Are you at a place where you want to stay at one of the plush resorts, but your budget tells you no? Or maybe you’ve splurged for an expensive hotel in the past and felt you paid too much. Sometimes, a compromise is in order. Often, that compromise is a moderate resort.

A moderate resort falls between two categories: value and deluxe. These resorts won’t offer as many amenities as the nicer category, but they will cost considerably less. Moderate resorts are also a step up in amenities from value resorts. Therefore, you will have a few upgrades that aren’t available at value resorts.

As we continue, we’ll rank the best moderate resorts at Disney World and discuss amenities and other benefits you can expect. Most will find that Disney’s moderate resorts are often the perfect fit. Let’s see why!

Caribbean Beach comes in second on our rankings for best moderate. Between the Skyliner and the gorgeous landscape, it could just as easily be number one. As far as accommodations go, we love the updated “Under the Sea” themed rooms in the Trinidad section of the resort. Unfortunately, however, the rooms across the rest of the resort are somewhat dull and dated. They have been updated in recent years, but not nearly as much as the other moderate resorts. It’s my only real complaint about Caribbean Beach.

On the flip side, being able to hop on the Skyliner to access nearby Epcot and Hollywood Studios is a tremendous amenity. I often overhear guests saying the Skyliner is the best ride at Walt Disney World. Disney’s Caribbean Beach also sits directly next to Disney’s Riviera Resort. That means you’ll have even more dining options within walking distance. (Good dining options.)

Caribbean Beach has an island, Caribbean Cay. You’ll have plenty to explore, including sandy beaches, a playground, and swings. The resort also has quiet pools in each of its villages. For more of our thoughts, see our Disney’s Caribbean Beach Review.

That leaves our number one spot to Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. While I like to give Caribbean Beach a bit of an edge for the Skyliner, Coronado Springs is arguably the nicer of the two resorts. Don’t get me wrong, they are both so lovely.

Over the last year, we’ve stayed at Coronado Springs and Gran Destino Tower. Gran Destino is a separate interior hotel that feels more like a deluxe resort than a moderate. It even has a club level called the Chronos Club. This is an expensive upgrade you might consider if you want to splurge. A stay in this interior hotel commands a higher price tag than the villages.

As far as the villages, you can’t go wrong if you’re interested in a unique Southwestern feel, with desert-like landscapes and stunning views of the central lake. During our stay at the regular portion of the resort, we were in the Cabanas. It’s an excellent location between Gran Destino and the resort’s Dig Site pool and recreation area. The Dig Site is included in our list of the best pools at Disney World.

Coronado Springs has more restaurants than any other moderate resort. While they don’t have a formal signature restaurant, they have Toledo, Tapas, Steak, and Seafood, which is comparable to fine dining. This moderate also has a walk-up restaurant in the middle of the lake, Three Bridges Bar and Grill. It’s an excellent place to lounge or enjoy an entire meal. 

Coronado Springs is also the only moderate resort that offers a fitness center. Some might consider its sizable convention center to be a drawback. But it’s also the reason this resort offers more amenities than other resorts in its class. It is the most well-rounded of the moderate resorts. For more details, see our Coronado Springs Resort Review.

Another thing that sets moderate resorts apart is their dining options. Each one (with one exception) has a counter-service restaurant, a pool bar, a table-service restaurant, and a lounge. 

Unfortunately, none of the moderates offer signature dining locations or character dining. You’ll only find those types of restaurants at the deluxe resorts. All moderates have food courts with multiple stations offering various cuisines.

Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter differs here as well. This resort is home to Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory, an excellent counter service option. Unfortunately, the resort has no formal table service restaurant. However, most will agree it’s unnecessary because Port Orleans Riverside is within walking distance. Guests can enjoy Riverside Mill Food Court and Boatwright’s Dining Hall at Riverside.

If you would like to learn more about the dining options at the moderate resorts, we have restaurant guides for each one:

• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Restaurant Guide
• Disney’s Coronado Springs Restaurant Guide
• Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Restaurant Guide
• Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Restaurant Guide

Moderate resorts offer slightly larger rooms than the value resorts. However, the main difference is that the resort’s guest baths have two sinks. For comparison, value resorts only have one sink with less counter space. 

Another noteworthy factor is that many of the moderate resorts have undergone refurbishment in the past couple of years with significant room updates. For example, this last year, we stayed in a standard room at Port Orleans French Quarter. We loved this room and thought it was comfortable for a week’s stay. Our room felt more like a deluxe room with its simple furnishings, solid surface floor, and functional layout. 

One potentially negative factor regarding accommodations at the moderate resorts is the layout. Except for the French Quarter, the moderate resorts are massive in size. Each portion of the resort is spread out into villages or sections. Therefore, you could have a significant walk to your room when coming and going around the resort. 

Thankfully, the larger resorts have internal bus stops, so bus transportation should be available near your room. If you are concerned about having too much of a walk at a moderate resort, consider upgrading to a preferred room or looking closer at Port Orleans French Quarter, which has a boutique layout. 

Additionally, all the moderates have exterior room access. By this, I mean that moderate resorts are not like hotels with interior hallways to access rooms. You’ll enter your room from the outside. As far as views, it would be to the exterior walkway outside your room, and then a view of whatever the room was facing. (Disney has done away with most moderate view room upgrades going into 2026.)

There’s only one location in this class of resorts that’s an exception: Gran Destino Tower. This tower hotel is an addition to Coronado Springs Resort and offers interior room access. So if staying inside a hotel is important, Gran Destino Tower is your only moderate option. We have a Gran Destino Tower Review if you want to learn more.

Lastly, I want to point out one other important factor: elevators. Unfortunately, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort does not have any elevators. So if you’re on the second floor of one of the buildings, it could be challenging dealing with luggage, strollers, etc. (The Alligator Bayou portion of Port Orleans Riverside does not have elevators either. While I wouldn’t let that keep me from staying here, I might request a room on the first floor.)

Transportation is another aspect to consider when choosing one of Disney’s moderate resorts. Coronado Springs is a simple resort that only offers bus transportation to and from the theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs. This is a large resort with an internal bus system, so you shouldn’t have to walk far to reach the bus stop nearest your room.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach offers the Disney Skyliner to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Bus service is provided to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, the water parks, and Disney Springs. It’s important to note that you must take the Skyliner for Epcot and Hollywood Studios. The only time an alternative is provided is when the Skyliner is down.

At Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter, bus service is provided to the theme parks and Disney Springs. Guests also have the option to take a water taxi to Disney Springs. Given their proximity, the Port Orleans Resorts are excellent choices if you plan to spend a decent amount of time at Disney Springs.

Fort Wilderness offers resort boat service to the Magic Kingdom. Additionally, the resort provides bus service to all other Disney theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs. Due to the campground’s vast size, most guests will have to take an internal bus around the resort to get to the central bus station. Alternatively, you could bring or rent a bike or golf cart to travel back and forth to the bus stop or boat dock.

We have transportation guides for each moderate resort that offer specific details on how to get to and from popular destinations. We’ve put a good deal of work into these guides. They are packed with tips for using transportation efficiently.

• Transportation Options at Disney’s Caribbean Beach
• Transportation Options at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
• Transportation Options at Port Orleans Riverside Resort
• Transportation Options at Port Orleans French Quarter Resort
• Transportation Options at Disney’s Fort Wilderness