Disney World Moderate Resorts offer upgraded pools, more dining choices, and additional space without the price of a Deluxe hotel. Here’s how every Disney World Moderate Resort compares, including rooms, transportation, restaurants, pools, and which one is best for your vacation.

Disney World Moderate Resorts occupy the middle ground between the budget-friendly Value hotels and the more expensive Deluxe Resorts. They offer more elaborate grounds, upgraded pools, larger rooms, and additional dining options while still costing considerably less than many Deluxe properties.

But the four Moderate Resorts are surprisingly different. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort provides Disney Skyliner transportation, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort has amenities that can feel closer to a Deluxe hotel, and the two Port Orleans resorts offer peaceful waterfront settings and boat transportation to Disney Springs.

To help you choose, we’re comparing every Disney World Moderate Resort, including transportation, dining, rooms, pools, benefits, and the pros and cons you should consider before booking.

Disney World Moderate Resorts at a Glance

There are four Disney World Moderate Resort hotels:

• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
• Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort was previously included in many Moderate Resort comparisons. However, the new Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort are Disney Vacation Club accommodations categorized as Deluxe Villas. The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort are listed separately as campground accommodations.

What Is a Disney World Moderate Resort?

A Disney World Moderate Resort is a mid-tier hotel within the Disney Resorts Collection. Moderate hotels generally cost more than Value Resorts but less than Deluxe Resorts.

Moderate Resorts like Port Orleans – Riverside are very spread out. Photo by Cliff Wang

Compared with Disney World Value Resorts, Moderate Resorts typically offer:

• Larger standard rooms
• More subtly themed accommodations
• Feature pools with waterslides and hot tubs
• Table-service dining at most properties
• Lounges and pool bars
• More extensive landscaping and grounds
• Additional recreation
• Coffee makers in standard rooms
• Ceiling fans in many rooms
• Multiple transportation options at select resorts

Most Moderate Resort rooms have exterior entrances, meaning the room door opens to an outdoor walkway rather than an interior hallway. The primary exception is Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, which offers an interior hotel layout and amenities that feel closer to those found at a Deluxe Resort.

Moderate Resorts generally do not provide the walking or monorail access found at some Deluxe hotels. However, Caribbean Beach offers Disney Skyliner transportation, while both Port Orleans resorts offer boat service to Disney Springs.

Disney World Moderate Resort Benefits

Guests at Disney World Moderate Resorts receive the same core on-site benefits offered at other Disney Resort hotels.

Early Theme Park Entry

Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels can enter any of the four theme parks 30 minutes before the official opening time each day.

Early Theme Park Entry is available throughout your stay, including your check-in and check-out days, as long as you have valid theme park admission and meet any applicable park-entry requirements.

Advance Lightning Lane Purchasing

Guests at Disney Resort hotels can purchase Lightning Lane passes and begin selecting experiences up to seven days before the first day of their stay. Eligible guests can plan for the entire length of their stay, up to 14 days.

Lightning Lane availability, attractions, and purchasing rules are subject to change, so confirm the current process before your booking window opens.

Complimentary Disney Transportation

All Moderate Resorts offer complimentary transportation around Walt Disney World. Every property provides bus transportation, while Caribbean Beach and the Port Orleans resorts also have additional options.

Photo by CJ Ayd

Transportation includes:

• Disney Skyliner service at Caribbean Beach
• Boat transportation to Disney Springs from Port Orleans
• Bus transportation to the theme parks and Disney Springs
• Complimentary transportation between many Disney destinations

Unlike guests at Deluxe Resorts, Moderate Resort guests do not typically qualify for Extended Evening Theme Park Hours.

Resort-Wide Charging and Direct-to-Room Service

Guests can charge eligible purchases to their Disney Resort hotel folio and use Direct-to-Room Service through the My Disney Experience app. Once your room is ready, you can view your room number and unlock the door without stopping at the front desk.

Every Disney World Moderate Resort

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is inspired by five Caribbean islands: Barbados, Jamaica, Martinique, Trinidad, and Aruba. Colorful buildings, sandy beaches, hammocks, and tropical landscaping surround the resort’s lake.

Its biggest advantage is the Disney Skyliner. Caribbean Beach serves as the central hub of the Skyliner system, providing direct gondola transportation to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Guests can also use the Skyliner to visit Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is the Skyliner’s main hub, offering easy transportation. Photo by Danny Shuster

This convenience makes Caribbean Beach one of the best Moderate Resorts for guests planning to spend significant time at EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.

The tradeoff is the resort’s size. Caribbean Beach is expansive, and the distance between your room, the lobby, dining, pool, bus stop, and Skyliner station can vary considerably. Reviewing a resort map before submitting a room request can make a major difference.

Caribbean Beach Rooms

Most rooms at Caribbean Beach sleep up to four guests, while select rooms include a child-size fifth sleeper. Room categories may include Standard, Water or Pool View, King Bed, Preferred, and five-person accommodations.

Photo by Timothy Moore

Many of the resort’s newer themed rooms are located in the Trinidad section. These rooms incorporate details inspired by The Little Mermaid and can sleep up to five guests.

Caribbean Beach Dining

Caribbean Beach offers one of the more varied dining lineups among the Moderate Resorts:

• Sebastian’s Bistro
• Centertown Market
• Centertown Market Grab & Go
• Spyglass Grill
• Banana Cabana
• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Pizza Delivery

Sebastian’s Bistro is the resort’s table-service restaurant and serves a family-style dinner. Guests can also reach the restaurants at Disney’s Riviera Resort by taking the Skyliner or walking along the connecting pathway.

Caribbean Beach Pools

Fuentes del Morro Pool is the resort’s main feature pool. The Spanish fortress-themed area includes two waterslides, water cannons, a zero-entry section, a hot tub, and a nearby aquatic play area for younger children.

Photo by Brett Svenson

Five additional leisure pools are located throughout the resort.

Best for: Families, Skyliner access, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios
Transportation: Skyliner to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios; buses to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs
Biggest advantage: The best theme park transportation of any Moderate Resort
Potential disadvantage: Large footprint and potentially long walks

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort combines Spanish, Mexican, and Southwestern influences around the shores of Lago Dorado. It is also Disney World’s primary convention resort, which gives it a distinctly different atmosphere from the other Moderate hotels.

The resort’s biggest draw is Gran Destino Tower. Its impressive lobby, interior hallways, lounges, restaurants, Club Level accommodations, and modern rooms make it feel more like a Deluxe hotel than a traditional Moderate Resort.

Gran Destino. Photo by Abby Richardson

Even outside the tower, Coronado Springs offers amenities not usually associated with the Moderate category, including fitness centers, multiple lounges, a salon, and an extensive restaurant lineup.

The primary drawback is transportation. Buses are the only complimentary Disney transportation to the theme parks and Disney Springs. The resort also has multiple internal bus stops, which can add time to a trip.

Coronado Springs Rooms

Accommodations are spread across the Casitas, Ranchos, and Cabanas villages, along with Gran Destino Tower.

Photo by Danny Shuster

Standard resort room categories may include:

• Standard View
• Water View
• King Bed
• Preferred Room
• Suites

Gran Destino Tower offers:

• Standard View rooms
• Water View rooms
• King Bed rooms
• Club-access rooms
• One-bedroom and other specialty suites

Travelers who prefer interior hallways, central dining, and a traditional hotel experience should consider Gran Destino Tower. Guests who want easier access to the Dig Site pool may prefer one of the outer villages.

Coronado Springs Dining

Coronado Springs has the largest and most varied dining collection of any Disney World Moderate Resort. Options include:

• Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood
• Three Bridges Bar & Grill at Villa del Lago
• Rix Sports Bar & Grill
• Maya Grill
• El Mercado de Coronado
• Cafe Rix
• Siestas Cantina
• Dahlia Lounge
• Barcelona Lounge
• Laguna Bar

Toledo and Dahlia Lounge are located at the top of Gran Destino Tower, while Three Bridges sits in the middle of Lago Dorado. The resort is an especially strong choice for adults who want good restaurants and lounges without leaving their hotel.

Coronado Springs Pools

The Dig Site is Coronado Springs’ main recreation complex. Its Lost City of Cibola Pool is built around a 50-foot pyramid and includes the Jaguar Slide.

Photo by Danny Shuster

The area also includes a large hot tub, a playground, a volleyball court, and the Siestas Cantina pool bar. Three quieter leisure pools are located throughout the resort.

Best for: Adults, couples, dining, conventions, and Deluxe-style amenities
Transportation: Buses to all four theme parks and Disney Springs
Biggest advantage: Gran Destino Tower and extensive dining
Potential disadvantage: Large footprint and bus-only transportation

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter recreates the atmosphere of New Orleans’ historic French Quarter with wrought-iron balconies, cobblestone-style streets, colorful buildings, fountains, and courtyards.

Photo by Brett Svenson

French Quarter is the smallest Disney World Moderate Resort, which is one of its greatest advantages. The compact layout makes it relatively easy to reach the lobby, food court, pool, boat dock, and bus stop from any building.

The resort has only one bus stop, eliminating the lengthy internal bus loops found at Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, and Port Orleans – Riverside.

French Quarter does not have a traditional table-service restaurant, but guests can walk or take a boat to Riverside for additional dining. Guests at the two Port Orleans properties can also use the amenities and pools at both resorts.

Port Orleans – French Quarter Rooms

Most French Quarter rooms sleep up to four guests.

Photo by Brett Svenson

Categories may include:

• Standard View
• Garden View
• Pool View
• River View
• King Bed

The rooms feature understated references to The Princess and the Frog and New Orleans, although the design is less heavily Disney-themed than the rooms at many Value Resorts.

Port Orleans – French Quarter Dining

Dining options include:

• Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory
• Scat Cat’s Club – Lounge
• Scat Cat’s Club – Cafe
• Mardi Grogs

Scat Cat’s Club – Cafe is especially popular for its Mickey-shaped beignets. For a table-service meal, guests can travel to Boatwright’s Dining Hall at Riverside or take a boat to the restaurants at Disney Springs.

Port Orleans – French Quarter Pool

Doubloon Lagoon is the resort’s feature pool. Its Mardi Gras theme includes a sea-serpent waterslide and colorful alligator figures.

The French Quarter pool features this unforgettable serpent slide. Photo by Wayne Wood

French Quarter does not have separate leisure pools, but registered guests can use the pools at neighboring Port Orleans – Riverside.

Best for: Couples, adults, shorter walks, and a quieter atmosphere
Transportation: Buses to the theme parks; boat or bus to Disney Springs
Biggest advantage: Compact size and single bus stop
Potential disadvantage: No table-service restaurant on-site

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside is a sprawling waterfront property inspired by rural Louisiana. Its two distinct sections offer different versions of Southern theming.

Photo by Laurie Sapp

Magnolia Bend features stately mansion-style buildings, formal gardens, and fountains. Alligator Bayou has more rustic buildings surrounded by wooded pathways and waterways.

Riverside’s extensive landscaping makes it one of the most peaceful Disney World hotels. However, it is considerably larger than French Quarter, and some rooms can be a long walk from the lobby, restaurants, or main pool.

Port Orleans – Riverside Rooms

Most Riverside rooms sleep up to four guests, but select accommodations in Alligator Bayou include a child-size fifth sleeper.

Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort is the ONLY place at WDW where you can stay in a Royal Room. Photo by Mike Billick.

Room categories may include:

• Standard View
• Woods View
• River View
• Pool View
• Preferred Room
• King Bed
• Five-person rooms

Riverside is also home to Royal Guest Rooms inspired by Princess Tiana and her royal friends. These specialty rooms include decorative touches, character artwork, and themed headboards.

The Royal Guest Rooms are located in Magnolia Bend. Families prioritizing the five-person room configuration should look at eligible rooms in Alligator Bayou instead.

Port Orleans – Riverside Dining

Dining options include:

• Boatwright’s Dining Hall
• Riverside Mill Food Court
• River Roost
• Muddy Rivers

Boatwright’s Dining Hall serves Southern and Louisiana-inspired dishes at dinner. River Roost is also home to performances by popular Disney entertainer Yehaa Bob Jackson on select nights.

Guests can walk, bus, or take a boat to French Quarter for additional quick-service choices and beignets.

Port Orleans – Riverside Pools

Ol’ Man Island is Riverside’s main recreation area. The feature pool includes a sawmill-themed waterslide, hot tub, kiddie pool, and nearby pool bar.

Photo by Brett Svenson

The resort also has five leisure pools spread between the Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend sections. Riverside guests can use Doubloon Lagoon at French Quarter as well.

Best for: Peaceful grounds, families of five, and Royal Guest Rooms
Transportation: Buses to the theme parks; boat or bus to Disney Springs
Biggest advantage: Beautiful grounds and varied room options
Potential disadvantage: Large layout and multiple internal bus stops

Disney World Moderate Resort Transportation

Transportation varies significantly among the four Moderate Resorts and should be a major factor in your decision.

Disney Skyliner Transportation

Caribbean Beach is the only Moderate Resort with Disney Skyliner service. Direct routes connect the resort with EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The Skyliner station at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Photo by Laurie Sapp

Because Caribbean Beach is the system’s central hub, guests can usually board the EPCOT or Hollywood Studios line without transferring from another route.

The Skyliner does not operate during certain weather conditions, and planned maintenance closures can occur. Buses may be provided when the Skyliner is unavailable.

Boat Transportation to Disney Springs

Port Orleans – French Quarter and Port Orleans – Riverside offer boat transportation along the Sassagoula River to Disney Springs.

Photo by Timothy Moore

This can be a relaxing alternative to the bus, although service may be suspended because of weather, water conditions, or operational changes.

Disney Bus Transportation

All four Moderate Resorts offer bus transportation.

• Caribbean Beach: Buses to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs
• Coronado Springs: Buses to all four theme parks and Disney Springs
• French Quarter: Buses to all four theme parks
• Riverside: Buses to all four theme parks

French Quarter has one central bus stop. Riverside, Caribbean Beach, and Coronado Springs have multiple stops located around their grounds.

Disney World Moderate Resort Dining

Most Moderate Resorts offer more dining choices than Disney World Value Resorts. However, the selection varies considerably by property.

Sebastian’s Bistro, like all Moderate Resort restaurants, fits the theming at Disney’s Caribbean Beach in menu and style. Photo by Danny Shuster

Coronado Springs has the strongest overall restaurant lineup, with multiple table-service restaurants, lounges, quick-service options, and rooftop dining. Caribbean Beach offers a table-service restaurant, food court, pool bar, and convenient access to Riviera dining.

Port Orleans – Riverside has a table-service restaurant and food court. French Quarter is the only Moderate Resort without a traditional table-service restaurant, but guests can easily reach Riverside or Disney Springs.

Disney World Moderate Resort Rooms

Standard Moderate Resort rooms are generally larger than rooms at Disney World Value Resorts. Most sleep up to four adults, although select rooms at Caribbean Beach and Riverside accommodate a fifth guest using a child-size pull-down bed.

Possible Moderate Resort room features include:

• Two queen beds or one king bed
• A coffee maker
• A beverage cooler
• A table or small seating area
• A split bathroom and vanity area
• Additional storage
• A child-size fifth sleeper in select rooms

Exact layouts and sleeping arrangements vary, so always review the details of your specific room category before booking.

Disney World Moderate Resort Pools

Every Moderate Resort has a themed feature pool with a waterslide and hot tub. This is one of the most notable differences between the Moderate and Value categories, as Value Resort feature pools do not have waterslides or hot tubs.

Photo by Danny Shuster

Our picks include:

• Best Moderate Resort pool for young children: Caribbean Beach
• Best Moderate Resort pool for older children: Coronado Springs
• Best pool with a compact resort layout: French Quarter
• Best for multiple quiet pools: Riverside

Pool hopping is generally not permitted between Disney Resort hotels. The exception is guests staying at Port Orleans – French Quarter and Riverside, who can use the pools at both sister properties.

How Much Do Disney World Moderate Resorts Cost?

Disney World Moderate Resort prices vary according to the hotel, room category, travel dates, and current discounts. Rates frequently begin in the $200s per night but can climb considerably during holidays, school breaks, and other high-demand periods.

Gran Destino Tower rooms, Club Level accommodations, suites, Preferred Rooms, Royal Guest Rooms, and rooms with upgraded views typically cost more than standard rooms.

Before booking, compare:

• Disney’s direct room-only rates
• Disney World vacation packages
• Current resort promotions
• Florida resident discounts
• Annual Passholder offers
• Eligible third-party discounts
• Rates at Disney World Value and Deluxe Resorts

The least expensive Moderate is not always the best value for every trip. Paying slightly more for Caribbean Beach could save transportation time, while French Quarter’s compact layout may be worth a premium for families who want to avoid long walks.

Are Disney World Moderate Resorts Worth It?

A Disney World Moderate Resort can be worth the additional expense if you want upgraded pools, more relaxing grounds, larger rooms, and more dining choices than a Value Resort provides.

They are particularly appealing to guests who plan to spend time at their hotel instead of treating it only as a place to sleep.

A Moderate Resort may be worth it if:

• You want a pool with a waterslide and hot tub
• You prefer quieter or more detailed resort theming
• Your family needs a room with a fifth sleeper
• You want an on-site table-service restaurant
• You will use Skyliner or Disney Springs boat transportation
• You want upgraded amenities without paying Deluxe prices

A Value Resort may make more sense if you plan to spend nearly all your time in the parks, want the lowest possible Disney-owned hotel rate, or prefer oversized Disney character theming.

Which Disney World Moderate Resort Is Best?

The best Moderate Resort depends on which features matter most to your group.

• Best overall transportation: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
• Best for EPCOT and Hollywood Studios: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
• Best for adults: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
• Best dining: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
• Best Deluxe-style experience: Gran Destino Tower
• Best for shorter walks: Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
• Best for couples: Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
• Best for families of five: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort or Port Orleans – Riverside
• Best themed rooms: Port Orleans – Riverside
• Best quiet atmosphere: Port Orleans – Riverside
• Best Disney Springs access: Either Port Orleans Resort

For many families, Caribbean Beach provides the most practical advantage because of the Skyliner. But if convenient transportation to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios is not your priority, French Quarter’s smaller size or Coronado Springs’ upgraded amenities may be a better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Disney World Moderate Resorts are there?

There are four Disney World Moderate Resort hotels: Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans – French Quarter, and Port Orleans – Riverside.

Is Fort Wilderness a Disney World Moderate Resort?

The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort are currently categorized as Disney Deluxe Villas. The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort fall under Disney’s campground accommodations rather than the Moderate hotel category.

Which Disney World Moderate Resort has the best transportation?

Caribbean Beach has the best theme park transportation because the Disney Skyliner provides direct service to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The two Port Orleans resorts have convenient boat service to Disney Springs but use buses for theme park transportation.

Which Disney Moderate Resort is the smallest?

Port Orleans – French Quarter is the smallest Disney World Moderate Resort. Its compact layout and single bus stop make it easier to navigate than the other Moderate properties.

Which Disney Moderate Resorts sleep five?

Select rooms at Caribbean Beach and Port Orleans – Riverside sleep up to five guests. The fifth sleeping surface is typically designed for a child, so check its dimensions and your room’s exact capacity before booking.

Do Disney World Moderate Resorts include free breakfast?

No. Breakfast is not included with a standard Disney World Moderate Resort reservation. Each resort has dining locations where breakfast can be purchased.

Do Moderate Resort guests get Extended Evening Theme Park Hours?

No. Extended Evening Theme Park Hours are generally reserved for guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts, Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts, and other specifically eligible hotels.

Moderate Resort guests do receive Early Theme Park Entry.

Do Disney Moderate Resorts have interior hallways?

Most Moderate Resort rooms have exterior entrances. Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs is the notable exception, offering interior hallways and a more traditional hotel layout.

Can Port Orleans guests use both resorts’ pools?

Yes. Registered guests at Port Orleans – French Quarter and Port Orleans – Riverside can use the pools at both sister resorts.

Which Disney Moderate Resort is best for families?

Caribbean Beach is our overall pick for families because of its Skyliner transportation, child-friendly pool, and rooms that can accommodate five guests. French Quarter may be better for families who prioritize a compact layout and shorter walks.