Ranking the Walt Disney World Value Resorts
- Nicki
- Mar 14
- 4 min read
How do you rank these five resorts?
If you’re booking your next resort stay on the Walt Disney World Resort, there are five options listed under the value resorts: All Star Movies, All Star Music, All Star Sports, Pop Century and The Art of Animation. I’ve stayed at all these resorts and here’s how they stack for me and my travel needs.
#5 – All Star Sports
When I’m at Walt Disney World, I love to have an immersive experience and this resort’s theming just isn’t doing it for me. I think there were some missed opportunities on the theming and bringing Disney into this resort. Sure, there is artwork and the big character displays, but there just aren’t those icon Disney movies on display. Somehow, The Mighty Ducks theming ended up next door at All Star Movies versus here. Overall, with there not being much differentiating the All Star Resorts, this one hits the bottom of my Value Resort Rankings on theming alone. I know what you’re thinking, “Nicki, do you even like sports?”. Yes, park hopping is my cardio.
With all the value resorts having received or currently receiving makeovers to their rooms and food courts, I think the updates and refreshes on the rooms make this resort still a great value when looking to not break the bank on room rates.
#4 – All Star Music
In this resorts defence, I’ve only spent one night here, so I am not an All Star Music expert. I like the bold colors of this resort and that I could tell my room had been recently updated. Similar to the All Star Sports Resort, I feel this resort missed out on some theming opportunities. With the All Star Music opening prior to the All Star Movie resort, I’m surprised the Fantasia theming did not show up at this resort. It is that iconic Disney Studios Golden Age film featuring music. I do appreciate the incorporation of Disney on Broadway at this resort. I bumped this one ahead of the All Star Sports simply because I thought Disney did a nicer job with Music theming than Sports.
I stayed here in 2024 and was happy with how clean my room was and the updated touches to it. I would like to stay at this resort for more than one night in the future to fully experience it.
#3 – The Art of Animation
I think this resort nailed the theming; I love that it covers Classic Animated to Pixar films. I like that it has the Skyliner, as I find this to be a convenient mode of transportation. This hit the middle of the pack for me because I wish Disney had a different layout for this resort. I am not someone traveling in a group large enough to take advantage of the family suite rooms, so I’m always in the Little Mermaid section. It’s nice, but I’m bummed that this feels to be my only option at this resort and that it’s so far away from everything else at the resort. It is the longest walk to get to this section from the main hub and after those long park days, it feels like it’s ten miles away from the bus. I would have ranked this resort higher if I had the option to do a standard room in the Finding Nemo, Cars or Lion King section of this resort.
#2 – All Star Movies
I’m dropping this as my number value resort to stay at because between the updates to the food court, layout and theming, I think this resort provides good value and Disney feel for guests. I appreciate that this resort covers a weird variety of Disney movies that you wouldn’t typically find in the parks. The 1968 classic Herbie is here! As a classic Disney movie fan, I like the artwork found around the food court with the movie posters, but I also like how there is some mix of old and newer in the movie themes. Whilst I think the All Star Music missed out on having the Fantasia theme, I love the original movie and Fantasia 2000 adaptation inclusion at this resort.
#1 – Pop Century
At the top of my list is the Pop Century. I like the “back when” theming and the giant Disney Sculptures that bring this resort to life. From the Rubik’s cube to Roger Rabbit, playdough to the Jungle Book, I think it’s a good balance of Disney and holding the decades’ theme in place. What edges this resort out over the All Star Movies is the Skyliner access. I like having this option for getting to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. My favorite way to start the day is to mobile order a breakfast sandwich and coffee and then jumping onto the Skyliner. Love having breakfast while traveling over hourglass lake. Being a newer value resort, the food court is larger than those at the All Star resorts, so just some nicer, updated features here.
That’s my order of the value resorts. Which ones have you stayed at and how do they stack up for you?
For All Stars I am going with the best price
I agree Pop is my number one also, especially with the skyliner, it used to be Art of Animation but with the Little Mermaid rooms so far away. Who wants to walk forever to your room after a day at the park.
I've never stayed on property and always thought Art of Animation looked so cool with the themed sections and have wanted to visit. I was surprised that it didn't rank higher, but it makes sense if you have to walk so far after a long park day!
Pop Century would be my first choice too. I was surprised that Art of Animation wasn't in second place, until I read the rooms are so far away, unless you have a family suite. I have never stayed at any of these, but Pop would definitely be my choice.