Best Moderate Resort Disney World
Walt Disney World has five moderate resorts but which one is the best. I asked Disney World fans, What is the best moderate resort? I wanted to find out which moderate resort would be ranked number one. In this post I rank them, five to one, 5 received the least amount of votes. One received the most and there was a clear favorite.
Disney’s Moderate Resorts are a step above the value resorts. They offer more at a slightly higher nightly rate. Moderate resorts offer more dining options and the rooms are bigger. Each moderate resort has a table service restaurant. Also, the pools are more elaborate. Pools at the moderate resorts have slides and hot tubs. Another plus is that some of the rooms have a murphy bed, to sleep 5 people in a room.
5. The Cabins at Fort Wilderness
The moderate resort with the least amount of votes was The Cabins at Fort Wilderness. Most people probably didn’t even realize this was a moderate resort but Disney has placed it in that category. The Cabins are the most expensive out of the moderate resorts. However, it is the only one that sleeps a party of 6. Also, the price is cheaper than staying in the family suites at Disney’s Art of Animation.
The Cabins have one queen bed, a bunk bed and a double-sized sleeper sofa. If you want to feel secluded this is the place for you. Because it’s located in a forest. Additionally, the cabins aren’t adjoined so you won’t hear your neighbors. Also, this is the only moderate that has a full kitchen. It also has a wood deck and a charcoal grill outside.
Transportation options are bus and a boat that goes to the Magic Kingdom. Meadow Swimmin’ pool is the pool for The Cabins, it has a corkscrew water slide and a fun play area for the kids. Dining options include Crockett’s Tavern and Trails End Restaurant. In addition, Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue is a fun dinner show located in Pioneer Hall. Another fun activity at Fort Wilderness is Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long. Roast marshmallows around the campfire and sing songs. However, you must purchase your own marshmallows but there is a s’mores kit available to purchase at the Chuckwagon Snack Bar.
The Cabins are probably the least well know out of all the moderate resorts. For that reason it probably didn’t get a lot of votes. Also, the bus transportation system is a little complicated. Moreover, the resort is spread out and requires a lot of walking. Some might not want to experience the outdoorsy and rustic feel this resort has.
4. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is number 4. I was a little surprised that it had such low votes. Especially since it has the skyliner. This resort has small beaches throughout, to relax and enjoy the views of the lake. Caribbean Beach Resort is huge, which can be a draw back if you end up in a room that is far from the pool and lobby. However, a preferred room may cost more but it will be closer to the main lobby, Old Port Royal.
The resort offers rooms with a 5th sleeper. This is a definite plus for a family of 5 or a family of 6 with a child of 3 years or less. The bathroom has a tub instead of a walk in shower. Many of the hotels have transitioned to a walk in shower. Some might prefer a tub, especially families with small kids.
The main pool is called Fuentes del Morro. Themed to a colonial style fort with cannons and two water slides. Younger kids will have fun playing at the shipwreck pool play area. Caribbean Beach has 6 pools throughout the resort.
Dining options include, Centertown Market, Banana Cabana, Sebastian’s Bistro, and Spyglass Grill. Sebastian’s Bistro is the newest table service restaurant. It serves Caribbean inspired dishes and has great reviews. I hear the Caribbean Pull-apart Rolls are delicious.
Transportation includes bus and Disney’s Skyliner. Caribbean Beach Resort Station is the center hub and transfers to all the locations the skyliner goes to. The skyliner goes to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Moreover, the skyliner is the main plus for staying here.
The biggest negative for guests was how spread out the resort is. Some have also commented on it’s cleanliness. Even though the resort has gone through a refurbishment, it doesn’t feel as fresh as other resorts. The carpet wasn’t replaced with hardwood styled floors like some of the other resorts.
3. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Disney’s Coronado Springs comes in at number three. The resort is themed to the cultures of Mexico, Spain, and Southwest America. Disney’s Gran Destino Tower is the newest addition to the resort. The tower includes suites that will sleep 6 to 8. However, these are not in the moderate price range. Moreover, the resort doesn’t offer a 5th sleeper room like some of the other moderate resorts.
Lost City of Cibola Pool has a Mayan Temple replica as the main feature. If you have ever seen a picture of Coronado Springs Resort, you have probably seen it. A kids playground is located next to the pool. The pool has a slide and a hot tub that can fit 22 people.
There are several restaurants to choose from at Coronado Springs. Since building the Gran Destino Tower a few new restaurants have been added to this resort. Three Bridges Bar and Grill and Toledo are the newest additions. Toledo is at the top of the tower. Therefore, you will be able to have great views of the surrounding area.
Unlike the other moderate resorts, Coronado Springs only offers bus transportation. However, there are plenty of things to like about this resort. Disney fans mentioned that it was gorgeous with plenty of walking trails. Also, the rooms are nice and big.
2. Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
Disney’s Port Orleans is split into 2 sections, Riverside and French Quarter. These top 2 moderate resorts received almost 70% of the votes. So clearly, Port Orleans is a fan favorite.
Riverside is the bigger of the two with 2,048 rooms. The resort includes rooms with a 5th sleeper. Also, there are Royal Guest rooms that are Princess Tiana themed. The headboard has a fiber optic light show.
Boatwright’s Dining Hall is the table service restaurant at Riverside. This is the only table service option at Port Orleans Resort. It serves southern style food. Riverside Mill Food Court is the quick service option.
Riverside has plenty of swimming options with 5 leisure pools and Ol’ Man Island pool. The pool is in the style of an abandoned sawmill. It includes a 95 foot long waterslide and a hot tub.
Bus and boat transportation is available at Riverside. However, the bus only goes to Disney Springs. There are three bus stops. Which is more than French Quarter. Therefore, it might take longer to get to the parks depending on which bus stop your at. But compared to Caribbean Beach Resort’s seven bus stops, that’s not bad.
1. Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
The best moderate resort is Disney’s Port Orleans Resort French Quarter. This is the smallest of the moderate resorts with 1,008 rooms. For this reason, Disney guests enjoy this resort over the others. When you walk for miles a day you don’t want to walk a mile to your room. The rooms at French Quarter sleep up to 4 people. No 5th sleeper rooms are at this resort.
The pool has a Mardi Gras theme. The waterslide is the tongue of a big serpent creature. In addition, there is a kids play area. However, unlike the other resorts French Quarter only has one pool.
The food court is Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory. The food is cajun and creole inspired. Scat Cat’s Club Cafe is where you will find the famous Mickey Beignets. One of the only places in Disney World that serves them. The food is one of the reasons it was voted best moderate. Disney fans said the food was delicious and love how the resort captures the spirit of New Orleans.
Transportation includes bus and a boat that goes to Disney Springs. Also, French Quarter only has one bus stop for the entire resort. This can be a good thing because it won’t make several stops before heading to the parks.
Port Orleans French Quarter is a favorite due to it’s size, beautiful grounds, and great New Orleans food. Many guests come back again and again because of it’s charm.
Final Thoughts
I will say, I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the moderate resorts. Each resort has a unique theme and fun pools to play at. Moreover, they each have their pros and cons. Some might be too spread out and have too many bus stops. Another might not be as clean. You have to decide what is best for your family. Do you want to have access to the skyliner? Do you need a room that sleeps more than 4 people? What kind of food do you want to eat?
If you want to know what value resort Disney fans thought was the best click here.
Have you stayed at a moderate resort? What do you think is the best moderate resort? What do you think is the worst? Let me know in the comments below. It really does help our readers out.
