Disney World Hotel Reviews (An Insider’s Perspective)

Moderate Resorts

Now that we’ve reviewed the deluxe and deluxe villa resorts, let’s examine an entirely different class of resorts: moderates. Moderate resorts fall between the value and deluxe categories.

The Complete Guide to Disney’s Moderate Resorts

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Review

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is a beautiful, moderate resort hotel option. It offers a Southwestern flair with desert-like landscapes. A beautiful lake centers the property. When staying at Coronado Springs, two options are available. First, you can stay in the traditional portion of the resort. Each of these villages surrounds the lake with its pros and cons.

Or you can stay in Gran Destino Tower, an exception for the moderates. This tower hotel offers interior room access, so it leans a little more deluxe than moderate. Naturally, Gran Destino’s main tower rooms are higher than rooms in the village. However, they won’t be as expensive as a deluxe resort. We have a separate review of staying at Gran Destino Tower if you want to learn more.

The Resort Rundown

• Resort Type: Moderate Resort
• Rooms: Neutral with Disney Theming and Fun Pops of Orange
• Closest Park: Within Walking Distance to Magic Kingdom
• Dining: Table Service, Quick Service, Pool Bars, and Lounges
• Pools: Multiple Pools, Water Slide, Kiddie Pool
• Transportation: Buses Only
• Learn More: Disney’s Coronado Springs Review
• Additional Review: Gran Destino Tower Review
• Club Level Review: Chronos Club Level Review

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Review

As you can probably imagine, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort has island themes. Each village is named after an island. The resort is centered around a lake with beautiful grounds. While the resort is somewhat lacking in dining options, you can take advantage of the nearby Disney’s Riviera Resort, which is within walking distance.

The most considerable appeal of staying at Caribbean Beach is that it’s on the Disney Skyliner. It’s the only moderate resort that provides access to the gondola transportation service. The Skyliner travels to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot

You’ll want to know that the resort is vast, so it could require a lot of extra walking. Also, this resort does not have elevators, so if you get a second-floor room assignment, you’ll have to deal with the stairs.

The Resort Rundown

• Resort Type: Moderate Resort
• Rooms: Neutral Semi-Tropical or Under the Sea Theming (Varies)
• Closest Park: Skyliner Ride Away from Hollywood Studios and Epcot
• Dining: Table Service, Quick Service, Pool Bars, and Lounges
• Pools: Multiple Pools, Water Slide, Aquatic Play Area
• Transportation: Skyliner, Buses, Walking Path to Disney’s Riviera Resort
• Learn More: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Review

Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort Review

There’s no denying that Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside is as beautiful as the other moderate resorts at Walt Disney World. But remember, when picking one of these hotels, it is best to choose the one that appeals most to you. At Port Orleans Resort Riverside, you can expect the charm of the South with a bayou influence. Also, expect impeccable landscaping in the mansion section of the resort. Everything here is crisp and clean, with bright green grass accenting the stark white mansions.

Or, if you choose to stay in Alligator Bayou, get ready to fall in love with the woodsy-swamp setting. From the romantic Spanish moss swaying from the trees to the water features and woods, this resort is stunning. The only downside is that the resort is massive. If your room borders the outskirts of the resort, expect a decent amount of extra walking. However, the regulars will tell you that it’s a pleasant place to walk.

The Resort Rundown

• Resort Type: Moderate Resort
• Rooms: Will Be Updated in 2025-2026
• Closest To: Boat Ride to Disney Springs
• Dining: Table Service, Quick Service, Pool Bars, and Lounges
• Pools: Multiple Pools, Water Slide, Kiddie Pool
• Transportation: Buses, Boat Ride to Disney Springs Only
• Learn More: Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Review

Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Review

If you prefer to stay “in town,” you will probably love Riverside’s sister resort, Port Orleans French Quarter, which is within walking distance of Riverside. However, it’s much smaller than other resorts. It’s boutique layout makes it easy to get around.

We love to stay at Port Orleans French Quarter and prefer it over Riverside because of its fun pops of color and Mardi Gras theming. On the downside, this resort only has one feature pool and no leisure pool. However, the pool is the cutest. Its water slide is designed to look like a sea serpent’s pink tongue! The serpent’s long tail also shoots across the pool, forming bridges in some areas.

Port Orleans French Quarter is also where you can pick up Mickey-shaped beignets. You can order them for breakfast each morning if you like!

The Resort Rundown

• Resort Type: Moderate Resort
• Rooms: Brand New Rooms in 2025
• Closest To: Boat Ride to Disney Springs
• Dining: Table Service, Quick Service, Pool Bars, and Lounges
• Pools: One Pool, Water Slide, Aquatic Play Area
• Transportation: Buses, Boat Ride to Disney Spring Only
• Learn More: Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Review

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort Review

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort is unique because it’s a campground with a variety of campsites and cabins. You can reserve a campsite for an RV or pitch a tent in some areas.

Additionally, cabins are available for rent at Disney’s Fort Wilderness. They offer more space for the family to spread out than regular hotel rooms. If you plan a stay at this resort, you’ll have the luxury of taking the boat to Magic Kingdom. First, however, you’ll want to know that the resort is enormous. It’s so huge that many guests bring or rent golf carts to travel to and from the bus stops and boat docks. An internal bus service is also available.

The Resort Rundown

• Resort Type: Moderate (Campgrounds) and Deluxe Villa (Cabins)
• Rooms: Camping or Cabin Rentals
• Closest Park: Boat or Bus Ride to Magic Kingdom
• Dining: Table Service, Quick Service, Pool Bars, and Lounges
• Pools: Two Pools, Water Slide, Aquatic Play Area
• Transportation: Boat to Magic Kingdom and Select Resorts (Limited), Buses

Next Up: Value Resort Category