7 Facts And Secrets About Disney’s Value Resorts

Walt Disney World has over two dozen resort hotels, categorized into three tiers: Deluxe, Moderate, and Value. For the most part, the Deluxe hotels (like Grand Floridian or the Polynesian) get the most buzz. With the exception of Art of Animation, not very many people know about the various Value resorts. Here are seven facts and secrets about Disney’s Value hotels.

7. No Towels By Pools

There are not towels provided down by the pools like there are at the Deluxe hotels. So you’ll need to bring the regular bath towels from your room with you. Or punch up your style and bring your own Disney themed beach towel from home. That makes it easier to distinguish your lawn chair from all the others. If you do use a towel from your room, just call Mousekeeping and ask for some more .

6. Use Tables in Wonderland

Tables in Wonderland is a discount card available to Annual Passholders and Florida residents to buy. The card saves its holder 20% on meals at most table service restaurants, including alcohol and appetizers. As a general rule, Tables in Wonderland does not apply at quick service restaurants. But there is an exception for the quick service locations in the Value Resorts, because there is no table service option at those hotels. That’s bonus savings on top of booking a cheaper room!

5. 260 Square Feet

All Value hotel rooms at Disney are the same size, coming in at a meager 260 square feet. If you think that sounds small, you’re right. The Value hotel rooms are down right tiny, especially compared to the national average hotel room, which is 330 square feet. Of course, this doesn’t count the family suites in All-Star Music and Art of Animation. If it’s just a couple, or you have a very park-centric vacation plan, a small hotel room may not matter as much to you. But if you’re one who likes to spend a leisurely day, or even a few afternoons in your room, a Value hotel room can feel a little cramped. Unless you need the second bed, consider requesting a King size bed, which gives you a little more floor space than two bed do.

4. No Water Slides

While all the Value resorts do have several swimming pools, none have water slides. That’s a big distinction between the Value and Moderate hotels. That’s not to say the pools are boring. The pools are all themed to go with the theme of their hotel, plus there’s fountains and squirters that kids love. Big Blue Pool at Art of Animation even has underwater speakers! Not even Stormalong Bay has those!

3. Same Disney Service as Moderates and Deluxe Hotels

The Cast Members at Walt Disney World are all fantastic. They really put customer service first. Beyond great service, Value Resort guests can enjoy many of the same on-property perks as guests at pricier hotels. These perks include: Extra Magic Hours; complimentary parking and transportation; purchase delivery; and Disney’s Magical Express. You don’t have to be paying an arm and a leg to get those Disney perks!

2. Full Beds

The beds in Value Resort rooms are a full size, not Queens. Two adults might have a cramped sleeping experience in a full bed. Or, if someone in your party is on the tall side, think about getting a room with a King size bed. Recently, my 6’6” cousin stayed in Pop Century, without realizing the beds are smaller, and he didn’t quite fit. Luckily for him, Pop Century was able to switch him into a room with a King size bed.

1. Short Walk

The five Value Resorts are situated on two complexes. All-Star Sports, Music, and Movies are all together, while Pop Century and Art of Animation are within sight of each other. During slower times of the year, or very late at night, these two complexes often share bus systems. In that case, think about getting off at the first stop. For instance, when I stayed at All-Star Music, my room was about equally far from the bus stops and Sports and Music. So at night, I would get off the bus at the All-Star Sports (the first stop) and walk across the parking lot to my room. I didn’t walk any farther, but I got to my room faster. You could do the same thing by getting off at Art of Animation and walking to Pop Century (or vice versa) but the walk will definitely be longer as these two are more spread out than the All-Stars.

Have you ever stayed in one of the Value Resorts? What’s your favorite thing about it? Let us know!