Choose your own Adventure at Disney’s Moderate Resorts
Moderate Resorts offer a quieter, more peaceful Resort experience, but still bring all the fun for families! These Resorts allow you to choose your own adventure by relaxing in a hammock and going for horse drawn carriage rides or have some family fun at the pool water slide or evening campfire.
Moderate Resorts offer a great, budget-friendly option for families of 5. These Resorts have options to include a Murphy bed for a 5th sleeper. This solves the room problem that often exists for families of 5. My family had this issue for many years and Moderate Resorts became our go to!
There are five Moderate Resorts including: Disney’s Port Orleans Resort - Riverside, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. While each Resort has it’s own theming that differentiates it from the rest, the amenities tend to be similar across the Resorts.
Amenities include:
Basic room amenities including hairdryer, in room safe, wi-fi, iron/ironing board and a beverage cooler
Quick Service Food Court
Table Service Dining
Lounge (the Disney word for bar)
Arcade
Themed swimming pools with a water slide
Recreation offerings are also a big differentiator between these Resorts, with each Resort offering different recreational options. Those will be outlined as we review each Resort. Now, let’s take a look at the Moderate Resorts!
Time to Tour the Resorts!
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort - Riverside
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort - Riverside transports you to the Bayou cottages and stately mansions of Louisiana. This Resort sits on the banks of Sassagoula River where you can watch the water taxis float by, cane fish at Ol’ Man Island or take a horse drawn carriage ride by the calm waters. Disney’s Port Orleans Resort - Riverside is a peaceful getaway in the middle of the bustling Walt Disney World Resort.
Location: Disney Springs Resort Area
Number of Rooms: 2,048
Room Type: 2 queen size beds or one king size bed. Some rooms offer a small murphy bed for a 5th sleeper. Princess themed Royal Rooms are available for an additional cost.
Maximum Occupants: 2-5 people per room
Recreation: Campfires on Ol’ Man Island, horse drawn carriage rides, bike rentals, surrey bike rentals, fishing, cane fishing, jogging trail, playground and arcade
Pool Theme: Ol’ Man Island, modeled after an abandoned saw mill. There are also 5 additional quiet pools throughout the Resort.
Dining Options: Riverside Mill Food Court (Quick ServiceAmerican cuisine), River Roost Lounge, Muddy Waters (Poolside Bar) and Boatwright’s (TableSservice New Orleans style fare)
Transportation Options: Disney Bus, Water Taxi
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter is just a short ride or walk up the Sassagoula from Disney’s Port Orleans Resort - Riverside. This Resort features quaint cobblestone streets and wrought iron balconies reminiscent of the New Orleans French Quarter. Here, every day is Mardi Gras! This Resort is smaller than it’s sister Resort, but vacationers are able to enjoy all the recreational activities at Riverside, including the pools!
Location: Disney Springs Resort Area
Number of Rooms: 1,008
Room Type: 2 queen size beds or one king size bed.
Maximum Occupants: 2-4 people per room
Recreation: Campfires, horse drawn carriage rides, bike rentals, surrey bike rentals, fishing, cane fishing, jogging trail, playground and arcade (some recreational activities are located at Disney’s Port Orleans - Riverside).
Pool Theme: Doubloon Lagoon featuring a sea serpent water slide! Guests also have access to Ol’ Man Island at Disney’s Port Orleans - Riverside.
Dining Options: Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory (Quick Service American and Cajun/Creole cuisine), Scat Cat’s Club (Lounge), Scat Cat’s Club Cafe (home of the famous beignets!), and Mardi Grogs (Poolside Bar)
Transportation Options: Disney Bus, Water Taxi
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Take a trip to the Caribbean Islands of Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad, Martinique and Aruba at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort! This sprawling Resort is overflowing with vibrant color and amazing landscapes. Rest and relax in a beachside hammock or explore the Spanish citadel inspired pool. Whether you want to relax or play, this Resort has it all!
Location: EPCOT Resort Area
Number of Rooms: 1,500+
Room Type: 2 queen size beds or one king size bed. Some rooms offer a small murphy bed for a 5th sleeper.
Maximum Occupants: 2-5 people per room
Recreation: Campfires, fishing, volleyball, jogging trail and playground
Pool Theme: Spanish citadel inspired Fuentes del Morro pool and play area. There are also 5 leisure pools throughout the Resort.
Dining Options: Centertown Market (Quick Service American and Latin cuisine), Spyglass Grill (Quick Service American and Caribbean cuisine), Banana Cabana (Poolside Bar) and Sebastian’s Bistro (Table Service Latin fare)
Transportation Options: Disney Bus, Disney’s Skyliner
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort blends the Spanish, Mexican and Southwestern American cultures into one beautiful and luxurious Resort. This Resort also is home to a Convention Center, so frequently is a more adult-oriented location. Disney’s Coronado Springs offers exceptional higher-end rooms, including Club level, Presidential Suites and Executive Suites.
Location: Animal Kingdom Resort Area
Number of Rooms: 1,917 rooms and suites in the Lago Dorado villages and 545 room and suites in the Gran Destino Tower
Room Type: Various configurations of queen and king size beds depending on the room or suite structure.
Maximum Occupants: 2-8 people per room
Recreation: Campfires, Colors of Coronado Painting Experience, Spanish Mosaic Art, volleyball, jogging trail, arcade, playground, La Vida Health Club, Fitness Center
Pool Theme: Explore The Dig Site at the Mayan ruins themed pool featuring the Lost City of Cibola pool. This pool has a 123-foot water slide showcasing a spitting Jaguar spirit animal! There are 3 additional leisure pools throughout the Resort.
Dining Options: El Mercado de Coronado (Quick Service American and Mexican cuisine), Siestas Cantina (Quick Service Poolside American cuisine), Cafe Rix (Quick Service pastries and coffee), Dahlia Lounge, Barcelona Lounge (Day to Night Espresso Bar and Lounge), Laguna Bar (Tequila and Mezcal Bar), Toledo - Tapas, Steak and Seafood (Table Service Seafood and Steakhouse), Three Bridges Bar and Grill at Villa del Lago (Latin Casual Dining, Bar and Lounge), Rix Sports Bar and Grill (Table Service American fare), and Maya Grill (Table Service American Mexican cuisine)
Transportation Options: Disney Bus
The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort (Pictures Coming Soon!)
Find the peace and tranquility (and fun!) of a campground at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. The Cabins are a great way for larger families to stay in a roomy space that also offers amenities, such as a fully stocked kitchen and patio/deck. Not only that, the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort just received an upgrade by becoming Disney’s first Moderate DVC Property! This Resort now has options for Wilderness Cabins and 1 Bedroom DVC Cabins.
Location: Magic Kingdom Resort Area
Number of Rooms: 409 Cabins
Room Type: Wilderness Cabins include a queen size bed, a double size sleeper sofa and a bunk bed. DVC Cabins include a queen bed, a queen size pull down bed and a bunk bed.
Maximum Occupants: 6 people per room
Recreation: Chip and Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long (yes, Chip and Dale are actually there!), Fort Wilderness Archery Experience, Tri-Circle-D Ranch, Horse Drawn Excursion, pony rides, wagon rides, fishing, canoe and kayak rentals, bike rentals, basketball courts, volleyball, jogging trails, playgrounds, arcades and the Wilderness Back Trail Adventure.
Pool Theme: The Meadow Swimmin’ Pool featuring a 67-foot long corkscrew slide. There is also a leisure pool available at The Wilderness Swimmin’ Pool.
Dining Options: Trail’s End Restaurant (Quick Service American cuisine), Meadow Snack Bar (Quick Service Pool Side American fare), The Chuck Wagon (Quick Service American cuisine), Crockett’s Tavern (Lounge), Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review (Table Service Dinner Show)
Transportation Options: Disney Bus, Water Taxi
Is a Moderate Disney Resort Right for Me?
Now, you may be wondering if a Moderate Resort is right for you. Just like any Disney Resort, be sure to look at your family’s needs and how you will be utilizing the Resort during your stay.
Reasons to choose a Moderate Resort:
You love theming that is Disney, but not over the top. These Resorts are a great option if you love Disney theming and want to be immersed in it, without it being so over the top (Value Resort giant icons, I’m looking at you). The Resorts combine the charms and decor of different cultures with Disney touches. Across the Resorts, you may see theming from Princess and the Frog, The Little Mermaid, The Three Caballeros and more.
You want the option of a Table Service restaurant at your Resort. Moderate Resorts offer a wide variety of food options, including Table Service restaurants. Each Resort has at least one Table Service restaurant, with the exception of Disney’s Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter. This Resort is considered a sister Resort of Disney’s Port Orleans Resort - Riverside and they share a Table Service restaurant. Beyond Table Service, these Resorts also offer great Lounge and Quick Service options!
You want a quieter experience. Moderate Resorts are still very family friendly, but tend to be a bit quieter than the Value Resorts. These are great options for adult only trips where budget is important, but so is a quieter vibe. Disney’s Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter is an especially great option for a romantic getaway!
You have 5 people in your party. I cannot say enough how great these Resorts are for the 5-person family. To not have to book two rooms or upgrade to a suite is a huge money-saver!
Reasons this may not be a good fit for you:
You want a luxury experience. These Resorts provide all the basic Resort amenities, have outdoor entryways and can be large in size (depending on the Resort). If you are looking for a more upscale experience with expanded Resort amenities, this may not be the Resort category for you.
You want to be able to walk or take a monorail to a Park. Moderate Resorts do not provide any opportunity to walk or take a monorail to a Park. The Skyliner is available at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, a water taxi to Magic Kingdom is available at The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and a water taxi to Disney Springs is available at both of Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts. Bus transportation is available at all the Resorts.
Now that we have gone through ALL the Moderate Resort info, let me share with you MY Moderate Resort pick!
Katie’s Value Pick: Port Orleans - Riverside! This is my absolute favorite of the Moderate Resorts. Port Orleans Riverside is perfect for families and I have so many happy memories with my kiddos here. This Resort was often our first choice and according to my kids, has the superior water slide. Just thinking about this Resort brings back all the memories and makes me smile!
We cannot wait to hear if you think a Moderate Resort may be the right fit for you and your family! Which you would pick? Leave it in the comments below!
Next, we will be touring the Deluxe Resorts and sharing Katie’s Deluxe Pick! Until then, stay magical my friends!
For extra help choosing the perfect Resort and booking your Disney vacation, I’d be happy to help! You can request your FREE quote from Dreams By Design with Katie T. at https://dbdkatiet.myflodesk.com/quote. Remember, all booking and planning services are offered at no cost to you!
