We love Walt Disney World Resorts and have a whole post HERE on why you should stay at one and questions to ask before booking one. We wanted to take a moment to explain why a Disney Moderate Resort might be the best option for you.
Before we dig into the moderate resorts at Walt Disney World, understand that Walt Disney World has three major categories for Disney Resorts. Value, Moderate, and Deluxe/Deluxe Villa are the three main categories in Walt Disney World. The moderates are those we find in the middle regarding cost and features.
We are going to focus on four moderate resorts: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resorts, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Port Orlean Riverside, and Port Orleans French Quarter. Often, the Fort Wilderness Cabins are included in the moderate resorts, but as they are so unique, we are going to leave them out for now.
Consider why a moderate resort might be right for your Walt Disney World vacation.
Pools
Jumping right into the fun, if you have swimmers, then a moderate resort might be the right spot for you. At these resorts, you will find not only amazingly themed pools but also slides that are super fun for the whole family.
The moderate resorts, except the French Quarter, which shares with Riverside, have one main themed pool and a variety of quiet pools scattered throughout the Resort. This is a great feature, as you will more than likely have a pool near your room, even if it isn’t the main feature pool.
These quiet pools are great for quick swims or late-night swims when you might not want to hike all the way to the main area.
The moderate pools offer not only an outstanding theme such as a pirate ship or an ancient pyramid, but they also are big enough to spread out and have fun slides to keep kids entertained.
Transportation
All of the moderates expect Disney’s Coronado Springs offer more than just bus services. At Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter, Guests can enjoy a quiet and peaceful boat ride to Disney’s Springs.
This boat ride down the Sassagoula River is an amazing way to see parts of Walt Disney World you normally don’t get to see such as the treehouses at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort on the way to Disney Springs.
At Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Guests can enjoy the skyline to both EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Being the hub for this transportation feature allows Guests easy access to a theme park.
This additional transportation mode helps make these Resorts a step above the values.
More Dining
Those staying at a moderate Walt Disney World Resort will have access to more dining options than value resorts. There are food courts, but there are also other options.
Guests wanting a sit-down meal can enjoy one at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, or Port Orleans Riverside. Each offers at least one sit-down option.
At Disney’s Moderate Resort, you find a combination of both quick service and sit-down meals. The food court is offered if you are looking for something quick, but there are also sit-down dining options if you prefer to be waited on. Each of the moderate resorts offers unique and well-themed sit-down meals.
Also, don’t overlook the lounges and pool bars. Banana Cabana, Three Bridges, and Dahlia Lounge offer some of the best views and experiences at any Walt Disney World Resort.
Bigger Rooms
We love that the majority of the moderate rooms have recently been updated, giving guests the best accommodations for their stays.
Moderate rooms are slightly larger than value resorts giving Guests just a little more room to spread out. We also appreciate that most rooms have a separate shower and toilet area, making it even easier for everyone to get ready in the morning.
Overall, the additional space and layout of the rooms at these moderate resorts are perfect for families to feel comfortable during their visits to Disney. When you aren’t at Disney Park, the moderate resorts are a nice place to relax.
Deluxe Experience Without the Price
One of the main reasons we like bumping from value to moderate is that we can get some deluxe amenities without paying the full price of a deluxe resort.
We find this more than anywhere else in the new Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs. From the eloquent lobby with a lounge to the high-end dining high up in the tower, Grand Destino offers the feel of luxury without the price tag.
If you want to feel like an elite Guest, we highly recommend looking into a stay at Grand Destino at Disney’s Coronado Springs
Beautiful Themes
If you have someone in your travel party who isn’t as in love with Disney as you are, then a moderate resort would be a good fit. These resorts have amazing themes that aren’t over the top of Disney but are beautiful.
From the amazing entryways to the small details in the resort rooms, each theme is brought to life throughout the resort property, allowing guests to be fully transported into the theme.
If you want to feel like you’re in the Caribbean or relaxing in the Southwest, these moderates are an outstanding option. They have beautiful theming but not over-the-top Disney for those family members who might need a break.
We love the moderate resorts at Walt Disney World because they provide great rooms, theming, and pools and have so much character and magic.
Will you be staying at a Walt Disney World moderate resort during your next Disney vacation
