Essential Guide to the Disney World Hotels

Page 4: The Disney World Moderate Resorts

On Go Informed Podcast episode 61, I take you on an audio tour of all the Disney World Moderate Resorts. Listen below or on your favorite podcast app.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

With its Spanish-fortress themed pool, Caribbean-inspired dining, and even pirate-themed rooms, the Caribbean Beach resort is a fun escape from the real world. But the best thing about Caribbean Beach is its location at the hub of the Disney Skyliner. Both Epcot and Hollywood Studios are just a quick aerial ride away. On-property fishing, bike rentals, and even a kids’ pirate adventure cruise ensure there’s lots to do even on a non-park day.

• Resort: Caribbean Beach
• Nearest Disney park: Epcot
• Theming: Caribbean Islands
• Free Disney transportation to parks/Disney Springs: Skyliner to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Bus to all parks.
• Dining: One table-service restaurant and several bar/quick-service dining options
• Pools: Main pool features two waterslides through a colonial Spanish fortress. FIVE additional leisure pools.
• Notable Room Types: Little Mermaid themed rooms coming in 2023
• Club level available: No
• Price: $$$
• Check Caribbean Beach Resort pricing and availability on TripAdvisor here

Port Orleans French Quarter Resort

This one can be a bit confusing because Disney has two resorts called Port Orleans – the French Quarter and Riverside. These resorts are adjoining and sometimes share a bus route, but they are listed completely separately on Disney’s booking site. Port Orleans is quite a bit smaller than Riverside, and most guests find it more charming. Theming is New Orleans, complete with beignets in the food court and fun street names like Rue D’Baga and Cakewalk.

• Resort: Port Orleans French Quarter
• Nearest Disney park: Epcot
• Theming: New Orleans
• Free Disney transportation to parks/Disney Springs: Bus to all parks. Boat to Disney Springs.
• Dining: Food court and two bars
• Pools: Mardi Gras themed pool with 50-foot water slide. Huge “Ol Man Island” pool area next door at Port Orleans Riverside.
• Notable Room Types: River view rooms look out on the Sassagoula River
• Club level available: No
• Price: $$$
• Check Port Orleans French Quarter pricing and availability on TripAdvisor here

Port Orleans Riverside Resort

Theming at Port Orleans Riverside is antebellum south. Part of the resort has the appearance of classic mansions, and the other is themed as bayou cottages. If you have a princess in your party, consider upgrading to a Royal Room. These rooms include touches like a magic carpet on the floor, sparkly headboards, and even bathtub taps shaped like Aladdin’s lamp.

• Resort: Port Orleans Riverside
• Nearest Disney park: Epcot
• Theming: Old south
• Free Disney transportation to parks/Disney Springs: Bus to all parks. Boat to Disney Springs.
• Dining: One table-service restaurant and several quick-service dining options
• Pools: “Ol Man Island” pool area themed as an abandoned sawmill. Five additional leisure pools.
• Notable Room Types: Princess themed Royal Rooms
• Club level available: No
• Price: $$$
• Check Port Orleans Riverside pricing and availability on TripAdvisor here

Coronado Springs Resort

A sprawling resort that includes a new high-rise tower along with vast convention space, all surrounding a picturesque lake, Coronado Springs has much to offer. This is the only moderate hotel with club-level rooms and a fitness center. Loads of dining and recreation options means there’s lots to do on a break day from the parks. And the views from the Grand Destino rooftop restaurant and bar are spectacular, especially at sunset and during fireworks at the neighboring parks.

• Resort: Coronado Springs
• Nearest Disney park: Animal Kingdom
• Theming: Mexico/US Southwest
• Free Disney transportation to parks/Disney Springs: Bus to all parks and Disney Springs.
• Dining: Multiple table-service and quick-service dining options, including Dahlia Lounge and Toledo Restaurant atop the Grand Destino Tower.
• Pools: Mayan-ruins themed main pool, with waterfall and 123-foot water slide. Three additional leisure pools.
• Notable Room Types: Club level in the new Grand Destino Tower
• Club level available: Yes
• Price: $$$
• Check Coronado Springs Resort pricing and availability on TripAdvisor here

Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

Here’s a unique option for your Disney World vacation: stay in your own rustic cabin in the woods. These one-bedroom log cabins have full kitchens and all the amenities of any Disney hotel room, including housekeeping; plus a living room, private patio, and even a charcoal grill. Rent bikes or a golf cart to get around the 750 acre wooded property.

Fort Wilderness offers tons of activities for all visitors, including wagon rides, archery, canoe rentals, and fishing. Learn more about the Fort Wilderness horse ranch and related experiences in this post.

• Resort: Fort Wilderness Cabins
• Nearest Disney park: Magic Kingdom
• Theming: Rustic log cabins in the woods
• Free Disney transportation to parks/Disney Springs: Boat to Magic Kingdom. Bus to all other parks and Disney Springs.
• Dining: Cook in your own kitchen, plus several table-service and quick-service dining options, including the legendary Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue.
• Pools: Two swimming pools, one with a corkscrew water slide
• Notable Room Types: Log cabins
• Club level available: No
• Price: $$$
• Check Fort Wilderness Cabins pricing and availability on TripAdvisor here

The Swan, Dolphin, & Swan Reserve Resorts

The Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve are neighboring resorts on Disney World property but not run by Disney. I’m including them in this guide mainly because of their location. Sited approximately mid-way between Epcot and Hollywood Studios, the Swan, Swan Reserve, and Dolphin are within walking distance to these two parks.

The Swan, Swan Reserve, and Dolphin are the only non-Disney hotels that offer extended evening hours to guests. This perk – usually offered a few nights a week at Magic Kingdom and Epcot – is otherwise limited to guests at the much higher-priced Deluxe resorts.

The Swan is operated by Westin, the Dolphin by Sheraton, the Swan Reserve by Marriott. All are part of the Marriott Bonvoy program. While these properties are themed more for conventions than family vacations, and you won’t be dealing with Disney’s uber-friendly cast members, the location, extended evening hours, and the ability to use/earn loyalty points make them worth considering for some Disney World visitors.

Bear in mind that the Swan and Dolphin both tack on an extra $45 per day resort fee, plus you’ll pay for parking. Disney does not charge these fees at its properties. So when you do your budgeting be sure to add this in.

• Resort: Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve
• Nearest Disney park: Epcot/Hollywood Studios
• Theming: Modern high-rise hotels
• Free Disney transportation to parks/Disney Springs: Walk or boat to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Non-Disney-Operated bus to all other parks and Disney Springs.
• Dining: Multiple table-service and quick-service dining options, including Shula’s Steakhouse. Character dining at Garden Grove in the Swan.
• Pools: Six swimming pools, one with water slide
• Notable Room Types: Fireworks view rooms, lots of suite-style rooms at the Swan Reserve
• Club level available: Yes
• Price: $$$
• Check Disney World Swan Reserve pricing and availability on Orbitz here
• Check Disney World Swan pricing and availability on Orbitz here
• Check Disney World Dolphin pricing and availability on Orbitz here