Disney World Moderate Resort Rankings
Which Walt Disney World Moderate Resort hotel is best? It’s a common question among vacation planners, and unlike Value Resorts, it’s difficult to answer. Coronado Springs, Caribbean Beach, Port Orleans Riverside & French Quarter each have strengths & weaknesses, and our “worst” might be your “best.”
With that said, we’re going to attempt to rank the best and the worst Moderate Resorts, being as objective as humanly possible here. We’re also going to note the pros & cons of each, discuss theme, amenities, resort layout & size, and other variables that impact the ranking. That way, you can choose the Walt Disney World Moderate Resort that will appeal to you most, irrespective of its ranking here.
This article was pretty much entirely re-written following the opening of Gran Destino Tower, which is itself a separate entry on this list. Both Caribbean Beach and Coronado Springs also finished multi-year expansion and refurbishment projects and the Port Orleans Resorts have had their guest rooms redone. We’re again revisiting the rankings of light of recent and ongoing refurbishment projects, which are currently happening at Port Orleans Riverside (and will be until 2027).
In general, the Moderate Resorts don’t receive enough attention. Budget-minded tourists flock to the Value Resorts (read our Value Resort Rankings), and guests seeking more extravagant trips go to the Deluxe Resorts (read our Deluxe Resort Rankings). While these are good reasons to stay at Value and Deluxe Resorts, what about those who want a little compromise? Those for whom cost is a concern, but not the overriding concern?
We often find ourselves in this position, and frequently pick Moderate Resorts when looking for the best compromise. I feel that all of the Moderate Resorts offer solid theming, which is far superior to the Value Resorts (unless you have small children who really like the style of the Values). Moreover, Moderates are significantly cheaper than the Deluxe Resorts. This makes Disney’s Moderates the ultimate “compromise” option.
N/A. Cabins at Fort Wilderness
As of 2026, the Cabins at Fort Wilderness are no longer a Moderate Resort. The categorization never really made sense (just like the Art of Animation Family Suites as Value Resorts), but now they are no longer even technically classified as a Moderate by Walt Disney World. That’s because the new Cabins at Fort Wilderness are a Disney Vacation Club Resort.
For whatever it’s worth, we love the new cabins. (See our Review: Disney World’s New Controversial Cabins Are Actually Great.) It’s also noteworthy that you can save money by renting DVC points, and stay in one of these brand new cabins for roughly the same price as a regular Moderate Resort–if not less! For what they are (an alternative to a DVC Villa or Family Suite), I’ll give the Fort Wilderness Cabins a “highly recommend, but taste-specific” rating.
With that out of the way, let’s dig into the Moderate Resort rankings…
5. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Our full Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort review has long considered the hotel something of a “mixed bag.” On the one hand, I think the rooms are among the nicest of all standard Moderate Resorts as they utilize space very well, are very modern, and have a variety of substantive enhancements not found at other resorts.
Moreover, Coronado Springs has an excellent pool area, far and away the most robust slate of dining options of any Moderate Resort, and other amenities not found at other hotels on this list. While not to everyone’s tastes, some of the outlying buildings are nicely themed, as well.
On the other hand, Gran Destino towering in the distance is a blight on the rest of the resort. This boxy, Vegas-style hotel aimed at conventioneers is definitely at-odds with the rest of the resort’s theming, and doesn’t belong at Coronado Springs. (Others who rank Coronado Springs low feel the convention clientele drags down the atmosphere; we disagree, but it’s a common enough complaint to warrant listing it here.)
With Gran Destino now open, our position on Coronado Springs Resort is that you should stay in that tower–if it appeals to you–or at a different resort entirely. This isn’t to say that the outlying buildings are bad (there’s actually a lot we love about them), but they’re not good enough to overcome the staunch competition posed by the other Moderate Resorts.
4. Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
It breaks my heart a little to put this in the #4 slot. For years, Port Orleans Riverside was our favorite Moderate Resort, and where we stayed more than anywhere else on this list. That hasn’t been true for at least a few years, and if I’m being honest with myself, I now love the idea of Port Orleans Riverside more than the actual resort. We still love to visit and spend time at this thematic exemplar, but when push comes to shove and we’re actually doing a stay for practical purposes, Riverside ranks low on our list of choices.
Each of the top 3 entries offer actual advantages to improve the quality of your vacation. That comes either via superior ease of access or luxurious accommodations. Riverside has neither of those things, instead having some of the most inefficient transportation. Those downsides have become too big to ignore, and are the reason we find ourselves visiting Riverside rather than staying here–even though we love it.
With that said, Port Orleans Riverside has many strengths. It has an underrated slate of dining options, from the food court to the hidden gem table service restaurant to the lounge. It offers the theming of a Deluxe Resort for the price of a Moderate. It has the entertainment offerings of a Deluxe Resort for the price of a Moderate.
Riverside is divided into the rustic Alligator Bayou and more stately Magnolia Bend mansions; this gives it more variety, and richness in detail and design. The backstory is likewise interesting, engaging, and executed cleverly throughout the resort. (If you’re staying at Riverside in 2026, make sure to stay in Magnolia Bend, which has newer and nicer rooms, on par with French Quarter.)
The grounds are stunning, with rich wilderness in the bayou and perfectly manicured gardens around the mansions. The quiet pathways that litter Riverside make it a great place to take a romantic stroll or evening surrey bike ride. Despite being fairly spread out, it presents as intimate and romantic, and offers the most immersive themed environments of any Moderate Resort.
Thanks to the bikes, carriage rides, and fishing, there’s a lot to do at Riverside. There’s also great evening entertainment for adults. Dining is also great at Riverside, with an excellent (and well-themed) restaurant in Boatwright’s and a very fun food court that offers plenty of variety in Riverside Mill.
Honestly, we would not recommend most guests stay at Port Orleans Riverside, especially first-timers. Instead, enjoy a ‘best of both worlds’ approach by staying at French Quarter and walking over to Riverside to enjoy its amenities and ambiance. That’s the smart play.
3. Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
If this list were simply a barometer of popular opinion, Port Orleans French Quarter would rank #1. It’s the Moderate Resort that receives the most reader praise and fewest complaints, and it’s our understanding that it has very high guest satisfaction (one of the highest scores of all Walt Disney World resorts, not just Moderates).
This makes sense. French Quarter offers a consistently good experience and makes no obvious missteps. It’s not as “exciting” of a resort as the top 2, but you are likely to have a reliably good experience here–and without making room requests.
In recent years, POFQ has also fixed a few of its faults. Back in the 1990s, this resort was simply Port Orleans. When the post-9/11 dip in tourism hit Walt Disney World, the former Dixie Landings and Port Orleans Resorts, were consolidated to save on operating expenses. This meant the shuttering of the Bonfamille’s Cafe table-service restaurant, and loss of other amenities, which became shared with its sister resort, Port Orleans – Riverside.
The relatively new Scat Cat’s Club Lounge is a fantastic addition that has taken over the old Bonfamille’s Cafe space, serving a mixture of drinks and small plates along with live jazz music. It’s not a fully-fledged table service restaurant, but the food is good and it’s fun. Port Orleans French Quarter also has another lounge serving freshly-made beignets, which are a strong selling point. We’re not kidding–guests love these beignets.
Another huge selling point of French Quarter is its size–POFQ is the most compact of all the Moderate Resorts–as the primary reason why it’s the best Moderate Resort. With the opening of Gran Destino Tower, French Quarter has been bested in that regard, and falls down the list a bit as a result. However, the two aren’t really comparable–especially in price–so it’s difficult to penalize French Quarter in that regard. French Quarter also wins in terms of transportation and only having a single bus stop, which makes it more efficient than the other Moderate Resorts, even if it is all-bus transportation.
Then there’s the exceptional themed design at French Quarter, with a romanticized take on New Orleans. It is intimate, has beautiful fountains and wrought-iron details, plus the alligator band (who doesn’t love a musically-inclined alligator?!). The pool is strong, the grounds are charming, and the layout is a definite selling point for families.
Within the last 6 months, Port Orleans French Quarter received new rooms–a major update that has aesthetic pros and cons, but the end result is that the guest accommodations look and feel fresher. You can see more in Newly Reimagined Port Orleans Rooms Add Princess & Frog to French Quarter.
French Quarter has a lot going for it, and you’ll likely be very satisfied with a stay here. While it doesn’t have any game-changing features like the top 2 resorts on this list, it also lacks their faults and pitfalls. It’s entirely possible you’ll see more upside from the condensed layout and convenient, single bus stop than you will downside of no novel transportation or high-scale amenities.
2. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Thanks to its massive reimagining, Caribbean Beach Resort has addressed some of its biggest weaknesses and is now a contender for the title of best Moderate Resort at Walt Disney World. If you’ve read our full review, you know that I love Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and consider it “Polynesian-Lite” or “Poor Person’s Poly.”
Within the last year or so, all guest rooms at Caribbean Beach Resort have all been refreshed. While the regular rooms lost some of their color and character, they were also updated so they’re not as dark, dreary, or–most importantly–worn. Some of these rooms had a lot of wear and tear at the end of their lifecycle.
More significantly, there are also the new Little Mermaid-inspired rooms that are shockingly nice, DVC caliber accommodations. These are some of our favorite rooms at Walt Disney World, and although they are (frustratingly) not a distinct booking category, you can book the ‘correct’ type of room and request them. That’s highly recommended for these “Under the Sea” rooms, which are now by far the best option at CBR.
Aside from that, the pool, restaurants, and main lobby are all top-notch. These have all been enhanced, and Caribbean Beach Resort now feels nicer and chicer. Banana Cabana pool bar has been upgraded, the lobby is modern, and Sebastian’s Bistro has serious ‘Ohana vibes…except it’s better and cheaper (continuing that ‘Poly Lite’ comparison).
Then there’s the addition of Disney’s Riviera Resort, a new DVC tower that replaced several guest buildings at Caribbean Beach. The advantage here is in the amenities that Disney’s Riviera Resort offers. Dining is the big thing, with Primo Piatto, Le Petit Café, Bar Riva, and more easily accessible. Most importantly, there’s Topolino’s Terrace–both the Signature dinner and the Character Breakfast à la Art with Mickey & Friends.
The biggest upgrade at Caribbean Beach Resort is the Skyliner gondola. Caribbean Beach Resort is the hub for the Skyliner, with two stations offering access to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, plus Art of Animation, Pop Century, and Riviera Resorts. This is an absolute game-changer for easily accessing those parks within minutes, which is great for Early Entry and midday breaks. Not having to rely on buses to get to these two parks is huge, the value of which cannot be overstated.
The Skyliner is Caribbean Beach’s flagship feature, and why we think you should book it over French Quarter. However, it’s not all upside. Caribbean Beach has lost some of its serene, tropical charm. On top of that, it’s another sprawling Moderate Resort with an internal bus loop as opposed to a single stop. We receive more complaints about the size and walking distance at Caribbean Beach than anything else, so it’s imperative that you make a room request for one of the best locations at CBR if you do elect to stay here. If a more manageable resort size is make or break for you, book French Quarter or the next entry instead.
1. Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs Resort
Gran Destino Tower is a polarizing, love it or hate it, resort. If you read the above section on Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, you might assume we fall in the “hate it” camp. However, our full review of Gran Destino Tower reveals a bit more nuance.
When it comes to being inside Gran Destino Tower and enjoying its many amenities and luxurious quality, we love it. This tower is an excellent option for adults, honeymooners, or anyone wanting consolidated accommodations with everything they need under one roof. It’s the only Moderate Resort with a Club Level (the exceptional Chronos Club), and has the nicest rooms in its class.
Gran Destino Tower is home to Toledo, one of the best and most underrated table service restaurants at Walt Disney World. The nearby Dahlia Lounge is an excellent rooftop bar offering great views, atmosphere, and drinks. The lobby level Barcelona Lounge is another spot for fun nightlife, or excellent espresso and coffee in the mornings. Throughout this lobby and common areas, there’s a sense of sophistication and an upscale quality that’s unrivaled among Moderate Resorts. In fact, an argument can be made that Gran Destino Tower is one of the best luxury resorts at Walt Disney World–not just the #1 Moderate Resort.
The biggest upside to Gran Destino Tower is price. While the slate of amenities here makes this hotel tower comparable to many Deluxe Resorts, pricing is more like a Moderate Resort at a slight premium. Granted, it’s not located near any theme park and the themed design is not on par with the Deluxes, but if you’re not a “Disney person” or don’t care about theme and are just after a luxurious stay, Gran Destino is a very compelling option.
Even as “Disney people,” we’ve found ourselves staying here more and more–it looks nice and has upscale design flourishes, even if it lacks a truly transportive theme. It sneaks into this spot with a laundry list of amenities and features the other Moderates just cannot touch. We’ve found ourselves staying here more and more, especially when rates are competitive.
All-bus transportation is a definite downside, as is the internal transportation loop and having multiple bus stops. And in theory, the same could be said for Gran Destino being located at a sprawling resort. But the reality is all of that doesn’t matter as much here, as everything you truly need is under one roof.
You can access all of the amenities you need (aside from the pool) without ever stepping foot outside or walking around the outlying areas of Coronado Springs, and even the main bus stop is closer at Gran Destino Tower than it is at French Quarter. All of this, plus Deluxe Resort caliber accommodations at a Moderate+ price makes Gran Destino Tower our #1 pick.
Ultimately, there really is something for everyone at the Moderate Resort tier. If you want sprawling grounds that feel worlds away from Walt Disney World amid a richly-themed resort setting, Port Orleans Riverside is for you. If you want most of that minus the sprawling layout and with better transportation, check out French Quarter. For unrivaled transportation thanks to the Skyliner and easy access to exceptional eating, Caribbean Beach is your best bet. Looking for luxury accommodations that might be more at home in Las Vegas than Walt Disney World? Gran Destino Tower is unbeatable.
Even when it comes to those takeaways, our opinions aren’t the gospel. If we wanted this list to be more of a cop out, we would’ve put Port Orleans French Quarter at #1 because (as noted), it’s the fan-favorite with the highest approval rating. Or we would’ve had French Quarter, Caribbean Beach, and Gran Destino all tied for #1. Honestly, as lame as that might’ve been, it’s probably the fairest assessment!
In our view, the top 3 each have incredibly compelling selling points. Which one is truly #1 comes down to personal preference and which amenities you value most. That plus the priorities for your Walt Disney World vacation make a big deal with how these will rank for you. Given that, we’ve laid out the pros & cons of each Moderate Resorts so you can weigh the relevant considerations accordingly and make an informed decisions when booking your hotel!
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? If you’re interested in learning more about hotels, our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page is a good place to start. For where to eat, try out our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews page. If you want to save money on tickets or determine which type you should get, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at unconventional things you should take on your trip. Once you arrive at the parks, our Walt Disney World “Ride Guides” are great for determining what to do and when to do it. For overviews of all of these topics and so much more, the best place to start is our comprehensive Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide to make the most of your experience!
Your Thoughts
Which is your favorite Moderate Resort? How would you rank the hotels in this tier? Are there any that you dislike? Do you agree or disagree with our list, or the pros & cons for each Moderate Resort? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback—even when you disagree with us—is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Loved reading this. I agree with all you have written on almost every account. We have only stayed at the Caribbean Beach, but we have visited all except Port Orleans Riverside. CB has been an all time fav for me for all the reasons you stated in your article. Coronado Sp. felt as if I stepped out of the magic of Disney and I was anxious to leave the property. We had visited because my daughter at the time was smitten by the Three Amigos and this was the only place I was aware that I could find them at the time. While there, we dined at Peppers Market; while the food was decent the whole arrangement was a little confusing to us. We had to be seated and received a card with our food items we had ordered to present to the cashier, then had to tip the gentleman that was refilling our soda and clearing our table. This was quite different from “normal” counter service., I am not a cheap person.. but if I am choosing table service I tip very well.. but counter service I am expecting not to tip. When we visited Port Orleans French Quarter I felt the same as you with the themeing; I actually chuckled when reading how you felt they may have come up with this decor. I have heard wonderful things about PO Riverside. I am so use to CB’s vibrant atmosphere (which I love)that I am a bit nervous to take a step in the opposite direction. I was able to stay at a Deluxe (WL) for the first time this past May and very much enjoyed it for all the reasons you had stated you enjoy staying at a Deluxe as well. That being said our budget may not afford this on every trip and it caught my eye that you compared PO Riverside to a Deluxe. On our next trip I am not sure which resort will be the winner but this article has definitely helped put my feelings and ideas in a more organized perspective. Thank you
If you’re concerned about Riverside being too subdued, consider staying there for a Christmas trip. It has more ‘pop’ then.
I knew you would choose Riverside as your #1. Why did I know that? You guys are night owls and I have walked Riverside at 1am off-season when no one is around and it might be the most beautiful and romantic resort in all of Disney.
I have heard many times the Caribbean’s rooms are getting worn down and are due for an overhaul. Is that not true? And also, did you take into account the double beds?
For our first trip to Disney this past April, we chose Caribbean Beach Resort. We wanted a moderate resort for precisely the reasons you stated above, we wanted a mid-level price with mid-level amenities. The tropical feel and the awesome pool were a hit with our 9 & 6 yr old kids.
As a follow-up this October (yes, we loved it so much, we are on our way back a mere 6 months later!) we decided on Port Orleans Riverside, per suggestion from Len on May’s live podcast.
The resort is just beautiful, and your wonderful article has me even more excited!! It was my husband’s first choice in April, but I could not get past the patchwork quilt coverlets in the Alligator Bayou rooms, they just seemed so grandmother’s attic-y. Ick, not on MY tropical vacation! But with the recent refurbishments in that section, the rooms look sooo nice now.
Silly that bedspreads steered me away, but what can I say?!
Hey, at least you’re going to go now! Hope you have a great time!!!
As always, very informative and enjoyable! We stayed at a moderate for the first time our last trip (May ’12) and we stayed at POFQ. It actually shot up to the being one of the top resorts for us (and we almost always do deluxe). We just LOVED the tranquility (good word – a previous poster used it!) of the decor. We loved strolling to and from our room. I’m not a huge fun of sprawled out resorts like you, so it definitely was appealing on that level for us! However, you do make good arguments for the others and now have me wanting to at least give them a try 🙂
Great info about moderate resorts! I’ve never stayed at one. I’ve been to Disney 24 times, 11 times being the Poly and the rest were the Grand Floridian, the Swan, Wilderness Lodge, and one time at Pop Century for a friends wedding. Do you think I’d be sorely dissapointed if I stayed at a moderate? I was admittedly not a happy camper at Pop Century but didn’t have a choice in the matter.
Great info here!!! We’ve stayed at three of the mods so far and I’d rank them (worst to best): POFQ, CBR and CSR. We’re going to POR in November so I’ve VERY excited to finally hit them all. Plus…my favorite beer (Abita Turbodog) in on tap at the PO resorts…so that’s always a positive!!!
My wife and I just cannot justify the cost of going deluxe when the mods are so nice. We could almost do a 2 week vacation at POR vs 1 week at the POLY. I know a lot of people would still choose POLY…and we’d LOVE to stay there at some point…but I just can’t get over the price difference.
You like Abita?! Man, I don’t know why that beer is so popular. We have a number of Abita varieties when we were in NOLA, and I was unimpressed. Of course, I come from Michigan, micro-brew capitol of the US! 😉
I don’t stay at the moderates very often (I like to either save $ and stay at Pop or splurge and stay at a deluxe) but the first time I took my husband to Disney with me we stayed at POFQ. I chose this one because I thought it would be the most adult of the moderates, and I think I was right. I don’t know if kids don’t get the theme or if families just prefer Riverside because of the pool/amenities, but we hardly saw any children during our spring break trip here. At one point we were on a bus to one of the theme parks that was literally adults only.
As a couple of teachers with no kids of our own yet, POFQ was a great resort for us. It was such a tranquil place to come back to each day. I really enjoyed reading your ratings and hearing your point of view on each moderate resort! Made me want to try Riverside sometime.
Have been luckie enough to have stayed at 4 the hotels listed here.I like Riverside for it’s food court, sit down dining and Bob in the bar. French Quarter is next for the size, when yuo have RA the shorter the the better. Will be staying there again in Dec. with my 4yr old grandson and his mom and dad. Love you pix and all your great info. Used it last year for dining ideas. keep it up. Miss you on WDW Figment.
I have enjoyed each of my stays at the moderate resorts, Coronado Springs in 2010 and Riverside when I was a kid. My future plans include Caribbean Beach and maybe Fort Wilderness. However, I have no desire to stay at Riverside or French Quarter for a different reason than those discussed. I feel like I’m staying at home.
Because I live in Pascagoula, MS (think Sassagoula) and frequent New Orleans for weekend getaways, I don’t get the “vacation getaway” feeling when I’m at these resorts. Riverside feels like my parents backyard on the Pascagoula River while FQ just doesn’t feel like New Orleans. Don’t get me wrong, the resorts and grounds are gorgeous, the amenities and theming great (and the beignets are quite good)…they just don’t work for me.
My wife and I are huge fans of Coronado for the reasons stated in Tom’s post. The convention goers are there for meetings and don’t meaningfully influence our vacation. If we do interact with them, we are typically enjoying similar activities: eating a nice dinner, relaxing by the pool, having a late night cocktail, etc.
Thread hijack: Does where you live affect your resort choice?
I can totally see your point, and I suspect if we lived in Pascagoula, we’d feel the same way. I know I’d have ABSOLUTELY no desire to stay in an Indianapolis themed hotel. Disney vacations are largely about escapism, and staying at a hotel similar to your hometown doesn’t offer the requisite level of escape. Sure, it differs, but probably not enough.
But a hotel based on the Pagoda at the IMS would be very cool, no?
We’ve got a very small sample size, and I have to admit that CSR is a very close second to POFQ for us. We only spent 3 nights at CSR and were only at the resort to sleep, which did not give it its due. We spent 9 nights at POFQ and had an amazing time there. The only fault I can give it is the lack of “good” food options, but we did most of our eating at the Parks or Deluxe Resorts by design anyway. We spent the better part of 2 days at the resort and loved the small intimate appeal of it. I actually give it points for being such close proximity to POR, but we honestly didn’t miss any of the amenities that POR had that POFQ didn’t.
Count me as one of the people that LOVE PO-FQ! The only Mod I haven’t stayed at is POR (next year!) and I do love its compact size. Honestly I’m not at the resort long enough to “explore” so that doesn’t bother me. And if by “explore” you mean “walk 20 mins from the front desk to your room” (like I did with Coronado Springs), well I’ll take the compact size! The alligators do freak me out though, and I like the subtle theming. Since I don’t use the watercraft and such, it doesn’t bother me that FQ shares with R. I do like the boat to DTD as well, and I agree the food court does freak me out a bit. But I do love the rooms! I think they’re some of the nicest. Richly themed rooms + easy to navigate = winner in my book!
I knew a lot of people would disagree with POFQ in last place. For what it’s worth, I think it’s a great resort, just not any better than the rest.
The resort size element will be a decisive point for a lot of people. I love sprawling resorts, but judging by what I’ve read online, I suspect that many others don’t share that love.
While I respectfully disagree with your #5 choice, I can certainly understand your rationale for ranking it as such (and were I an unbiased referee, I would absolutely agree with your ranking). I stayed at POFQ many times, as it opened shortly after my sixth birthday, and I learned to swim in Doubloon Lagoon (I’m not kidding); it was my family’s go-to resort for a number of years. So, of course, my reasons for contesting its ranking are purely nostalgic. However, after reading your review, I’m tempted to change my New Year’s Eve reservations from French Quarter to Riverside. Great post!
On a slightly separate note: have you all dined recently at Boatwrights? I’ve read a number of extremely negative reviews, and I canceled my ADR last December as a result.
It has been a while since I dined at Boatwrights, but I hadn’t heard anything negative recently. Care to share the reviews?
I wish you would stop telling everyone how great POR is…………….Only kidding! We love it and agree with you that if it can’t be the BW which is my absolute fav it has to be POR!
Don’t worry–this blog only has 7 readers, two of which are my pets. I think the secret is “safe” here! 😉
Riverside is our favorite resort!! Stayed the over 20 times. You can not beat the theming. It is so relaxing. We have stayed at the Poly, WL, POP, and 3 out of 4 Moderates and we keep coming back to Riverside.
20 times?! Wow!
So I take it you sort of like POR?
This year will be my first trip to Port Orleans Riverside and I am so relieved that you’ve placed it in first place. You’ve made me just that little bit more excited! I’m actually flying out from London to stay there in a week’s time for three weeks, so I’ll tell you if I agree with your rankings when I get back 🙂
Don’t be relieved just yet. Plenty of people disagree with me! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do, though!
We stayed at riverside last year and loved it. The theming like you said is just amazing great for strolls at night. We’re trying carribbean beach this October from your review it sounds like we won’t be dissatisfied.
I hope CBR lives up to your expectations!
I enthusiastically agree with your choice for Port Orleans Riverside as #1! We have a family of 5 and this is the only Moderate that we can stay at, as it is the only one that accomodates more than 4 (appropriately exempting the cabins). We love the detailed theming & lush landscaping, as you well described. The dixieland jazz music that is played throughout sets the tone beautifully. We visited at Christmas last year & loved the Christmas-themed music variation. The boatride to downtown Disney is a great bonus, very relaxing. We stayed in a room that had just been refurbished in November in the Bayou section & applaud the changes & improved theming. All in all, this is a spectacular gem for families. Great pick!
Oh, and love your website! Thanks for all the time you both invest to inform and entertain us about all things Disney. We’re going to be taking our first DL trip, and your detailed information on DL/DCA has been fantastic.
Thanks for the kind words about the website. We have yet to see it decorated for Christmas, but now you’ve piqued my curiosity!
I was at POR the first week of December. I thought it was a lovely resort-although by day 5 I was ready to never hear “Down by the Riverside” again (it play A LOT in the dining room)! It was decorated beautifully for Christmas-tasteful and not overdone. We took advantage of the pools-my nieces loved them. We also took the boat to/from Downtown Disney-it was a great, and I think, overlooked option. We had the quick serve dining plan and the food options in the dining room were great (and at all of the parks, really). I highly recommend the mahi mahi grilled sandwich. We used the north bus stop a couple of times because of the location to our building (#39). Hint: the other bus stops (north and west) were less crowded before it made it’s way to the south/main stop.
This was my first trip back to WDW since I was a pre-teen in 1979. So much has changed so everything was Magical to me!
Do any of the resorts offer a microwave in the room? That was our only complaint.
Hi there,
I was looking at the rooms and they have 2 queen size beds.. How did they accommodate a family of 5? Do they have a pull out bed?
Thank you! =)
Diane
Good stuff. But you aren’t making our choice any easier. Even with the Twitter universe giving high praise to POR, my wife doesn’t like the pics she has seen on other websites (Yours are great, by the way).
So, the dilemma is this: I have a conference in October (I know we are late…) and some free flight coupons so the family is going with me (for five total people). The conference hotel is the Swan and Dolphin, which is great, but I really might prefer Riverside.
Both hotels are comparatively priced (due to conference rates), so it really comes down to theming, room size (have to rent a rollaway at Swalphin), location (the Epcot area is hard to beat) and Magical Express availability.
So, there it is. Any advice?
Swalphin. Without a doubt.
Seriously, it’s a no-brainer decision. Being within walking distance of Epcot during Food & Wine Festival and going on a conference rate? Not even a close call.
Even without DME, I’d do Swalphin in a second. Just make sure the comparative rates include all the “extras” at the Swalphin.
Perfect. The Dolphin has an $8 resort fee covering internet, water and access to the health club, plus the conference is in the hotel. Not having a refrigerator is a drawback, but we will deal with it.
But, you are right, proximity to the Boardwalk, Beach Club (Beaches and Bream), EPCOT and DHS are great perks that I think we would miss.
Thanks!
I couldn’t agree more! I just got back from staying at the Swan and it was wonderful! We visited the Dolphin as well, but didn’t like it quite as much. It seemed louder and not as cozy as the Swan.
DOLPHIN!!!!! I’ve been there 15 times. Half f them were spent at Dolphin. Great prich. Cool transport to Magic Kingdom. Great view from windows. Of course, if you don’t mind spending money…. Contemporarys always AMAZING!!!!! Good luck on your trip! Hope this advice helps!
Tom, you may very well have just convinced me to switch from POFQ to Riverside for our September trip. We’re normally not huge fans of the large, sprawled out resorts with multiple bus stops, but I do agree that the amenities are better at Riverside. Plus, we’ve already ‘done’ POFQ a few times; it might be time to change it up a bit! Great post.
Here’s hoping that it doesn’t let you down!