If you are planning a trip to Disney World this year, you’ve probably realized that it can be expensive. But here is the truth: you don’t have to spend a fortune on a hotel to have a world-class vacation. My wife, Jaimie, and I have stayed all over the property, and while the Disney Deluxe Resorts are stunning, we often choose the budget-friendly options instead. Why? Because we’d rather spend our money on extra churros and souvenirs for our daughter, Ava, and our son, Ben!
Staying at one of the Disney Value Resorts is the absolute smartest way to do Disney on a budget. In 2026, Disney has added some incredible new perks for on-site guests—like free water park access and advanced ride booking—that make staying at a “cheap” hotel feel like a premium experience. In this guide, I’m going to break down the absolute cheapest places to stay, exactly what they cost, and how to pick the right one for your family.
Prefer To Speak With Someone? Get Free Help From Our Top-Rated Disney Travel Agency, The Vacationeer
2026 Budget Disney Resort Comparison
To help you plan, I’ve crunched the numbers for the “rack rates” (full price including tax) for the entire year. Here is the data-driven look at how the cheapest Disney hotels stack up for 2026, ordered from the absolute lowest starting price to the highest.
1. The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
When people ask me for ways to save money at Disney World, I always recommend this one. Although it’s not a traditional hotel room, The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort are technically the cheapest place to stay across Walt Disney World.
2026 Pricing Data
-
Absolute Cheapest Night: $82 (Includes 12.5% tax).
-
Cheapest Dates: You can find this rate during the “Summer 3” season, specifically from August 2 to September 24.
-
Other Budget Stretches: Early January (Jan 4–17) is the next best bet, with rates starting at $120. Weekdays in May also stay relatively low at $126.
-
Median Price for 2026: You should expect to pay around $158 for most of the year. During peak holidays like Thanksgiving or New Year’s, the same dirt pad can cost as much as $313.
The Accommodation
For that low price, you aren’t getting a bed—you’re getting a concrete pad with hookups for water and electricity. For 2026, Disney has capped occupancy at 8 adults per site. If you have a massive family, this is the only “cheap” way to keep everyone together. Sites range from 25 to 60 feet deep, accommodating everything from a single tent to a massive RV. You’ll have access to “Comfort Stations,” which are Disney’s version of public bathrooms and showers. They are kept incredibly clean, and honestly, they’re nicer than some hotel bathrooms I’ve seen!
The Expert Take
It’s like a forest retreat right in the middle of Florida. Ben loves the nightly campfires and the boat ride to Magic Kingdom. However, you have to keep an eye on the Disney World weather. Tent camping in the Florida humidity is an “experience” that Jaimie usually only agrees to in the cooler months! If you don’t mind “roughing it” a bit, this is the ultimate budget move.
2. Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
If you want a real roof over your head and air conditioning, Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort is your starting point. It’s the perfect spot for athletes or families who just need a clean, cool place to sleep between park visits. It is high-energy, colorful, and features massive football helmets and surfboards that are taller than most houses.
2026 Pricing Data
-
Absolute Cheapest Night: $149 (Includes 13.5% tax).
-
When it occurs: This rate is live during January trips to Disney (Jan 4–8 and Jan 12–Feb 4) and the late summer “Value 2” season (Aug 16–Sept 5).
-
Other Budget Stretches: The “Regular 2” season in late April and early May offers weekday rates of $176.
-
Median Price for 2026: Roughly $205. Most families visiting during the typical school year will see prices in this range.
The Room and Amenities
Standard rooms feature one Queen Bed and one Queen-size Table Bed. The table bed is a solid dining table during the day that you can easily pull down into a comfortable bed at night. This gives Ava plenty of room to play with her toys without tripping over furniture. The food court, End Zone Food Court, is basic but reliable—think burgers, pasta, and large slices of pizza that are great for a quick dinner.
Why Choose Sports?
All-Star Sports is often the first bus stop on the loop. This means you’re the first ones on in the morning (getting a seat!) and the first ones dropped off at night. It might sound small, but when you’ve been standing for 12 hours in the parks, having a seat on the bus feels like a luxury.
3. Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
All-Star Music celebrates genres like Jazz, Rock, and Broadway. It is often a bit quieter than Sports and is a favorite for groups thanks to its unique room layouts.
2026 Pricing Data
-
Absolute Cheapest Night (Standard): $152.
-
Absolute Cheapest Night (Family Suite): $365.
-
When it occurs: Late August and early September.
-
Other Budget Stretches: Late October to mid-November (“Fall 2”) offers weekday rates of $184.
-
Median Price for 2026: $208 for standard rooms and roughly $480 for suites.
The Family Suite Advantage
The Family Suites here are the real winners—they feature a master bedroom with a Queen bed and two Queen pull-down beds in the living room. Having two bathrooms is a lifesaver when Jaimie and I are trying to get both kids ready for “rope drop” in the morning. If you have 5 or 6 people, this is often much cheaper than booking two separate rooms at a Disney Moderate Resort. The resort itself is laid out in a long line, so if you end up in the “Country Fair” section at the back, be prepared for a 10-minute walk to the lobby.
4. Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
This is arguably the most popular All-Star because it feels the most like a Disney movie. You’ll find massive icons from Toy Story, 101 Dalmatians, and The Love Bug.
2026 Pricing Data
-
Absolute Cheapest Night: $153.
-
When it occurs: January (post-New Year) and late August.
-
Other Budget Stretches: The “Fall 2” window in late October offers weekday rates around $184.
-
Median Price for 2026: $211.
The Resort Vibe
Ava loves taking photos with the 40-foot Buzz Lightyear. The rooms were recently updated to the “Table Bed” style, providing a clean, modern feel. The World Premiere Food Court is designed like a movie theater lobby and offers some of the best cupcakes on property. One downside? Because it’s so popular, the food court can get incredibly crowded during breakfast. Jaimie and I usually try to eat an early breakfast in the room to avoid the 8:30 AM rush.
5. Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Pop Century is my personal favorite. It costs a bit more, but you get a huge upgrade in transportation: the Disney Skyliner. The resort is themed after pop culture trends from the 1950s through the 1990s.
2026 Pricing Data
-
Absolute Cheapest Night: $213.
-
When it occurs: January and late August/September.
-
Other Budget Stretches: Late April to mid-May (“Regular 2”) offers weekday rates of $241.
-
Median Price for 2026: $274.
The “Skyliner” Factor
Having the Skyliner means you don’t have to rely on buses for EPCOT or Hollywood Studios. It’s fast, breezy, and the kids think it’s a ride itself. If you look at a Disney World transportation map, you’ll see that Pop Century and Art of Animation sit right in the middle of everything. The rooms are nearly identical to the All-Stars in size, but the convenience of the gondolas makes this a great option for many families who hate bus lines.
6. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
This resort is a masterpiece of theming. The Cars section feels like you stepped right into Radiator Springs, complete with a Cozy Cone Motel pool.
2026 Pricing Data
-
Absolute Cheapest Night (Standard): $251 (Little Mermaid Rooms).
-
Absolute Cheapest Night (Family Suite): $519.
-
When it occurs: Late August and September.
-
Median Price for 2026: $315 for standard rooms.
The Trade-Off
Only the Little Mermaid rooms are standard priced. The rest are suites that can cost $500–$900 a night. At that price, you might want to compare it to a room at a Deluxe resort. Also, the Little Mermaid rooms are a very long walk from the lobby. If you’ve spent all day walking 10 miles in the parks, that extra 10-minute walk at the end of the night is tough. However, the “Big Blue Pool” is amazing—it even has underwater speakers!
Mastering Your 2026 Budget-Friendly Disney World Strategy
Planning a Disney trip can feel like a full-time job, but if you follow these three pillars of budgeting, you can save thousands.
Pillar 1: Finding the “Value Windows”
If your main goal is to find the cheapest time to visit Disney, you must avoid holidays and school breaks.
-
January Trips to Disney: After Jan 5th, prices plummet, the weather is cool, and the crowds are at their lowest. Just check our Disney Crowd Calendar to make sure you aren’t overlapping with a race weekend!
-
Late August/September: This is when “Back to School” translates to “Budget Bliss.” You’ll find the absolute lowest rates of the year here, though you’ll need to stay hydrated.
-
The Weekday Rule: Disney hotels are typically less expensive on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Rates are almost always $40–$60 more on Fridays and Saturdays.
Pillar 2: 2026 Exclusive On-Site Perks
Even at these “budget” hotels, staying on Disney property gives you massive benefits that off-site guests simply don’t get. In 2026, these are the “big four”:
-
7-Day Lightning Lane Window: Book your rides a week before you arrive. This is the only way Jaimie and I ensure we get to ride the newest attractions.
-
Early Theme Park Entry: You get into the parks 30 minutes before everyone else.
-
Free Water Park Access: Arrivals between May 26 and Sept 8, 2026 get free admission to a water park on their check-in day!
-
Southwest Luggage Pilot: If you fly Southwest, you can skip baggage claim and have your bags sent straight to your hotel room.
Pillar 3: Professional Planning & Payments
You don’t have to be a math genius to get a deal, but you do need to know who to ask.
-
Use a Disney Travel Agent: Many people don’t realize that a Disney Travel Agent doesn’t cost you anything extra. Their services are 100% free! An Authorized Disney Vacation Planner agency (we recommend The Vacationeer) can help you find the lowest rates at Disney World and will even watch for new discounts to your booking, even after you’ve reserved your room.
-
The Disney World Payment Plan: You don’t have to pay for your whole trip at once. You can put down a small $200 deposit and then use a Disney World payment plan to pay off the balance over time.
Update for January 2026: Disney just released spring room offers! You can currently save up to 20% on most Sunday-Thursday nights through February 19th, and even more for stays in March and April. Check with The Vacationeer to see if these can be applied to your booking!
Ready to Plan your Disney World Vacation?
There’s a Disney hotel for every budget—even for those planning their first-time trip or returning again to experience more magic. Staying at a Value Hotel on Disney property can save you hundreds of dollars while still giving you access to everything that makes Disney special.
Looking for expert help? The Vacationeer’s Disney specialists can guide you through every step. Best of all, their services are 100% free!
Click below to request a free quote and planning assistance, or to discuss options for finding the cheapest Disney World hotels within your budget.
We’d love to hear from you! Which of these budget-friendly resorts is your favorite home base, or do you have a secret “cheap stay” hack we missed? Drop a comment below and let us know—happy planning and have a magical Walt Disney World vacation!
Do you think it’s worth it to look for an Airbnb or a non-Disney hotel? My husband, two kids, and I are planning a trip, but we want to keep it budget-friendly. We don’t really care about the room or hotel since we’ll only need it to sleep.
Hi Jenna! While you may be able to find cheaper accommodations through Airbnb or non-Disney hotels, it’s important to consider the overall value and experience you’ll get by staying at a Disney Value Resort. Staying off-site might save you some money on the nightly rate, but you could end up spending more time and money on transportation to and from the parks. This can quickly add up and negate any initial savings, not to mention the inconvenience of being further away from the magic.
By choosing a Disney Value Resort, you’ll be immersed in the Disney experience from the moment you wake up until you drift off to sleep. These resorts offer fun themes, convenient amenities, and most importantly, proximity to the parks. You’ll spend less time in transit and more time enjoying all that Disney World has to offer. Plus, you’ll have access to exclusive perks like Early Theme Park Entry. If budget is a primary concern, I’d recommend staying at a Disney Value Resort for the best balance of affordability, convenience, and overall Disney magic. However, if you do decide to consider other options, be sure to look for off-site hotels that offer shuttle services to Disney World parks, as this can help mitigate some of the transportation costs and inconvenience. Enjoy your trip!
I was thinking of trying one of the All Star resorts for me and my 2 kids, because it cheap. However, I just read your article about Value Resorts and it sounds like being you think being on the Skyliner is worth paying a little bit more. Is that true? I’m kind of lost as to what we should do. Thank you for your help.
Hi Becca! Yes, our Best Disney Value Resorts page ranks Art of Animation and Pop Century higher mainly due to their Skyliner access, plus better dining, theming, pools, rooms, etc. The All Star Resorts are still a great choice if your top priority is staying on Disney property at the lowest possible rate – you’ll just need to decide what matters most to you between cost, transportation, and amenities. I’d recommend reaching out to our partners at The Vacationeer for free planning help and quotes to find the best fit for your family.