Moderate Resorts with Amazing Amenities!

I love staying at the moderate resorts while at Walt Disney World Resort! I’ve stayed at each one, and I honestly can’t pick a favorite because each has something special that stands out from the others.  The moderate resorts at the Walt Disney World Resort include: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort Riverside, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort French Quarter, and The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.  I’m going to give a rundown of the perks of staying on site at a Walt Disney World moderate resort.

Photo Courtesy of Disney

Accommodations

There are a variety of room accommodations available at the Walt Disney World moderate resorts.  Prices range according to which room view you choose, but most rooms come with either 2 queen beds or 1 king bed.  While these are the main offerings at a moderate resort, there are certain resorts that offer a little extra magic.  Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort offers pirate themed rooms which have double size beds, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort Riverside offers Royal Guest Rooms with fiber-optic firework displays in the headboards, and Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort offers suites that sleep up to 6 Guests and a whirlpool tub.

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Dining

Moderate resorts also have a variety of dining options available on site.  All of the moderate resorts include food court style dining where Guests can order from different stations or grab and go from coolers and displays.  Four of the moderate resorts have casual table service restaurants on property, where Guests are seated and waited upon by Cast Members.  Except for Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Guests can spend time enjoying some libations and entertainment in one of the resort lounges.  Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort does have a bar located just outside of Old Port Royale. Disney’s Port Orleans Resort Riverside  probably has the most popular lounge of the moderate resorts due to the famous Yee Haw Bob who makes appearances on certain nights.

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Transportation

Each of the moderate resorts provides bus transportation to all four theme parks, the two water parks, and Disney Springs.  In addition to the bus, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort Riverside and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort French Quarter offer a water taxi service from the resorts to Disney Springs.

Pools

Pools are an important part of the decision making process in choosing a resort.  The warm climate at Walt Disney World Resort means that the pools can be used nearly year-round.  All of the moderate resorts include large main pools with waterslides.  Most also have at least one smaller, quieter pool located in another area in the resort.  Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort boasts the largest number of pools at seven, while Disney’s Port Orleans Resort French Quarter only has one pool, but is only a short walk away from Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside which has six.

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Activities and Entertainment

There is SO much to do at the moderate resorts!   Horse and carriage rides are available at both of Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts for a lovely ride down the Sassagoula River.  Fishing equipment is available at most moderate resorts.  At some resorts, according to availability, watercraft may be available to rent – see the concierge desk to ask if this this is an option during your stay!  Kids will love the arcades, playgrounds, and nightly movies.

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There is one outlier in the moderate resort category that I feel needs a section of its own.  The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground stand out from the others.  Each cabin sleeps up to 6 Guests with a double bed and a bunk bed in the bedroom and a double-sized murphy bed that pulls down in the living room.  Cabins are equipped with their own full kitchen.  The cabins do cost more than a regular moderate resort room, but they offer a full kitchen and separate living and sleeping areas.  Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground has a plethora of activities available on site such as archery, bike riding, canoeing, kayaking, watercraft and golf cart rentals, and many more.  The main pool is very large and has a great waterslide.  There is also a kiddie splash area for the little ones adjacent to the main pool.  There is not a food court style dining option but there is a dinner show, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, and also a fabulous buffet restaurant, Trail’s End Restaurant.  Kids will love the nightly marshmallow roast and sing-a-long with Chip and Dale before the Movie Under the Stars begins. I love Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, and could go on and on, so for more information, you can check out an article I wrote that goes into more detail here.

Cabins – Photo by Disney

I love all of the activities and amenities that Walt Disney World Resorts moderate priced resorts have.  They are, in my opinion, the best resort category for families.  They offer a little more than the value resorts, but not so much that my kids can’t appreciate what’s available at the deluxe resorts.  If you’ve never stayed at one of the moderate resorts, I encourage you to give them a try!  They offer a lot of bang for their moderate price.

Port Orleans French Quarter as seen from the boat

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