is a value resort really a value?

Let’s be real for a minute. We all know what a value resort at Walt Disney World is. It is a way to stay on property for as little money as possible. We get it. We have stayed at the All-Star resorts. We have stayed at Pop Century and Art of Animation too. We know these resorts because we have tried to save money when going on our family trips.

Is it really worth it though? Now that we have stayed at all these resorts, we want to tell you about the hidden cost of staying at a value resort.

1) Size of rooms

This should come as no surprise that the cheapest rooms at the cheapest resort are going to be small. Sometimes though, I think we underestimate just how small these rooms can feel.

Disney has done a great job maximizing these spaces. They generally have a Murphy Bed, so you have room for eating and moving around when you are not sleeping. They also feature raised beds, allowing you to store your luggage, strollers, souvenirs, and more under the non-Murphy bed.

Unfortunately, when both beds are down, the room gets real tight. If you have a stroller or a pack-n-play as well, it is going to be like a game of “the floor is lava” to get from the door to the bathroom.

2) Dining Choices

Henry Ford had a saying when he came out with the model T. “You can have any color you want, so long as it is black.” Disney Value resorts could say the same thing about their dining choices. You can eat anywhere you want, so long as it is the main dining room.

Moderate and deluxe resorts feature multiple dining locations, generally ranging from quick service to table service to fine dining. The value resorts give you one option, and that is the main dining area.

Now there are pool bars, and the will get you a drink, and some of them do have some food options. Even though pale in comparison to the moderate and deluxe pool bars. Back to the restaurants though.

I’m not saying that there aren’t a variety of options, and I am not saying you won’t find a few elevated dishes. However, for the most part, you are going to be getting a very limited menu that is appealing to the most people possible. Why? Each value resort only has one restaurant, and they are trying to please as many people as possible.

3) Food Quality

While we are on the subject of food, let’s talk about the quality of food.

Let’s get this straight, I am not saying that these restaurants are getting a failing score from the health inspector, or that you are being served a low quality of food. What we are talking about here is the quality of food in terms of its freshness.

Value is all about churning and burning because they know everyone staying at the resort is coming to the same place to eat. This is a cafeteria style restaurant, with a limited menu. So they are going to be treating this more like a fast food restaurant. They are making the Mickey waffles ahead of time because they know people are going to order them. Therefore, your food might not be as fresh. At your moderate and Deluxe resorts, everything is coming out a little more made to order, and made when ordered. It is just a better overall experience.

And guess what? A Mickey waffle is going to cost the same at all the resorts, so you might as well get one that is freshly made. And yes, this applies to everything, not just Mickey waffles.

4) Kids to Adults ratio (Groups)

This is a big one that people don’t understand until they are staying at a value resort. The value resorts (especially the All-Star resorts), are where all the groups tend to stay, when they come down and stay on property.

If there is any kind of sports event over at Disney’s Wide World of Sports, whatever groups are competing are generally going to be staying at All-Star Sports. If there is a band that has come down for Disney’s Magic Music Days, they are generally staying at All-Star Music. All your other groups are going to be staying at all the other value resorts.

Depending on the situations, this could mean a three to one, kid to adult ratio. As you can imagine, if there are enough of these groups staying at one time, the kids can really take over the resorts. I don’t mean that there are kids at the resorts. I mean that a larger number of kids, will be on-site, staying with adults that might not be their parents. Those kids might act out, and those adults might not want to or be able to control them the way a parent would.

I’m not saying that the inmates are running the prison, and that there are just kids running around and being crazy. I’m simply saying, there is going to be a larger number of kids that could cause a little more disruption simply due to the kids to adults ratio.

We were all kids once, and I don’t blame the kids at all. We just feel like this is information that would be valuable for anyone to know if they are planning on staying at a value reosrt.

5) Common Areas

This one for anyone that might be looking to get out of their room, and just explore and enjoy the resort they are staying at during their vacation.

For the value resorts, you are really limited here. At the deluxe and moderates you would not only have the pools and restaurants, but you would have a beautiful lobby, sometimes individual building lobbies where you could sit and hang out. There is generally basic seating areas outdoors, more than just a simple bench. There are bodies of water to gather around and take in a stroll. There are areas you can sit and watch the fireworks from, depending on which resorts you are enjoying. Of course Animal Kingdom Lodge has multiple areas for animal watching, and the Boardwalk Inn does too (that one is just human watching though).

The here is, you are already getting a very small room, and if you want somewhere to go and maybe stretch you legs, and have a little bit more space, you are really limited on your options.

Conclusion

To wrap this up, you need to know what you are getting into. If you are a bottom line person, but you want to be on property, and want the perks that come with it, value resorts are great! If you are a rope drop to fireworks kind of family, and you don’t care about your room because you are just using it for sleeping and showering, bring it on! If you don’t really plan on eating at your resort because you pack snacks, grab food at the parks, and enjoy hitting up other resorts for their dining options, you get it.

Value resorts are a great way to save money, and a great option for anyone that isn’t going to really use the resort.

However, if you are looking to get a little bit more from the resort you are staying at, we think you might want to consider a moderate or deluxe accommodation on your next Walt Disney World vacation.

DDWK Travel is always here to help plan your next vacation, no matter your resort destination.