Best Disney World Moderate Resorts: All 4 Ranked
This article will help you decide the best Moderate Resort at Disney World. Disney World divides their resorts into several categories. Moderate resorts, as you can tell by the name, land right in the middle. There are currently four moderate resorts: Port Orleans Riverside, Port Orleans French Quarter, Caribbean Beach Resort, and Coronado Springs Resort.
I’ve stayed at all of them, but I’ve stayed at Coronado Springs’ Gran Destino Tower more than all the others combined (6 times), so I clearly have a favorite. Coronado is the best all-around, especially if you stay in the tower, but Caribbean Beach is the best for small kids (the pool!) and transportation.
Below I’ll walk you through all of the moderate resorts and explain myself.
Disney World Moderate Resorts Ranked at a Glance
| Rank & resort | Highlights | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Coronado Springs | My favorite overall, especially Gran Destino Tower. Excellent dining, a rooftop lounge, and club-level options. | Buses are the only Disney transportation to the parks. |
| 2. Caribbean Beach | Skyliner access, a great pool for younger kids, and the option to walk to Riviera for dining. | The sprawling layout can mean long walks. |
| 3. Port Orleans French Quarter | Compact grounds, one bus stop, beignets, a great pool for younger kids, and boats to Disney Springs. | No table-service restaurant on site. |
| 4. Port Orleans Riverside | Peaceful grounds, Royal Guest Rooms, Yehaa Bob, and boats to Disney Springs. | Large layout and bus-only transportation to the parks. |
My winner. Coronado Springs, lit up at night.
What Counts as a Disney World Moderate Resort?
A moderate Disney resort is distinct from a value resort and deluxe resort based on several possible metrics. A moderate will typically have larger rooms, more subtle theming, and better amenities such as restaurants and pools than the value resorts. However, it will have smaller rooms, usually a worse location, typically worse transportation, and fewer fine dining options than the deluxe resorts. Disney also has Disney Vacation Club Deluxe Villa resorts that technically count as deluxe but often sacrifice location for larger rooms (unless you’re in the DVC portion of one of the regular deluxe resorts). The obvious exception to this is DVC Riviera’s access to the Skyliner.
And Disney also has Fort Wilderness…
Are the Fort Wilderness Cabins a Moderate Resort?
In the past, Fort Wilderness Cabins were considered a moderate resort, but since their recent update, they are now considered deluxe villas, while the rest of the Campground is in a separate category called campground. For this article, I won’t include it because the experience is so wildly different.
How I Ranked the Disney World Moderate Resorts
I attempted to rank each resort by amenities at the resort, especially dining and pools, their relative location and transportation options to the theme parks and places like Boardwalk and Disney Springs. I also took into account the quality of the rooms and perceived value. However, my personal experience at each resort weighs heavily.
1. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort: Best Overall Moderate Resort
The Gran Destino tower also functions as the lobby for the whole resort.
Disney’s Coronado Springs is a massive convention center resort in what’s considered the Animal Kingdom area, though it’s closer geographically to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios (Galaxy’s Edge is visible across the street). It has a Spanish, Mexican (Mayan), and Southwest American theme. Here are the details.
| Number of rooms | 2,385, including 545 in Gran Destino Tower |
|---|---|
| Standard room size | Approximately 314 sq. ft. in the villages; 375 sq. ft. in Gran Destino Tower |
| Room capacity | Up to 4 in two-queen rooms; 2 in king rooms. No fifth-sleeper rooms. |
| Suite capacity | Tower suites: 4–6 guests. Village suites: 4–8 guests, depending on category. |
| Room entrances | Interior hallways in Gran Destino Tower; exterior entrances in the villages |
| Pools | 4: 1 feature pool and 3 leisure pools |
| Feature pool | Lost City of Cibola Pool at the Dig Site, with a 123-foot waterslide |
| Kids’ water play | Separate shallow kiddie pool at the Dig Site |
| Hot tub | Yes—22-person hot tub at the Dig Site |
| Dining locations | 10, including restaurants, quick service, cafés and bars; excludes Sangria University |
| Table-service restaurants | 4: Toledo, Maya Grill, Rix Sports Bar & Grill, and Three Bridges Bar & Grill |
| Transportation | Buses to all 4 theme parks and Disney Springs; 4 resort bus stops |
| Fitness centers | 2: La Vida Health Club and the Gran Destino Tower fitness center |
| Club level | Yes—select Gran Destino Tower rooms and suites include Chronos Club access |
One child under age 3 in a crib may be accommodated beyond the listed room capacity. Include every guest when booking.
I consider Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort to be the best moderate resort because it has incredible bars and restaurants, a great pool, and great amenities. Parts of it have a very grown-up feel because it caters to business conference crowds (and even the NBA during Covid). It also has the best rooms but only because of the Gran Destino Tower.
Gran Destino Tower Rooms and Chronos Club Level
The beautiful lobby and Barcelona Lounge in the Gran Destino Tower
With its wild colors, towering ceilings, and beautiful windows, the Gran Destino Tower feels more luxurious than any deluxe resort. The rooms open into a hallway, which is better than any moderate or value (except Art of Animation suites, guess which Value resort I think is best?). The rooms in the tower are also significantly larger than the rest of the resort and are on par with most standard deluxe resort rooms. I think most of the extra square footage is in the incredible bathrooms.
Just the bedroom portion of our Gran Destino suite. Not pictured: the living room and huge bathroom…and other bathroom
Coronado’s Gran Destino Tower also has the only club level of any moderate resort. Club level offers separate check-in, concierge, and its own lounge, the Chronos Club, with complimentary breakfast, non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks (even cocktails), park snacks, and light dinner. The best part is that the standard club level rooms are often lower in price than standard deluxe resort rooms, at least on dates that I’ve priced.
Check out my posts: Gran Destino Tower Review and Chronos Club Review
The Chronos Club is a great place to relax
Every time I’ve stayed at Coronado, I’ve stayed in the Gran Destino Tower. I can’t overstate the effect that the lobby smell and crazy cool elevators have had on my heart.
I’ve heard that the other rooms are nice, too. Some are very far away from anything, but some are closer to the cafeteria or to the pool than the tower.
Coronado Springs Restaurants and Bars
Coronado Springs also has the best restaurants and bars of any of the moderate resorts. That’s saying a lot if you know how much I love French Quarter’s beignets and Yehaa Bob at Riverside.
Part of that is sheer variety. Coronado has 10 dining locations, including the Maya Grill (a great family-friendly Mexican restaurant), where we always get the fresh guacamole. Coronado has Rix, which is an upscale sports bar that also has amazing breakfast. It has Toledo, a top-floor, high-end tapas and seafood restaurant with views of Galaxy’s Edge and the EPCOT ball. And it has Three Bridges, an incredible, open-air Southwest-inspired restaurant in the middle of the lake.
Three Bridges has a beautiful location
Check out my guest post article on Three Bridges at WDWinfo
I also need to talk about the bars. The rooftop Dahlia Lounge is perhaps my favorite place to relax in Disney World. Consequently, their Alla Prima Manhattan is my favorite cocktail. I love to sit there while I wait for our family’s laundry to finish downstairs. The Barcelona Lounge in the lobby is also a great coffee bar in the morning and cocktail bar at night.
The Dahlia Lounge with a rooftop balcony just beyond those windows.
Coronado’s Pool Is Better for Adults and Older Kids
Coronado has several quiet pools and one enormous feature pool, the Lost City of Cibola. The pool is the largest of the moderates, with a large swim lane area, tons of other space, and the 123’ Jaguar water slide. It has an enormous Mayan ziggurat as a backdrop, with a waterfall coming down the pyramid steps. Sadly, they didn’t turn that into a water slide.
That’s me playing with little dude in the middle of this amazing pool
The Coronado pool is ideal for older kids and adults, with tons of seating, waiter service, large water slide, and the hot tub nearby. It does have a small kiddie pool with a few water jets, but nothing like the water playgrounds at French Quarter or Caribbean Beach.
One time a crow stole my chips and carried them to a nearby lighting structure. I’m still bitter.
Coronado Springs Drawbacks: Bus Transportation and Room Capacity
The biggest drawback to Coronado is transportation. It’s the only moderate resort without a specialty feature like the boats at both Port Orleans resorts or the Skyliner at Caribbean Beach. And with multiple stops, using the bus takes a while and sometimes arrives already full. Luckily, Disney usually increases the number of buses at peak times.
Also, none of the rooms offer a fifth sleeper option, so larger families need a suite or multiple rooms. However, if your third child is under three, they can sleep in a provided crib or pack n’ play in a standard room (subject to availability). And if you have littler kids who will spend a lot of time at the pool, French Quarter and Caribbean Beach’s amazing splash pads are much more fun.
Some have also pointed out that many of the food options are pricier at Coronado than other resorts.
Who Should Choose Coronado Springs?
You should choose Coronado Springs, especially the tower, if you’re looking for luxury, good food, and great amenities for older kids. It’s clearly designed with business conventions in mind, with an abundance of bars and two gyms (La Vida Health Club and the Tower Fitness Center). There’s still plenty to do for younger kids, but if that’s your primary concern, there are better choices.
The view of the resort from the tower
Coronado Springs also has the best “family resort” feel, where there’s enough to do to stay on site for your whole vacation. I don’t know why you’d go to Disney for that, but it’s a great choice if you want a lot of resort days and park days.
2. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort: Best for Skyliner Access and Young Children
A view from the Skyliner over Caribbean Beach (phot cred: Disney)
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is an enormous resort dedicated to the Caribbean Islands, with colorful buildings and tropical landscaping. It has an incredible pool with views of the EPCOT fireworks, and it has access to the Skyliner, which takes you quickly to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios. Here are the details.
| Number of rooms | 1,536 |
|---|---|
| Standard room size | Approximately 314 sq. ft. |
| Room capacity | Up to 4 in standard two-queen rooms; up to 5 in designated fifth-sleeper rooms. King rooms sleep up to 2. |
| Suites | None |
| Room entrances | Exterior entrances |
| Pools | 6: 1 feature pool and 5 leisure pools |
| Feature pool | Fuentes del Morro Pool, with zero-depth entry and 2 waterslides |
| Kids’ water play | Shipwreck water play area with small slides and a dumping barrel for children under 48 inches tall |
| Hot tub | Yes, at the feature pool complex |
| Dining locations | 5: Sebastian’s Bistro, Centertown Market, Centertown Market Grab & Go, Spyglass Grill and Banana Cabana |
| Table-service restaurants | 1: Sebastian’s Bistro |
| Transportation | Skyliner to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios; buses to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs; internal resort shuttle |
| Fitness center | None |
| Club level | Not offered |
One child under age 3 in a crib may be accommodated beyond the listed room capacity. Include every guest when booking.
I list it as number two, probably because I’m extremely biased towards my experiences at the Gran Destino Tower. However, many people would put it as number one. In fact, Disney itself probably ranks it as number one because the nightly cost is usually higher than the other moderate resorts. The Skyliner and the pool are the deciding factors for a lot of people, especially for young kids.
Caribbean Beach Skyliner and Park Transportation
Disney’s Skyliner is a gondola transportation system that connects several resorts to EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the Boardwalk area. Since Caribbean Beach is on the Skyliner route, it sets the hotel apart from the other moderate resorts. Some people have claimed long wait times for the Skyliner, but usually it’s faster than any bus transportation. That being said, inclement weather or high winds can shut it down, forcing you to take the bus around the enormous resort for every park.
The Skyliner behind the lake, and the pool off to the right.
A few notes: The Skyliner can be a long walk from some rooms. However, there’s an internal bus system that will take you to the Skyliner station. Also, you will still need to take the bus, drive, or rideshare to Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom (which is the case for all four moderate resorts), and the large resort with multiple stops sometimes makes the bus take a while.
A double queen room at Caribbean Beach.
Caribbean Beach Pools and Splash Pad
The Fuentes Del Morro Pool is beautifully themed to a Spanish-Caribbean castle fortress and has multiple waterslides—a gentle slide for little kids and a large one for big kids (and adults, let’s be honest). Climbing up around the outside of a castle turret is almost as cool as the slide itself. It’s also the only moderate with a zero-entry pool, which is amazing for little kids or for adults who want to relax in the water. And, it has a hot tub.
The Fuentes del Morro pool is epic.
Furthermore, Caribbean Beach also has a fantastic splash pad (for children 48” and under) with slides and water features called Shipwreck. If the pool was amazing for little kids, this is even more amazing.
One of my daughters enjoying herself at the Shipwreck splash pad
Access to Disney’s Riviera Resort and Disney’s Boardwalk
While Caribbean Beach doesn’t have many upscale experiences, parts of the resort are a short walk to the extremely fancy Riviera Resort, which offers fine dining and even fancy coffee. It’s a beautiful resort to walk through for anyone. At the top of the resort is Topolino’s Terrace, which is home to one of the best character breakfasts at Disney.
Check out my Topolino’s Character Breakfast Review
You can also take the Skyliner to the Boardwalk (via the EPCOT station), a local shopping and dining district just outside of EPCOT, which offers family activities and upscale experiences, and doesn’t require a park ticket.
Check out my comparison of the Boardwalk and Disney Springs
Caribbean Beach Fireworks Views
Caribbean Beach also has a relatively close fireworks experience from EPCOT that you can view from the pool deck. One of our favorite experiences at Caribbean Beach was ending a long day at the pool while watching the fireworks from the water or a chair, no big crowds, just a decent show.
One of my favorite views at Disney. Fireworks view with no crowd.
Caribbean Beach Drawbacks: Dining and Long Walks
Despite its size, Caribbean Beach has only five total dining locations, including pool grills and grab and go. Caribbean Beach also only has one table service restaurant, Sebastian’s Bistro, which is a Caribbean family style restaurant. Access to Riviera and Boardwalk alleviates the lack of restaurants somewhat.
A typical walk to the resort from the bus stop. It’s a hike.
The other weaknesses at Caribbean are that no room opens into a hallway, which separates this resort from Coronado’s tower. Also, there are parts of this resort that are a LONG way from anything, requiring long walks or the internal bus system.
Who Should Choose Caribbean Beach?
Caribbean Beach Resort is ideal for families with small children who want an amazing pool or for anyone who prioritizes quick access to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, or the Boardwalk without paying deluxe prices. It’s also a great option for families of five because it offers fifth sleeper rooms. That being said, there are no suites at Caribbean Beach.
Here I am, taking in all the majesty.
If you’re headed there, book a room that’s close to what you prioritize (Skyliner, pool, or Riviera). One interesting note, several areas are actually closer to Riviera’s Skyliner station than Caribbean Beach’s.
3. Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter: Best Small Resort
The entrance from the backside of the lobby at POFQ
It hurts to say that Port Orleans French Quarter is only third out of four moderate resorts. It’s a great resort. Themed to downtown (French Quarter) New Orleans during Mardi Gras, it’s a beautiful resort that’s worth a visit, even if you’re not staying there. Make sure you get some beignets! Despite its low ranking, it may still have some features that might appeal to you, not least of which is that it’s usually the least expensive of the four resorts in my experience.
Here’s a link to my full Port Orleans French Quarter Review.
Here are the details.
| Number of rooms | 1,008 |
|---|---|
| Standard room size | Approximately 314 sq. ft. |
| Room capacity | Up to 4 in two-queen rooms; 2 in king rooms. No fifth-sleeper rooms. |
| Suites | None |
| Room entrances | Exterior entrances |
| Pools | 1 feature pool; guests may also use the pools at Port Orleans Riverside |
| Feature pool | Doubloon Lagoon, with the 51-foot Scales sea-serpent waterslide |
| Kids’ water play | Aquatic play area with small slides, fountains and water features for children 48 inches tall or under |
| Hot tub | Yes, near Doubloon Lagoon |
| Dining locations | 4: Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory, Scat Cat’s Club – Café, Scat Cat’s Club – Lounge, and Mardi Grogs |
| Table-service restaurants | None; Boatwright’s Dining Hall is at nearby Port Orleans Riverside |
| Transportation | Buses to all 4 theme parks; boat or bus to Disney Springs. 1 resort bus stop. |
| Fitness center | None |
| Club level | Not offered |
One child under age 3 in a crib may be accommodated beyond the listed room capacity. Include every guest when booking.
French Quarter Is Best for Compact Layout and Mobility Issues
Port Orleans French Quarter Resort is the easiest moderate resort to navigate. It’s small, compact, and every room is close to the pool, the lobby, and restaurants. Even though buses are the only transportation to the Disney theme parks, it only has one bus stop, which means quick entry and exit. The shorter distances may be ideal for guests with mobility concerns.
The French Quarter Pool Is Better for Younger Kids
Port Orleans French Quarter only has one pool (the Doubloon Lagoon), but it’s incredible for little kids. It has an enormous sea dragon edifice (named Scales) that goes in and out of the ground, creating a bridge across the middle of the pool and ending in a mid-sized water slide in the back.
As cool as the water slide is, it’s one of the gentler feature slides.
POFQ also has an amazing splash pad playground like Caribbean Beach, with water slides and a giant bucket splash feature.
When Disney makes a splash pad, they don’t mess around.
Beignets, Mardi Gras and Disney Springs at Port Orleans French Quarter
There are a few things that make Port Orleans French Quarter a unique option. First, the Scat Cat’s Club Café has delicious Mickey beignets, which are worth the trip even if you’re not staying there. Second, the Mardi Gras theme is a fun experience for the aesthetic, and adults can check out the live jazz at Scat Cat’s Club Lounge later at night.
The beignets, I’m a big fan.
Another appealing aspect of POFQ is that it’s a quick boat ride to Disney Springs, where you can enjoy an enormous variety of activities, nightlife, shopping, and restaurants. If you’re looking for a fun experience outside the parks, Port Orleans makes a great homebase.
Check out my article about things to do outside the Disney parks.
French Quarter’s Biggest Weakness: Limited Dining
The biggest weakness at Port Orleans French Quarter is its limited dining. It has a pool bar/quick service grill, the beignet café/coffee bar, the late-night lounge, and the cafeteria—no table service restaurants.
That being said, POFQ is a quick walk, bike ride, car ride, or boat ride to Port Orleans Riverside (which you’re about to learn more about), and a quick boat ride to Disney Springs.
Who Should Choose French Quarter?
Port Orleans French Quarter is a great choice for families with young kids (because of the pool), families with mobility concerns (because of the limited amount of walking), people who want good park access AND good Disney Springs access.
A Port Orleans French Quarter double queen room with a hidden Mickey towel arrangement. Not sure how my daughter is already in her pajamas before I’ve even filmed the room.
We’ve stayed here both with and without our kids, and it was a huge win in both scenarios.
4. Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside: Best for a Quiet Stay
The Magnolia Bend southern mansions, rainbow not guaranteed.
Port Orleans Riverside is another New Orleans-themed hotel, the sister of Port Orleans French Quarter. However, instead of focusing on the Mardi Gras, festival aesthetic, it focuses more on the upscale rural mansion feel in the Magnolia Bend section, with colonial-style buildings and even Spanish moss in the trees, and it has a more rustic feel in the Alligator Bayou section.
Here are the details
| Number of rooms | 2,048 |
|---|---|
| Standard room size | Approximately 314 sq. ft. |
| Room capacity | Up to 4 in two-queen rooms, including Royal Guest Rooms; up to 5 in designated Alligator Bayou fifth-sleeper rooms; 2 in king rooms. |
| Suites | None |
| Room entrances | Exterior entrances |
| Pools | 6: 1 feature pool and 5 leisure pools; guests may also use French Quarter’s pool |
| Feature pool | Ol’ Man Island, with a 95-foot waterslide |
| Kids’ water play | Separate shallow kiddie pool at Ol’ Man Island |
| Hot tub | Yes, at Ol’ Man Island |
| Dining locations | 4: Boatwright’s Dining Hall, Riverside Mill Food Court, River Roost and Muddy Rivers |
| Table-service restaurants | 1: Boatwright’s Dining Hall |
| Transportation | Buses to all 4 theme parks; boat or bus to Disney Springs. 4 resort bus stops. |
| Fitness center | None |
| Club level | Not offered |
One child under age 3 in a crib may be accommodated beyond the listed room capacity. Include every guest when booking.
I rank it fourth because it has the worst transportation, the worst pool (though still great), and I personally did not enjoy dodging the motorized staff carts constantly (and the occasional horse). However, it has some amazing rooms, a great show (Yehaa Bob!), proximity to Disney Springs, a horse-drawn carriage ride (extra charge), and a tranquil setting. In fact, if you want a quiet resort to return to after the chaos of the parks, this is the one.
Riverside Has Rooms for Larger Families and Royal Guest Rooms
Only Riverside and Caribbean Beach have fifth sleeper rooms, to accommodate larger families without the expense of a suite. They are available in the Alligator Bayou section.
It also has some elaborate Royal Guest rooms that might be a fantastic treat for your little Disney Princess. They are heavily themed to Princess and the Frog. We stayed in one back when they were focused on several princesses, and our daughters absolutely loved them. (The Royal Guest Rooms do not have a fifth sleeper).
Here’s all of our stuffed animals arranged in front of the Royal Guest Room headboards. (This is the old style before they remodeled them)
Riverside’s Ol’ Man Island Pool Is Better for Older Kids
The Port Orleans Riverside Feature Pool on Ol’ Man Island is set up much like Coronado Springs’ pool. It has a large pool with lots of features and a 95’ water slide built into the millworks aesthetic. My kids loved this pool. However, the pool has an island in the middle, and the kids are harder to keep track of when they are on the far side of it. There’s also a hot tub nearby. It’s better for older kids because it has fewer features for the smaller kids, unlike Port Orleans French Quarter or Caribbean Beach.
The water slide at Port Orleans Riverside
That being said, it does have a small kiddie pool like Coronado, but again, nothing like the water playground splash pad that the other two have. It also has five leisure pools with no lifeguards, which we liked to use when the kids wanted me to throw them.
Port Orleans Riverside Dining
One thing that sets Port Orleans Riverside apart from French Quarter is that it has a table service restaurant, Boatwright’s Dining Hall. It serves southern and New Orleans-style food that’s pretty good, but nothing I’d go out of my way to get unless I was staying there.
My daughter, clearly reminiscing about how amazing our vacation has been.
Other than that, the dining options don’t set it apart from the other moderates, but…
Yehaa Bob and Disney Springs Boat Service
By far the greatest thing about Port Orleans Riverside is the Yehaa Bob show at River Roost (the Riverside Bar in the lobby). Yehaa Bob’s piano music and comedy act is one of my favorite shows at Disney World. He’ll have you laughing and sing-yelling along all night. Our whole family, four generations, love this show and make it a priority even when we’re staying at a different resort. At the end, he takes silly pictures and signs autographs with the guests. Check out Yehaa Bob’s current schedule
Yehaa Bob, really getting into it.
Port Orleans Riverside, just like French Quarter, is also a short boat ride to Disney Springs, which opens up lots of options for entertainment, shopping, and dining.
One of the boats that takes you to Disney Springs. Check out my article on the Disney Springs Boat.
Riverside Drawbacks: Long Walks and Bus Transportation
Port Orleans Riverside’s biggest problem is the size. Since the resort is so spread out, some rooms are far from the boats, the dining, and the pool. Also, it has multiple bus stops that slow down your ability to get to the park.
The walking distance is not necessarily worse than Coronado or Caribbean. However, the internal area had tons of laundry truck and service truck paths that made navigating the area with little kids nerve-wracking. I didn’t like having to look both ways just to use the sidewalks.
Finally, it’s the farthest of the four resorts from the theme parks, on average, which amplifies the bus/walking problem for getting to the parks quickly.
Who Should Choose Riverside?
Riverside is good for families of five or people who want a more tranquil resort to wind down from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks. Riverside is often cheaper than Coronado and Caribbean Beach, making it a more economical option. It’s also good for older kids or huge fans of Princess and the Frog.
Which Disney Moderate Resort Is Best for Your Family?
A lot of factors go into choosing the right Disney resort: price, theme, transportation, room size, and amenities. Each resort has its pros and cons and may fit your needs differently than they did mine. You’ve seen my list. Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Here’s a quick rundown of specific considerations.
Best Disney Moderate Resort for Younger Kids
The best moderate resort for young kids, especially for getting to the park and enjoying the pool, is Caribbean Beach Resort for the Skyliner, zero-entry pool, and splash pad.
Best Disney Moderate Resort for Older Kids
The best moderate resort for older kids is Coronado Springs Resort with its large water slide, better dining, bigger tower rooms, and the most amenities.
Best Moderate Resort for Transportation
The best moderate resort for transportation is Caribbean Beach with its Skyliner access to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT
Best Moderate Resort for Restaurants
The best moderate resort for restaurants is definitely Coronado Springs with 10 dining locations, including two upscale restaurants, a sports bar, and lots of other options.
Best Moderate Resort for a Family of Five
The best moderate resort for a family of five is Caribbean Beach or Riverside with their fifth sleeper options. That being said, many rooms at most resorts will allow one child under 3 to have a crib or pack-n-play beyond the room’s stated occupancy (let them know at booking). If you’re feeling particularly bougie, Coronado Springs is the only moderate resort with suites that can fit five or more.
Best Moderate Resort for Adults
The best moderate resort for adults has to be Coronado Springs with its excellent dining options and incredible bars. It’s also the only moderate resort with a club level that offers free drinks and food. The aesthetic, especially in the tower, is certainly the most luxurious.
A dark horse for this could be Port Orleans French Quarter with its quick access to Disney Springs and Scat Cat’s Club Lounge (and quick access over to Yehaa Bob at Riverside).
Are Disney World Moderate Resorts Worth the Extra Cost?
Disney Moderate Resorts Versus Value Resorts
Moderate Resorts are worth the extra cost if the larger room and nicer amenities appeal to you. If the Value Resorts’ lack of transportation doesn’t bother you (except Skyliner Value Resorts), and you’re never going to be at the hotel anyway, they might be a better option. I know several Moderates have only bus transportation like the All-Star Value Resorts. However, I assure you that the bus frequency is much lower at the Value Resorts. I waited in a 100-person line for an All-Star Movies bus to Magic Kingdom.
Check out this Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort Review
Disney Moderate Resorts Versus Deluxe Resorts
If you can choose and price is not an issue, stay at a deluxe. They are fantastic, especially for getting to the parks. However, they are EXPENSIVE. Most deluxes offer walking, monorail, or boat access to parks, and have amazing rooms. Animal Kingdom Lodge does not have special transportation…but it has giraffes.
Check out my Wilderness Lodge Review or my Disney’s Beach Club Review
Disney World Moderate Resort FAQs
What Is the Best Disney World Moderate Resort?
Coronado Springs Resort has the most features and best overall experience.
Which Disney Moderate Resort Has the Best Transportation?
Caribbean Beach has the Skyliner for EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Coronado Springs is the closest by bus to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom.
Which Disney Moderate Resort Has the Best Pool?
Caribbean Beach has the best pool with zero-entry and water playground, as well as EPCOT fireworks views.
Which Disney Moderate Resorts Sleep Five People?
Caribbean Beach and Port Orleans Riverside have some fifth-sleeper rooms. Coronado has some suites with occupancy higher than four people.
Is Gran Destino Tower a Moderate or Deluxe Resort?
Gran Destino Tower is part of Coronado Springs, which is a moderate resort. However, it has a deluxe feel and deluxe level of amenities.
Can Caribbean Beach Guests Walk to Riviera Resort?
Caribbean Beach guests can walk to Riviera Resort. However, some rooms are far away.
Compare the best Disney World moderate resorts: Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, French Quarter, and Riverside, ranked from our firsthand stays.