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Disney World Moderate Resorts 101

If you are looking for a happy medium in pricing with lots of Disney magic, Walt Disney World Resort moderate resorts are an excellent option for you. You don’t have to book a room at an expensive Deluxe Resort like Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort or Disney’s Contemporary Resort to have a fantastic vacation. Join me in this article to learn more about Disney Moderate Resorts. We will explore these Disney Resort Hotels, their amenitites, location perks, and why they may be a good lodging choice for your family on your next Walt Disney World vacation.

What Differentiates Them

Gran Destino Tower at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

Credit: Disney

There are five moderate resorts on the Walt Disney World property. Caribbean Beach Resort, Coronado Springs Resort, Port Orleans Riverside Resort, Disneys Port Orleans French Quarter Resort, and The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort are moderate resorts scattered across the Disney property. Each Disney Resort Hotel has a unique theming with distinctive details that make them a favorite of Resort Guests. Moderate resorts range in price depending on the room type, size, and time of year you visit.

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However, Guests may expect to pay between $225 and $375 per night to stay at a moderate Resort. Of course, this estimate is subject to change based on vacation time, specific Resort, party size, and room size. You’ll find the Cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground are a bit pricier than other moderate resorts. Still, this Disney World Resort offers more space for families in cabins.

Cabin

Credit: Disney

Moderate resorts have both quick service and table service dining options available for Guests on the Resort property. They have more expertly themed pools and playgrounds on the property than you might find at a Disney Value Resort.

Dining Options and Experiences

If you prefer the convenience of having multiple eatery options in your Resort, you will enjoy a moderate. Table service restaurants are available for Guests to enjoy alongside quick-service cafeteria-style options and pool bar-style quick-service eateries. Shutters at Caribbean Beach Resort and Boatwright’s Dining Hall at Port Orleans Riverside are two table service eateries that even non-resort Guests love enough to visit while on the Disney property.

Boatwright's Dining Hall

Credit: Disney

The St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake at Boatwright’s Dining Hall and the Beignets at Sassagoula Floatworks Factory at Port Orleans French Quarter are Resort foods that you cannot miss if you want to have the whole Disney dining experience.

Related: Common Misconceptions About A Walt Disney World Vacation

Transportation

Value resorts offer Disney buses as the only transportation option for Guests. Meanwhile, most moderate resorts provide multiple transportation options to get Guests to the Disney Parks quicker and allow more choices and variety. Guests staying at the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground can take buses to the Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT or enjoy a ferry ride to The Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, or The Wilderness Lodge Resort.

Boat

Credit: portorleans.org

Port Orleans Resort, French Quarter, and Port Orleans Resort Riverside Guests can take a boat to Disney Springs and hop on buses to the Disney Parks. Coronado Spring offers buses as the only transportation option for Guests but has plenty of other great amenities to make your stay fun and relaxing. Caribbean Beach Resort is a Disney Skyliner Resort, so you can hop a gondola over to Hollywood Studios or EPCOT. Buses are available from Caribbean Beach Resort to Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom Park.

Disney Skyliner

Credit: Disney

Related: Planning a Resort Day at Disney’s Riviera Resort

Awesome Pools and Waterslides

Disney pools

Credit: Disney

Each moderate resort has a fabulous pool, hot tub, and waterslide for Guests to enjoy. The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground have two pools for Guests to enjoy, one with a 67-foot waterslide. Coronado Springs has three leisure pools perfect for Guests looking to enjoy a quieter swim experience sunbathing or wading in the pool. Guests looking for a water slide-stimulated adrenaline rush will want to check out The Lost City of Cibola Pool, which features a Mayan temple waterslide and hot tub.

coronado springs pool area

Credit: WDWLive.com

Port Orleans Riverside offers five leisure pools and Ol’ Man Island pool features a hot tub and a 95-foot long waterslide. Port Orleans French Quarter has been a Disney pool favorite in my family for years. This Resort offers a bayou alligator-clad pool with a waterslide, cascading fountains over the collection, and a splash pad for smaller children. Caribbean Beach Resort is the perfect place to kick back and relax with the fun Spanish fortress-themed pool, complete with a waterslide and hot tub along with five quiet leisure pools scattered across the Resort property.

Related: Top Pros & Cons for Staying at Art of Animation Resort at Walt Disney World

Little Extras

Moderate resorts offer that touch of extra magic that makes your vacation even more special. Maybe it’s the fun arcade for the kids to play in, a Disney movie under the stars, or making new friends on a playground near the pool. Disney moderate resorts offer plenty of opportunities for your family to make vacation memories. Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter have horse-drawn carriage rides available for Guests to purchase.

Horsedrawn Carriage Rides signage, Port Orleans Riverside, Walt Disney World

Credit: Disney Dining

The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground offer pony rides for an additional purchase and the convenience of golf cart rental. Not to mention the chance to enjoy a character meet with Chip & Dale at an old-fashioned campfire – for no additional cost! Guests at Fort Wilderness can hit the beach to watch the Electrical Water Pageant in the evenings and enjoy a bit of Disney magic for no extra cost.

Chip n Dale Campfire Singalong

Credit: Disney

Caribbean Beach Resort Guests can go on fishing or biking exursions at their Disney hotel. Moderate resorts offer the little extras outside the Park that you probably did not expect from a Walt Disney World vacation. Take the time to chat with a Cast Member on the Disney website to learn more about pricing and amenities and to understand which Disney World moderate resort would be the best fit for your next family vacation!

sign on back of Surry Bicycle, Port Orleans Riverside, Walt Disney World

Credit: Disney Dining

About Katie Chapman

Hey There! I am a Georgia native with a passion for writing, traveling, cooking, decorating, pugs and of course all things Disney. Growing up in South Georgia just a few hours from Walt Disney World made for a magical childhood. Some of my best memories were made on Main Street U.S.A. with my sister watching SpectroMagic nighttime parade or beside my grandparents, parents and extended family at Chef Mickey’s celebrating on a family vacation. Epcot was my favorite park from a young age and I credit it with my interest in and love for international travel. As a kid I loved meeting characters and watching films around World Showcase and could spend hours exploring each of the countries in Epcot. These days, my husband and I get away to explore a new country whenever we can and even incorporate trips to The Disney Store and Disney Parks around the world in our travels. One of our travel goals is to visit every Disney Park in the world. I love writing about Disney restaurants, park tips, Disney outfit inspiration and Disney history. Pocahontas is my favorite Disney Princess (90s kid here!) but Mr. Toad is my spirit animal. When I’m not at Disney I’m reading about park history, watching Disney documentaries and shopping vintage Disney merch for park outfits. I never pass up a reservation to Ohana, an empty seat on Living with the Land or a Violet Sake.