Disney World Hotel Reviews (An Insider’s Perspective)

Value Resorts

Lastly, as far as on-property resorts go, we have the value resorts at Walt Disney World. These resorts are the most budget-friendly (cheapest) and where you’ll find true Disney theming.

The Complete Guide to Disney’s Value Resorts

Disney’s Art of Animation Review

Disney’s Art of Animation is considered the nicest of the value resorts. However, it doesn’t quite fit the mold of a true value. Three of its four sections are family suites. Family suites offer larger accommodations and are more comparable in price to a deluxe resort. However, they can sleep more guests and provide plenty of space for everyone to spread out.

If you want to stay in a value category at the resort, your only options are The Little Mermaid rooms. These are standard resort rooms at value resort prices. Family suites are located in the Cars, The Lion King, and Finding Nemo sections of the resort.

This is a fun hotel if you have small children who love any of the animated films highlighted at the resort. So, if you’re staying at The Little Mermaid section, you can still hang out at the feature pool, The Big Blue Pool, or the Cozy Cone Pool down on the Cars end.

The Resort Rundown

• Resort Type: Value Resort
• Rooms: Little Mermaid Theme (Value Only) or Family Suites
• Closest Park: Skyliner Ride to Hollywood Studios or Epcot
• Dining: Quick Service Food Court, Pool Bar
• Pools: Multiple Pools, Splash Pad, Playground
• Transportation: Skyliner, Buses
• Learn More: Disney’s Art of Animation Review

Disney’s Pop Century Resort Review

Pop Century Resorts sits directly across Hour Glass Lake from Disney’s Art of Animation. This resort is themed to represent the decades between the 50s and 90s. It features large bursts of primary colors and oversized representations of everything “pop” from each decade.

Room rates at Pop Century typically run higher than those at the All-Star Resorts because of access to the Skyliner. However, we love the layout of the rooms and find that even though they are compact, they offer plenty of storage solutions.

As far as negatives go, this resort can be crowded. However, depending on your room location, it might also be a decent walk from the bus stop. That said, it’s fun to have the neighboring Art of Animation nearby, and we love to take leisurely walks around Hour Glass Lake. In most instances, we prefer to stay at Pop Century because we like the standard rooms better than the ones at Art of Animation.

The Resort Rundown

• Resort Type: Value Resort
• Rooms: New Rooms Between 2025-2026
• Closest Park: Skyliner to Hollywood Studios and Epcot
• Dining: Quick Service Food Court, Pool Bar
• Pools: Multiple Pools, Kiddie Pool, Playground
• Transportation: Skyliner, Buses
• Learn More: Disney’s Pop Century Review

Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort Review

Disney’s All-Star Movies is one of three All-Star Resorts. These resorts are located closest to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Naturally, a Disney movie-themed resort features fun references to popular animated films. You might stay in the Toy Story section or run into the 101 Dalmatians.

Rooms at the All-Star Movies are among the lowest priced on Disney property. However, the trade-off is smaller rooms and fewer resort amenities. On the positive side, you’ll feel like you’re staying at a Disney Resort with the movie theming. Children love seeing their favorite characters represented around the resort.

The Resort Rundown

• Resort Type: Value Resort
• Rooms: Classic Characters, Well-Utilized Spaces
• Closest Park: Animal Kingdom
• Dining: Quick Service Food Court, Pool Bar
• Pools: Two Pools, Splash Pad, Kiddie Pool
• Transportation: Buses Only
• Learn More: Disney’s All-Star Movies Review

Disney’s All-Star Music Resort Review

Disney’s All-Star Music Resort is next door to Movies. For reference, all three “All-Star Resorts” at Disney World are adjacent. The only difference between them is the theming. They will all have comparable room rates. All-Star Music is themed to popular songs and classic Disney tunes. Music is my favorite of the three All-Stars Resorts because I love music. They even play some groovy tunes on the theme park buses!

Free Disney transportation options are limited to buses at the All-Star Resorts. Another con for these three resorts is that they are often booked by large school groups visiting Walt Disney World for various competitions and performances. So don’t be surprised if you wake up one morning and find yourself in the middle of a cheerleading or band convention when you head to the resort’s food court.

The Resort Rundown

• Resort Type: Value Resort
• Rooms: Classic Characters, Well-Utilized Spaces
• Closest Park: Animal Kingdom
• Dining: Quick Service Food Court, Pool Bar
• Pools: Two Pools, Splash Pad, Kiddie Pool
• Transportation: Buses Only
• Learn More: Disney’s All-Star Music Review

Disney’s All-Star Sports Review

Disney’s All-Star Sports is the third and final of the three All-Star Resorts. Like the name, sports is the theme here. So, for those who love all things sports-related, you’ll adore seeing classic characters playing their favorite sports across the resort.

Sports is the most popular resort for school trips, so it might be crowded if your vacation runs concurrently with a sporting event. Additionally, dining is limited to one large food court and a pool bar at each of the All-Star Resorts.

The Resort Rundown

• Resort Type: Value Resort
• Rooms: Classic Characters, Well-Utilized Spaces
• Closest Park: Animal Kingdom
• Dining: Quick Service Food Court, Pool Bar
• Pools: Two Pools, Splash Pad, Kiddie Pool
• Transportation: Buses Only
• Learn More: Disney’s All-Star Sports Review

Next Up: Off-Site Options