Which is the Best Disney Moderate Resort for Families?: Here are the Pros & Cons of Each Moderate Resort! -

Are you planning a Disney trip and wondering ‘which is the best Disney Moderate Resort for families?’. This is the right blog post for you!

There are four main options to choose from, so finding the best Disney Moderate Resort for your family vacation can be challenging. So, I’ve written this blog post – highlighting the pros and cons of each option – so you can choose which Moderate Disney Resort you would like to stay at!

Now, let the journey begin, and may your family find the perfect blend of comfort, magic, and unforgettable moments at your new favourite Disney Moderate Resort! ✨

This post is all about determining the best Disney Moderate Resort for families in 2024.

Best Disney Moderate Resort for Families

Disney Moderate Resorts List:

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

(I’m not including the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort on this list, as this is becoming a DVC property – projected to open on July 1st, 2024).

Now, let’s move on to the Disney Moderate Resorts comparison … here is our list of Disney Moderate Resorts ranked from worst to best for families!

4th Place: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Okay, this pains me to put Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort at the bottom of this list. 😢

As an adult, this is my favourite of the Moderate Resorts in Disney World.

But I know that it is probably the least appealing Resort to many families (especially those with younger kids).

Pros of staying at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort:

Although this Resort opened in 1997, the Gran Destino Tower was added years later, and opened in 2019. If you book a room/suite here, you are so close to the amenities, dining locations etc.

Speaking of suites, Coronado Springs Resort is the only Moderate Resort with suites – some of these are also located in Gran Destino Tower, whilst others are located in the Casitas section (but keep in mind, that these suites are EXPENSIVE. We discuss the insane prices of the suites at Coronado Springs in this post!).
If you stay in a Standard View room/suite, you may be able to see the Epcot fireworks from your window!

Coronado Springs has 4 pools: one main pool (the Lost City of Cibola Pool – which is great for kids and may be the best Moderate Disney Resort pool when it comes to theming) and three leisure pools for a more relaxed experience.

If you don’t want to stay in Gran Destino Tower but want to stay close to the amenities, you can book a Preferred Room (located in the Casitas section) – which is also cheaper than staying in the Tower.
Coronado Springs is usually the cheapest Moderate Disney Resort you can stay at (a Standard Room in 2024 will cost $260/night – $470/night).
Coronado Springs usually has the best promotions of all the Disney Moderate Resorts – this is especially true if you have a Disney World Annual Passholder, and take advantage of the AP Hotel discounts.

Cons of staying at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort:

This Resort is not overly “Disney themed” – which may make it the best Moderate Disney Resort for adults – or those with older kids/teenagers – but may be less exciting to younger guests. That being said, the combination of Mexican, Spanish and Southwest American cultures is truly gorgeous.

In addition, this Resort is known for having a Convention Center, and it arguably caters best for guests staying on business.

This is a relatively large Resort. I have stayed in a Standard Room in the Casitas section, and didn’t find that I had to walk too much – but this may be an issue for you depending on which section of the Resort you stay in.

You have to take buses to all the parks and Disney Springs, so Coronado Springs is definitely not the best Moderate Disney Resort for transportation.

3rd Place: Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside

This was the first Disney World Resort I ever stayed at. I had just turned 15, and I thought it was the best Resort EVER (so if you have teenagers, this may be a great choice).

I would say it feels classy with the perfect amount of Disney theming.

But, there are reasons why it’s only in third place on this list today …

Pros of staying at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside:

In addition, to their regular rooms, they have ROYAL Guest Rooms. These are very highly themed princess rooms, and they are INCREDIBLE. I stayed in a Royal Room on my first visit, and it was truly magical. I would stay at this Resort again – just for the Royal Rooms (not to be dramatic 😂). But if your kids love princesses, this may be the perfect room. (Based on 2024 prices, a Royal Guest Room – Standard View costs $353/night – $554/night).
This Resort has a LOT of pools – six to be exact. One Feature Pool (Ol’ Man Island) and five leisure pools. Along with Caribbean Beach, Riverside has the most pools of the Moderate Level Disney Resorts.
You can take a horse-drawn carriage around Port Orleans – Riverside, and pretend you’re Cinderella, which is always fun!

You can take a water taxi to Disney Springs for plenty of shopping and dining options.

This is the sister resort to Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, which means you are VERY CLOSE to Mickey Beignets!
There are some dog-friendly rooms here if you’re your dog to Disney World (please note that rooms can currently accommodate up to 2 dogs. See all the details here).

Cons of staying at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside:

It’s a pretty large Resort (but then again, this is the case with most Moderate Resorts at Disney World).

You have to take a bus to all the parks – and sometimes buses may be shared with Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter (though this doesn’t tend to happen frequently).
The room rates are higher than Coronado Springs (the 2024 rates for a Standard View Room here are between $289/night and $476/night). That being said, it is cheaper than the Disney Moderate Resorts prices at Caribbean Beach, and often, French Quarter. And, you can often find decent discounts on this Resort (make sure to check out the current deals on Disney’s site).

2nd Place: Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter is one of the rare Disney Resorts that can appeal to most guests. So, whether you’re looking for the best Moderate Disney Resort for toddlers, teenagers or adults, this may be the best Moderate hotel.

It has plenty of pros, but also a few downsides and caveats to that assumption …

Pros of staying at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter:

It is the smallest Moderate Resort at Disney World. If you don’t want to walk too far at your Resort (or you have kids who don’t), this is probably the best Moderate Disney Resort for you!
French Quarter has fun, New Orleans theming (a little more obvious than Riverside’s stunningly subtle Louisiana theming).

You can catch a water taxi to Disney Springs (French Quarter is a little closer to Disney Springs than Riverside – so the journey is very slightly shorter).
You can also go on a horse and carriage ride around Port Orleans – French Quarter.
You can get Mickey Beignets (at Scat Cat’s Club). Let’s be honest: this is the main pro of staying at this Resort … right?!

Cons of staying at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter:

There are none, because they have beignets …

Just kidding!

They only have one pool. Sure, it’s a smaller Resort with fewer guests, but they only have a Feature pool (so if you’re looking for a leisurely pool experience, you may not get exactly what you’re looking for). Also, this pool is closed between January 2024 and April 2024. During this time, guests can use the Ol’ Man Island pool at Port Orleans – Riverside, but it is a little inconvenient.

The room rates here aren’t horrific (a Standard View room in 2024 ranges in price from $289/night – $476/night), but the discounts can be. This is because French Quarter is a small Resort, so it can reach capacity quite easily.
There are no Table Service dining locations here (though this probably isn’t a dealbreaker for most families).
You have to take buses to all the parks (and may have to occasionally share buses with Port Orleans – Riverside).

1st Place: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Now, it is somewhat strange that Caribbean Beach is at the top of this list, considering that it is my least favourite Disney Moderate Resort.

However, that being said, it has a lot of advantages and can be perfect for families.

Pros of staying at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

THE SKYLINER. Yes, this is certainly the main attraction of this Resort. It’s a fun and usually efficient way to travel to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. So, if you’re wondering which Moderate Disney Resort has the best transportation, it’s Caribbean Beach!

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort has the brightest, most colourful theming of all the Moderate Resorts – which may be more fun for the younger guests!
The new Little Mermaid rooms are bright and really pretty. I stayed in one of these rooms in August/September 2023, and thought it was great. And the Murphy bed was pretty comfortable (for reference, it wasn’t as good as the Murphy beds in most of the Value Resorts, but a little better than some of the DVC Disney Deluxe Resorts – namely the Murphy bed in the Polynesian Studios!).
You can walk (or catch the Skyliner) to Disney’s Riviera Resort – a Deluxe DVC Resort for other dining/shopping options.

Cons of staying at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

The Little Mermaid rooms are great, but the rest are pretty dark and are in need of a refurbishment.
Caribbean Beach Resort is HUGE. Not only is it the biggest Moderate Resort, but it’s also the largest Disney World Resort on the property!

It can be quite expensive (thanks to the addition of the Skyliner). 2024 Room rates for a Standard Room range from $268/night – $505/night – but discounts can sometimes be good on rooms at this Resort.
There are no elevators in the room buildings, so you may want to request a room on the first floor.
You have to catch buses everywhere – except Hollywood Studios and Epcot. As this is such a large Resort with so many guests, buses can be packed, so you may not be able to get on the first bus that arrives at your stop.

There is an internal bus loop (that’s how big this Resort is!). Though, on the bright side, at least it reduces how far you have to walk around this Resort.

Ta Ta For Now

At the end of the day, each Moderate Resort holds its own unique charm. No matter which Moderate Disney Resort you choose to stay at, chances are you’ll like it!