We have looked into why a moderate resort at Walt Disney World might be the best for your vacation needs; however, which moderate resort should you choose?
Don’t worry- we are going to break down the Walt Disney World moderate resorts to help you determine which one will be the best for your Walt Disney World vacation needs.
Take a look at what questions we think you need to ask when determining what Resort to stay at HERE to help you with your decision as well.
Walt Disney World has a few moderate resorts to choose from throughout the Walt Disney World Resort property. Guests have Coronado Springs Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter as well as the cabins at Fort Wilderness.
Because Fort Wilderness is so different from the other Moderate Resorts, we are going to leave it out of this break down.
So which one should you pick to stay at? Let’s dive into each of them to look at what they have to offer.
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is based on leisure and relaxation. With vibrant colors and amazing landscapes, Guests can escape to a tropical paradise.
Layout: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort has five different islands that are Barbadoes, Jamaica, Martinique, Trinidad and Aurba.
Rooms: At Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Guests can choose between a few different room styles. These are standard rooms, standard rooms with a 5th sleeper as well as themed pirate rooms.
Transportation: A major bonus to staying at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is that it offers skyliner access to both EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Buses are available to the other Disney Parks and Disney Springs.
Pools and Recreation: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort offers multiple pools throughout the Resort property for Guests to enjoy. The main feature pool is the Fuentes del Morro Pool where big and little kids enjoy 2 water slides.
There is also a play area and a 12-person spa pool for guests to enjoy as well.
Dining: There are a variety of dining options at this resort for Guests to choose from. If they are wanting to have a nice, sit-down meal, Guests can look at dining at Sebastian’s Bistro where Caribbean flavors are the focus.
For a quickier meal, there is Centertown Market as well as Banana Cabana and Spyglass Grill. These offer quick, delicious options throughout the day.
Pro: Having access to the Disney skyliner is a huge advantage to staying at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Guests are also close to Disney’s Riviera Resort giving them more options for food choices.
Con: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort remains a large Resort that is very spread out. Guests staying here might have a longer walk to the skyliner or to food.
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is a combination of beautiful Spanish, Mexican and Southwest American cultures. With an amazing central water area, this is a beautiful Resort.
Layout: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort has the main resort itself with choices of Ranchos, Casitas as well as the Cabanas sections. Also available here is the Gran Destino Tower which is a high rise tower.
Rooms: There are a variety of room options at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Guests first can choose between staying in the regular rooms or in a tower room. There are also Club Level Rooms that give access to the club level lounge throughout their stay.
Transportation: The only transportation offered at Disney’s Coronado Springs is Disney buses.
Pools and Recreation: Disney’s Coronado Springs offers multiple pools throughout the Resort property for Guests to enjoy. The Lost City of Cibola Pool features an amazing pyramid that has a fun Jaguar slide.
The Dig Site also offers the largest hot tub on property with enough room for 22 people.
There are also two fitness rooms at Disney’s Coronado Springs allow those with health goals to keep them during vacation.
Dining: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort has fantastic dining options from signature dining to low key bar options.
Toledo- Tapa, Steak and Seafood is located high up in the Gran Destino Tower and provides Spanish-inspired cuisine in an intimate setting.
Guests can also enjoy Three Bridges Bar and Grill, Rix Sports Bar and Grill and Maya Grill if they are wanting a sit down meal.
For a quick meal, the Siesta Cantina, Barcelona Lounge, Dahlia Lounge, El Mercado de Coronado and Cafe Rix all offer different food choices and drinks.
Pro: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is a moderate resort with a deluxe feel. The variety of food choices and lounges make this a great choice for adults looking for some special evenings.
Con: Like Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, this is a large resort as well and only offers bus transportation.
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort- Riverside
A combination of white-column mansions and backwater cottages, this picture perfect resort is a beautiful, romantic option for Guests.
Layout: Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside has two major themes which are the Magnolia Bend and Alligator Bayou. These two themes provide either a mansion feel or a cottage feel depending on Guests choice.
Rooms: There are a variety of room options at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside. This resort offers a 5th sleeper option which gives large families a good choice at a moderate resort.
Transportation: The only transportation offered at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside is Disney buses, unless Guests are heading to Disney Springs where there is a boat.
Pools and Recreation: Guests staying at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside are given the opportunity to swim at both Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside and Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter.
At Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside the main pool is Ol’ Man Island that is themed like an old swimming and fishing hole. There are five other leisure pools throughout the resort that Guests can enjoy as well.
Dining: For a sit-down meal, Guests can enjoy Boatwright’s Dining Hall. Riverside Mill Food Court offers quick options as does both River Roost and Muddy Rivers.
Pro: Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside allows Guests to have access to both the amenities and recreation at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside as well as Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter.
Con: Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside is a large resort with mostly bus transportation as well as limited dining options.
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort- French Quarter
Visit New Orleans’ historical French Quarter where cobblestone streets and gas lamps set the stage for a magical stay.
Layout: Out of all the moderate resorts at Walt Disney World, Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter is the smallest. With only one bus stop and two main quarters, it is easy to get around this resort.
Rooms: There is only one main style of room at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter.
Transportation: Like with Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside, buses are the main mode of transportation to the Disney Parks; however, a boat is available to Disney Springs.
Pools and Recreation: Guests staying at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter are given the opportunity to swim at both Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside and Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter.
Guests that are wanting a party, can enjoy the fun at Doubloon Lagoon where they can slide down the serpent slide.
Dining: The dining at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter is slightly limited however this is the home of the delicious beignets. For quick meals, Guests can find some options at Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory, Scat Cat’s Club and Mardi Grogs.
Pro: Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter is a small, intimate resort that allows Guests to enjoy the amenities at the larger Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside
Con: Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter has limited dining options and only offers bus transportation to the Parks.
We enjoy all of Disney’s Moderate Resorts and think they all have amazing features to offer Guests.
Which Resort will you stay at?
