There just might not be anything better than staying at a Disney World hotel!

I mean, there are so many reasons to want to stay right on the Disney World property like accessibility, immersion, and even food! But truthfully there are quite a few to choose from, so we wouldn’t blame you if you developed a bit of a headache trying to decide where to stay. Never fear. That’s why we’re here! So while you’re in the thick of it trying to choose your hotel, let’s talk about the moderate hotels and the disappointing truth about them!

As we were saying, when you’re planning a trip to Disney World, trying to choose where to stay can be a bit of a headache. Do you go all out and book a deluxe resort, splurge a little less on a moderate, or save your pennies and opt for a value hotel like Pop Century? Now, the moderate resorts often seem like the perfect middle ground, but are they really worth the extra cash? Let’s get right to the disappointing truth about Disney World’s moderate hotels.

You’re Going to Pay More

Let’s go ahead and rip the bandaid right off and talk money. The moderate hotels like Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, and Port Orleans are definitely a step up in price when compared to the value resorts.

To be fair, they’re not AS expensive as the deluxe options, but you’re still shelling out more than you would for a stay at Pop Century or Art of Animation. The question is, do you get enough bang for your buck?

They’re Massive and Have None of the Deluxe Perks

Next, we can’t forget the sheer size of these resorts. You’ll find that resorts like Coronado Springs and Caribbean Beach are enormous (think bigger than Magic Kingdom big), and that could mean a lot of walking just to get to your room, the pool, or even the bus stop.

Speaking of buses, don’t even get us started on the internal bus loops which just might have you stuck on the bus for large swaths of time both coming and going from the resort.

Also, even though you’re paying more than you would at a value resort, you don’t get any of the perks that come with a deluxe stay —no extended evening theme park hours, no special proximity to the parks, and some have no monorail or Skyliner access.

You’ll Have a Bit More Space

Now, one of the selling points of moderate resorts is that the rooms are a bit larger than what you’d find at a value resort. That extra square footage can be nice, especially if you’re traveling with family or a group of friends.

But, you do have to ask yourself, how much time are you actually going to spend in your room? If you’re not planning on taking a lot of midday naps with the whole crew or spreading out all your Disney merch on the floor, the size difference might not feel all that significant.

There are Pool “Perks”

If you’re a pool person, then the moderates do have an edge. You’ll see that the pools are definitely more elaborate than what you’ll find at a value resort. We’re talking waterslides, fun designs, and a generally more “themed” experience.

It’s a step up, for sure. If lounging by the pool is a big part of your vacation plans, then maybe it’s worth the extra cost. Now, if you’re more of a “I’m gonna be in the parks from rope-drop to fireworks” kind of Disney person, you might not get to notice the difference.

They Can Be Quieter

Another one of the perks of staying at a moderate resort is the quieter atmosphere (generally speaking). You’re less likely to be sharing your hotel with giant tour groups or experiencing the non-stop energy that can sometimes make the value resorts feel a little chaotic.

But on the flip side, you might find that quieter vibe to sometimes feel a bit too quiet. By that I mean, if you’re looking for Disney magic and excitement around every corner, you might find the moderates a bit calmer in that department.

You’ll Have More Dining Options

The moderate resorts boast at least one table-service restaurant, which is a definite plus if you’re not in the mood to battle the crowds at a quick-service or cafeteria-style spot.

More dining options are always a good thing, but again, it comes at a cost, and if you’re planning on spending most of your time at the parks, you might not be able to take advantage of those on-site dining perks.

So, are Disney World’s moderate hotels worth it? Well, we’ll leave that up to you. But the disappointing truth is that sometimes it can feel like you’re better off going all in on a deluxe or saving your money with a value resort and using the extra cash on a few more Mickey pretzels. Either way, we’ll let you decide.

In the meantime, you can find us here with our ears to the ground for all the updates on what’s happening with the various Disney World hotel projects, merch, dining, and more so stay tuned to DFB for the latest!

FIRST LOOK at a NEW Disney World Hotel Restaurant

What’s your favorite Moderate Hotel at Disney World? Tell us all about it in the comments!