If I had to choose from the Disney World Value resorts based on overall value, I’d rank Pop Century first, followed by Art of Animation, All-Star Movies, All-Star Music, and All-Star Sports. This Disney World Value Resorts Ranked guide is really about more than the cheapest room. The best value comes from the resort that gives you the strongest mix of price, transportation, room comfort, theming, food convenience, and how easy it feels after a long park day.
Value resorts are the right Disney World hotel category when you want to stay on property without paying Moderate or Deluxe prices. You still get the Disney bubble, early theme park entry, Disney transportation, themed pools, quick-service dining, and the convenience of charging purchases to your room. What you usually give up is space, quieter grounds, sit-down restaurants, and the more relaxed resort feel you get at higher categories.
For a broader look at where these fit across the full hotel lineup, I’d start with my guide to Disney World hotels before narrowing it down to Value resorts.
Disney World Value Resorts Ranked by Best Overall Value
Here’s my practical ranking if I were choosing based on the best overall value, not just the lowest nightly rate.
| Rank | Resort | Best For | Biggest Value Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pop Century Resort | Most trips, park-focused stays, couples, small families | Skyliner access at Value pricing |
| 2 | Art of Animation Resort | Families, bigger groups, Disney/Pixar theming | Family suites and immersive design |
| 3 | All-Star Movies Resort | Classic Disney feel on a tighter budget | Best theming of the All-Stars |
| 4 | All-Star Music Resort | Families wanting suites for less than Art of Animation | Lower-cost family suite option |
| 5 | All-Star Sports Resort | Cheapest possible on-property stay | Often one of the lowest prices |
1. Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Pop Century is my top Value resort because it gives you the best mix of price, transportation, and convenience. The biggest advantage is the Disney Skyliner, which connects the resort to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. That alone changes the feel of the stay.
After a long park day, I’d much rather glide back on the Skyliner than wait in a crowded bus line if I have the option. It is especially noticeable after Hollywood Studios closes, when everyone is tired and the bus stops can feel chaotic.
The rooms are simple, bright, and efficient. They are not luxurious, but they feel practical. I also like that Pop Century is compact enough to feel manageable. Some Disney resorts are beautiful but sprawling; Pop is easier to understand after one walk around the property.
Why Pop Century is the best overall value
Pop Century is usually not the absolute cheapest Value resort, but I think the transportation upgrade is worth the extra cost for many trips. If your plans include EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, or park hopping between those two parks, Pop feels like a strategic choice instead of just a budget choice.
The food court is straightforward, the pools are fun, and the resort has that colorful Disney energy without being quite as oversized-feeling as Art of Animation. For most people looking at Value resorts, this is the first one I would price.
Where Pop Century falls short
The rooms are still Value resort rooms. You are not getting balconies, a quiet lobby lounge, table-service dining, or a deeply relaxing resort atmosphere. The Skyliner can also pause during lightning or bad weather, which means buses may be used instead.
Still, for the price-to-convenience ratio, Pop Century is hard to beat.
2. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Art of Animation is the most visually impressive Value resort at Disney World. If you are traveling with kids who love Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King, or The Little Mermaid, this resort can feel like part of the vacation instead of just a place to sleep.
The theming is big, colorful, and very Disney. Walking through the Cars section feels especially fun because the courtyard has so many oversized details. It is one of those resorts where kids tend to stop constantly because there is always another character, sign, or photo spot nearby.
I also like Art of Animation because it shares the Skyliner station with Pop Century. That gives it a major transportation advantage over the All-Star resorts.
Why Art of Animation ranks second
Art of Animation ranks high because of its family suites. If you need more sleeping space, multiple bathrooms, and room to spread out, the suites can make a trip feel much smoother. I would especially consider it for families who would otherwise need two standard rooms.
The Finding Nemo, Cars, and Lion King suites are much more practical for larger families than a typical Value room. I’ve written more about the suite experience in my review of the Finding Nemo Suite at Art of Animation and my review of the Lion King Suite at Art of Animation.
Where Art of Animation loses value
The main issue is price. Art of Animation can get expensive, especially in the family suites. At a certain point, I start comparing it against Moderates or even discounted Deluxe options, depending on the season.
The Little Mermaid standard rooms are also farther from the main building and Skyliner than I’d like. They can be a fun choice if the price is good, but they do not always feel like the best deal compared with Pop Century across the bridge.
For a deeper resort-specific look, my full review of Art of Animation Resort breaks down what it feels like to stay there.
3. Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
All-Star Movies is my favorite of the All-Star resorts because it has the strongest Disney vacation feel. The giant icons, movie-themed sections, and classic character energy make it feel more fun than the price might suggest.
If I were booking an All-Star resort for a first Disney trip with kids, this is the one I would check first. It feels the most obviously “Disney” of the three, which matters when you are trying to make a budget stay still feel special.
Why All-Star Movies is a strong budget pick
All-Star Movies usually costs less than Pop Century and Art of Animation, which makes it appealing if the goal is simply to stay on Disney property for less. You still get Disney buses, early entry, themed pools, and that on-property convenience.
The rooms are basic, but they do the job. I think this resort makes the most sense for families who plan to spend most of their time in the parks and only need a clean, cheerful place to sleep.
Where All-Star Movies falls short
The biggest downside is transportation. Unlike Pop Century and Art of Animation, All-Star Movies relies on buses. That is not automatically bad, but it does mean you are more dependent on bus timing, especially at park close.
It can also feel busy. The All-Star resorts attract families, groups, and school/team travel, so the food court and bus areas can get loud during peak times.
If you are choosing between two All-Stars, my comparison of All-Star Music vs All-Star Movies can help narrow it down.
4. Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
All-Star Music is not the flashiest Value resort, but it can be a smart pick because of its family suites. These are often worth checking if Art of Animation suites are too expensive.
The theming is less exciting to me than All-Star Movies, but the resort can still be practical. If the price is right, I would not ignore it. This is especially true for families who need more space but do not want to jump to a Moderate or Deluxe resort.
Why All-Star Music can be a good value
The family suites are the main reason to consider All-Star Music. For larger families or groups who want a separate sleeping setup and more room, the layout can make the trip easier.
It can also be a good backup when Pop Century or Art of Animation prices climb too high. I always compare total trip cost, not just the resort name. Sometimes the less exciting resort is the smarter booking.
Where All-Star Music falls short
The overall atmosphere feels less memorable than Pop Century, Art of Animation, or All-Star Movies. It is fine, but not usually the resort I’d choose if the prices were close.
Like the other All-Stars, transportation is bus-based. That means I would weigh the savings against how much park hopping you plan to do and how patient your group is with buses.
5. Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
All-Star Sports is usually the Value resort I’d choose last, but that does not mean it is a bad resort. It just has the narrowest appeal for me.
The biggest reason to book All-Star Sports is price. If it is the cheapest Disney World resort available and your priority is getting the benefits of staying on property, it can absolutely make sense.
Why All-Star Sports still has a place
For a park-heavy trip, All-Star Sports can be a practical place to sleep, shower, and get back out the door. If you are trying to keep the hotel portion of the trip low, this is one of the first resorts I would price.
It is also worth considering if you have sports-loving kids or if the theming happens to fit your family. The large icons are playful, and the resort still feels like a Disney Value resort.
Why I rank it last
For me, All-Star Sports usually has the least interesting theme of the Value resorts. It can also feel especially group-heavy at certain times, which can make the food court and common areas feel busy.
I would book it if the savings were meaningful. If the price difference were small, I’d usually move up to All-Star Movies, Pop Century, or Art of Animation depending on the trip.
Best Disney World Value Resort by Travel Style
The best Value resort changes depending on how you travel. I would not choose the same resort for a couple’s quick EPCOT-heavy trip that I would for a family of five trying to keep costs down.
| Travel Style | Best Value Resort | Why |
| Best overall pick | Pop Century | Best mix of price, transportation, and convenience |
| Best for larger families | Art of Animation or All-Star Music | Family suites make the trip easier |
| Best cheapest on-property stay | All-Star Sports | Often one of the lowest-priced Disney resorts |
| Best classic Disney feel | All-Star Movies | Strongest All-Star theming |
| Best for EPCOT/Hollywood Studios access | Pop Century | Skyliner access is a major advantage |
If you are specifically comparing family-size options, my guide to the best Disney World hotels for a family of 5 is worth reading before you book.
When a Value Resort Is the Right Choice
A Value resort makes the most sense when you are spending most of your time in the parks and want to keep the hotel budget under control. I think they work especially well for rope-drop trips, first-time visits, families with younger kids, and guests who care more about Disney convenience than resort luxury.
The biggest advantages are simple: you stay inside the Disney bubble, use Disney transportation, get early theme park entry, and avoid some of the friction that comes with staying farther away.
I also like Value resorts for shorter trips. If I am only staying two or three nights and spending long days in the parks, I do not always need a more expensive resort. I’d rather put that money toward better dining, park extras, or another night if the budget allows.
For more budget-focused planning, these guides on affordable Disney resorts, the cheapest Disney World resort, and how to save money at Disney World resorts are helpful next steps.
When I’d Skip a Value Resort
I would think twice about a Value resort if the hotel itself is a major part of the trip. If you want quieter grounds, better dining, a more relaxed pool day, or a resort that feels like an escape from the parks, a Moderate or Deluxe may be worth comparing.
That does not mean you need to overspend. Sometimes a Moderate resort gives you a better overall vacation for only a bit more per night, depending on discounts. My guide to the best Moderate resort in Disney World and my overview of Disney World Deluxe resorts are useful if you are on the fence.
I would also compare nearby off-property hotels if price is your only concern. Some can include breakfast, shuttles, or larger rooms, although you need to look carefully at resort fees, parking, shuttle schedules, and whether you are losing Disney resort perks. My guides to resorts near Disney World with shuttle service and hotels within walking distance to Disney World are good comparisons.
My Final Pick for Best Overall Value
If I were booking one Disney World Value resort for the best overall value, I’d choose Pop Century. It is not always the cheapest, but the Skyliner access, manageable layout, and practical rooms make it the strongest all-around choice for most trips.
Art of Animation is my pick if the theming or family suites matter most. All-Star Movies is my favorite lower-cost option if you want classic Disney energy. All-Star Music is the sleeper pick for families who need suite space at a lower price. All-Star Sports is the one I’d choose when the lowest possible Disney resort price matters more than theme or transportation.
Before booking, I always compare actual dates instead of assuming the rankings will match the price calendar. Discounts can change the math quickly, and sometimes a resort that is usually more expensive becomes the better deal. You can compare current Disney hotel options directly through the official Walt Disney World resorts page once you have your shortlist.
