Are you looking to stay at one of the best moderate resorts at Disney World for adults that are ALL ranked?
If so, you’re in the right place!
As you step into the magic of Walt Disney World, the quest for the perfect place to rest your head unfolds.
Disney World boasts several tiers of Disney resorts including Value, Moderate, Deluxe and Deluxe Villas.
When it comes to moderate-level resorts, where comfort meets affordability without compromising on the Disney experience, five exceptional and well themed options await you.
Today, we are going to dive into these top-tier accommodations, ranking them for adults and giving you an in depth, yet comprehensive guide covering:
- Location
- Accommodations
- Pricing
- Recreational options
The moderate resorts paint a picture of relaxation and adventure that’s perfect for grown-ups looking for memorable Disney World vacation.
Let’s go through the top five moderate resorts, where the enchantment of Disney meets with the comforts of home.
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1. Disney’s Port Orleans: French Quarter (Place to Chill)
Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort invites you to experience the charm of New Orleans in the heart of Walt Disney World.
Here, the bayou beckons, offering a charming escape into Southern hospitality.
Running along the Sassagoula River, this moderate resort combines the elegance of the French Quarter with the whimsy and magic of Disney. Something I truly love as an adult Disney fan.
Why We Love this Moderate Resort at Disney World
The vibe is alive with the vibrant colors of Mardi Gras characters and the soulful sounds of jazz, that will transport you to the heart of this historic and romantic setting.
As you stroll along the lushly landscaped Sassagoula River, a scene out of an old 1920s film unfolds, leading you to Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside.
Rooms
There are the standard 2 Queens and 1 King beds in the rooms and they’re a bit on the larger side for Disney which is a plus.
Rooms come with:
- irons and ironing boards
- hairdryers
- make-up mirrors
- mini-fridges are also available
Pricing
Room at Port Orleans French Quarter typically range from around $250 to $400 per night, depending on the time of year, offering affordability within the moderate resort category.
Food
One of my favorite things at this resort is the food!
Don’t miss out in the Cajun and Creole specialties they that allow you to experience the flavors of the region.
The resort features delightful dining options, including the Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory, serving up Southern-inspired cuisine and classic American fare.
And for scrumptious beignets, drinks and vibes, don’t skip out on Scat Cat’s Lounge! I love the boozy beignets here particularly, as I unwind and listen to the live jazz music.
Making it one of the best moderate resorts at Disney World adults to stay at.
Amenities
Amenities include scenic water views, themed pool areas like Doubloon Lagoon, and boat transportation to Disney Springs for your added convenience.
To get anywhere else around the Disney World resort, bus transportation is available.
Recreation options abound, with activities like:
- Outdoor pool
- Feature pool has sea serpent theme with waterslide
- Children’s pool
- Whirlpool spa
- Children’s playground
- Wednesday painting on de’ Bayou
- Sunday Beignet Fun Run
- Cajun campfires
- Arcade
- Jogging trail
- Horse-Drawn carriage rides
- Bike rentals and surrey bike rentals
- Fishing
You may even come across Disney friends like Princess Tiana and Louis the Gator as you stroll through the resort.
Book your discounted room to Disney’s Port Orleans: French Quarter TODAY!
2. Disney’s Coronado Springs (Place to Discover Luxury)
Now we’re on to my favorite resort, Coronado Springs!
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort offers a vibrant blend of Spanish-inspired architecture and modern amenities.
This creates a captivating atmosphere that transport you into the heart of the American Southwest.
Around the tranquil Lago Dorado, the resort exudes a relaxed ambiance, with palm-lined pathways and lush landscaping adding to its charm.
Why We Love this Moderate Resort at Disney World
I love doing my runs around this area when I stay here.
The Coronado Springs Resort features a unique layout, with its main section offering standard rooms adorned with colorful accents and traditional Southwestern motifs.
For a more elevated experience, you can opt for the luxurious accommodations of the Destino Tower.
It’s here where you’ll get lost in the contemporary design elements, upscale furnishings, and stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Destino Tower is always a MUST for me. It gives the feel of a deluxe resort with moderate pricing, which I love!
Rooms
The rooms and suites are in different areas, The Casitas, The Ranchos, and the Cabanas all with updated furniture, bed and flat screen televisions from the resort upgrade.
The addition of Destino Tower has 14 stories and glorious, breathtaking views. You can also use the Disney bus system and magical express transportation from this resort.
Pricing
Average room rates at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort typically range from around $250 to $450 per night, but can go higher depending on the room type and time of year.
Food
Dining choices at Coronado Springs Resort are diverse, with options ranging from casual eateries like the El Mercado de Coronado to upscale dining experiences at restaurants like Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood.
I’m partial to Rix Sports Bar and Grill. It’s very underrated and has amazing food.
You’ll also want to consider doing the Sangria University where you can get your own “Disney Diploma” and become and “expert” with this famous drink.
Don’t forget to end your day at the Dahlia Lounge with a delicious cocktail along with an amazing view the fireworks across the Walt Disney World Resort!
Amenities
The resort has plenty of amenities to enhance your stay, including multiple swimming pools, a fitness center, scenic walking trails and more!
More recreation options abound, with opportunities for water sports on Lago Dorado, as well as outdoor activities like volleyball and basketball. Making it one of the best moderate resorts at Disney World for adults!
Fun Things to Do at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort:
- Check out the 50-foot-tall Mayan pyramid at the Lost City of Cibola pool
- Relax in the Dig Site (Disney’s largest hot tub)
- Enjoy the 2 jogging trails and the 3,000 square foot La Vida Health Club and fitness center
- Have dinner at Toledo Restaurant
Book your discounted room at Disney’s Coronado Springs TODAY!
3. Disney’s Port Orleans: Riverside (Place to Eat Good)
Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside welcomes you to a quaint and vast retreat along the Sassagoula River, capturing the essence of the charming South.
The resort’s atmosphere is a blend of Southern elegance and rustic beauty, featuring charming mansions and bayou dwellings reminiscent of the Old South.
Why We Love this Moderate Resort at Disney World
I love the cobblestone streets, fragrant magnolia blossoms, and scenic pathways here.
The Riverside also invites you to immerse yourself in the relaxed pace of Southern life. You will likely forget you’re even at Walt Disney World.
Rooms
There are the standard 2 Queens and 1 King beds in the rooms and they’re a bit on the average side for Disney which is cool.
You may also want to splurge and get the Royal Themed Guest Rooms, with special disney princess touches. It should be noted that these rooms are the furthest away from the lobby.
Here you are a royal guest of Princess Tiana and all of her prince and princess friends have left their mark in some way to make your stay extra special.
Pricing
As for room rates, they typically range from around $250 to $450 per night, making Port Orleans Riverside an attractive option within the moderate resort category, same as its sister, Port Orleans: French Quarter.
Best part is that this is one of the few Disney World hotels that allow you to stay with your dog! Making it one of the best moderate resorts at Disney World adults.
Food
Dining choices include Boatwright’s Dining Hall, where you can savor Southern classics in a shipyard-inspired setting.
There’s also the Riverside Mill Food Court, offering a range of quick-service options. I personally am fond of Boatwright’s Dining Hall and I love the Prime Rib here!
Amenities
From the inviting Ol’ Man Island swimming pool with its rustic water mill to the relaxing leisure pools scattered throughout the resort, there’s a variety of water play options for all ages of guests.
Recreation options at the resort are also diverse and cater to a variety of interests for Disney adults.
You can enjoy scenic boat rides along the Sassagoula River to Disney Springs or engage in themed activities like:
- Horse-drawn carriage rides
- Guided fishing excursions
- Campfire activities under the stars
Book your discounted room to Disney’s Port Orleans: Riverside TODAY!
4. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort (Place to Be in the Middle of All of the Action)
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort invites you to get lost into the vibrant and tropical ambiance of the Caribbean islands. Its such a gorgeous resort with Skyliner access too!
Set along the scenic shores of Barefoot Bay, this lovely destination evokes the spirit of a laid-back island getaway, with colorful buildings, swaying palm trees, and sandy beaches creating a relaxing and inviting atmosphere.
Sounds like heaven, right?
Why We Love this Moderate Resort at Disney World
It gives a Disney Cruise Line Castaway Cay vibe without leaving Florida.
The resort’s design draws inspiration from the unique cultures and landscapes of the Caribbean, with themed villages paying homage to destinations such as Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad.
This is my favorite place to unwind from a long park day. It’s also place to take a day off from the parks amidst lush gardens and tranquil water features of paradise.
Rooms
There are also the standard 2 Queens and 1 King beds in the rooms here with option to have a childsize pull-down bed.
The rooms are on the smaller side here but that’s okay because the amenities at the resort and the activities at Disney World will keep you busy all day.
Pricing
Average room rates at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort typically range from around $200 to $400 per night, offering you a great pricing range within this Disney resort.
Food
Dining options at Caribbean Beach Resort reflect the diverse culinary traditions of the Caribbean, with choices like:
- The Centertown Market: enjoy delicious cuisine in a casual dining location
- Sebastian’s Bistro: you can savor Caribbean-inspired food in this vibrant atmosphere (one of my favorite restaurants so be sure to get the fried chicken and thank me later!)
Amenities
The resort has a wide range of amenities designed to make your stay magical, including multiple swimming pools, jogging trails, and playgrounds for younger visitors.
There are also Recreation options abound, with opportunities for water sports such as kayaking and paddle-boarding on Barefoot Bay, as well as daily activities like movies under the stars and themed pool parties.
This resort especially is great for those who want access to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT.
Book your discounted room to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort TODAY!
5. The Cabins at Fort Wilderness (Place to Escape)
If you wish to be surrounded by the natural beauty of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, the Cabins at Fort Wilderness will take you on a rustic yet comfortable retreat immersed in the enchanting wilderness.
Why We Love this Moderate Resort at Disney World
The atmosphere is a harmonious blend of the great outdoors and modern conveniences, providing an authentic camping experience without sacrificing comfort (a plus for me).
Rooms
Inside the cabins you’ll have a well-equipped kitchen, a private bedroom, and a cozy living area. It’s the best way for you to have a home-away-from-home, cozy type of experience.
The Cabins at Fort Wilderness provide a unique and spacious accommodation option, accommodating up to six guests comfortably if that’s what you need.
Something to know is that the cabins are currently undergoing a refurbishment to a more appealing and modernize look for the new Disney Vacation Club options.
This transformation is expected to be completed by summer 2024, promising a refreshed and contemporary ambiance.
Pricing
Average room rates for these charming cabins typically range from approximately $380 to $700 per night, offering a moderate to deluxe pricing range.
Food
Dining options include the popular Trail’s End Restaurant, serving up hearty American fare in a charming setting.
It originally was a buffet but has since switched to quick service and with a new menu.
You definitely can’t miss Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue that gives you an All-You-Care-To-Enjoy dinner and a show experience.
It’s one of the best shows at Disney World and it also has some of the best food on property!
Amenities
Recreation at Fort Wilderness is diverse and vast, with options ranging from horseback riding and archery to fishing and canoeing. It truly perfect if you are a true outdoor person.
Don’t forget to check out the charming shop on site called Settlement Trading Post.
The resort also offers nightly campfire sing-alongs with Disney characters, providing delightful entertainment for guests of all ages.
Amenities at the Cabins at Fort Wilderness complement the outdoor theme with features like the sparkling Meadow Swimmin’ Pool and the serene Bay Lake.
During the quiet moments here you can embrace the tranquility of nature. Making it one of the best moderate resorts at Disney World adults to stay at.
This is another one of the few Disney World resorts where your dog can join in on the Disney magic!
Book your discounted room to The Cabins at Fort Wilderness TODAY!
My Final Thoughts on Choosing One of the Best Moderate Resorts at Disney World for Your Trip
Alrighty, folks, there you have it – the lowdown on the top five moderate resorts at Walt Disney World for adults!
These options give you affordability without skimping out on that Disney theming that visitors love so very much.
Whether you’re splashing around in the pool, chowing down on delicious eats, or simply kicking back and enjoying the tropical scenery, these resorts are the perfect home base for your Disney adventures.
So pack your bags, and get ready for a magical getaway filled with fun, relaxation, and memories that’ll last a lifetime!
Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
Victoria is a professional solo traveler here to make your solo trips as stress free AND enjoyable as possible for you.
She has over 5 years of Disney and Non-Disney travel experience and was featured by POPSUGAR as one of the Top 50 Black Disney Creators you should follow.
She is a Proud Native to Baltimore, Md but always will call Disney World home.