Disney World’s low cost hotels: what you need to know

You’ve decided you’re going to go on a vacation to Walt Disney World this year – hooray! One of the first choices you need to make in the vacation planning process is where to book your hotel accommodations. Not only will this provide you and your travel party with a place to rest your weary heads at the end of a long day in the theme parks, but it is one of the biggest (if not the biggest) variables when it comes to your vacation budget.

Hotels at Disney World can easily soar into the $600-800 per night range (or higher!), but you do not have to break the bank if you want to stay on (or very close to) Disney World property! There are several more cost-effective options, many of which can still dip below $200 per night on a regular basis. In addition, there are several options just off Disney World property if you don’t mind sacrificing a bit on that Disney theming. These hotels, known as the Disney Springs Area Hotels, are often the most affordable options around that keep you just as close to the magic.

Things to think about when booking your Disney World hotel.

• Cost per-night. Hotels at Walt Disney World can range from the upper $100’s per night all the way up to $800+ per night. Staying at a lower-cost hotel often gives you the ability to book a longer stay, or the ability to book upgrades like nicer table service meals, more souvenirs, etc.
• Amenities. All Disney World hotels come with the same basic amenities. Every hotel will have at least one pool, some dining options, a gift shop, etc. As you move up the ladder and spend more per night, you get access to other hotel amenities like on-site table-serving dining, fitness centers, multiple pool areas, nicer rooms, etc.
• Transportation options. Every Disney World hotel provides complimentary bus transportation to and from the theme parks and Disney Springs. You can also request Disney World’s paid ride share service, Minnie Van, from any resort hotel to and from anywhere else on property. Beyond the buses, you will notice that some hotels have other transportation options like the Monorail, Disney Skyliner, boats, and sometimes walking paths to the parks.

Hotel prices can and do fluctuate throughout the year, but in general, the following hotels are the ones that will provide the lowest price points no matter when you visit Walt Disney World. Always do your own research before determining which hotel is best for your family and budget!

Disney’s All-Star Music, Sports, and Movies Resorts

Disney World offers three tiers of resort hotels: Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. The Value category is where you will find the three All-Star Resorts, themed to either Music, Sports, or Movies. These three hotels are similar in layout and basic amenities, and they are all situated in close proximity to one another. So, there is not a huge difference between the three aside from theming. 

All three of the All-Star resorts are usually offered around the same price per night throughout the year. Many families love the All Star Resorts because they offer lower-cost accommodations while still offering access to the same on-site perks you find at any Disney World Resort hotel. This includes Disney’s complimentary bus transportation system, the ability to make charges to your hotel room, limited-time offers like complimentary water park access on arrival day, and more.

READ MORE: WAYS TO SAVE ON YOUR NEXT DISNEY WORLD VACATION

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Another classic Value hotel option at Walt Disney World is Disney’s Pop Century Resort. Themed to different decades throughout the latter half of the 20th century, this hotel is vibrant and colorful with a fun pool area. It is often a preferred choice among families. 

One major benefit to staying at Pop Century is that it’s located along the Disney Skyliner route, with easy access to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. 

READ MORE: WHAT’S COMING TO DISNEY WORLD IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS

The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground

Do you want to add a sense of adventure to your overnight accommodations? If you and your family are the outdoorsy types, you may feel right at home at The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. The campsites are perfect if your ideal method of travel is with a tent and sleeping bag, but they also accommodate RVs. You can also book cabins, but those come at a higher price point.

The campground is often the least expensive on-property option, and that holds true throughout the year. Fort Wilderness Resort is a great area to spend some time outside of the theme parks as well. The grounds are where you’ll find Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, Tri-Circle-D Ranch, and a ton of recreational activities from horseback riding to fishing.

READ MORE: HARD-TO-GET DINING RESERVATIONS AT DISNEY WORLD

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is the newest Value Resort at Walt Disney World. It’s themed to several classic Disney animated films like The Lion King and Finding Nemo. The hotel has the largest swimming pool on Disney World property, solid dining options, including a poolside bar, and access to the Disney Skyliner. Family suites are available at this hotel as well.

Art of Animation is usually priced at the high end of the Value resorts, at times coming in at a higher price than some of the Moderate hotels, if not by just a few dollars. If the theming isn’t that all important and you’re looking to save more on your trip, you might have better luck finding lower rates at the other Value resorts listed above.

READ MORE: MEET MICKEY MOUSE AT THESE DISNEY WORLD CHARACTER DINING RESTAURANTS

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

The next tier of Disney World Resort hotels are the Moderate resorts. These offer middle-of-the-road pricing when compared to the Value and the Deluxe properties. You’ll also see noticeable upgrades regarding what’s available on site, including table service restaurants, bigger rooms including upgraded views and some suite options, and more.

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is a great example of bang for your buck. Coronado Springs has a conference center located in the resort, so the grounds have amenities typically reserved for Deluxe resorts, like a fitness center, spa, a highly-themed pool area, and even Club Level accommodations.

You’ll also find multiple dining options, including one of my favorite spots among the Disney World hotels, Three Bridges Bar & Grill. Other dining options include the rooftop Dahlia Lounge, Toledo, Barcelona Lounge, and more. A room in Gran Destino Tower will typically cost a little more, but you can still find some savings if you stay in the “village” area of the resort.

READ MORE: THE BEST DISNEY WORLD HOTELS FOR AN ADULTS-ONLY VACATION

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort 

Another great Moderate resort option is Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. This hotel features a sprawling layout that provides more peace and quiet as compared to tower-style hotels. Some travelers may not like the large footprint (it does mean a longer walk to some amenities), but I love it when I don’t feel like I’m in a high-rise hotel on top of thousands of other guests.

Caribbean Beach has one of the best-themed pools on property, several great dining options, and access to the Disney Skyliner for a quick and easy ride to EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. 

READ MORE: THE BEST DISNEY WORLD HOTELS FOR FAMILIES

Disney Springs Area Hotels

If your ultimate goal is to spend as little as possible on your hotel, you may want to consider booking a hotel located off of Disney World property. While it’s great to stay as close to the magic as possible, that comes with an upcharge. Fortunately, there are several hotels in close proximity to Disney Springs (many right across the street, no further from the shopping and dining district than Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort. These hotels, known as the Disney Springs Area Hotels, come with a number of benefits beyond savings:

• The per-night price is often (not always) cheaper than Disney-owned hotels without being much further from the parks
• Rooms are often larger than rooms at Disney hotels and may include some perks like continental breakfast
• If you are part of a hotel rewards program, you will be able to earn and redeem points during your stay.
• Complimentary park transportation is provided, though it may be more restricted than the transportation options afforded to guests at Disney World hotels.

Oftentimes, you can find rooms in this category for under $100 per night — something that’s virtually unheard of when staying on Walt Disney World property. Here is a list of the current Disney Springs Area Hotels where you can score lower per-night rates while enjoying close proximity to Walt Disney World:

• B Resort and Spa
• DoubleTree Suites By Hilton Orlando
• Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando
• Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace
• Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista
• Holiday Inn Orlando
• Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista

READ MORE: FOOLPROOF TIPS FOR YOUR FIRST TRIP TO WALT DISNEY WORLD

Disney World’s Low Cost Hotels: What You Need to Know was originally published on The World of Spark.

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