It’s time to step it up to the next level of Disney resort accommodations – the moderate resort. These resorts really are wonderful for families and Disney travelers of all shapes and sizes. The room sizes are slightly larger than those at the value resorts, and in all but one (Caribbean Beach), you will find queen-sized beds instead of the double beds that you’ll sleep in at a value resort.
You will begin to see more amenities at the moderate resorts. The swimming pools have water slides. Instead of only one bus stop at the main building, there are several stops around the resorts where you can catch a bus to the parks. At both Port Orleans resorts, the ferry will be an additional transportation option to Downtown Disney. Moderate resorts have food courts for quick-service dining and table service restaurants as well, with the exception of Port Orleans French Quarter (only has a food court). If you’re using the Disney dining plan, you’ll have more options close to “home” where you can use your meal credits.
Disney’s moderate resorts are: Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans Riverside, Port Orleans French Quarter, and The Cabins at Fort Wilderness.
Caribbean Beach resembles a tropical paradise. Here, you’ll find swaying palm trees, lush vegetation, white sand beaches, and colonial architecture. This is the only moderate resort that has double beds in the rooms. If you’re looking for a room that is fun for little boys, consider one of Caribbean Beach’s pirate rooms. Your little swashbucklers will get to lay their heads in a ship-shaped bed!
Coronado Springs feels very Southwestern, with rooms housed in casitas surrounding a 15-acre lake. One of the most memorable features at this resort is the pool area, which is built around a Mayan pyramid replica. Rooms here will have queen beds.
Port Orleans French Quarter evokes the Antebellum era of New Orleans with cobblestone streets and wrought-iron balconies. Mardi Gras characters and jazz music complete the feel. The purple and gold will make Louisiana fans feel right at home. 🙂
Port Orleans Riverside almost feels like two resorts, because there are two distinctly separate themed areas – Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend. The rooms in Alligator Bayou are rustic and handcrafted, as though you are “living off the land.” Even the carpet looks like wood grain. There are rooms in Alligator Bayou with two queen beds and a day bed – perfect for families of five who have trouble finding a room that is the right fit.
The buildings in the Magnolia Bend section of Port Orleans Riverside look like old South plantation homes. There are standard rooms in Magnolia Bend, but this is also where you will find the royal rooms. Princess Tiana has invited all her princess friends to visit, and they have left special touches and gifts all over these rooms. The extra-special touch is the headboards. Turn them on, and you can watch a fiber optic fireworks display as you drift to sleep.
The Cabins at Fort Wilderness are the only way to get a full kitchen without reserving a deluxe villa. They are located in the forest area at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. These cabins are a great option for large families who want to stay together instead of splitting into multiple rooms at another resort. A cabin will sleep 6, plus one child age 2 or younger. There are wonderful trails here, relaxing pools, and an evening campfire where you can roast s’mores. This resort makes it easy to forget that Disney World’s four busy parks are just a short drive away.
There really is an excellent choice for most everyone within Disney’s moderate resort tier. My family has stayed at two out of the five, and I enjoyed both. 🙂
Snap. Eat. Run. 