- Mar 13, 2024
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Disney World value resorts are still some of the most popular places to stay on property.
Art of Animation
They’re affordable by Disney standards, they keep you inside the Disney bubble, and they work especially well for families who plan to spend most of their time in the parks. That said, prices have gone up, expectations have changed, and some longtime perks never came back. Here are four things we think Disney World’s cheapest hotels desperately need moving forward.
This one comes up constantly, and for good reason. Resort package delivery used to be one of those little perks that made staying on Disney property feel easier. You could buy souvenirs in the parks and have them sent straight to your hotel, which meant no carrying bags all day and no stressing about rides or weather ruining your purchases.
Pop Century Lobby
Right now, if you are staying at a value resort, you either carry everything with you or ship it home yourself. That extra friction makes guests think twice before buying merchandise at all. Bringing package delivery back would make shopping easier for guests and likely encourage more spending, which feels like a win for everyone involved. For value resort guests especially, this perk matters. These hotels are often full of families, strollers, and kids who are already juggling enough. Not having to lug around bags would go a long way toward making value stays feel more thoughtful and guest-friendly.
Early Entry is great, but it does not feel special anymore. Every Disney hotel guest gets it, and that means crowds still show up fast. Meanwhile, extended evening hours remain exclusive to deluxe resorts, which leaves value guests feeling left out, even though they are also staying on property.
Animal Kingdom during Extended Evening Hours
Value resort guests are paying more than ever, and many of them are longtime Disney fans. Giving them access to some form of extended evening hours, even on select nights or at select parks, would help balance the perk scale a bit. It would also make value resorts feel like a smarter choice rather than a compromise.
Pretty chill
Late nights in the parks are especially helpful for families with older kids, adults traveling without kids, and guests who want cooler temperatures and shorter waits. That experience should not be limited only to the most expensive hotels.
Value resort refrigerators technically exist, but anyone who has used one knows the struggle. They do not hold much, and they can be frustrating if you are trying to store groceries, drinks, or even leftovers.
Coffee Station
Guests are increasingly using grocery delivery services, especially families and budget-conscious travelers. A refrigerator that actually functions well would support that habit and make value resorts more practical for longer stays. A slightly larger, more reliable refrigerator doesn’t feel like a luxury upgrade, but more like a basic expectation in 2026. This is one of those small changes that could quietly improve the guest experience in a big way.
If you have eaten at one value resort food court recently, you have basically eaten at all of them. The menus have become nearly identical, which takes away a lot of the fun and personality that these resorts used to have.
Food Court
Food courts are the heart of value resorts. They are where guests gather in the mornings, wind down at night, and grab quick meals between park days. Right now, they feel functional but a bit uninspired. Adding more unique items, rotating specials, or resort-specific dishes would help these spaces feel less generic. Even small differences between menus would give guests a reason to look forward to eating at their resort instead of seeing it as a last resort option.
Landscape of Flavors
Disney World value resorts still do a lot of things right, but these updates feel overdue. With a few thoughtful changes, Disney’s cheapest hotels could feel a lot more magical without losing what makes them affordable in the first place.
If you want help booking your dream Disney World vacation, reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations. They have over 25 years of experience planning Disney World vacations, and their services are completely free. They can help reduce some of the stress and ensure you get the best deals!
We are constantly on the lookout for news that might impact your Disney World vacation, so make sure you stay tuned to Magical Guides for updates!
What change do you want to see most at Disney World value resorts? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Art of Animation
They’re affordable by Disney standards, they keep you inside the Disney bubble, and they work especially well for families who plan to spend most of their time in the parks. That said, prices have gone up, expectations have changed, and some longtime perks never came back. Here are four things we think Disney World’s cheapest hotels desperately need moving forward.
Package Delivery Needs to Come Back
This one comes up constantly, and for good reason. Resort package delivery used to be one of those little perks that made staying on Disney property feel easier. You could buy souvenirs in the parks and have them sent straight to your hotel, which meant no carrying bags all day and no stressing about rides or weather ruining your purchases.
Pop Century Lobby
Right now, if you are staying at a value resort, you either carry everything with you or ship it home yourself. That extra friction makes guests think twice before buying merchandise at all. Bringing package delivery back would make shopping easier for guests and likely encourage more spending, which feels like a win for everyone involved. For value resort guests especially, this perk matters. These hotels are often full of families, strollers, and kids who are already juggling enough. Not having to lug around bags would go a long way toward making value stays feel more thoughtful and guest-friendly.
Extended Evening Hours Should Not Be Deluxe Only
Early Entry is great, but it does not feel special anymore. Every Disney hotel guest gets it, and that means crowds still show up fast. Meanwhile, extended evening hours remain exclusive to deluxe resorts, which leaves value guests feeling left out, even though they are also staying on property.
Animal Kingdom during Extended Evening Hours
Value resort guests are paying more than ever, and many of them are longtime Disney fans. Giving them access to some form of extended evening hours, even on select nights or at select parks, would help balance the perk scale a bit. It would also make value resorts feel like a smarter choice rather than a compromise.
Pretty chill
Late nights in the parks are especially helpful for families with older kids, adults traveling without kids, and guests who want cooler temperatures and shorter waits. That experience should not be limited only to the most expensive hotels.
The Refrigerators Need to Be Bigger and Better
Value resort refrigerators technically exist, but anyone who has used one knows the struggle. They do not hold much, and they can be frustrating if you are trying to store groceries, drinks, or even leftovers.
Coffee Station
Guests are increasingly using grocery delivery services, especially families and budget-conscious travelers. A refrigerator that actually functions well would support that habit and make value resorts more practical for longer stays. A slightly larger, more reliable refrigerator doesn’t feel like a luxury upgrade, but more like a basic expectation in 2026. This is one of those small changes that could quietly improve the guest experience in a big way.
Food Courts Need More Personality and Variety
If you have eaten at one value resort food court recently, you have basically eaten at all of them. The menus have become nearly identical, which takes away a lot of the fun and personality that these resorts used to have.
Food Court
Food courts are the heart of value resorts. They are where guests gather in the mornings, wind down at night, and grab quick meals between park days. Right now, they feel functional but a bit uninspired. Adding more unique items, rotating specials, or resort-specific dishes would help these spaces feel less generic. Even small differences between menus would give guests a reason to look forward to eating at their resort instead of seeing it as a last resort option.
Landscape of Flavors
Disney World value resorts still do a lot of things right, but these updates feel overdue. With a few thoughtful changes, Disney’s cheapest hotels could feel a lot more magical without losing what makes them affordable in the first place.
If you want help booking your dream Disney World vacation, reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations. They have over 25 years of experience planning Disney World vacations, and their services are completely free. They can help reduce some of the stress and ensure you get the best deals!
We are constantly on the lookout for news that might impact your Disney World vacation, so make sure you stay tuned to Magical Guides for updates!
Join the Magical Guides Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
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Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
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What change do you want to see most at Disney World value resorts? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
