Disney categorizes its resorts into three tiers: Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. Each tier offers a different balance of price, amenities, and theming. Value Resorts are the most budget-friendly, offering bright, fun designs and essential amenities.

Value resorts are an affordable way to stay in the Disney Bubble. These budget-friendly hotels may not have all the bells and whistles of the moderate and deluxe resorts, but they more than make up for it with their over-the-top theming and oversized Disney characters.

If you want your Disney trip to be filled with magical moments – like seeing your child’s face light up when they see gigantic versions of their favorite Disney characters – consider staying at a value resort.

Your little ones will love getting up close and personal with larger than life characters like Buzz and Woody (All Star Movies) or Lightning McQueen and Nemo (Art of Animation)!

Value Resorts include:

• All Star Movies
• All Star Music
• All Star Sports
• Art of Animation
• Pop Century

Rooms have been refurbished in recent years and now feature two queen beds, with one being a Murphy-style pull-down bed to maximize space when not in use. The rooms are functional and well-laid out, offering plenty of storage for your belongings.

Each value resort has a main, themed pool and smaller pools throughout the resorts. Unlike the higher-tier resorts, the pools at the value resorts do not have slides.

The trade-offs? Rooms are smaller, there’s no table-service dining, and the exterior hallways give them more of a motel feel. Depending on location (particularly ground floor or pool-facing rooms), it can be loud.

Still, if you plan to spend most of your time in the parks and just need a place to crash that still feels like Disney, value resorts offer a great balance of affordability and magic.

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Why Should You Consider a Value Resort?

Value Resorts are a great choice for budget-conscious families who want to stay on Disney property without breaking the bank.

They’re also perfect if you’d rather save on your hotel and splurge elsewhere—like character meals, Lightning Lanes, or water parks. For families with kids who struggle with long waits (hello, ADHD!), spending less on a room and putting that money toward experiences that reduce stress and add more fun can be totally worth it.

The value resorts are perfect for families! I love that there’s plenty of room for kids to explore and burn off energy after a long day of waiting in lines or being strapped into a stroller.

Yes, the value resorts can be loud, but I also never feel self-conscious about my kids just being kids. They have plenty of open space, making it easy for little ones to burn off energy after a long park day.

They’re perfect if:

• You plan to spend most of your time in the parks and just need a place to sleep.
• You want to save on the hotel so you can splurge on Lightning Lanes, park hopper, character meals, or the dining plan.
• You have kids who will love the oversized Disney characters and bright, playful atmosphere.
• You want the lowest-cost option while still getting Disney perks like Early Theme Park Entry and free transportation.
• You’re traveling with a Quick Service Dining Plan.

However, if you’re looking for a quiet, relaxing retreat after a long day in the parks, consider staying at a moderate or deluxe resort. If peace and quiet is a priority, value resorts may not be the best fit for your Disney vacation.

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Ranking the Resorts

5. All Star Sports

This value resort is all about sports, with sections dedicated to football, baseball, basketball, tennis, and surfing. Think giant football helmets, oversized surfboards, and plenty of Disney magic woven into the details.

All-Star Sports ranks last among Disney’s value resorts, mainly because the theming isn’t quite as fun or immersive as the others.

But the biggest downside? It’s the go-to resort for cheer and dance teams during competitions. If your trip happens to overlap with one of these events, be prepared for crowded buses, noise at all hours, and a generally more chaotic atmosphere.

All Star Sports, like the other All Star resorts, only offers bus transportation.

You should consider All Star Sports if:

• You or your child are especially drawn to the oversized sports icons.
• Budget is a priority.
• You will be using the room only for sleeping.

You should consider another resort if:

• You prefer to avoid bus transportation.
• Large crowds and noise will disrupt your vacation.
• You plan to utilize your resort’s amenities and spend time relaxing away from the parks.

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4. All Star Music

All-Star Music Resort celebrates different music genres featuring everything from massive guitars and drum sets to giant cowboy boots. Each section of the resort is themed to a different style -rock, jazz, country, calypso, and Broadway.

One of the biggest perks here? The family suites. Unlike most value resorts, All-Star Music offers suites that sleep up to six people, making it a great option for larger families who don’t want to book two separate rooms.

The family suites firmly move All Star Music ahead of All Star Sports. But unfortunately, All Star Music is also likely to be affected by teams and groups, keeping it in 4th place.

You should consider All Star Music if:

• You are traveling with a larger family (5-6 people) and prefer the space or layout of a suite vs. connecting rooms.
• Budget is a top priority.

You should consider another resort if:

• You prefer to avoid bus transportation.
• Large crowds and noise will disrupt your vacation.
• You plan to utilize your resort’s amenities and spend time relaxing away from the parks

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3. All Star Movies

If you want the most fun and kid-friendly theming of the All-Star resorts, All-Star Movies is a top contender!

This value resort celebrates classic Disney films with larger-than-life decor straight out of Toy Story, 101 Dalmatians, The Mighty Ducks, Fantasia, and Herbie: The Love Bug. It’s bright, bold, and packed with oversized characters and movie-inspired details that make just walking around an adventure in itself.

Here, your little ones will come face-to-face with massive versions of Woody and Buzz, and Pongo and Perdita. The theming is classic Disney, and it feels a little more magical than the generic sports and music vibes of the other two.

If you’re choosing between the All-Stars and want the best theming for kids, All-Star Movies is the way to go.

You should consider All Star Movies if:

• Your children are fans of Toy Story, Fantasia or 101 Dalmations.
• You are budget conscious and/or want to splurge on park hoppers, character meals or other extras.
• You want to be immersed in Disney throughout your stay.

You should consider another resort if:

• You would like a break from Disney theming outside of the parks.
• You prefer to avoid bus transportation.

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2. Art of Animation

If you want next-level theming and extra space while sticking to a value resort budget, Art of Animation is hard to beat.

It’s the most immersive of the value resorts, bringing you right into the worlds of The Lion King, Finding Nemo, Cars, and The Little Mermaid. The larger-than-life characters and immersive movie scenes make this resort a dream come true for kids and animation lovers alike.

As an added bonus, this resort has two themed play spaces for kids: a Finding Nemo themed playground and an open space with a hidden cave in The Lion King section.

A major perk of staying at Art of Animation and Pop Century is their location on the Disney Skyliner system. This gondola transportation is quick, efficient, and one of the most enjoyable ways to get around Disney property.

It provides direct access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios with a simple transfer at Caribbean Beach Resort.

Plus, if you’re traveling with a single stroller, there’s no need to fold it down—you can roll right on, making park hopping even easier for families with little ones.

While there’s a lot to love about this resort, it ranks second because of the location and pricing of standard rooms.

The only standard rooms are in The Little Mermaid section, which is the farthest from the lobby, food court, and Skyliner. Since Art of Animation is also the most expensive value resort, I find it hard to justify the price difference unless you’re booking a suite.

With the cost of the suites being competitive with the pricing of some deluxe rooms, it’s worth taking time to consider which amenities and perks are most valuable to you and your family.

You should consider Art of Animation if:

• You are a family of 5-6 or you need separate sleeping spaces.
• If you have energetic kids and would appreciate the extra outdoor space to play.
• You want to be fully immersed in Disney.
• You are planning park days to Epcot and Hollywood Studios and would enjoy using the Skyliner transportation system.

You should consider another resort if:

• You are afraid of heights and don’t want to use the skyliner.
• You will not be visiting Epcot or Hollywood Studios.
• You would prefer to have a break from Disney theming outside of the parks.
• You would like the most cost-effective option on property.
• At the price point, you’d rather have amenities like a table service restaurant, pool slide, etc.

If it’s in your budget and you want the space, Art of Animation is a fantastic pick. But if you’re just looking for a standard room, you may want to think twice before paying extra for The Little Mermaid section.

If you’re a larger family or need separate sleeping spaces, the extra room and two bathrooms can be worth it. But if you’re just looking for a standard room, you might be better off at Pop Century, where you’ll pay less and be closer to the Skyliner.

1. Pop Century

Pop Century takes the top spot because it hits all the highlights of a value resort! It’s fun, immersive, and packed with oversized Disney characters like Lady and Tramp or Mowgli and Baloo.

It’s also one of the more reasonably priced options (by Disney standards) and has skyliner access – a huge perk.

Art of Animation is just a short walk across the bridge, and since both resorts share the skyliner station, it’s an easy stroll. If you have a free evening, it’s worth heading over to check out the oversized characters and immersive sections that kids (and Disney-loving adults) will love exploring.

You should consider Pop Century if:

• You want transportation options beyond buses (hello, Skyliner!).
• You love the Disney immersive feel with oversized character statues.
• Cost is a factor, and you want the best balance of price, theming, and convenience.

You should consider another resort if:

• You prefer a different style of theming that’s less Disney-centric.
• You have a fear of heights and do not want to use the skyliner or do not plan to visit Epcot or Hollywood Studios.
• You’re looking for more amenities and a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere.

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Disney Value Resorts: Which One Fits Your Family Best?

Choosing the right Disney resort comes down to what matters most for your family.

If you want the best mix of price, theming, and transportation, Pop Century is hard to beat. Art of Animation offers incredible theming and spacious suites but comes at a higher cost—especially if you’re booking a standard room.

No matter where you stay, the magic of Disney is always just outside your door.

Which value resort is your favorite? Let me know in the comments, and if you need help planning a stress-free Disney trip for your ADHD or autistic child, check out my tips and guides!

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