Disney Moderate Resort Comparison

 

Disney resort categories are extremely confusing. In this blog series I am going to be comparing the resorts in each category.  

Disney offers resorts with varying levels of amenities to fit every travel style and budget. 

• Value

• Moderate 

• Deluxe Resorts. 

For more info check out Understanding Disney World Resort Categories

Basically, as you move up categories the amenities increase, and so does the price… 

I love the moderate resorts. More often than not this is what I book for my own trips. The price allows me to afford multiple trips a year. There are 4 different resorts to choose from and each one offers great amenities and activities during your stay. 

• Caribbean Beach Resort

• Coronado Springs Resort

• Port Orleans French Quarter

• Port Orleans Riverside

I love the added amenities at the moderate resorts like:

• Larger rooms 

  • 314 Square Foot Rooms

• Table service restaurants

• Lounges 

• Elevated pools with a slide

  • With fun themes and Disney Characters 

I think Disney World’s Moderate Resorts offer more “adult” accommodations, however children of all ages will still enjoy them. They don’t have the big character icons like the values, instead they transport you to a different place with a lot of Disney Magic.
Moderate Resorts offer more dining options, including Table-service and, in most cases, full service bars beyond just the pool bar. A main pool features a water slide and each area has its own quiet pool.

Moderate Resorts at Disney World are best for those who want a little more than just the bare essentials. These resorts have sprawling properties with immaculate landscaping that puts you in the theme of the resort. They add a touch more luxury, slightly larger rooms and some extra amenities but without the deluxe prices.  

I want to make sure that you have all the information that you will need to make your decision on which resort is perfect for your family Disney vacation. 

What are the resorts in this category and how do you decide which one?

Caribbean Beach Resort

A tropical paradise built around 45-acre Barefoot Bay, this Resort hotel brings the Islands to you with swaying palm trees, colonial architecture and so much more. 

In the room, you will find a host of colors and some that are pirate-themed! Depending on how large your family is you are able to book a 5th sleeper room which is a slightly larger room with a twin Murphy bed suitable for children under 12. Enjoy “island hopping” (or pool hopping) as you explore 200 lushly landscaped acres, or simply find a hammock and soak up the sun. 

Located in the Epcot Resort Area you are never far from some bus, taxi or skyliner transportation to all the Disney parks. 

You will find some of the best restaurants at the Caribbean Beach Resort. Anything from sit down feasts to grab and go options you will not be disappointed.

• Sebastian’s Bistro

  • Tropical Vibes

  • Salads

  • Sandwiches

  • Burgers

• Centertown Market

  • Breakfasts

  • Grab and Go Options for Coffee

  • Latin and Caribbean Flair for dinner

  • Order your meal on your phone for pick up

• Banana Cabana

  • Bar Service

• Spyglass Grill

  • American fare

  • Caribbean Twist

  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

• Late Night Pizza Delivery

There are plenty of things to experience while you are at the resort. 

• 6 Quiet Leisure Pools

• Access to Beach

• Water Play Zone for Kids

• A Caribbean Pirate Adventure (additional cost) 

  • 4-12 years old

  • Follow clues to discover hidden treasure

• Caribbean Beach Fire

  • Roast Marshmallows by the fire

• Movies under the stars 

• Fishing

• Jogging Trails

This is the largest resort which means that there will be a lot of noise throughout the day and night. This is also an older hotel and in my experience it does have a damp smell to it. It has 8 bus stops and it can take a while to get to your park when taking the bus transportation. 

If you have pirate-loving kids, a love for relaxing by the pool and on the beach and great fishing trips, the Caribbean Beach Resort is a place where you can call home for your family vacation to Disney World.

Coronado Springs Resort 

Relive the romance of Spanish Colonial Mexico at this enchanting Resort hotel. Find your mythical city of gold in a Southwestern-themed haven—from brightly colored casitas to rustic ranchos. Each unique accommodation provides its own unforgettable escape… and a welcoming home away from home.

This resort is a lot less kid friendly and modeled towards adults. It is a great place to enjoy your honeymoon, engagement, birthday or just a nice relaxing weekend away. This is where my husband and I enjoyed our engagement trip.

This beautiful resort is located near the Animal Kingdom. You will find bus transportation to all of the parks with 4 internal bus stops located in each of the resorts themed sections. 

If you do not want to spend your whole vacation at the parks walking around, standing in lines and sweating (because it is Florida) this resort has a lot of amazing things to do. 

The Lost City of Cibola Pool

• Dig site Playground

  • Available for all ages

• Sprawling pool complex 

  • Mayan ruins theme

• 123 foot long water slide

• Seasonal activities

• Pool bar

• Kiddie Pool

3 Leisure Pools

• The Casitas

• The Ranchos

• The Cabanas

Fitness Classes:

• Aqua Fitness Blast

• Outdoor Fitness Blast

• Pilates

• Yoga

All classes are free for guests and children must be with an adult.

Coronado Springs Resort has less of a Disney feel and is more adult-friendly than other resorts at Disney. Book yourself a relaxing massage and facial after a long day running around after your kids. There is also a full salon that you can make sure your hair looks amazing for that nice (and much needed) night out. 

You can keep up with your fitness while away from home with two state of the art gyms fully equipped for both cardio and strength training. 

If you enjoy running you can find a jogging trail and every Sunday morning there is a fun run around Coronado Springs Resort.  Room Service is available for breakfast, lunch and dinner for when you feel like taking it easy.  

You will also find some amazing restaurants and lounges on site:

• Barcelona Lounge

  • Espresso Drinks

  • Craft Beers

  • California Wines

• Dahlia Lounge

  • Signature Cocktails

  • Premium Wine

  • Spanish Surrealism

• Toledo- Tapas, Steak and Seafood

  • Spanish Inspired Cuisine

  • Intimate rooftop restaurant 

• Disney Resort Room Service

  • Breakfast

  • Dinner

  • Late Night

• Rix Lounge

  • Smoothies

  • Specialty Coffee

  • Pastries

  • Fruit

• Maya Grill

  • Traditional Mexican Cuisine

• Three Bridges

  • Sandwiches

  • Shared Plates

  • Lake View Dining

Coronado Springs Resort is a very large resort and walking to your room can be very long. The resort is also used as a convention hotel which can mean large groups are around all the time. Some people feel like people walking around in business attire take away from the magic. This resort is more focused on adult amenities, so if you have really young children this might not be the best option for your family vacation home away from home.



Port Orleans- French Quarter

Port Orleans Resort- French Quarter is located in the Disney Spring Resort Area. Transportation to all of the parks is available by bus and you can also take a boat ride to Disney Springs. 

It is the smallest of the Moderate Resorts with only one feature pool and one bus stop. The compact size makes its a favorite for many. Because it is so small it doesn’t have some many of the amenities of the other resorts but is a quick walk away from Port Orleans- Riverside if you need something. 

When visiting New Orleans historic French Quarter you will feel like you are right in the middle of New Orleans with:

• Cobblestone Streets

• Gas Lamps

• Wrought- iron balconies

• Colorful Mardi Gras Characters

• Cajun and Creole Specialties

There is so much to do while on site at the Port Orleans Resort- French Quarter. 

Recreation: 

• Doubloon Lagoon

  • Mardi Gras themed

  • 51 foot long water slide

  • Mardi Gras bar

  • Hot Tub

• Playground

  • Ages 2-12 years old

  • Adult supervision is required

• Arcade

  • Play Sports

  • Race Cars

  • Dance to the beat

  • Air Hockey

  • Pinball

• Running Path 

  • Mile long path around the resort

  • Beignet Fun Run every Sunday

Dining:

• Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Court

  • Quick Service Restaurant 

  • Breakfast

  • Lunch

  • Dinner

• Pizza Delivery

  • Late Night Pizza

  • Delivered to your room

• Scat Cat’s Club Lounge

  • Swinging Jazz Music

  • Specialty Cocktails

  • Craft Beers

  • “Big Easy” Appetizers

• Mardi Gras Pool Bar 

This is a beautiful resort. You feel like you are in New Orleans with the beautiful architecture and cobblestone streets, but without the less savory party atmosphere. The colors of Mardi Gras and the smell of Beignet will make you happy that you chose this resort for your Disney stay. You will not find a quiet pool and there is not table service available but you will experience a great vacation or celebration.

Port Orleans- Riverside


Travel from the stately white-column mansions of Magnolia Bend to Alligator Bayou’s quaint backwoods cottages, delight in a picturesque setting that evokes the romance of rural Louisiana. Take a short walk along the Sassagoula River to Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, known for Southern specialties like gumbo, jambalaya, and beignets. 

Port Orleans – Riverside is located in the Disney Spring area. You will have bus access to all the parks and a short boat ride to Disney Springs. 

There are two sections in the Port Orleans-Riverside Resort. The Alligator Bayou and the Magnolia Bend. You will discover two very different sides of decorations and ambiance when you stay at this wonderful resort. Plus, if you want to bring your furry family member with you on vacation, this resort is pet friendly. 

Alligator Bayou 

• Hickory-branch bedposts

• Murphy beds suitable for children under 12 in select rooms (to sleep 5) 

• Quilted bedspreads

Magnolia Bend 

• Some rooms are Princess Themed 

• Fiber optic headboards 

• Unique artwork

• Beautiful Decorations 

Recreation:

• Ol’ Man Island

  • 3.5 Acre refuge with a swimming and fishing hole

  • 95 foot long rustic water slide

  • Daily Pool Party

  • Kiddie Pool

  • Hot Tub

• Five Quiet Pools

  • 3 in Alligator Bayou

  • 2 in Magnolia Bend

  • Perfect for a nice relaxing day by the pool

• Playground

  • 2 to 12 years old

• Arcade

  • Play Sports

  • Race Cars

  • Dance to the beat

  • Air Hockey

  • Pinball

• Running Path 

  • Mile long jogging path on Sassagoula River

Dining: 

• Boatwright’s Restaurant

  • Open for dinner

  • New Orleans Style home cooking (try the Mardi Gras Fritters) 

• Riverside Mill Food Court

  • Breakfast

  • Lunch 

  • Dinner

  • Soul-food

• Pizza Delivery

  • Dinner and late night 

• River Roost Lounge

  • Live entertainment (Yeehaw Bob is a can’t miss!) 

  • Full bar

• Muddy Rivers Pool Bar 

  • Located at Ol’ Man Island 

  • Secluded 

This is a beautiful resort full of amazing activities for all family members. You can also catch the boat and head to Disney Springs for a night of fun. The dining at Port Orleans – Riverside is not as strong as other resorts and the buses to the parks are spread out, this can make getting the parks inconvenient. However, with the pet friendly options and beautiful decorations this resort is still a great choice. 

 

NEED HELP CHOOSING THE RIGHT RESORT?

The right resort can upgrade your entire Disney vacation—but with more than 25 Disney resorts and hotels to choose from, it’s easy to get overwhelmed! I can help you so you can choose the perfect-fit resort for your family—based on your budget, travel style, and family’s interests.

DOWNLOAD the Guide to Choosing the Right Resort to understand the differences in amenities, how to choose the resort with the right location and which resorts offer the activities you are looking for.

 

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