Here’s what you need to know about each category of Disney hotel so you can choose the one that’s right for you.
With its bright colorful buildings and access to the Skyliner, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is a favorite Moderate Disney World Resort. Photo credit: Gwen Kleist
Which of the Disney World Resorts is Right for You?
How do you decide which Walt Disney World Resort is right for you?
A Value Resort will save you money, but a Deluxe Resort delivers fantastic theming, higher-end dining choices and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Moderate Disney World Resorts…they meet somewhere in the middle. If you need more space or are looking for a truly exceptional Disney experience, staying at one of Disney’s Deluxe Villas delivers everything you get in a Deluxe Resort plus a full kitchen, 2 full bathrooms and a washer/dryer.
Read on for all of the details on each hotel category and a tip on how to score a Deluxe Villa without the deluxe price!
Disney Resort Perks
Some things come standard at all Disney World Resorts, so rest easy.
You’ll enjoy these perks no matter which level of Disney resort you choose:
A pool
A retail shop and food court on site
Ability to make dining reservations in advance
Earlier access to Genie+ and Lightening Lane reservations
A mini-fridge in your room
Free baggage transfer between Disney Resort hotels
Extended theme park hours
Complimentary wi-fi
Laundry facilities
Complimentary transportation to the theme parks, waterparks and Disney Springs
One of the best Disney World resorts for kids is the Art of Animation, which also includes a splash pad. Photo credit: Kathy Penney
Value Resorts at Walt Disney World
If you’re just looking for the basics, a Value Resort may be for you! Value Resorts have smaller rooms and oversized, somewhat garish décor. But they are clean and convenient and cover all the basics a family needs on vacation. Value Resorts offer a food court and pool, but no water slide or hot tub.
Transportation to and from Value Resorts used to be bus service only, but the launch of the Skyliner changed all that for the better! The Skyliner connects Pop Century Resort and Art of Animation Resort to both EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
However, this convenience comes with an added price tag, as rooms at these two resorts typically cost more than staying at the All Star Value Resorts (All Star Music, All Star Sports and All Star Music).
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort has mostly suites, a bigger food court and common areas, and therefore costs a little more.
Disney’s Pop Century Resort a Value Resort. Photo credit: Gwen Kleist
Which Disney Hotels are Value Resorts?
Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
What You’ll Find at Value Resorts:
Fun, bright, kid-friendly theming
Food courts and pizza delivery available, but no Table Service restaurants
Themed pools but no water slides
Rooms open to outside corridors
Large, spread-out layout making for long walks to the bus stop
Some rooms have a sliding door separating the sink area from the bedroom. Some have a curtain.
Bus transportation to all parks and Downtown Disney (and only 1 internal bus stop)
Skyliner transportation available from Pop Century and Art of Animation Resorts
Inexpensive room rates
Finding Nemo Family Suite Photo: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. Photo credit: Disney.
Family Suites at Disney Value Resorts
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort has mostly suites, a bigger food court and common areas, and therefore comes at a higher cost.
Before the Skyliner was launched, our favorite Value Resort was All Star Movies, which has family suites that sleep up to 6 people at value prices. The building exteriors showcase some of our favorite Disney Movies (101 Dalmatians, Love Bug, Toy Story), making this a fun but not overly-cheesy resort.
You’ll see some differences between the pools at Value, Moderate, and Deluxe resorts. This is the Dig Site Pool at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, which is a Moderate Disney World Resort. Photo credit: Jill Robbins
Moderate Resorts at Disney
As with most things at Walt Disney World Resort hotels, the more you pay, the more you get.
Disney Moderate Resorts are a huge step up from Value. But of course not quite as high-end as what you’ll find at a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa property.
Moderate hotels tend to have a more subdued atmosphere and elegant theming. The rooms are bigger than Value Resort rooms and the grounds are beautifully landscaped. The hotel lobbies and common areas all add to the classier feel.
@shebuystravel
Disney World Hotels that are Moderately priced and extravagantly magical
