It has been over 12 years since Walt Disney World opened Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and more than 21 years since the debut of Disney’s Pop Century Resort. In many ways, Pop Century was the last true value resort Disney built. While Art of Animation is technically classified as a value resort, the vast majority of its rooms are family suites—accommodating more guests but at prices that rival those of deluxe resorts. With rates typically ranging between $400 and $700 per night, it hardly fits the budget-friendly category many associate with the term “value.”
That leaves Pop Century as Disney’s last traditional value resort, and since its opening in 2003, the company has introduced the following moderate, deluxe, and deluxe villa resorts:
• Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
• Villas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
• Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
• Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Gran Destino Tower – Coronado Springs Resort (moderate)
• Disney’s Riviera Resort
This list doesn’t even account for other high-end investments, such as the now-defunct Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, which was positioned as an ultra-premium offering. Notably, only one of these resorts—Gran Destino Tower—was classified as moderate, and even then, it houses some of the priciest rooms in that category.
Why Doesn’t Disney Build More Value Resorts?
Disney’s reluctance to develop new value resorts stems from a couple of key strategic decisions.
- The Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Model
The expansion of DVC plays a major role in Disney’s resort development strategy. The timeshare-like model generates a steady stream of high-margin revenue, and with new members joining daily, there’s a constant need for additional villas. This justifies Disney’s continued investment in deluxe-tier accommodations rather than budget-friendly hotels. More DVC resorts mean more guaranteed long-term spending from members who have already committed to vacations at Disney for decades to come. - A Shift in Corporate Priorities
It’s no secret that Disney has pivoted away from targeting middle-class families in favor of attracting higher-spending guests. The focus is on maximizing per-guest revenue, and that means prioritizing deluxe resorts and experiences with premium price tags. Since Bob Iger first took over as CEO in 2005, the only “value” resort Disney has introduced is Art of Animation—which, as discussed, is hardly an affordable option for budget-conscious travelers. Under Iger’s leadership, Disney has embraced a business model that caters to wealthier visitors, leaving middle-class families and longtime loyal fans to rely on pre-existing accommodations. - A Legacy of Leadership
Perhaps this shift highlights a stark contrast in leadership priorities. During the Michael Eisner and Frank Wells era, Disney launched all three All-Star Resorts and Pop Century, making value resorts a central part of Walt Disney World’s expansion. Meanwhile, in the years since, no true value resorts have been built. It raises the question: Was Eisner and Wells’ tenure the only time Disney truly prioritized affordability? Or is this just the inevitable result of a changing marketplace and Disney’s ever-growing focus on high-end travel?
Whatever the case, the days of Disney investing in budget-friendly resorts appear to be long behind us.
