If you've read our Resort Guide Basic Overview, and think a Moderate Resort might be right for you, but you're still undecided, this guide post is a must read. If you have no idea where to even start with booking a room, read our Resort Guide: The Basics first before reading this. Already know that you want to stay at a Moderate Resort but have no clue as to when is the best time to go? We can help you with that too with our Seasons of Disney post. If you are ready to book your Disney Vacation, reach out to Jillian at Destination Dreaming Travels for a FREE travel agent to handle all of the details for you.
Moderate Resorts include the following resorts:
-Caribbean Beach Resort
-Coronado Springs Resort/ Grand Destino Tower
-Port Orleans-Riverside
-Port Orleans- French Quarter
The Basics
Moderate level Resorts will be priced between Value and Deluxe, starting around $290 per night in the slower seasons and getting up $400+ per night during peak Christmas travel. With this increase in price, you will get slightly larger rooms, more amenities, more food options including sit down table service restaurants, and a quieter atmosphere. I'm not going to lie, we have only ever stayed at one Moderate Resort, which is Caribbean Beach. We have friends who rave about Port Orleans, so that's going to be one that we plan to check out soon. They have stayed there more than once and swear it's the best resort on property. Coronado is a huge conference center and caters to the business conference market. There is a new tower at Coronado springs named Grand Destino Tower, which holds upscale Villa style accommodations.
The Rooms
Rooms at these resorts much like at the Value Resorts. You enter from the outside, motel style, instead of from an internal hallway (with the expectation of Grand Destino since it is a tower). Standard rooms sleep four with options of King rooms if you only need to sleep two. If you need to sleep five people, there are some select rooms at both Caribbean Beach Resort and Port Orleans Riverside (only Riverside) that offer a 5th child size sleeper. These are a rather small sleepers and are marketed as a child size sleeper. My kiddo slept on it when she was little, but I don't think she would comfortably fit on it as a teenager. Coronado Springs has options of 1-bedroom suites and Presidential Suites to sleep six or Executive Suites which will sleep eight! Checking pricing for the week of Christmas this year, the Executive Suite will set you back a cool $1,999 per night! And yeah, it's still available if anyone feels inclined to book it.
The same "standard" or "preferred" options are available across all resort categories. The preferred option will get you closer to the main entrance, shopping, dining, and transportation for an uncharge in nightly room price. We have never felt the need to pay for a Preferred room but were pleasantly surprised when we checked into Caribbean Beach one year and were Pixie Dusted a free upgrade to the building closest to the Skyliner.
Parking and Transportaton
All Disney Resorts once again offer free self parking for overnight guests. Transportation options at all Moderate Resorts are buses to and from the Parks, Disney Springs, and the water parks. At Port Orleans you will find water boat transportation for Disney Springs. The big draw of Caribbean Beach is that it is technically "on" the Skyliner loop, which will get you to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. However, and this is a big "but", Caribbean Beach is a ginormous resort and vastly spread out. Unless you are staying in the section directly beside of the Skyliner stop, it would not be worth it for you to walk all of the way to the Skyliner stop. You can of course request one of those buildings when you do online check in, but so do many other people. Don't count on being assigned there. Here's a picture of the main hub for the Skyliner at the Caribbean Beach stop.
The Food
Moderate Resorts will still have quick service and grab-and-go option, just like the Value Resorts. Food is amped up a notch over Value food with better burgers and side choices. There are also some sit-down table service restaurants as well. We had dinner at Maya Grill at Coronado Springs one year and it was really good. At Port Orleans- French Quarter, you can find the best beignets outside of New Orleans. And they are Mickey shaped, which actually might make them taste even better. You will also find a variety of Lounges and Bars when you upgrade to the Moderate level of resort. There are still not any character meal options at Moderate Resorts.
The Pools
Pool side games and activities are offered at every single pool at Disney. For resorts with multiple pools, it't just the largest, main pool that has scheduled activities. The main pool at Caribbean Beach is beautifully themed and has a zero-entry pool and two slides. There is a separate splash pad for the littles too. It definitely has the best pool out of all of the Moderate Resorts. I believe all of the main pools at Moderate Resorts have at least one water slide. Accessible lift are available for assistance into the resort pools (or at least the main pools). Ask a Cast Member for assistance.
The Extras
When you upgrade from Value to Moderate, you also get a whole slew of extra activities. Just like Value Resorts, you get an arcade, Campfire Activities, and Movies under the Stars. Nightly room rates increase, but you get a lot more options along with an upgraded room. At Port Orleans, you can take a horse drawn carriage ride or rent bikes or surreys to ride around. Those people always look miserable pedaling those things around in the Florida heat and humidity, but if that's what you're into, you have the option. At Coronado Resort, you can make Spanish mosaic art work to take home with you or take a painting class. Art not your thing? No worries. Take a fishing excursion at Caribbean Beach Resort, Fort Wilderness, or Port Orleans.
In Summary
Moderate resorts have quite a bit more offerings over Value Resorts, for a heavier price tag. For families whose budgets will allow and would like to take advantage of these added benefits, I would recommend choosing a Moderate over a Value Resort. This is especially true if you plan on spending time at the actual resort vs being in the parks from open to close. Having the extra space in the room and additional food options along with nicer pools can really improve your vacation experience.
I hope this helps to give you a starting point when trying to plan your Walt Disney World Vacation. For help booking a room or Disney Vacation Package, check out Jillian with Destination Dreaming Travels. She's a FREE travel agent waiting to help you book your most magical vacation ever.
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