Disney Resorts Part 1- Value Resorts

Happy April, my friends!  Lately, I have been a bit obsessed with the Disney resorts (actually, that’s not just lately- I have always been a HUGE fan of the Disney resorts). I know that some people may think my obsession of  ‘HOTELS’ is odd, but Disney is different. Disney is magical. Their resorts are not only a place to shower and lie your head at night. Their resorts are truly an experience. You’re not simply staying in a room with a balcony overlooking a savanna where zebras and giraffes roam. You’re staying at a resort which houses one of the largest collections of African artwork in the United States. You’re staying at a resort which serves up the largest selection of South African wines outside of South Africa. You’re mingling with representatives born and raised in Africa on a daily basis, who spend their days teaching their guests about African traditions.

(A little blurry, but... interacting with the cast members at Boma restaurant at Animal Kingdom Lodge resort)

If you see yourself as more of a ‘New England in the 1920’s’ kind of person, then have no fear- Disney has a resort tailored to you as well! No matter what your taste and budget, it shouldn’t be difficult to find a resort that’s perfect for you. Please come with me as I lead you through the 20-or-so Walt Disney World owned resorts and villas. I will be splitting this topic into 3 posts: Value resorts, Moderate resorts & Campgrounds, and Deluxe resorts and villas.

(The lobby area of Disney's All-Star Sports Resort, a value resort- photo from disneyworld.com)

This post is going to cover the Value resorts and suites. While the values are not nearly as strongly themed as the moderates and deluxe resorts, they are a lot of fun for kids, as I saw firsthand on my most recent trip with my 2-year old son. There are 5 value resorts: All-Star Sports, All-Star Music, All-Star Movies, Pop Century, and Art of Animation. Each value resort features a rather large food court, two swimming pools, and bus transportation to and from all theme parks and Disney Springs.

The 3 All-Stars resorts are located in the ‘Animal Kingdom Resort Area’. Sports and Music opened in 1994, and they are the original two value resorts, with Movies opening in 1999. Personally, I think the larger-than-life icons are cute, and the pool themes are a lot of fun. The two pools at All-Star Sports are themed to resemble a ‘surf city’, and a baseball diamond. At all value resorts, the larger main pool is located near the food court and lobby area, and a smaller pool is located further into the resort. I know that some don't like the Value Resorts (and that is why Disney has so many resorts to choose from- there is truly something for everyone!); however, the rooms are clean (they are, of course, the smallest of the Disney resort rooms, unless you are staying in a suite, which I will get to shortly), transportation is complimentary, just as it is at all Disney resorts, and the staff has never been anything but friendly and professional in my experience staying at a value.

(A standard room at an All-Star Resort- photo from disneyworld.com)

(One of two swimming pools at All-Star Movies Resort- photo from disneyworld.com)

Pop Century resort is located in the ‘ESPN Wide World of Sports Resort Area’, along with Art of Animation resort, which is located across a man-made lake from Pop Century. There is a bridge connecting the two resorts, or if you feel like a stroll, you may walk around the lake as well (FYI, swimming is not allowed in any lake on Disney property). Pop Century opened in 2003, and features larger-than-life icons depicting various years from 1950 through 1990. Art of Animation, Disney’s newest value resort, opened in 2012. Each value resort boasts larger-than-life icons throughout the resort, which are a lot of fun for kids. The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, and Cars are the themes here, and my son and I had such a fun time exploring each area on our most recent trip. As a 30-something-year-old, The Little Mermaid and The Lion King take me back to my childhood, and these two resort sections don’t disappoint! There is even a ‘boneyard’ play area for kids resembling that famous area from The Lion King! Finding Nemo and Cars aren’t quite as sentimental to me, but to a toddler who is obsessed with anything that moves, the Cars area is a dream come true! We were able to take pictures with Mater, Sarge, Sally, and of course, Lightning McQueen himself! The Cozy Cone pool is also a neat area- it features Cozy Cone cabanas to enjoy during your downtime! The feature pool at this resort is Finding-Nemo themed, is the largest resort pool on Disney property, and features an underwater sound system!

(I just had to take a photo with the Prince Eric statue in 'The Little Mermaid' section of Art of Animation resort!)

(How cool is the themed area of the 'Cars' section of Art of Animation?)

(A 2-year old boy's dream- checking out all of the characters at Art of Animation resort)

(Checking out the 'Cozy Cone' cabanas at the 'Cars' themed pool at Art of Animation resort)

(The 'Finding Nemo' themed pool area at Art of Animation resort)

Art of Animation is a bit different than the other resorts, in that 3 of the 4 sections feature suites rather than the typical value room for a party of 4 that is standard at the other value resorts. These suites sleep up to six and feature a queen bed, a double sleeper-sofa, and a double ‘table-bed’- this is used as a table during the day, and at night, a bed folds down! A kitchenette is included in each room, and each suite features two bathrooms. These suites are well-themed, and, unlike the other value resorts, you choose which section you’d like to stay in upon booking- Cars, Finding Nemo, or The Lion King (The Little Mermaid section features standard value rooms like you’d find at the other value resorts). All-Star Music also has suites available, which are less expensive than the suites at Art of Animation- they still sleep up to six, though the configuration of these rooms is just a bit different (a kitchenette and two bathrooms are also included with these suites).

(This table in the 'Cars' suite is also a pull-down bed!- photo from disneyworld.com)

('Finding Nemo' themed suite at Art of Animation Resort- photo from disneyworld.com)

If you’re looking for a quick bite to eat, the food courts at these resorts are typically open from about 7am until 11pm. Hot and cold breakfast foods are available until about 11am, and then the menu switches over to lunch. Dinner options typically appear around 5pm. I’m not typically a big breakfast eater, but I do enjoy getting a muffin and a banana, along with coffee in my mug in the morning. My husband typically would enjoy a hot breakfast platter which includes waffles, eggs, bacon and a biscuit, along with orange juice. I’ve always enjoyed my lunches from the value food courts- I can still remember a turkey on focaccia sandwich I got several years ago at All-Star Sports’ food court- it is one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had at Disney! This past trip, I grabbed a snack at Art of Animation’s food court- the cheesy pesto bread, which is only available at this location! It was well worth it! My parents have always enjoyed the create-your-own-salads made with shrimp or chicken from the food courts. The selection at any of the five food courts is great, and you may choose to eat indoors or outdoors at any location (my family loves to eat outdoors- it’s such a treat, especially when the weather at home is unfavorable).

(Plentiful indoor seating at All-Star Sports' food court- photo from disneyworld.com)

(Cheesy pesto bread from the 'Landscape of Flavors' food court at Art of Animation resort)

Each of these resorts is rather large, and connects to at least one other resort, so if you enjoy walking/ jogging, these resorts can make your daily workout a lot of fun! I suggest stopping to take some photos along the way, as you are never far from a great photo opportunity at Walt Disney World! I remember staying at the All-Stars resorts back when I was a high school athlete, and jogging daily around the resorts to keep in shape- it was always such an enjoyable run! There are even fun and informative signs around the lake at Pop Century and Art of Animation. The signs on the Pop Century side feature different fun facts about the second half of last century, and the signs on the Art of Animation side feature fun facts about the 4 movies featured.

(Fun signs on the path around the lake between Pop Century resort and Art of Animation resort)

Having stayed at all levels of resorts (value, moderate, deluxe), I can tell you that there is something enjoyable about each level. At the value resorts, I love the large food court, and the fact that there is plenty of outdoor seating at mealtime. Though the value resorts do not feature water slides, the pool areas are all fun and uniquely-themed. These resorts scream ‘Disney!’ to me, as you can find larger-than-life Disney character icons around nearly every corner, which, as I stated before, is a lot of fun for children. And finally, I love the price of these resorts! The All-Stars resorts start at $89 a night- prices do, however, vary depending on the time of year and even the day of the week.

(All-Star Movies resort- photo from disneyworld.com)

Please stay tuned for my ‘Moderate Resorts and Campgrounds’ post, coming soon! Feel free to email me at dana_aimee@hotmail.com with any Disney travel questions. Happy Travels!