Cheap Walt Disney World Hotels: The Best Value Resort

When planning a Walt Disney World family vacation, you may wonder how it is possible to make it inexpensive. Disney is known for its magical experiences, and while it can be expensive, there are ways to make it an incredible family adventure while saving in various places. It’s all about finding the right balance. One of the ways you can do so is to book one of Disney’s value resorts, which can offer a memorable family experience at a more affordable price. These are the cheap Walt Disney World hotels that still give you the opportunity to be in the “Disney Bubble” without the biggest impact on your budget.

Before diving in, let’s talk about some basic Walt Disney World information. The average cost of a Walt Disney World vacation for a family of four can vary widely depending on the length of stay, type of accommodations, dining choices, and other factors. On average, for a moderate budget, a family of four could expect to spend around $4,000 to $6,000 for a 4 to 5-night stay, including park tickets, accommodations, meals, and other expenses. However, this cost could be significantly higher if staying at a deluxe resort, lower if you stay further outside of Lake Buena Vista, or slightly more if additional experiences and souvenirs are factored in.

Now, let’s talk about Walt Disney World Value Resorts. A value resort offers a more affordable option for families looking to experience the magic of Disney without breaking the bank. These resorts provide a memorable family experience at a lower price point, making it possible to have an incredible family adventure while saving money. Staying at a value resort is one way to strike a balance between cost and experience when planning a Walt Disney World vacation. These resorts cater to budget-conscious travelers and offer convenient accommodations within the Disney World property. 

But what do you “give up” when staying at the value hotels? It depends! Below, I am sharing all the details on each of the Disney World hotels in the “Value” category, as well as the pros and cons for each one vs the pros and cons of splurging for Moderate or Deluxe accommodation. 

First up, Disney’s All-Star Resorts. There are three separate properties within the All-Stars complex, each with their own amenities, theming and experience. 

Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort

All-Star Movies has a classic Disney movies theme with larger-than-life characters, like Buzz Lightyear, 101 Dalmatian, and Fantasia. 

• Average Cost: Value category pricing, usually ranging from $120 to $220 per night for standard rooms.
• Location: Located nearest to Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park and Blizzard Beach. 
• Transportation: Complimentary bus transportation to and from all Disney theme parks.
• Dining: Quick-service dining options available on-site.
• Who should stay here: Groups seeking family-friendly, affordable accommodations with immersive Disney theming.

Disney’s All-Star Music Resort

This resort celebrates the love of music with giant musical instruments and whimsical decor. This resort also has family suites which can be a great option for larger families or groups! 

• Average Cost: Similar to All-Star Movies Resort, ranging from $120 to $220 per night for the standard room. 
• Rooms: This property has two room types. You can book a standard room or a family suite, which includes 1 queen bed and 2 pull down queen sized beds, and a kitchen area with a full-sized refrigerator, microwave and counter space. 
• Location: Close to Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Animal Kingdom. 
• Transportation: Complimentary bus transportation to all Walt Disney World theme parks.
• Dining: Quick-service dining options offering a variety of cuisines.
• Who should stay here: Groups seeking family-friendly, larger rooms with musical themes. 

Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

It provides a lively and energetic atmosphere with affordable accommodations suitable for sports enthusiasts and families and often hosts sporting competitions. 

• Average Cost: It is comparable to the other All-Star resorts, with slightly lower prices, making it the cheapest Disney hotel. Prices range from $110 to $220 per night.
• Location: Near Blizzard Beach and Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Animal Kingdom
• Theme: Sports-themed resort featuring larger-than-life sports icons and playful decor.
• Transportation: Complimentary bus transportation to and from all Walt Disney World theme parks.
• Dining: Quick-service dining options available for guests.
• Who should stay here: groups traveling for sports will usually have a discounted rate! 

All-Star Resort Pros & Cons

Pros

• Cheapest Disney World resort options with the lowest prices no matter the season 
• Larger family suites for an affordable cost 
• Fun theming like Toy Story and Mighty Ducks
• Close proximity to Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
• Free parking at the resort

Cons

• Longer driving distance to most of the Walt Disney World Parks
• Bus-only transportation 
• Motel-style accommodations (which could be a pro or con!) 
• Only quick-service dining options 
• The resorts are quite large, you could end up a good 15-minute walk from your room to the main building and buses

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Pop Century provides a nostalgic celebration of 20th-century pop culture with iconic toys, fads, and music through the decades. The fun and vibrant atmosphere is great! The main pool is large, with a small wading pool for kids, and smaller pools in various areas of the resort. 

• Average Cost: Generally falls within the range of $150 to $300 per night, check for discounts rather than assuming the rack rates are the cheaper option.
• Location: Located near Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park.
• Theme: Nostalgic celebration of 20th-century pop culture with iconic toys, fads, and music.
• Transportation: One word: SKYLINER!! Pop Century is on the Skyliner, which provides easy access to both Hollywood Studios and Epcot. There is also complimentary bus transportation to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, as well as the Disney Springs Area
• Dining: Quick-service dining options, including a food court with various offerings, and a pool bar
• Who should stay here: Anyone who wants skyliner access or is a fan of the decades. 

Art of Animation Resort

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is a whimsical and visually stunning hotel that celebrates the art and magic of Disney and Pixar animation. The resort has incredibly immersive areas, including Little Mermaid, which has standard-sized rooms (which are actually quite small), as well as areas themed around The Lion King, Finding Nemo, and Cars, all of which have family suites. If you ask my daughter, this is one of the best hotels she has ever stayed in! 

• Average Price: for a standard room at this resort ranges from $180 to $420 per night
• Location: near Disney’s Hollywood Studios and across the bridge from Pop Century 
• Transportation: On the Skyliner for access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, as well as other resorts like Caribbean Beach and Riviera, and the Boardwalk resorts
• Dining: Quick service and a poolside bar
• Who should stay here: Families prioritizing a fun, immersive Disney vacation- you feel like you are in the Disney bubble throughout! It’s also a great option for younger children as the Big Blue Pool is large and also has a splash pad. There is a playground and lots of space to roam around this resort. With well-themed family suites that can comfortably accommodate larger groups, it’s perfect for families and groups of friends looking for a unique and immersive Disney experience.

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

Fort Wilderness is a campground near Magic Kingdom and only counts as value if you camp with a tent or an RV, so it’s an honorable mention.

• Average Cost: Camping rates range from $60 to $120 per night, depending on your travel dates and amenities/hook ups needed.
• Transportation: There is complimentary boat and bus transportation to all Walt Disney World theme parks and attractions. There is also an internal shuttle service because the property is LARGE. 
• Dining: The campground offers various dining options, including a buffet with Disney characters, a quick-service restaurant, and a dinner show with live entertainment.
• Who should stay here: Families or outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy camping and want to experience the magic of Disney while enjoying the great outdoors.

Pros of Staying at a Value Resort

• You get the standard benefits and fun amenities of staying at a Disney-owned hotel! This includes early theme park entry, easy access to contacting customer service cast members who usually go above and beyond to help before, during, and after your stay, onsite gift shops with all the Disney merchandise, poolside activities each afternoon, and transportation to all parks and Disney Springs. 
• Cheapest Disney hotels on Disney property
• Disney Gift Shop at each resort (this could be a con if you aren’t a fan of spending money)
• It’s a great way to stay in the Disney bubble the entire time you are on vacation due to the transportation and theming 

Cons of Staying at a Value Resort

• The pools are usually standard, hotel-style pools without extra amenities like water slides or hot tubs. 
• Standard-sized hotel rooms. For the same cost, you could often find larger rooms offsite, so depending on the number of people it might not be a great option 
• Only quick-service, food court-style dining options. If you prefer table service restaurants, you will need to go to another resort or dine in the parks

Now that you know about each cheap Walt Disney World hotels and resorts, I will share our opinion. As Annual Passholders who have stayed at every resort, including value resorts, moderate resorts, and deluxe resorts. Our favorite value resort is Art of Animation, but if we are looking to stay on the property for an even cheaper rate, we will stay at Pop Century. We are not fans of the All-Star resorts due to the distance to the parks and having to take a bus everywhere. 

With all of this being said, once you have an idea about your budget, I suggest looking into a few other hotel options like Coronado Springs and Caribbean Beach. While they are Moderate level resorts, they have a few additional benefits are offer a little bit more of an elevated Disney experience.