Hotels are usually the most important part when booking a family vacation. You want to find something nice but also affordable. When you visit theĀ Walt Disney World theme parks, youĀ have a choice between deluxe, moderate and value resorts. If you ask us, why spend a ton of money when you'll only be in the hotel rooms at night?
We're going to listĀ the fourĀ value resorts Walt Disney WorldĀ offers and why we like them. Which will you choose?
Recommended Videos
1. Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Disney's newest value resort hotel, Art of Animation, allowsĀ guests to immerseĀ themselves in the worlds of their favorite Disney and Disneyā¢Pixar films. TheĀ rooms are themed toĀ "The Little Mermaid," "Finding Nemo," "Cars" and "The Lion King." With oversized statues and scale replicas of the movie characters, this resort allows you to feel like you are inside theĀ movie.
At Art of Animation, itĀ consists of mostly family suites, but alsoĀ houses single roomsĀ and offers a wide variety of food selections in theĀ food court. The resort is home to the Big Blue Pool, where you can swim with the characters fromĀ "Finding Nemo," and if you listen closely, you'll be able to hearĀ music,Ā underwater. Take a second to take that in. Yes, music underwater, and it sounds so clear --Ā take it from us!
Art of Animation is neighbor to Disney's POPĀ Century Resort across the lake. These resorts will soon be a stop on the Disney Skyliner gondola route when it opens in 2019,Ā allowing guests an extra way to get to the parks. Then these resorts may no longer be considered value resorts.Ā
INSIDER TIP: We like it here because ofĀ the option forĀ taking two buses to get back to the resort. If the line for Art of Animation is long but the wait for POPĀ Century is short, hop on the POPĀ CenturyĀ bus and take an evening stroll across the lake to get back to your resort. You'll get your steps in and not be stuck in a lineĀ all night.
2. Disney's POP Century Resort
Take a walk across the bridge away from Art of Animation and you'll find yourself strolling through the decades at Disney's POP Century Resort.
Stroll through the '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s andĀ '90s and relive the nostalgia that defined theĀ generation. If you really want to feel old, walk through the lobby, where you can see 20th century pop culture in itsĀ time capsule displays.Ā
Like the other resorts, you'll find larger-than-life icons around the buildings. The nostalgia continues outside where you can find a three-story-tall Mickey Mouse phone that stands outside one of the resort wings.Ā
POP Century's rooms have beenĀ renovated recently, and remodeled to include one queen bed and a additionalĀ fold-down bed. The rooms have a modern look with lots of white andĀ hardwood floorsĀ while keeping that Disney feel: A much-needed improvement over theĀ previous interior.Ā
The bathrooms are huge and haveĀ plenty of room for storage if you're a heavy packer.Ā A sliding wooden door separatesĀ the sleeping area from the bathroom and the shower features a dual shower head so you may never want to get out.Ā
INSIDER TIP:Ā If you're planning on staying here, we recommend a room by the Hippy Dippy Pool. It will be closest to Classic Hall, where the food courtĀ and busesĀ are. This meansĀ a short walk to and from bus stopsĀ and, after a long day in the parks, that short walk will be a life-saver.Ā
We should also mention that POPĀ Century sells Dole Whip.Ā Enough said.Ā
3. Disney's All-Star Resorts
The All-Star Resorts consist of three separate resorts: All-Star Movies, All-Star Music and All-Star Sports. The All-Star Resorts haveĀ the most affordable rates on Disney property. As with all other value resorts, the theming is not subtle.Ā
Depending on where you stay, you may see larger-than-life football helmets and a life-size foosball table. You may walk past giant instruments and a piano-shaped pool. Or if you find yourself at the All-Star Movies Resort, you'll share the space with "101 Dalmatians" and your favorite characters from "Toy Story."
The All-Star Resorts share a bus route most of the year, meaning one bus will take you to all three places. This can lead to crowded buses and long waits to get home. This would be the only negative to staying here. If you're planning on staying at an All-Star Resort, check crowd times to better plan your visit. Then again, lines are a part of the Disney experience.Ā
INSIDER TIP:Ā If you're planning on staying at an All-Star Resort and don't want to wait a long time for buses, keep this in mind: When the resorts are sharing a bus route, the order of drop-off and pickup is All-Star Sports then All-Star MusicĀ andĀ finally, All-Star Movies.Ā
4.Ā The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort
Do you love the outdoors? Are you looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Disney property? Well, you don't have to go too far. In fact, you don't even have to leave Disney property.Ā Disneyās Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground offers the beauty of the American frontier with wildlife roaming all around the resort's 750 acres of forest.
After posting up at your fully-equipped campsite, take aĀ walk along the private trails, try your hand at archery, horseback riding or canoeing, but be sure to stop by the nightly campfire to enjoy a s'moreĀ with your pals, Chip and Dale.Ā
No matter when you visit, be sure to check out the Campsites at Fort Wilderness around the Christmas holidays. We love seeing the giant inflatables and decorations campers put aroundĀ their temporary homes.
INSIDER TIP: This resort has anĀ additional wayĀ to get around Disney property. Fort Wilderness offersĀ boats that take you to and from theĀ the Magic Kingdom, which meansĀ no more crowded buses, monorails or ferries. If you can, take the boat early in the morning.Ā You will most likely be the only person on-board and you might even have the boat to yourself. Even if you aren't going to the parks, the boatĀ ride offers a scenic view that you can only get while on the water. We should also add if the camping life isn't for you but you want to expierence this extra perk,Ā take a bus to the outpost at the resort and grab breakfast at Trailsend. This buffet is one of the best on property, and be sure to ask for the moonshine. Don't worry, it isnt alcoholic.Ā Then once you're finished, take the boat to the park.
This rustic retreat is definitely for those who don't require all the amenities of a hotel room, and feelĀ right at home in the great outdoors.
Have you stayed at anyĀ of these spots? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below.
All photos provided by Walt Disney World.