Disney World Moderate Resorts UK Guide: Which To Pick?

Hotels in Disney World’s Moderate tier strike the middle ground, theming feels closer to Deluxe resorts, while pricing is closer to Value options. Disney’s Moderate hotels are a popular choice because they feel calmer, and offer a resort experience with just the right number of amenities for most UK visitors.

Often considered the hotel sweet spot for both cost vs value, this guide will look at what moderate resorts have to offer UK visitors staying for weeks, pricing and hotel options and descriptions. I personally don’t find the jump to Moderate worth it when booking without offers as theming, better pools, and a bit of extra room space makes very little difference to our holidays.

How many Moderate Hotels are there in Disney World and what are they like?

There are 4 Moderate resorts for UK visitors in Disney World, and they are:

• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort: opens in a new tab Watch EPCOT fireworks from this sprawling resort with 6 island themed resort areas containing 1,536 guest rooms. It’s got a tropical theme and the only Skyliner resort in the Moderate tier.
• Disney’s Port Orleans - French Quarter: opens in a new tab The sister hotel to Riverside, the hotels are linked by the waterway that runs through them. Offering South-Western charm, this 2,048 room resort has two areas: South Quarter and North Quarter. With seven buildings, this resort offers guests an experience filled with Southern charm
• Disney’s Port Orleans - Riverside opens in a new tab: The smaller of these two Port Orleans Resorts. 1,008 guest rooms are spread across two areas: Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend
• Disney’s Coronado Springs (plus Gran Destino Tower): opens in a new tab With a different vibe than other Disney resorts, guests stay in a tower style hotel building or outside building. 1,951 rooms make-up this resort which separates into 4 areas each with unique theming.

The camping areas at Fort Wilderness are also classed as Moderate, but this is not a hotel style experience, and you need to rent an RV. It is not included in this guide, and it is also not included in the UK Disney Moderate Resort hotel options on Disney’s UK site.

What guest perks do you get in Disney Moderate hotels?

All Moderate Resorts share the following key Disney guest benefits (perks):

• Early Entry (experience the parks 30 minutes before park opening)
• Free transport to all parks and Disney Springs
• Free water park day on check‑in on arrival day for summer 2026 and 2027
• Lively pools and resort activities

However, if you were thinking the jump in price would get you those longed for Extended Evening Hours, it won’t. They are a perk available only at Deluxe Resorts.

How Much Do Moderate Hotels Cost?

Moderate hotels vary in price depending on the type of room and the hotel. Exact prices vary by dates and length of stay. Here is a look at a 2026 / 2027 price range for each Moderate hotel:

Exact prices shift constantly, and these are meant as a guideline per adult for 2026 - 2027 to help with budgeting.

Where you book, how you book, and who you book with will impact the eventual cost you pay.

What Are Moderate Rooms Like?

All Moderate Resorts share similar amenities which include:

• Drinks cooler
• Tea and coffee making facilities

There are different types of room available at each resort, all offer a preferred option, which means that you will be in a building closer to the main pool area, reception and other amenities.

Here's how room quality compares in real life.

Disney Moderate hotels do not only have one type of hotel room; so when choosing a resort it’s important to know what room options are available in each. Across Moderate hotels you will notice standard and preferred location rooms available.

Caribbean Beach Resort Rooms

Tropical, beach décor with bright colours and laminate floors. Many rooms sleep up to 5 with a child-size pull-down bed, there are 3 rooms available at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort:

• King bed: 1 king bed sleeping 2 adults, perfect for couples
• Standard Location: sleeps 4 adults, 2 queen beds, one pull down
• Preferred Location: sleeps 4 adults, 2 queen beds, one pull down but closer to amenities.

Caribbean Beach Resort is a good choice for EPCOT and Hollywood Studios fans. Don’t expect to be wowed by the rooms though and if you have ever stayed in a Value room before you’ll probably find yourself struggling to notice the difference, apart from a bit more space.

Port Orleans - French Quarter Rooms

One of the smallest resorts at Disney World where nothing is a long walk, here are the 3 rooms types:

• King bed: 1 king bed sleeping 2 adults, perfect for couples
• Standard Location: sleeps 4 adults, 2 queen beds, one pull down
• Preferred Location: sleeps 4 adults, 2 queen beds, one pull down but closer to amenities.

Ideal Moderate Resort if you like things calm, compact, and easy to navigate.

Port Orleans - Riverside Rooms

A mix of bayou-style buildings and elegant mansion areas, there are 5 room types opens in a new tab:

• King bed: smaller rooms with just 1 bed, ideal for couples but few available.
• Standard locations: regular rooms with 2 queen beds, one a pull-down.
• Standard location: 5th Sleeper: will sleep 5 with a extra pull-down bed, cost a little bit more
• Preferred Location: closer to the main hotel amenities
• Royal guest rooms: Perfect for any Princess Tiana fans, these Princess & the Frog-inspired décor rooms have LED "fireworks" headboards. These cost more than standard room options.

There’s more options at this resort, with themed room options.

Coronado Springs & Gran Destino Tower Room

This resort has the most room options with rooms to sleep up to 8 adults. There are 4 Tower room options found within Gran Destino Tower where rooms open into interior hallways. Then there are 7 village room options with rooms opening outside. This is also the only Moderate hotel to offer club level rooms located in Gran Destino Tower, again with 4 rooms opening out onto indoor hallways.

Club Level gives lounge access with continental breakfast, snacks, and drinks.

Comparing Dining Options At Moderate Hotels

All Moderate resorts offer the following drinks and dining options:

• 1 quick-service food court area
• 1 table-service dining option

Some Moderate hotels have different food and drink options outside of the standard table service and quick service options which can impact resort choices. Here are the different dining options in each of Disney’s Moderate hotels:

Best Moderate Hotel for Dining Experiences?

The best Moderate hotel for dining experiences is Disney’s Coronado Springs; offering the bets range of lounges and dining experiences at this tier of Disney hotel. The highlight in my opinion is Toledo; it’s an often overlooked and under-rated place to grab a steak in Disney World.

The other 3 Moderate hotels have 4 dining options to choose from, with each resort having its own dining highlight for resort guests. When staying at Port Orleans Resorts trying a beignet from Scat Cat’s Café is a must, and they are by far the tastiest beignet on Disney World property.

Which Moderate Resort Has The Best Pool?

If the pool is a big deciding factor for a Disney World holiday from the UK, as you plan to spend afternoons or evenings in the pool to wind down, these are the key differences in pools between each Moderate hotel:

• Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort: The Fuentes del Morro pool opens in a new tab is the main pool area in this huge resort. There are 5 other pools, without the same theming or waterslides located in each of the resorts village areas. It is the only Moderate resort with a dedicated kid's water play area that includes a dumping bucket.
• Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside: Ol' Man Island opens in a new tab is the main pool area, a 3.5-acre hideaway styled after an old-fashioned lumber mill, which includes a 95-foot-long water slide and a hot tub. There are an additional 5 leisure pools around the resort next to the different hotel areas.
• Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter: Doubloon Lagoon opens in a new tab, is a colourful Mardi Gras-themed pool with a serpent water slide and an alligator band spouting water. There’s only one main pool area in this resort with a kiddie splash area.
• Disney's Coronado Springs Resort: Features the Lost City of Cibola pool opens in a new tab, themed around a Mayan pyramid, and three other leisure pool areas. This pool’s features are the most jaw dropping because of the size of the pyramid. This hotel has the largest hot tub, and the best water slide at a Moderate resort.

Do Disney Moderate Resorts Have Hot Tubs?

Yes, all Disney Moderate Resorts have hot tubs in the main pool areas, which usually close at the same time as the pool area. Heated to 104F all year round, these are a great escape for adults in the party.

• Disney's Coronado Springs Resort: The Dig Site main pool area is home to the largest hot tub on Walt Disney World property, with space for 22 people.
• Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort: There’s a large hot tub integrated into the Spanish-colonial fortress setting of the main Fuentes del Morro feature pool.
• Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside: The hot tub is located in the rustic, secluded setting of the Ol' Man Island feature pool.
• Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter: There is a hot tub right next to the lively, Mardi Gras-themed Doubloon Lagoon main pool.

Which Moderate has the best range of resort based activities?

All Moderate resorts offer guests the following range of activities:

• a jogging track: free to use
• an arcade: pay to play the games
• Movies Under the Stars: free to sit out and watch a Disney film, on every night
• Make your own s’mores by the campfire: s’mores kits cost extra
• playground area: free to sue

One of the key differences to look for in Moderate resorts is what other activities you can do at your hotel. When planning in rest days, especially if you don’t have a hire car, having more on-site activities, even if you need to pay to experience them. can be a benefit that turns a resort day into a memory.

Disney Caribbean Beach Resort offers the least range of extra recreational activities, so if you are looking for the best hotel to stay at for on-site rest days this is not the Moderate hotel to choose. Disney’s Coronado Resort offers the largest range of extra activities out all Moderate resorts, but the experiences are different to those at Port Orleans resorts.

Port Orleans offer more outdoor and active additional recreational activities whereas Coronado Springs offers more indoor and crafty activities.

Comparing Free Transport Options From Moderate Resorts

The moderate hotel you choose affects what type of free Disney transport runs from your hotel. Here are the options at each resort:

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort has the least number of transport options, with only Disney’s free bus service running from the hotel. For the Skyliner option you need to stay at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, and if you want to have boat access you’ll need to stay at either of the Port Orleans resorts.

Are Moderate Resorts Worth It For UK Holidaymakers?

Not always. For many UK visitors, the extra cost of a Moderate doesn't buy dramatically better park access, Disney perks, or even better room amenities. Moderate resorts mainly give you:

• A more grown-up setting
• Slightly larger rooms
• Nicer pools and landscaping
• Better dining, in some cases

When you’re trying to decide between different tiers of resort, you can head to one of our comparison guides:

• Moderate vs Value Resorts
• Moderate vs Deluxe Resorts

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Questions we get asked about Moderate Resorts