Best Budget Disney World Hotels

Extensive Disney themes, affordable family suites, excellent pool

There is no single resort on a Disney property anywhere else in America that feels as “Disney” as Art of Animation. The rooms at this resort are all Disney movie-themed, as are the common spaces and pools. The Little Mermaid area has 35-foot-tall statues of King Triton, Ursula, and Ariel. The Lion King area features its own Pride Rock. The Cars area is themed like the Cozy Cone Motel and features statues of characters light Lightning McQueen and Mater. The Finding Nemo section at the center of the property features the Big Blue Pool, a gorgeous ocean-inspired swimming area with statues of Nemo and his friends (which is under refurbishment until February 2022). 

This sprawling property can be a little bit of a walk, but you can request rooms and suites closer to central resort locations. Keep in mind, though, that the closer you are to the main amenities like the lobby, cafeteria-style restaurant, main pool, or Skyliner the higher the room rate. Art of Animation features two kinds of rooms: standard value studios that sleep up to four people and family suites that sleep up to six. 

Magical scenery, large showpiece pool

All three of Disney’s All-Star resorts are similar in layout and in their immersive theming. All-Star Sports is entirely sports-themed, while All-Star Music is decorated with larger-than-life instruments. Only All-Star Movies has the feel of the theme parks right at the hotel, with an enormous central pool that has Fantasia’s iconic Sorcerer Mickey presiding over the water. There are also Andy’s toys from "Toy Story" decorating the property, huge statues of Pongo and Perdita from "101 Dalmatians," and two additional pools, including one that’s Mighty Ducks-themed. 

All-Star Movies has one large cafeteria-style restaurant and a pool bar at the Fantasia Pool. Guests connect to theme parks and to Disney Springs via Disney’s internal bus system, but there is no water taxi or Skyliner access. 

Outdoor movies by night, small refrigerators in every room

Each building at Pop Century is devoted to a different decade of the 1900s: The 1960s celebrates flower children and has the hotel’s centerpiece Hippy Dippy Pool, while the 1980s has a huge statue of Roger Rabbit and a giant Walk-Man. 

A bridge across Hourglass Lake connects Pop Century and Art of Animation resorts, and there’s no denying the two are similar in layout and amenities. In fact, Art of Animation was originally intended to be a counterpart to Pop Century’s theme, focusing on earlier decades in the 20th century. The main differences: Pop Century’s rooms are all studios, and the price point tends to be a bit lower. In addition to the resort's three pools and playground, there’s a lot of history about American pop culture to be learned simply from walking around the property and explaining to your kids that you used to have to carry cassette tapes with you if you wanted to hear music.

Extensive fine and casual dining, walkable to Epcot, spa

The Swan and Dolphin, located on the Crescent Lake that connects Epcot and Hollywood Studios, is an excellent choice for a Disney World resort stay. It feels like any of the deluxe Disney resorts but is part of the Marriott network, so Marriott Bonvoy members (a free membership) get access to discounts, upgrades, free wifi, and rewards points. There is a daily resort fee, but the on-property amenities and available discounts can offset that cost.  

The complex has a private lagoon between the two buildings, a sand beach, and a network of pools and hot tubs—and that’s just on the outside. Inside, the hotel has 22 dining and drinking spots, including a restaurant from Todd English and Disney’s only karaoke lounge. Swan and Dolphin also has a Mandara Spa and offers its guests discounts on the three courses at Walt Disney World Golf.

Huge archaeology-themed pool and playground, activities tailored to both kids and adults, rooftop restaurant

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort underwent a massive renovation in 2018, including the opening of the Gran Destino Tower, which includes a rooftop restaurant. A large property that requires some walking, Coronado Springs is unique in that it’s a moderate-level resort with the amenities normally offered in more expensive resorts, like suites and fine dining restaurants. 

There are three quiet pools on-site, but the centerpiece is the Lost City of Cibola Pool, which features a five-story Mayan pyramid “Dig Site” water slide, afternoon pool parties, and more activities for kids, like the attached sand beach volleyball court and huge, archaeology-themed Explorer’s Playground. For adults, there are Colors of Coronado wine and painting classes. Family activities include weekend fun runs, evening campfires, and movies under the stars.

On-site theme park ticket sales, rental cars on the property

B Resort and Spa isn’t a Walt Disney World resort, but it’s an official partner of the company so there are Disney perks tied to the experience, like on-site ticket sales and park shuttles and, when they are offered again as part of Disney’s phased reopening, Extra Magic Hours. The hotel’s biggest perk: value pricing for proximity to Disney Springs, which is the shopping and dining area that offers entertainment like hot air balloon rides and amphibious-car sails around the lake.

This hotel has Aveda products in-room and offers guest rooms and suites that cater to adults but also make the experience appealing to those traveling with kids (for example, some rooms come with bunk beds). The hotel’s American Kitchen Bar & Grill serves comfort food favorites, and there’s a pool bar near the zero-entry pool (a pool with a gradual slope entrance, rather than stairs) and the hot tub.

Close proximity to Disney Springs pedestrian bridge, seven restaurants, two outdoor pools

Another official Walt Disney World partner hotel, the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista offers on-site ticket purchases, theme park shuttles, Extra Magic Hours, and Disney character breakfasts. 

Touting extensive resort amenities like a business center with an on-site notary public and DVD/video game rentals for kids, this hotel offers lots to do right on the property. There are also two pools with a pool bar and a hibachi restaurant. Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista also has the easiest walking access to Disney Springs via the pedestrian bridge.

24 Hour Café, outdoor pool and water playground for kids, video arcade

Another hotel within easy walking distance of Disney Springs, Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista is also an official Walt Disney World partner but does not offer shuttle service to and from the parks. What it does offer is value pricing for an all-inclusive resort feel, with a network of pools and nearby outdoor facilities like a pool bar, beach volleyball court, and a basketball court. 

This hotel has four on-site food locations, but there is no full-service restaurant on-site for a sit-down dinner. A grab-and-go area is available until late at night, and all rooms have refrigerators and coffee makers.