Hey there, Lauren! Welcome to planDisney!
Let me be the first to wish you a very happy early birthday! I can think of a better place to celebrate a big birthday than Walt Disney World and a Disney Cruise Line adventure. I’m thrilled to help you make the first leg of your trip a magical experience.
The Walt Disney World moderate resorts include
Coronado Springs Resort,
Caribbean Beach Resort,
Port Orleans - French Quarter, and
Port Orleans - Riverside. Spoiler: they’re all great, and I think you’ll have a great time at whichever one you choose. That being said, each resort has its particular strengths that might suit your family’s needs or preferences better than the others.
Coronado Springs is located in the Animal Kingdom Resort Area and features a beautiful blend of Spanish, Mexican, and Southwest American decor. With its convention center, this is one of the larger moderate resorts, but it also has the most dining options of all the moderate resorts. Combine that with the epic Lost City of Cibola Pool, and this resort is a good option for families planning to have a resort day.
Next up is Caribbean Beach Resort. This sprawling tropical getaway is known for its pool, the Spanish fortress-themed Fuentes del Morro Pool, as well as being a transportation hub since the addition of the
Disney Skyliner. You can take the Skyliner to both Hollywood Studios and EPCOT from the Caribbean Beach Resort Skyliner station, and the Riviera Resort station, which goes to EPCOT, is an easy walk if you’re staying on the north side of Caribbean Beach Resort. If Hollywood Studios or EPCOT are priorities for your family, then this may be the resort for you.
I’m going to talk about the last two moderate resorts, Port Orleans - French Quarter and Port Orleans - Riverside, together because they next next-door neighbors and share some of the same qualities. Both of these resorts are lovely and feature the charm of old New Orleans and Louisiana. Despite Port Orleans - Riverside being one of the larger resorts, I’ve always felt like both are quieter compared to the other moderate resorts. They also both feature great food options and fun pools. If you think you’ll need a quiet resort day to relax and recharge before heading off to your cruise, then Port Orleans is for you.
Again, I really don’t think you can go wrong with any of these resorts. If I were visiting with my family—which includes a 5, 10, and 13-year-old—I’d probably go with Caribbean Beach Resort because it gives us easy access to 2 of the 4 theme parks. But you know your crew best!
Lauren, I hope this overview of the moderate resorts helps with your vacation planning. I just know your visit to Walt Disney World, voyage with Disney Cruise Lines, and most importantly, your 40th birthday celebrations will all be amazing. Pop right back if you have any other Disney vacation planning questions. Your planDisney pals are here to help!
Magical travels!
Matt