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Disney Value Hotels - Pros and Cons for Solo Travel to Disney World

Should you stay at a Disney Value Resort on your solo trip to Walt Disney World?

Here are some pros and cons for staying solo at the Value resorts on the Walt Disney World property.

As I discussed in the Solo Magic podcast, the Walt Disney World Resort property has 25 Disney hotels to accommodate whatever kind of solo trip you may want to take. Because Walt Disney World is essentially a city-sized hotel (the same size as San Francisco!) choosing based on location doesn't always work. For example, Pop Century and Art of Animation is 15 minutes away from Hollywood Studios by Skyliner, but you'd still need to take a bus to Magic Kingdom!

Therefore, choose based on price and vibes when you are choosing a hotel for your solo trip. Ask yourself: which hotel is in your budget and speaks to you the most? Note that all Disney hotels are very safe, have a recreation program (like pools and activities), include transportation to and from the Parks, allow you early morning entry to the Parks, and have food and beverage options. So you'll never be stuck at a hotel and be hungry!

To help make your hotel decision, Disney has categorized their hotels into three categories: Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. 

Value resorts are the most inexpensive hotels on Disney property. They are designed to be an affordable option for families and sport travel. 

There are five Value resorts:

  • Disney's All-Star Movies Resort
  • Disney's All-Star Music Resort
  • Disney's All-Star Sports Resort
  • Disney's Art of Animation Resort
  • Disney's Pop Century Resort

Pros for Solos

  • They are inexpensive: In the low season, you can find a rooms around $150! This is great since you're not sharing the cost with or for others. Note that the All-Star hotels are essentially the same even though you may see a price difference among them. Pop Century is usually a little more because it has the Skyliner, and people often think that added transportation option is worth the extra prices.
  • You’re in the Disney bubble: Solos love talking about the magic (and safety) of being in the world that Disney has created. While you may get a cheaper (or comparable) hotel off property, nothing beats the magic (and safety) of staying on property, especially when you're traveling by yourself!
  • Bright and fun theming that can appeal to the kid in you: Value resorts have large characters and objects throughout the properties, which makes it instantly bright and fun! If you're going to Disney to bring out the kid in you, then check out all the themes you can chose from to stay at the best place possible for you! (Because who else would you be choosing for?!)
  • Fun food: All the Value resorts have one quick-service/fast food restaurant that serves standard fare, like hamburgers and pizzas. However, they usually have some fun specialty desserts that are worth indulging in, and why wouldn't you want to indulge on your solo trip?
  • Gets you in the Parks: Value resorts don't have a lot of places for adults to chill on their own (see below), so a benefit of Value resorts is that your time at Walt Disney World will mainly be spent in the Parks! As an adult, you would be hard pressed to want to spend a day just chilling at these resorts. That could be a huge pro for you if Park time is the main reason for your solo trip!

Cons for Solos

  • Rooms are basic: Rooms are great, but basic. There are not extra comfy furnishings or decorative touches. Nothing luxury, and you might want this from a solo adult vacation.
  • No adult spaces: Even though the Value resorts have bars, there are few (if any!) quiet places to enjoy a drink, read a book, lounge outside, or even swim without children and families everywhere. While you might not be going to Disney for a quiet and relaxing time, I've found that having some spaces and places to decompress has been essential to a solo adult vacation to Disney. Value resorts have few, if any, spaces like that.
  • Not very sophisticated and it might not feel like an adult vacation: Value resorts are so fun for kids! But they aren't really designed for adults separate from children. Value resorts have a price point that makes it affordable for a solo vacation but if you're looking for an adult experience while you're traveling solo, Value resorts may not be right for you.
  • Can be loud with families and sport groups: Value resorts are perfect for families and for sport groups (like cheerleaders!) to enjoy Disney! And in their enjoyment might be loud! Sometimes cheerleaders even practice on the football lawn at All-Star Sports. You may want to avoid that energy when you're on a solo trip.
  • Far away from the parks: The Value resorts are the furthest away from the Parks. Especially the All-Star hotels. The bus pick-ups at the Parks are also the furthest away from the entrances and exits, so there is always an extra walk at the beginning and end of your Park day. This means you will not be able to easily go back to your room mid-day. This could be very inconvenient if you need or want some hotel-alone time during your day. (Because you won't be close to your hotel, you may want to get a Fuel Rod to charge your phone in the Parks (Amazon paid link). Plus, you can switch up the Rod in the Parks for extra power!)
  • Difficult to do an evening dinner or drinks at Disney Springs or The Boardwalk: Because of the distance of these resorts from the rest of Disney amenities, there will be extra effort to go back out at night once you're home from the Parks. This evening socialization may be important for you on your adult solo trip!

So should you stay at a Value resort if you're solo?

If you're going for a cheap and whimsical Disney holiday, Value is great for you!
But if you want some more sophisticated elements for your adult solo trip, then maybe look into the Moderate category.


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