Disney World resorts can be more than a splurge, but the theming and prime perks make it worth the extra cost. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly on-property option, check out one of these 10 great resorts!
Theme parks are just a short i4 drive away, and you’ll be near plenty of dining options.
1. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort has some major advantages over its Value Resort competitors. For one, it offers the most immersive theming of any resort. It is practically impossible to turn a corner without seeing a reference to the Lion King, Cars, Finding Nemo or The Little Mermaid.
The family suites are also much larger than those at other Value Resorts. The Big Blue Pool, Cozy Cone and Flippin’ Fins pools are all heavily themed for the movies. Plus, guests have access to Disney’s Skyliner, the gondola transportation that goes to Pop Century, Caribbean Beach and Hollywood Studios.
2. Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Disney’s Pop Century Resort is a fun value resort that offers unique theming that takes you through the decades ranging from 1950’s to 1990’s. Each decade is filled with larger-than-life statues and iconic items like bowling pins, a juke box and a Rubix cube.
A big benefit of staying here is that you have access to the Disney Skyliner, a gondola transportation system. This will make getting to Hollywood Studios and Epcot a breeze. You can also walk over to Disney’s Art of Animation and Caribbean Beach.
3. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is a fun tropical resort in the EPCOT area. It offers a great value for families and is home to the new Disney Skyliner transportation option that will connect you to Hollywood Studios and Epcot.
It is a large resort that is divided into five Island communities. The most popular are Barbados, Aruba, Jamaica, and Martinique. This resort is also home to the amazing Fuentes del Morro pool built like a Spanish citadel with water slides and lots of other things to do.
4. Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
Amid the larger-than-life floats, parading Mardi Gras jazz bands and over-the-top theatrics of Carnival, you’ll find a smaller resort that offers plenty of charm and a little bit of magic.
This resort is one of Disney’s moderate resorts, with rooms that accommodate couples and small families. Its romantic nod to New Orleans is accentuated with gas lamps, magnolia blossoms and wrought iron balconies.
While other resorts may have more scheduled activities, Port Orleans French Quarter has plenty for guests of all ages to enjoy, especially at Doubloon Lagoon, the playful pool area.
5. Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
Themes of New Orleans and the bayou come to life at this beautiful, moderately priced resort. Located next to Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, this resort’s architecture is divided into Magnolia Bend (mansion buildings) and Alligator Bayou (bayou-style cottages).
Room options range from standard rooms to beautifully themed Royal Guest Rooms that feature nods to Tiana and other princes and princesses. Click here for more on these fun rooms!
While a bit farther from the parks than many other Moderate Resorts, guests have access to all of the amenities at both French Quarter and Riverside via a short walk or boat ride.
6. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort celebrates the cultures of Spain, Mexico and the American Southwest. The entire resort is centered around Lago Dorado. The hotel has three different lodging areas, the 3 story Gran Destino Tower (new in 2019), 3 story Casitas, and 2 story Ranchos and Cabanas.
The resort also has a variety of dining options including the lakefront Three Bridges Bar and Grill, the upscale Toledo restaurant in Gran Destino Tower and the rooftop Dahlia Lounge. Most nights the resort hosts Movies Under the Stars.
7. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is one of the largest moderately priced Disney World resort hotels. It features a beautiful Caribbean theme and boasts one of the best pool complexes on property.
This Disney World resort is the hub for the Disney Skyliner gondola, offering quick and efficient transportation to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. This is especially beneficial for guests staying at other Disney World on-site resorts like Art of Animation and Pop Century.
Guest rooms are housed in charming two-story buildings based on the island nations of Aruba, Barbados, Jamaica, Martinique, and Trinidad.
8. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is an island paradise located in the EPCOT Resort Area. It is a moderately priced resort and has plenty of fun theming, family friendly room options (including the Little Mermaid rooms which replaced the pirate-themed rooms), and is an easy stop on Disney’s Skyliner.
The resort is divided into villages based on Caribbean islands and is situated around the tranquil Barefoot Bay. It is also a fairly large resort, which is great for people who love to walk, but may be challenging with little ones or mobility challenges.
9. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
PROS:
Unlike the other Value Resorts, Art of Animation boasts awesome interior hallways and a food court that’s a step above the rest. The resort’s biggest draw, however, is the family suites that sleep up to six guests.
Rooms are themed after The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Finding Nemo, and Cars. Oversized characters (like King Triton) greet you in each courtyard.
The resort also offers the Landscape of Flavors food court that serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Plus, it’s one of the few Disney resorts that’s home to the new gondola-style transportation system called Disney Skyliner.
10. Disney’s Pop Century Resort
One of the best value resorts on Disney World property, Pop Century celebrates 20th century pop culture with larger than life icons. This groovy resort is connected to Art of Animation via the Generation Gap bridge and has access to Disney’s Skyliner transportation system to Hollywood Studios and Epcot.
Rooms here are a bit smaller than other value resorts but still comfortable for four people. There are also three pools in wildly fun shapes, including a 1950s bowling pool and a 90s computer-themed pool. The Everything POP food court is a huge bonus as well!