If you're planning a trip to Disney World but think you can't afford to stay on property, think again. Resorts in the Value category offer many creative amenities for a much lower price.
There are many benefits to staying at a lower-priced Disney resort
Many families who think they can't afford a trip to Disney World are surprised to find that they can make it work once they explore the options of Value resorts. This popular Disney lodging category has creative, fun resorts that are popular with kids and adults alike.
The Value resorts include Disney's All-Star Music, Disney's All-Star Movies, Disney's All-Star Sports, Disney's POP! Century and Disney's Art of Animation. These are great resorts in a lower cost bracket, and they are super family friendly. The majority of rooms are made for four people only. However, All-Star Music Resort has a few suites for larger families, and Art of Animation, the newest resort, has three wings of themed family suites with two rooms, two bathrooms and a mini kitchen. All of these resorts are very popular with families of small children, as well as anyone who wants to be immersed in a favorite theme.
All of the buildings, rooms and activity areas at the Value resorts match each resort's overall theme. This includes the wonderful main pools, plus one or more smaller pools around the property. The pools are so creative, and they also have bar and dining areas, plus changing rooms. On checkout day, we dress in swim suits with a cover up and check our bags. We bring our carryon bag to the pool, along with our travel clothes and a Ziploc for our wet swim suits. We swim and have lunch, then change and head to Disney's Magic Express in time for our trip back to the airport.
Most of the Value reosrts have coin-operated laundry facilities, arcades, gift shops and free buses that stop at each resort, the parks and Downtown Disney. The Value resorts have food courts with multiple selections and styles of food to please everyone's tastes. If you would like to travel to a different resort for a meal, simply take the bus to Magic Kingdom or Epcot and then the next bus to the other resort.
As a family of four, we love POP! Century, where you can walk down the main hall in the lobby and check out the shadow boxes of "old school" toys and memorabilia from different cuenturies. When you arrive, you are greeted by a ring toss and bean bag throw, which can keep the kids entertained while you check in. The interior and exterior of each wing of this resort is based on a different century. Next time we visit Disney World, we've decided to try Art of Animation, because the larger suites will better accommodate our children who are almost teenagers. We plan to select a room theme that's based on one of our favorite movies — "Lion King," "Finding Nemo" and "Cars" are a few of the cool choices available.
With everything they offer, the Value resorts really are appropriately named — they're a great value for a family. In my next blog, I will explore the Moderage and Deluxe Disney resorts.
