Should You Upgrade to a Disney Moderate Resort? | Walt Disney World's Hidden Sweet Spot
Disney Travel Secrets - How to do Disney
Kerri Stuart
3.2 • 995 Ratings
🗓️ 2 March 2026
⏱️ 17 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
472 - Is a Disney World Moderate Resort worth the upgrade? In this episode of the Disney Travel Secrets Podcast, #1 best-selling authors and Travel Agents Rob & Kerri Stuart break down everything you need to know about Walt Disney World's four Moderate Resorts — and why they might be the smartest move for your next Disney vacation.
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From the cozy charm of Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter (Rob & Kerri's personal go-to) to the convention-style luxury of Disney's Coronado Springs Grand Destino Tower, the riverboat magic of Port Orleans Riverside, and the Disney Skyliner access at Caribbean Beach Resort — this episode covers it all.
Rob & Kerri also share a hilarious personal story about how a septic system emergency led to a spontaneous overnight stay at French Quarter, why Coronado Springs is unmatched for dining and concierge perks, and the real dollar-for-dollar value of stepping up from a Value Resort to a Moderate.
In this episode you'll learn:
- The key differences between Disney's Value, Moderate, and Deluxe Resorts
- Which Moderate Resort is best for families, couples, and convention travelers
- Why the Disney Skyliner changed everything for Caribbean Beach Resort
- The best pools, dining, and theming at each Moderate Resort
- Whether the ~$90/night price difference is actually worth it (spoiler: Rob & Kerri think so)
- Insider tips on mobility considerations, room sizes, and transportation options
- Why Port Orleans French Quarter is the smallest — and most beloved — resort on Disney property
🍕 This episode is sponsored by Giordano's — the official pizza restaurant of Disney Travel Secrets, with locations on SR-535 near Hotel Row and Highway 192.
Keywords: Disney World moderate resorts, Port Orleans French Quarter, Port Orleans Riverside, Caribbean Beach Resort, Coronado Springs Grand Destino Tower, Disney Skyliner, Walt Disney World resort guide, Disney vacation tips, Disney travel hacks, best Disney resorts for families, Disney resort upgrade, Disney World hotels, Disney trip planning, Disney travel agent, Disney podcast, Disney World 2026, family vacation planning, Disney insider tips, value vs moderate Disney resort, Disney World transportation
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | What if the sweet spot when it comes to your resort on your Walt Disney World vacation isn't the cheapest option or the most expensive? |
| 0:09.5 | Today, we're breaking down the moderate resorts at Walt Disney World. |
| 0:14.0 | And trust me, these hidden gems might just become your new favorite way to do Disney. |
| 0:19.7 | Hello there, my friend, and welcome to this week's episode of the Disney Travel Secrets |
| 0:24.0 | Podcast. |
| 0:25.0 | We are your travel agent hosts and bestselling authors, Robin Carey Stewart, and we are here |
| 0:29.1 | in the CMV studio in beautiful Windemir, Florida. |
| 0:32.8 | It's been a little chilly lately. |
| 0:34.4 | This is episode number 472, original air date March 2nd, 2026. |
| 0:41.5 | Wait, we're in February ago. |
| 0:42.9 | I know. |
| 0:43.3 | February is gone. |
| 0:44.3 | Ipe gone. |
| 0:45.4 | But thank you so much for listening to this week's show, and we want to give a special |
| 0:50.4 | thanks to this week's partner, Giordano's, the official pizza restaurant of Disney Travel |
| 0:55.7 | Secrets. And they have two convenient locations here in Orlando. One is on 535 right next to Hotel |
| 1:02.5 | Row by Disney Springs, and the other one is over on Highway 192. Which, if you know us, we usually |
| 1:08.8 | avoid that area, so we go to the one on 535. And this is one of our pro tips where you might want to have a microwave delivered to your resort. Because the Giordana's pizza is so much more than a meal. It's more like meals. Yes. More meals. It is. But also your food courts have microwaves over at the resort. So you don't have to get one to your room, but it can be a nice touch. |
| 1:30.8 | So we are just about a week away from our business trip to Europe for most of March. |
| 1:36.3 | But we are excited today to focus on the Walt Disney World's moderate resorts. |
| 1:42.8 | And unless we're going to be staying on Disney property for a business event, |
| 1:45.7 | odds are you're going to find us not just any Disney moderate resort, |
... |
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