Disney World Value vs Moderate Resorts: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
“Should I upgrade to a moderate resort?” It’s one of the questions I get asked most often, and I completely understand why. The value resorts are appealing for good reason. They’re affordable, they’re clean, and they come with all the on-site perks that make staying at Walt Disney World so convenient. But once you start pricing things out, it’s hard not to wonder what you’d get by spending a little more. Is a moderate resort really that much nicer? Or are you just paying extra for a fancier name?
I’ve stayed at both tiers multiple times, and on one of our most recent trips, my family did a split stay that gave us the perfect side-by-side comparison. We started at Pop Century and finished at Port Orleans Riverside. Switching resorts mid-trip made the differences between Disney World value vs moderate resorts impossible to miss, both the ones that made the upgrade worth it and a few that surprised me.
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Disney World Value vs Moderate Resorts at a Glance
If you just want the quick version, here’s how the two tiers compare on the things most families care about.
| Value Resorts | Moderate Resorts | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Room Size | Approximately 260 sq. ft. | Approximately 314 sq. ft. |
| Dining | Food court and pool bar | Food court, pool bar, lounge, and table service at most resorts |
| Pools | Themed pools, no waterslides | Themed main pool with waterslide, plus leisure pools |
| Theming | Bright, bold, larger-than-life icons | Immersive, setting-based, more relaxed |
| Bus Stops | One central stop with organized lines | Usually multiple stops (except French Quarter) |
| On-Site Perks | Same | Same |
What You Get at Both Value and Moderate Resorts
Let’s start with what doesn’t change, because it matters more than people realize. Every Disney Resort hotel guest, value or moderate, gets the same core on-site perks. That includes Early Theme Park Entry every day of your stay, free Disney transportation, free standard parking at the theme parks, and the ability to purchase Lightning Lane passes 7 days before your trip. Extended Evening Hours are reserved for deluxe guests, so upgrading to a moderate doesn’t unlock that perk either.
And honestly? The value resorts deliver on the basics. In my experience, they’re clean, well-maintained, and easy to navigate. You get free transportation, fun pools, a food court with mobile ordering, and rooms that, while small, have a surprisingly good amount of storage. We’ve stayed at the All-Stars, Pop Century, and Art of Animation, and I’d happily stay at any of these resorts again.
So when you upgrade to a moderate, you aren’t paying for better park access. You’re paying for a better resort experience. Whether that’s worth it depends on how much time you’ll actually spend at your hotel.
Room Size: The Difference You’ll Notice First
If there’s one upgrade that makes the biggest impression, it’s the room. Standard value resort rooms are approximately 260 square feet, while moderate resort rooms are approximately 314 square feet. On paper, 54 square feet doesn’t sound like much. In person, it’s a completely different story.
When we walked into our room at Port Orleans Riverside after several nights at Pop Century, the first thing we all noticed was how spacious it felt. It felt huge by comparison. There was room to actually move around, to open suitcases without playing furniture Tetris, and to get ready in the morning without bumping into each other. Nothing was wrong with our Pop Century room. It was clean, comfortable, and well-designed for its size. But there’s a real difference between a room that works and a room that feels relaxing.
This matters most for families of four, families traveling with little ones who nap in the room, and anyone on a longer trip where you’ll be living out of that space for a week or more. If you’re a couple who only uses the room to sleep and shower, the size difference will matter a lot less.
Expert tip: Select rooms at Caribbean Beach and in the Alligator Bayou section of Port Orleans Riverside include a pull-down bed for a fifth guest (a child). Standard value resort rooms max out at four guests, so a moderate can be a smart alternative for a family of five that doesn’t want to book a suite.
Theming and Atmosphere: Fun vs. Peaceful
This is the difference I didn’t expect to feel as strongly as I did. The value resorts are known for bright, bold theming with giant icons, oversized characters, and pops of color everywhere you look. It’s playful and fun, and lots of kids absolutely love it. It also sets a very energetic tone.
The moderate resorts take a different approach. Instead of larger-than-life icons, they’re built around immersive settings: a sleepy Louisiana bayou, a Caribbean island getaway, a Mardi Gras-inspired New Orleans, or a Spanish and Southwestern lakeside retreat. Moving from Pop Century to Port Orleans Riverside, the resort felt quieter, more peaceful, and a bit more “adult.” Walking back to our room through moss-draped trees along the river after a long park day was genuinely relaxing in a way that’s hard to describe.
Neither style is better. It really comes down to your family. If your kids light up at the sight of a giant Buzz Lightyear, a value resort might actually be the more magical choice for them. But if you’re craving a place to decompress after loud, crowded park days, the moderates offer a calmer atmosphere that’s worth a lot.
Pools: Waterslides Make a Difference
Value resort pools are fun and themed, but none of them have waterslides. Every moderate resort’s main pool does, along with additional leisure pools spread throughout the resort.
If your kids are pool people, this is a big one. My girls were young when we stayed at Coronado Springs, and the Lost City of Cibola pool with its pyramid waterslide was honestly the highlight of their entire trip. If you’re planning afternoon pool breaks or a resort day, the moderate pools give kids (and plenty of adults) a lot more to do. The extra leisure pools also mean you’re more likely to find a quiet spot when the main pool gets busy.
Dining: A Real Restaurant on Property
At the value resorts, your on-site dining options are a food court and a pool bar. The food courts are solid, convenient, and work well with mobile ordering, but that’s it.
Moderate resorts add more variety, including lounges and, at most resorts, a table-service restaurant. Caribbean Beach has Sebastian’s Bistro, Port Orleans Riverside has Boatwright’s Dining Hall, and Coronado Springs has several options, including Toledo at the top of Gran Destino Tower. Port Orleans French Quarter doesn’t have its own table-service restaurant, but Boatwright’s is a short walk away at Riverside, and French Quarter has some of the best beignets on property.
Why does this matter? Having a sit-down dinner option at your resort means you can enjoy a nice meal on a pool day or after an early park exit without traveling anywhere. For couples and adult groups especially, a resort lounge or restaurant makes the hotel feel like part of the vacation instead of just a place to sleep.
Transportation and Layout: Where Values Actually Win
Here’s where I want to be honest, because not every difference favors the moderates.
The value resorts typically have one central bus stop with designated lines for each park. Everyone waits in an organized queue, and the system works well. At Port Orleans Riverside, the bus stops had benches but no real lines. On one chilly morning, that led to some pushing as people crowded the entrance when the bus pulled up. Several groups who arrived just before the bus showed up got on ahead of us, even though we’d been waiting much longer. It isn’t a huge issue most of the time, but it’s worth knowing before you go.
The moderates are also more spread out. Most have multiple bus stops throughout the resort, which means the bus may already be fairly full by the time it reaches yours. Port Orleans French Quarter is the exception, with just one bus stop and a compact layout. If you’re staying at a larger moderate like Riverside, Caribbean Beach, or Coronado Springs, requesting a room near the main building or your preferred bus stop during online check-in can make a big difference.
On the plus side, the moderates offer some fun transportation extras. Both Port Orleans resorts have boat service to Disney Springs, and Caribbean Beach is the main hub for the Disney Skyliner. It is worth noting that both the Pop Century and Art of Animation are on the Disney Skyliner as well. So in the end, transportation is a bit of a mixed bag depending on the resort you choose.
Already Booked at Pop Century or Art of Animation? Read This
This is where the upgrade question gets really interesting. Pop Century and Art of Animation are typically the most expensive value resorts, so the price gap between them and a moderate is often smaller than people expect. Depending on your dates, room type, and any discounts Disney is offering, the difference can be surprisingly modest. And when Disney releases a room discount that includes the moderates, the gap can shrink even further.
If you’re already booked at one of these two resorts, it’s absolutely worth pricing out a moderate for your dates. But there are two important things to consider before you switch.
You could lose the Skyliner. Pop Century and Art of Animation both have Skyliner access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Among the moderates, only Caribbean Beach keeps that perk. If you love the Skyliner, or you’re planning lots of time at those two parks, Caribbean Beach is the natural upgrade. Moving to Coronado Springs or either Port Orleans resort means going back to buses for those parks.
Art of Animation Family Suites are a different comparison. If you’re booked in an Art of Animation Family Suite, you’re getting much more space than a standard moderate room, plus two bathrooms and room for up to six guests. A moderate room won’t match that. For larger families, sticking with the suite (or comparing it against two moderate rooms) usually makes more sense.
When Upgrading to a Moderate Resort Is Worth It
From my experience, the upgrade is worth the extra cost when:
- You’ll spend real time at the resort. Pool afternoons, midday breaks, and resort days are where moderates shine.
- You’re traveling as a family of four or more. The extra room space makes daily life on vacation noticeably easier.
- You want a quieter, more relaxing atmosphere. The moderates feel more peaceful, especially at night.
- You’d enjoy a sit-down meal at your hotel. Having table service and lounges on property adds flexibility.
- The price gap is small. If you’re comparing Pop Century or Art of Animation against a discounted moderate, the upgrade can be a great value.
When You Should Stick With a Value Resort
And the value resort is probably the smarter choice when:
- You’re at the parks from rope drop to close. If your room is just for sleeping, the extra space and amenities won’t get much use.
- The money matters more elsewhere. The savings could cover Lightning Lane passes, a special dining experience, or an extra park day.
- You love the Skyliner. Unless you’re upgrading to Caribbean Beach, you’ll give it up.
- Your kids love bold, character-filled theming. For some families, the value resort theming is part of the magic.
- You need a suite. Art of Animation’s Family Suites offer space that a standard moderate room can’t match. All-Star Music features family suites as well… but book early because they’re popular and go fast!
Final Thoughts: Is the Upgrade From Value to Moderate Worth It?
After staying at both on the same trip, my honest answer is that the moderates really are nicer. The rooms feel more spacious, the pools are more exciting, the dining is more varied, and the atmosphere is calmer. That said, the value resorts hold their own better than many people expect, and they even beat the moderates in a few areas, like organized bus lines and Skyliner access at Pop Century and Art of Animation.
If you’re on a tight budget, you can stay at a value resort with total confidence and still have an amazing trip. But if you’ve stayed at the values before and you’re curious about the next level, or if you’re already booked at Pop Century or Art of Animation and a moderate is only a little more for your dates, I think the upgrade is absolutely worth considering.
The best Disney resort isn’t the most expensive one you can afford. It’s the one that makes your vacation feel easier and more enjoyable for your family.
Want a closer look at each tier? Check out my guides to the Disney World value resorts and the Disney World moderate resorts for a resort-by-resort breakdown.
Ready to Start Planning Your Walt Disney World Vacation?
Here are some resources to help you get started!
Walt Disney World Dining Guides:
Walt Disney World Attraction Guides:
- Attraction Guide for Magic Kingdom
- Attraction Guide for Epcot
- Attraction Guide for Hollywood Studios
- Attraction Guide for Animal Kingdom
Not sure which resort tier is right for you? Here’s a look at all your on-site options!
Value Resorts | Moderate Resorts | Deluxe Resorts | Deluxe Villas
Planning your first Walt Disney World vacation? Be sure to visit my step-by-step planning guide to get started!
