When it comes to choosing your accommodations for a Disney World vacation is often a deep comparison of cost vs. amenities. Disney World resorts are categorized in 3 levels: Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. Deluxe resorts also offer villas with 1-,2-, and 3-bedroom accommodations with full kitchens. While the deluxe level rooms have the highest price tag, and the value resorts are the least expensive, moderate level hotels are in the middle.
Moderate level resorts offer an equal balance of budget friendly and spacious rooms. Here’s what you need to know about staying at a Disney World moderate resort.
First, for any Disney related travel plans, let me encourage you to utilize the service of a travel professional that specializes in Disney Destinations.
What you need to know
There are MANY benefits for staying at a Disney World Moderate Resort. However, there are also some cons that go along with them. In general, the moderate resorts will offer more spacious rooms, more dining options, and more transportation options.
There is a down side…
That being said, the cons are to be considered. For one, the larger accommodation doesn’t necessarily mean it sleeps more guests. In addition, some of the moderate resorts are sprawling and require a lot of patience when it comes to transportation.
Accommodations
Overall, the Disney World moderate resort rooms are bigger than the value resort rooms. The average moderate resort room is approximately 314 square feet. An average value resort room is approximately 260 square feet. That additional 54 square feet gives you more breathing room and storage. It does not however, necessarily give you space for more guests to sleep.
Some moderate rooms will sleep up to 5 guests if the 5th guest is a child. Those resorts include the Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter and Port Orleans Riverside as well as Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. These moderate resorts feature a small pull-down single bed, that is beautifully themed for the little one. It is far too small for an adult.
On the other hand, more space is more space. Part of the drawback of staying at a value resort is that the rooms are very small. If you are a family of 4 or 5, the Disney World moderate resort rooms would be far more comfortable. This is especially true if you plan to spend any length of time inside your resort room.
The cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort are considered to be moderate level accommodations. These cabins not only sleep up to 6 people, but also feature a full kitchen, include an outdoor deck, a grill and many extra activities available at this resort. In addition, as part of the Magic Kingdom area resorts, your stay in a cabin brings you closer to the magic.
Dining
One of the perks of staying at a moderate resort is that there are more dining options at the resort. As opposed to the value resorts which have 1 food court style dining option, moderate resorts offer at least one sit down restaurant experience at each. That benefits you and your family if you aren’t looking to travel too far for the relaxing experience of table service dining.
Both of the Port Orleans resorts share one sit down restaurant, Boatwrights, located at Port Orleans Riverside. These 2 moderate sister resorts are side by side. The restaurant is easily accessible and within walking distance of Port Orleans French Quarter.
Disney World moderate resorts, with the exception of Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside, are generally sprawling. Meaning they are large, have a lot of buildings, many of which are not close to the main building (dining), and they cover a lot of ground.
So, if you’re room is far from the main building and dining options, you may need to take an internal bus or walk a good distance to get to the restaurant.
Transportation at Disney World Moderate Resorts
When it comes to transportation, it can be said that it can make or break your vacation. Disney buses fill up quickly and for the most part take a longer time to get to where they are going depending on the route and traffic within the resort area.
Some of the Disney World moderate resorts offer other options that provide for a quicker and more relaxing mode of travel to your destination. For example, Caribbean Beach Resort has its own Skyliner station. The Skyliner will get you to Epcot, Epcot area resorts (dining), Skyliner resorts and Hollywood Studios much faster than the buses. Be aware that the line at the skyliner station can get quite long at prime times of park travel during the day and night.
Also, the Port Orleans resorts are on the Sassagoula river and boat transportation is available for a direct, short, and relaxing trip straight to Disney Springs. They only mode of transportation to the parks from the Port Orleans resorts is bus unfortunately but, as I mentioned, these resorts are small, and service is generally not a hassle.
Pricing of Disney World Moderate Resorts
Disney World moderate resorts compared to a standard room at a value resort can run $120-$150 a night more depending on the dates of your travel. You are paying for the perks mentioned above, so if space, dining options and more transportation is important to you, you should consider a moderate resort.
Theming of Disney World Moderate Resorts
If theming is important to you, you want to consider which Disney moderate resort you wish to stay. While the value resorts are heavily themed, moderate resorts, like Disney’s Coronado Springs could feel lacking.
On the contrary, the newly built Grand Destino Tower at Coronado Springs is stunning, plush and feels like a deluxe resort at a moderate resort price point. If luxury at a discount cost is what you are looking for, the Tower Rooms at Coronado Springs Resort are perfect.
The Port Orleans resorts are beautifully themed to New Orleans luster and elegance. At Port Orleans French Quarter, stay and play alongside all the jazz and colorfulness of a Mardi Gras celebration. At Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, guests feel like they are vacationing among the islands of the Caribbean. What you may not find is the over the top and clear “Disney” theming you may expect.
Everyone has a different idea of staying on Disney property. I hope you found this information helpful when it comes to making a choice on a Disney moderate resort for your trip.
Are you thinking about your next vacation? Reach out to DizN Vacations! Their team of experienced and knowledgeable travel advisors will help you build your best vacation. You can also submit a free no obligation quote request to start planning your trip right away.
Continue to read my blogs and use my tools page for information, tips and a packing list for your next vacation.
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