Hello Midwest Neighbor!
Our first trip was at the All-Star Movies resort, and we absolutely loved it. The theming is quite wonderful. With the choices of movies, sports, and music, there is something truly for everyone's interests. I have to say, I also like Pop Century as an adult. I find it a bit more subdued, and it also has only one bus stop while you may share a bus stop with all the All-Star resorts.
So the pros of a value resort: Money saved is huge on my list! By saving money with lodging, I can use it in other ways, such as dining and souvenirs. If you plan to be at the parks all day, you really only need a nice place to sleep. These resorts still have the magic of Disney with them as well as all the
perks of staying at a Disney resort. In fact, I think they are often more Disney-fied than some of the other resorts!
The dreaded cons of a value resort: The rooms will be smaller, and I find the beds are not as comfortable. The resorts are also farther away from the parks, so that means longer bus rides. You won't have as many amenities. I noticed I only had soap and shampoo - no lotion when I last stayed at a value resort. You also won't have a balcony or a pool slide. There isn't a table service restaurant at the resort. A mini-frig is an extra fee.
I hope this helps you to make an informed decision about which resort you'd like best. Just an fyi, there are often specials offered in September, which may make a moderate or deluxe resort more budget-friendly.
Please let us know if we can help again.