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Disney Moderate Hotels - Pros and Cons for Solo Travel to Disney World

Should you stay at a Disney Moderate Resort on your solo trip to Walt Disney World?

Here are some pros and cons for staying solo at the Moderate resorts on the Walt Disney World property.

As I discussed in the Solo Magic podcast, the Walt Disney World Resort property has 25 Disney hotels to accommodate whatever kind of solo trip you may want to take. Because Walt Disney World is essentially a city-sized hotel (the same size as San Francisco!) choosing based on location doesn't always work. For example, Caribbean Beach is 15 minutes away from Epcot by Skyliner, but you'd still need to take a bus to Animal Kingdom!

Therefore, choose based on price and vibes when you are choosing a hotel for your solo trip. Ask yourself: which hotel is in your budget and speaks to you the most? Note that all Disney hotels are very safe, have a recreation program (like pools and activities), include transportation to and from the Parks, allow you early morning entry to the Parks, and have food and beverage options. So you'll never be stuck at a hotel and be hungry!

To help make your hotel decision, Disney has categorized their hotels into three categories: Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. 

Moderate resorts have a fairly affordable price point and are themed around a geographic location. This theming is pulled through landscaping, public recreation spaces, and rooms. 

There are four Moderate resorts:

  • Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
  • Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
  • Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
  • Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Pros for Solos

  • A fairly affordable price point: Of course, I don't know what is reasonable for you, but Moderate resorts have a moderate price point. You can usually find a room around $300 (But also as low as $200 and as high as $400), which (especially for short-ish trips) is not unreasonable for one. You can definitely feel the difference in the rooms and hotel amenities between Moderate rooms and Value resorts. The price difference between Value and Moderate resorts may be just what you need to book the best solo trip for you!
  • Immersive theming: All four of the Moderate resorts are themed around a geographic area, and that theming is pulled through the building design, landscaping, menu options, and room furnishings. This theming means that you could feel that you’ve gone not only to Disney World, but to a totally different local, which may mean two solo vacations in one! 
  • Multiple food and beverage options: All of the Moderate hotels have a quick-service fast food-like restaurant like they do at Value resorts, but Moderate resorts also have at least one additional food and beverage option, such as restaurant or even a jazz bar! Having these additional food and beverage options means you can experience a more sophisticated evening meal or drink, if you choose, to enjoy during your solo vacation.
  • Multiple pool options: One of my favourite things about Moderate resorts is that (except for Port Orleans French Quarter) along with a large, themed pool with a waterslide (!), there are also multiple quiet pools, which are great to relax with a book, and maybe that is exactly what you want on your time by yourself. Plus, a swimming at Disney pool is the best time to try out a new swimsuit! I got a ton of compliments on this one I got on Amazon last time I was at Port Orleans! (Amazon paid link)).

Cons for Solos

  • Amenities are still for families: The Moderate resorts are not the Deluxe resorts. Deluxe resorts have more decorations and food and drink options that appeal to adult visitors. If you wanted this type of experience, check out the Deluxe resorts for options on your solo trip.  
  • Further away from Parks: While I don't think that choosing a hotel solely based on location makes the most sense given the parks are so spread out, Deluxe resorts will always be the closest to a Park. Therefore, be prepared to take buses from the Moderate resorts to the Parks. But, honestly, that is still the case at Deluxe resorts too!  
  • Bar and food options are limited: It is great to have multiple options for food and drink at Moderate resorts, but you're still limited if you wanted a really fancy dinner or drinks. Treating yourself may be the whole point of your trip! For more options check out a Deluxe resort OR book at the Coronado, which is a Moderate resort with many food and drink options for the conference crowd.

So should you stay at a Moderate resort if you're solo?

If you want an adult-feeling vacation on your solo trip to Disney World but are still on a budget (who isn't?), Moderate is great for you!
But if you're used to more luxury, then check out the Deluxe resorts.


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