A team of Oyster reporters slept in the beds, ate in the restaurants, tested the service, and lounged by the pools at 11 Disney World hotels, all with an eye toward selecting the most distinguished properties. Here's a list of some of our favorite value hotels.
It's value over frills at the enormous, 2,880-room Disney Pop Century. Elements like the Hippy Dippy Pool nod to trends from the latter-half of the 20th century, but its small rooms look grimy. However, given its more convenient location near Epcot and faster, direct shuttle access to the theme parks, it's a good choice among the Disney value resorts.
One of Disney's least expensive resorts, the 1,920-room All-Star Movies Resort is one of three adjacent, virtually identical All Star properties. Small, worn rooms, scarce food options, two fairly ordinary pools, and Disney's standard set of free services -- not bad, for the price, but the similarly priced Pop Century has faster access to most of Disney's theme parks.
A non-Disney time-share resort on the Disney World property with enormous one- and two-bedroom condos, four elaborate pools, free Internet, and a quiet, relaxed atmosphere just five minutes from Epcot. Service can be middling and the on-site dining options are limited. But this is a good alternative to a Disney resort for those who want proximity to the parks but appreciate a respite from Disney's pervasive theme-driven atmosphere.
Designed like an old town on the Mississippi Delta, the huge, 2,048-room Riverside is one of Disney's best mid-range hotels. Its guest rooms aren't as new as those at Coronado, but its more central location, fun pool complex, large rooms that sleep five, and beautiful (even romantic) setting makes it a great pick for the price.