Tips for Getting the Best Deal on a Disney World Moderate Resort Hotel Room

Yesterday we looked at how to get the best price on a Disney World Value Resort hotel room and today we’re going to see where the deals can be found on the Disney World moderate resorts.    We’ve put together some price comparisons for you to help you get the best deal.   The Disney World Moderate Resorts are Disney’s Coronado Springs, Caribbean Beach, Port Orleans Riverside, and Port Orleans French Quarter Resorts.  While they do cost more than the value resorts, the rooms are larger, the resorts have pool slides, more amenities and nicer landscaping without costing as much as the Disney World deluxe resorts, which we’ll look at in a future post.

 There are three general ways that Disney charges for rooms and understanding those situations will help you get the best price.

1.  Rack Rate - This is the non-discounted price for a room in a Disney World hotel.

2.  Room Rate Discount -  These are promotions that reduce the cost of a room at a Disney World hotel.   These promotions may be offered to the general public or they may be offered to select individuals through a PIN code promotion.   This type of discount can usually be applied to both room-only and package reservations.  When applied to a package that includes theme park tickets and a Disney Dining Plan, the discount will only apply to the room portion of the package.   The Spring Discount in the examples below are this type of a promotion.

3. Vacation Package Promotions – This type of promotion discounts the tickets or dining plan but charges rack rate for the room.   The most familiar example of this is probably the Disney Free Dining Promotion where guests pay rack rate for the room portion of their package, the regular rate for their theme park tickets but receive the Disney Dining Plan for free.

In the examples below,  I’m comparing Rack Rate to the Spring Room Rate Discount.  I’ll look at actual prices for specific dates but this information will give you some general trends that will apply to other dates and other discounts.   These prices do not include sales tax.

April 14

• Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort: Rack Rate – $239  / Spring Offer – $179.25
• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort: Rack Rate – $234 / Spring Offer – $175.50
• Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort: Rack Rate – $234 / Spring Offer – $187.50
• Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort: Rack Rate – $234 / Spring Offer – $222.30

May 23

• Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort: Rack Rate – $185  / Spring Offer – $138.75
• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort: Rack Rate – $180 / Spring Offer – $135
• Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort : Rack Rate – $180 / Spring Offer – $144
• Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort: Rack Rate – $180 / Spring Offer – $171

 June 2

• Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort: Rack Rate – $210  / Spring Offer – $157.50
• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort: Rack Rate – $205 / Spring Offer – $153.75
• Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort: Rack Rate – $205 / Spring Offer – $164
• Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort: Rack Rate – $205 / Spring Offer – $194.75

Conclusions:

• Travel Dates Matter: Did you notice how much the rack rates and discounted rates varied from one date to another?  Traveling during Easter / Spring Break or during the summer season has a definite impact on the wallet.  If your dates are flexible, travel during slower times to save money and enjoy shorter lines.
• Vacation Package Promotions - If the promotion discounts only the tickets and/or dining, use the information below about rack rate to guide your selection.  If the promotion includes a room rate discount, use the Room Discount Information.
• Rack Rate: If you are paying rack rate or using a promotion that charges rack rate for the room but discounts other items like dining or tickets, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort will generally be the most expensive option, while Caribbean Beach and the two Port Orleans Resorts will probably cost the same amount.    Coronado Springs is only about $5 more per night so don’t rule it out, if it is your favorite resort – it won’t significantly increase your package price.
• Room Rate Discounts:  Just like value resorts, there was a bit of a surprise here: Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter was always the most expensive option – significantly more expensive. Disney’s Caribbean Beach was always the least expensive option.  In the May 23 example, the spring disount provided a savings of $46.25 for Coronado Springs Resort, $45 for Caribbean Beach Resort and $36 for Port Orleans Riverside Resort, but only a $9 savings for Port Orleans French Quarter.   That is a difference of at least $27 per night; a savings of $135 ($151.88 when you factor in sales tax)  over the course of a 5 night stay.
• Note about Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort – Caribbean Beach Resort is the only Disney moderate resort that still has double beds, the others all have queen beds.  Caribbean Beach has the best pool for young families with a zero-depth entry pool and a really great pirate ship splash zone.
• Note about Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort – This resort is the smallest and the first to fill, which is probably why Disney doesn’t feel the need to discount the rooms as much.

Final recommendation:

• Don’t by shy about asking for a comparison.   Let us (or Disney or your Travel Agent) know whether the specific resort or the lowest price is the highest priority.  Let us know if you have any flexibility with travel dates so that we can help you get the best price.  We are always happy compare the available options for you.

See photos & get information on the Disney World Moderate Resorts:

• Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort – http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/images/wdw/ModerateCoronadoSprings/index.htm
• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort - http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/images/wdw/ModerateCaribbeanBeach/index.htm
• Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort - http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/images/wdw/ModeratePortOrleansRiverside/index.htm
• Disney’s  Port Orleans French Quarter Resort -http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/images/wdw/ModeratePortOrleansFrenchQuarter/index.htm

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