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8 Things Insiders Love About Walt Disney World Value Resorts

Every Walt Disney World fan has a favorite resort. Mine is actually Pop Century! That’s right, I love that Value resort hotel. I love the lay-out, the theming, the food court, and the reliable bus service. But Pop Century isn’t the only Value hotel to love. The other Value hotels are Art of Animation (neighbors with Pop Century), All-Star Sports, All-Star Music, and All-Star Movies (Disney’s Animal Kingdom area).

Guests staying in a Value resort get the same benefits as the folks staying in the Moderate Deluxe resorts. Here are my favorite perks of Value Resorts.

8. Disney’s Magical Express

One of my favorite perks of staying on Disney property is the Disney’s Magical Express. With this free service, you can start your Disney bubble as soon as you get to the airport! You’ll board a coach bus to take you to your hotel. While on board, you can enjoy Mickey cartoons. Plus, once you check in your luggage at your home airport, you won’t need to worry about it again until you arrive at your hotel. Your bags will magically appear at your hotel. Actually, it has less to do with magic, and more to do with the special luggage tags you’ll get in the mail before your trip. Magic or not, the Magical Express will save you time and money.

7. Free Theme Park Parking

Not everyone flies to Walt Disney World. While the road trippers do have to pay a resort parking fee daily, they do get a nice perk — free theme park parking. Theme Park parking fees are currently up to $25 a day! While many consider staying off property to avoid the resort parking fees, they will find that they still have to pay to park at the theme parks, gas traveling in, and not to mention toll fees if driving in from certain areas. All of this can really add up if you stay off property. Take all of those little costs into consideration next time you compare the price of Value hotels and off property hotels.

6. Tables in Wonderland

Normally, guests can use the Tables in Wonderland discount card only at participating table service restaurants. The Value resorts are the only exception! Since the Value resorts do not have a sit down option, the discount card is applicable to counter service meals there. This is great for Annual Passholders staying at the Value Resorts. This is also a great way to save some money even for folks on the Dining Plan. Breakfast is often the least expensive meal of the day, so it would be foolish to spend a quick service credit on breakfast at your hotel. Instead, pay for a light breakfast out of pocket and save money with the Tables in Wonderland card.

5. Extra Magic Hours

This one is a big hit with most on-property guests. During Extra Magic Hours, a park is open either one hour early or up to three hours late, just for guests staying in a Disney hotel! These hours are a perfect opportunity to experience the parks with very low crowds. Extra Magic Hours is a perk for guests staying at any Disney resort hotel, including the Value resorts.

4. Characters

No, you won’t find any character meals at Value Resorts, but boy are there characters! All of the Value Resorts have larger than life character statues. Take time to explore your resort (and the neighboring resorts!) to find all the characters. Your kids will love posing for pictures with their favorites.

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3. Kid Friendly Theming

Chances are, your school aged kids are not going to appreciate the Victorian theming in Grand Floridian, or the 1930s Atlantic coast theming at the Boardwalk. Those ideas are a little too mature for them. But kids do love the Disney characters they see on TV. And that’s what the Value resorts deliver. At the Value resorts, you’ll see huge characters around every corner. Kids will especially love the over-the-top movie theming at the Art of Animation in The Little Mermaid, Cars, The Lion King, and Finding Nemo family suites.

2. The Skyliner

While in the past most Value Resort Guests only had one option when it came to Disney’s complimentary transportation which goes to and from the parks… and that was the Disney buses. Now guests staying at Disney’s Pop Century and Disney’s Art of Animation can take the Disney Skyliner to and from Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT! This is a fun and quick way of going to and from these parks.

1. Price

The absolute best reason to stay in a Disney Value hotel? The price! I know a lot of people think that staying on property is expensive. And there’s no denying that the Deluxe Hotels are expensive. But the Value hotels have a much more palatable price point. With all the perks to staying on property, don’t let a fear of the prices scare you off. Personally, I’d rather spend less on a hotel and then stay at Walt Disney World longer!

What are your favorite aspects of Value hotels? Which is your favorite resort?

About Robin Swanson

Robin’s Disney journey began with Beauty and the Beast bedsheets, a Jasmine dress up set, and a purring Nala plush. As a child in the 1990s, the renaissance and classic animations alike captivated her imagination. In 2008, Robin visited Walt Disney World for the first time, and the obsession really took hold. Since then, Robin has enjoyed visiting the Happiest Place on Earth many more times. She lives in the Chicago suburbs where she is wrapping up a Masters in writing. When not at Disney World, Robin enjoys researching fairytales, eating ice cream, Netflix binging, reading and, of course, planning the next Walt Disney World vacation!