Value resorts at Disney World have between two and three pools. But if you’re kids (or you) love a good water slide, you won’t find them at the Value resorts.
But if you don’t schedule any pool days, or if you plan on visiting one of Disney’s water parks (Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach), this may not be a dealbreaker for you.
RELATED POST: How Many Parks Are There At Disney World? – All The Parks You Need To Know (Including Water Parks)
Ta Ta For Now
Have you ever stayed at a value resort at Disney World, and would you stay again? Despite their flaws, I really enjoy staying in value resorts at Disney World. I recently stayed in the Broadway section at All-Star Music, and it did not feel “cheap”.
Let me know what you think in the comments!
This post was all about the 8 reasons why you should never stay at a Value resort at Disney World.
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