Walt Disney World Value Resorts Overview

5 January 2026 by Steve Bell

Your most affordable way to stay in the magic without sacrificing the convenience of being on Disney property.

Walt Disney World’s Value Resorts offer the lowest-priced rooms on property, but still deliver the unmistakable feeling of being “in the magic” from the moment you arrive. For many military families, these resorts offer the perfect balance of budget-friendly rates, solid amenities, Disney theming, and easy transportation. Whether you’re planning a first trip, traveling with younger kids, or simply want to maximize savings for park days, the Value category is an excellent place to start.

Below, you’ll find a complete overview of what Value Resorts offer, how they differ from Moderate and Deluxe Resorts, and what military families should keep in mind when choosing one.

Quick Facts About Disney Value Resorts

• Category Positioning: Least expensive of Disney’s resort tiers
• Room Entry: Exterior hallways
• Room Sizes: Approximately 260 sq. ft. (larger in Family Suites)
• Full housekeeping service: every other day
• Transportation: Disney buses; Disney Skyliner at Pop Century & Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
• Dining: Primarily Quick Service
• Ideal For: Budget-focused families, first-time visitors, sports groups, military families, maximizing ticket savings
• Eligible for Military Discounts: Yes — through the Disney Armed Forces Salute Room Discount (availability varies by resort)

Location Overview

All five Value Resorts are located in the southern and southeastern regions of the Walt Disney World property. They are not as close to the theme parks as many Moderate or Deluxe Resorts, but they offer reliable bus service and, in the case of Pop Century and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, direct access to the Disney Skyliner for EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Because of their size, these resorts often host youth groups, cheer and dance teams, and guests attending competitions at ESPN Wide World of Sports. They can be energetic at times, especially in the mornings.

Theme & Atmosphere

Value Resorts are known for their bold, larger-than-life Disney theming. Expect colorful buildings, massive character icons, themed pool areas, and a fun, upbeat vibe that appeals especially to children and first-time visitors.

Each resort leans heavily into its chosen theme:

• Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort: Classic Disney films
• Disney’s All-Star Music Resort: Music genres & performance themes
• Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort: Athletic motifs and sports icons
• Disney’s Pop Century Resort: Nostalgia-driven decades from the 50s to the 90s
• Disney’s Art of Animation Resort: Disney-Pixar storytelling with immersive courtyard theming

The décor is big, bright, and unmistakably Disney.

Room Types & Capacity

Disney World Value Room with Murphy Bed Up

Standard Value Resort rooms typically include:

• Two double beds (or one king bed in select rooms)
• One bathroom with a separate vanity
• Small dresser and TV
• Mini-fridge
• Coffee maker
• In-room safe, iron, and ironing board

Disney World Value Room with Murphy Bed Down

These rooms sleep up to four guests, plus one child under 3 in a crib.

Family Suites at Select Value Resorts

Art of Animation Family Suite

While this page is a big-picture overview, it’s important to know that two Value Resorts also offer Family Suites:

• Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
• Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

These suites sleep up to six guests, plus a crib, and provide additional space and amenities that can be a great fit for larger military families. Full details on layouts, bedding, and who they’re best for are covered on each resort’s individual page.

Transportation Options

All Value Resorts provide:

• Bus transportation to all theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs

In addition:

• Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort share a Disney Skyliner station, giving direct gondola access to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

This is a huge perk for guests who prefer to avoid buses for two major parks.

Transportation wait times can be longer during peak mornings, and the food courts can be very busy at breakfast — something military families should plan around if they’re used to tighter schedules.

Dining Options

Value Resorts do not offer table-service restaurants. Instead, guests enjoy:

• Food courts with multiple stations
• Pool bars
• Limited pizza delivery or to-go options

Value Food Court at Breakfast

Food courts tend to be busiest between 7:30 to 9:00 AM and after the theme parks close. Grabbing breakfast the night before can help avoid delays before rope drop.

Pools & Recreation

Each Value Resort includes:

• At least one themed main pool
• Off-the-beaten-path quiet pools
• Splash areas for little ones (especially at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort)
• Playgrounds
• Arcades
• Outdoor movie nights

Note: Value Resorts do not have water slides or hot tubs. Those amenities begin at the Moderate level.

Pros & Cons of Value Resorts

Pros

• Lowest-priced Disney-owned resorts
• Fun, larger-than-life theming that kids love
• Disney Skyliner access at Pop Century & Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
• Good availability for military room discounts in many seasons (though it can vary by year and resort)
• On-site Walt Disney World Resort guest perks such as Early Entry and resort transportation
• Ideal for families who spend most of their time in the parks

Cons

• Standard rooms are smaller than Moderates or Deluxes
• No table-service dining options at the resorts
• Can be noisy, especially mornings and evenings
• Bus transportation only at the All-Star Resorts
• Food courts often crowded at peak times
• Exterior entry hallways offer less privacy than interior corridors

Who Value Resorts Are Best For

Value Resorts are excellent for:

• Military families seeking the lowest Disney rack rate before discounts
• First-time visitors who want a fun, colorful introduction to Disney
• Families with young children who will be delighted by the oversized icons
• Guests maximizing park time rather than prioritizing resort amenities
• Fans of the Disney Skyliner (Pop Century & Disney’s Art of Animation Resort)
• Larger families staying in Family Suites

If you’re focusing on affordability, convenience, and big Disney energy, the Value Resorts deliver exactly that.

Walt Disney World Value Resorts

There are five different Value Resorts on Walt Disney World Property. These are the lowest priced of Disney’s resorts and understandably have the lowest level of amenities.

• Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
• Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
• Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
• Disney’s Pop Century Resort
• Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Let Military Disney Tips’ Recommended Travel Agent Assist You

Booking a Disney vacation can feel overwhelming, especially when trying to sync resort discounts, room availability, and military ticket options. My recommended Authorized Disney Vacation Planner can help you book any Disney Resort at no additional cost to you and ensure you always get the best possible military deal.

I recommend using an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner (travel agent)! Doing so can take the stress out of planning a Walt Disney World, Disneyland, or Disney Cruise Line Vacation, which can be a complicated and overwhelming task.
You have probably seen elsewhere on the site that I recommend The Mouse Experts powered by The Curated Travel Collection as my preferred Authorized Disney Vacation Planners.

The Mouse Experts - Military Disney Tips Recommended Disney Only Travel Agent

Wrap-Up

Value Resorts are the perfect starting point for many military families planning their Disney vacation. They combine lower room rates with key on-site Disney resort benefits like Early Entry and included resort transportation, making them a reliable and budget-friendly option without losing the magic. Whether you’re riding the Skyliner, relaxing by a themed pool, or stepping into a decades-themed courtyard, these resorts prove that a Disney vacation doesn’t have to break the bank to be unforgettable.

• Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
  • Disney World Value Resorts
  • Disney World Moderate Resorts
  • Disney World Deluxe Resorts
• Do WDW Room View Categories Matter?
• MDT Tested & Approved Resorts
• Walt Disney World Resort Guest Benefits
• Walt Disney World Resort Theming

• Back to Basics Posts - A great place to start, offering basic topics!
• Disney Veteran & Military Discount Eligibility Guide
• The Military Family’s Walt Disney World Comprehensive Vacation Planning and Preparation Guide 
• Military Disney Tips Disney Packing Checklist 
• Disney Military Tickets – Your Start-to-Finish Guide

• Resorts/Hotel Overview Page
• Dining Overview Page
• Transportation Overview Page
• Technology Overview Page
• Shades of Green, WDW’s Military-Only Resort

The Mouse Experts is a travel booking company specializing in Disney vacations. Military family owned and operated! They know all the ins and outs of Disney military discounts!