Jessica:
Because the Caribbean Beach Resort is the only moderate resort that features the gradual, sloping entry of a zero-entry pool and it didn't work for your family, I'd recommend looking at the new Art of Animation resort to stay within your budget of a value or moderate hotel with this feature.
The
Art of Animation offers three pools and water play areas for the youngsters in your group to get accustomed to the larger depths of the pool. Although there are the occasional fish and flower "fountains" that squirt water into the Big Blue Pool, your kids probably won't be as intimated as they were by the water canons at Caribbean Beach Resort.
Although the most "adventurous" pools at a value or moderate would be Old Man River at Port Orleans or the pyramid slide at Coronado Springs for your group's teenager, neither have zero-entry. However, I have to tell you that when I took my 14-year-old to Art of Animation, he thought the entire resort was "cool." One of its lesser-known features is the music playing under the water at the Big Blue Pool, which is certainly not experienced by every teen, and the fact that the resort's arcade was near the pool, also didn't hurt.
Another consideration is to stay at the least expensive Value Resort and splurge on the Water Parks & More option on your
Magic Your Way Ticket. Typically, the savings you'll find between opting for a Value over a Moderate can cover the cost, and you'll get to enjoy several trips to Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon that will definitely offer something for everyone.
Wishing y'all a magical vacation!
Whitney