If you’re vacation planning Disney and trying to keep your trip within budget, one of the biggest questions is where to stay. Choosing a Disney resort can feel overwhelming — there are so many options! But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.

Staying on-site at Walt Disney World adds convenience, perks, and extra magic to your trip. And the good news? You don’t have to spend a fortune to do it. Disney offers five value resorts that give you all the Disney perks for a smaller price tag. In this post, we’ll break them down so you can find the best budget-friendly Disney resort for your family.

Disney value resorts — Disney offers five value resorts

Disney’s Resort Price Categories

Disney groups their resorts into three main price tiers: Deluxe, Moderate, and Value.

If you’re focusing on keeping costs low, the Value Resorts are where you’ll want to look. You’ll still get all the on-site perks — like early park entry and free Disney transportation — but at a much lower price than the higher-tier resorts.

There are five Disney Value Resorts to choose from:

All-Star Sports
All-Star Music
All-Star Movies
Pop Century
Art of Animation

Each resort offers a different atmosphere, location, and price point — let’s go through them!

The All-Star Resorts: Disney’s Most Budget-Friendly

The All-Star Resorts (Sports, Music, and Movies) are Disney’s most affordable on-site options. These three sit side by side in the Animal Kingdom area and share similar layouts, amenities, and dining options.

Each All-Star resort has:

A large feature pool and a smaller quiet pool
A quick-service food court
Bus transportation to all four parks

Because these resorts are popular for cheerleading and band competitions, they can feel a little busier at times. Still, they’re a great pick for families looking for Disney magic at the lowest price point.

All-Star Sports is the simplest of the three, themed around — you guessed it — sports. The Disney theming is light, but you’ll still spot familiar characters around the property.

All-Star Music stands out because it offers family suites that sleep up to six people, which can be a huge money-saver for larger families.

All-Star Movies is the most “Disney” of the three, with larger-than-life movie icons and tons of character theming. If you want that classic Disney feel on a tight budget, this one is for you.

Pop Century Resort

Next up is Pop Century Resort, which celebrates pop culture from the 1950s through the 1990s. The theming here is fun and colorful, with giant yo-yos, Rubik’s Cubes, and Disney characters scattered throughout.

Pop Century also gives you something the All-Stars don’t — access to the Disney Skyliner! This gondola system connects Pop Century (and its neighbor, Art of Animation) to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, making transportation quick and easy.

Dining here is still quick service, but the Skyliner makes it easy to reach several other resorts for more dining options.

Art of Animation Resort

Art of Animation Resort is the most immersive and “Disney” of all the Value Resorts. Themed around classic animated favorites like The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Finding Nemo, and Cars, every corner of this resort feels magical.

Art of Animation also offers family suites that sleep up to six guests, themed to the films mentioned above. The only standard rooms are in the Little Mermaid section, which is farthest from the Skyliner and main lobby — so be ready for a bit of walking.

Like Pop Century, Art of Animation also connects to the Disney Skyliner, giving you easy access to two parks and several dining locations.

How to Choose the Right Resort for Your Family

All five Disney Value Resorts give you that extra sprinkle of magic without breaking your budget. To decide which one’s right for you, ask yourself a few key questions:

How important is transportation?
If you want quick access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, Pop Century or Art of Animation are your best bets.
How many people are in your party?
For families of five or six, All-Star Music or Art of Animation’s family suites will be your most affordable options.
How much Disney theming do you want?
If you love being surrounded by characters and color, go for All-Star Movies or Art of Animation. If you prefer something a little more low-key, Pop Century is a great balance.

By focusing on what matters most to your family, it’ll be easy to spot your perfect fit among Disney’s Value Resorts.

Make Disney Vacation Planning Easy

Vacation planning Disney can be exciting — but also a little stressful when you’re trying to balance fun, budget, and logistics. That’s why I created my Less Stress More Magic Disney World Planning Guide.

It’s your easy button for planning the perfect Disney vacation, packed with:

Sample itineraries for every park
Lightning Lane strategies
Dining tips and hidden gems
Secrets for magical park days

When you stay on-site at Disney — even at the Value Resorts — you get the convenience, early entry, and that extra layer of Disney magic. And now that you know how each resort compares, you’re ready to find the one that fits your family and your budget perfectly.

✨ Wishing you less stress and more magic on your Disney vacation!