Moderate resorts are the middle tier of hotel accommodations at Walt Disney World. Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans and Riverside offer more amenities than a value resort and, as you might expect, fewer than a deluxe resort. These moderate hotels offer a variety of room types and upgrades, but are they worth it? Should you pay more for a better view at a moderate resort?
We firmly believe that a view upgrade alone is not worth upgrading at a Disney moderate resort. There might be one exception to that rule (we’ll cover that later), but a better view is simply not worth it. However, we do think that location and building upgrades can be worth it at moderate resorts. Some of those properties are sprawling, and having a room near the lobby can make a huge difference.
The majority of Disney moderate hotels have rooms with doors that open to the outside. This means that most buildings at moderate resorts have walkways that many guests will be using daily just outside the room’s window. You might be able to see part of the water at Disney’s Port Orleans or Riverside resort, but it comes at the cost of everyone looking into your room as they walk past. It’s tough to enjoy the view from inside your room when you feel like you’re in an exhibit for those passing by.
The lone exception to this rule is over at the Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs resort. The Gran Destino Tower has indoor hallways, and is in many ways as close as you can get to a deluxe Disney resort while still paying closer to moderate resort prices. Read our full Gran Destino Tower review to see why. Upgrading your view at the Gran Destino Tower can make sense. The water view offers views the water (obviously), the rest of the resort, and of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which is pretty special.
Final verdict: Skip the view upgrade at Disney’s moderate resorts and use that money elsewhere during your vacation.
