Value

Best Disney World Value Resort Hotel

by josh on January 6, 2013

Quick Introduction to the Disney World Value Resorts

With dedicated bus transportation and updated furnishings, it was once easy to recommend Pop Century as the the clear winner in the Best Value Resort category.  With Art of Animation bringing newer rooms, dedicated bus transportation, and flashier theming in September 2012, that distinction became less clear.  Add room refurbishments at the All-Stars and higher pricing at Pop Century and the line begins to blur even more.  On the other hand, Art of Animation’s over-the-top theming, particularly inside the rooms, may not be for everyone.  And the All-Star may still share buses, causing longer, uncomfortable bus rides.  Luckily, picking the right Value resort for your group should be easy if you consider the following categories.

Click the highlighted links to each resort for a thorough overview, including pictures around the resort and inside the rooms.  For Art of Animation and All-Star Music, only Standard rooms are considered in the “Best Rooms” category, since Suites cost more than two times as much as Standard rooms.

When considering Family Suites, consider price, theme, and how many people are in the room.  Art of Animation Suites are $50/night more expensive than All-Star Music Family Suites, but they’re also newer, larger, and sleep a fifth or sixth person more comfortably.  The Art of Animation review linked below discusses the options and the differences between the two.

Best Theme/Landscaping

  1. Art of Animation
  2. All-Star Movies
  3. Pop Century
  4. All-Star Music
  5. All-Star Sports

Art of Animation is the clear winner in the “best theme” category, particularly when the Cars and Finding Nemo sections are considered.  Here, you’ll find Lightning McQueen, Mater, Ariel, Ursula, Simba, Pumbaa, Nemo, and other favorites in lands that could just as easily be transplanted into the theme parks.  None of the other resorts come close.  All-Star Movies arrives in second place with its popular Toy Story characters and other Disney properties that are sure to be a hit with kids.  Pop Century is more Disney focused than the remaining All-Stars, with appearances by Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Roger Rabbit, Lady, and the Tramp.  The final two resorts are perfectly themed for those that love music or sports, but the icons are unlikely to excite kids with only a passing interest in music or sports.  With prettier courtyards and a more cohesive theme, Music beats out Sports.  But don’t discount Sports if the kids are into basketball, tennis, football or the other themes represented – it’s a sure hit with certain demographics.

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All-Star Movies

by josh on January 6, 2013

Address:

1801 W. Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL

Phone: 407-939-6000, Fax: 407-939-7111, General Reservations: 1-407-WDISNEY (1-407-934-7639)

Resort Class:

All-Star Movies is a Value, the least expensive Disney resort type.  There are only two room categories – Standard ($85 – $176/night) and Preferred ($101 – $192/night).  Pricing is identical to the other All-Stars, $5 less per night than Pop Century, and $10 less per night than a Standard room at Art of Animation.

Rooms in the Fantasia, Toy Story, and 101 Dalmatians buildings are all considered to have a “preferred” location and cost $16 more per night due to their close proximity to the main building, dining, and feature pool.  A third or fourth person on the reservation over the age of 17 costs an additional $10/night.

A map to view and print is available here.

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All Star Music

by josh on January 6, 2013

Address:

1801 W. Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL

Phone:  407-939-6000, Fax: 407-939-7222, General Reservations: 1-407-WDISNEY (1-407-934-7639)

Resort Class:

All-Star Music is a Value, the least expensive Disney resort type.  The resort offers three room categories  – Standard ($85 – $169/night), Preferred ($101 – $184), and Family Suite ($202 – $375/night).  Preferred rooms, located in Calypso building 1 and 10, are closer to the main building and pool and cost an additional $16 per night.

In Standard and Preferred rooms, there is an additional $10/night charge for a third and fourth person over the age of 17 on the reservation.

All-Star Music is the only All-Star resort that offers Family Suites, which are found in the Calypso and Jazz Inn sections. Family Suites cost about as much as two Preferred rooms.  For example, during Value Season 1, Suites cost $202/night and Preferred rooms run $101/night, or exactly twice as much.  A Standard room at a Moderate resort during the same period would cost $162 per night.  During Peak Season, Suites cost $309/night, while Preferred rooms are $151/night.  That puts the Suite $7/night more expensive than two Preferred rooms.  A Standard room at a Moderate during the same time period is $211.  Family Suites are $50/night less expensive than those found at the Art of Animation Resort regardless of Season.

A map to view or print is available here.

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All Star Sports

by josh on January 6, 2013

Address:

1701 West Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL

Phone:  407-939-5000, Fax: 407-939-7333, General Reservations: 1-407-WDISNEY (1-407-934-7639)

Resort Class:

All-Star Sports is a Value, the least expensive Disney resort type.  There are only two room categories – Standard ($85 – $176/night) and Preferred ($101 – $192/night).  Preferred rooms cost $16/night more than Standard rooms and are found in Surfs Up buildings 1 and 6.  There is a $10/person charge for a third and fourth person over the age of 17 on the reservation.

A map to view or print is available here.

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Art of Animation Review and Information

by josh on January 6, 2013

Address:

1850 Animation Way
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Phone:  407-938-7000 , Fax: 407938-7070, General Reservations: 1-407-WDISNEY (1-407-934-7639)

Resort Class:

Art of Animation is officially a Value Resort, though pricing is higher than the other Values.  Standard rooms ($100 – $191/night) are $10 to $15 more expensive than All-Star Standard Rooms and $5/night more expensive than Pop Century Standard rooms.  However, there are no Preferred rooms at Art of Animation because they are only located in the Little Mermaid section.  Family Suites ($252 – $433/night) are $50/night more expensive than Family Suites at All-Star Music and are located in the Cars, Lion King, and Finding Nemo sections.  Suites are also more expensive than most room types at the Moderate Resorts.  Recent promotions have either excluded Art of Animation rooms or the discounts have been lower than comparable rooms at other resorts.

In Standard rooms, there is a $10/night charge for the third and fourth person over the age of 17 on the reservation.

A map to view or print is available here.

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Pop Century

by josh on January 6, 2013


Address:

1050 Century Dr
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000

Phone: 407-938-4000, Fax: 407-938-4040, General Reservations: 1-407-WDISNEY (1-407-934-7639)

Resort Class:

Pop Century is a Value, the least expensive Disney resort type.  There are four room categories – Standard ($95 – $186/night), Standard Pool View ($100 – $191/night), Preferred ($110 – $201/night), and Preferred Pool View ($115 – $206/night).  Preferred rooms are closer to the main building and cost an additional $15 per night.  Pool View rooms cost $5 more than Standard rooms, while Preferred Pool View rooms are $20 more than Standard rooms, $15 more than Pool view rooms, and $5 more than Preferred rooms.

Standard Pool View rooms are found in the 50s (Bowling Pool), 80s (Computer Pool), and 90′s (Computer Pool) sections.  Preferred Pool View rooms are in the 60s section overlooking the main Hippy Dippy Pool.  Preferred rooms do not overlook the pools and are located in certain sections of the 50s, 60s, and 70s buildings closest to the main building and bus stop.

A map of the resort is available for printing or viewing here.

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