Tag: hotels

You have a LOT of options when it comes to choosing your Disney World Resort hotel.

We know how daunting the decision of accommodations can be when you’re planning your Disney trip. It’s a SUPER expensive part of your trip, and you want to get it right!

So, we’re breaking down a few of the options for you! Trying to decide between a deluxe, moderate, or value resort? Here’s why you should DEFINITELY consider a Disney World value resort. 

Disney World has more than two dozen resorts, five of which are considered the value resorts (not counting The Campsites at Fort Wilderness). Today, we’re talking about Disney’s All-Star Resorts — Sports, Music, and Movies — Disney’s Pop Century Resort, and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.

They’re called “value” for a reason.

First off, they’re called “value” for a reason. If you’re headed to Disney, odds are you’re already dishing out a lot of cash on park tickets and travel. Your Disney World resort hotel can be a great way to cut down on costs.

Most value resorts will have room rates of $100 to $200 per night. On the other hand, moderate resorts see prices of $200 and up, and the deluxe resorts get even MORE (like, a LOT more) expensive. So staying at a value resort can: Save. You. Money. Plain and simple.

But there’s more to consider than just the obvious.

You might be in your hotel room a lot less than you think you’ll be.

It can be tempting to splurge on that gorgeous pricey deluxe hotel room with the nuanced theming and tons of amenities, but the reality is that you might be in your room a whole lot less than you think you’ll be! For many guests, their goal in Disney World isn’t to have luxurious sleep-in sessions or the best room service ever — it’s to GO TO DISNEY WORLD and spend time at the theme parks. If that’s you, then your room becomes a space that’s really only for resting and getting ready to GO GO GO.

If you think you’ll tend to spend most of the time in the parks when you go, then spending extra money on a hotel may not be a good decision for you! The value resorts will do just fine .

You’re getting a lot of the same perks for way less!

Plus, while paying less, it’s not like you’re passing up on all the great Disiney hotel perks! Sure, you might not be steps away from a signature restaurant, and getting around on Disney transportation might be a little bit longer of a trip depending on which resort you choose, BUT some of the best Disney hotel perks are still available to you.

Staying at a value resort will still net you access to Extra Magic Hours (extra hours in the park JUST for resort guests) during your trip, access to Disney transportation (including the SKYLINER at some resorts. More on that soon!), and the ability to book 60 days out on your Fastpass+ reservations window as opposed to the standard 30 days out for non-resort guests. That means you have the exact same access to booking the most popular rides as those folks dropping $500 a night at the deluxe resorts!

The food courts are pretty awesome.

Ok, so there aren’t any crazy table-service restaurants in the value resorts, but the food courts are actually pretty awesome. Disney’s All-Star Sports features End Zone Food Court, Disney’s All-Star Music features Intermission Food Court, Disney’s All-Star Movies has World Premiere Food Court, Disney’s Pop Century features Everything POP Shopping & Dining, and Disney’s Art of Animation has Landscape of Flavors!

These locations offer a lot of variety and family-friendly options. They also happen to be the home to some of the best hidden gem snacks in Disney World depending on when you go! We ALWAYS make sure to check out the All-Stars for any new cupcakes (because they have had some COOL ones) and you can even get SELF-SERVE DOLE WHIP in World Premiere Food Court sometimes!

They’ve got great options for large families or groups.

We actually love the value resorts for large families or groups. If you want to opt for a few rooms, these resorts will offer the cheapest options. Plus, several of them offer family suites that are perfect for those bigger groups.

Art of Animation has family suites in the Finding Nemo, Cars, and Lion King sections of the resort that include two bathrooms, a common space, and a separate bedroom. Plus, they sleep up to six people!

All-Star Music has deluxe family suites as well. These rooms are going to be a little bit pricier than a regular value room but they tend to be LEAPS and BOUNDS cheaper than staying in the other suites on property.

They’re a lot of fun!

This one might not be something you’d usually think about when you’re deciding on a place to stay, but it can make a big difference. The value resorts in Disney are a LOT of fun, TBH. These resorts have really unique energy because they have a lot more guests. With more kids and families, the resorts really feel alive — even at slower times of the year. Plus, these resorts just tend to be more colorful and fun to look at!

Plus, some of the best-themed pools are at the value resorts! We LOVE Hippy Dippy Pool at Pop Century Resort and the Finding Nemo themed Big Blue Pool at Art of Animation is probs one of the best pools in all of Disney World!

You might have an extra easy way to get around.

Remember earlier when we mentioned the Skyliner? This brand new transportation option runs to both Pop Century AND Art of Animation and makes getting to certain parts of Disney World a total cinch.

Just hop into a gondola and you’ll be in Hollywood Studios or Epcot within MINUTES. Forget those buses! Plus, they’re a great way to visit the other Skyliner resorts — Disney’s Riviera Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. And if you head to Epcot, Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts and Disney’s Boardwalk Inn are just a few steps away from the station!

You can always check out the moderate and deluxe resorts for FREE!

Plus, if you feel like you’re missing out on some of the entertainment options or vibes from the moderate and deluxe resorts, you can still pay a visit for free! Take a resort day and hop around to some of the other resorts! You could even make some Advance Dining Reservations at some of the best resort restaurants in Disney World and soak up the deluxe vibes, without paying the steep prices to stay there.

Some of our favorite resort activities include taking free kitchen tours of the restaurants in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, listening to live music at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and strolling through Disney’s Riviera Resort to see all the wonderful artwork.

So, is a value resort right for YOUR family?

So ya see? There are a lot of great reasons to spend your Disney trip in a value resort room. To conclude, let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of a value resort!

You SHOULD stay in a Disney value resort if…

• You’re looking to do Disney on a budget without sacrificing perks.
• You’re traveling with a larger family or group.
• You’re expecting to be out of the room a lot.
• You’re a total cupcake fanatic!

You SHOULDN’T stay in a Disney value resort if…

• Table-service or signature dining in your resort hotel is a priority for you.
• You want to be able to walk to a theme park.
• You’re scared of heights (and nervous about the Skyliner!).
• A primary goal of your Disney World trip is luxury and relaxation.

Take these factors into consideration and don’t forget to at least think about booking a Disney World value resort! It could be right for you’re family!

Are you a fan of staying at the value resorts? Why or why not? Tell us in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com