Picking a resort is important when planning your next Walt Disney World vacation. Here is a complete guide to Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort with all the ins and outs you need to know before you book.

About Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is unlike any other moderate resort within Walt Disney World. Themed after Spanish, Mexican, and Southwest American cultures, this resort combines relaxation and recreation with a touch of sophistication. Located in the Animal Kingdom Resort Area, it feels more secluded than many others on Walt Disney World property.

Not only is Disney’s Coronado Springs a moderate resort, but the resort also doubles as a convention center. Don’t let the fact that Coronado Springs is a convention center draw you away, though. If anything, it should draw you in! Because many guests who attend conventions held here will never step foot in a theme park, this resort has much more to offer than any other within its category.

Disney’s Coronado Springs offers deluxe amenities at a moderate price point. Being one of the largest resorts at Walt Disney World, the resort holds a variety of quick-service and table-service dining, a spa, multiple pools, bars and lounges, daily activities, a waterslide, and more. Not only does Coronado Springs include deluxe category amenities, but it is also the only moderate resort that offers Club Level room categories!

The resort is separated into four sections of rooms, three sections with multiple buildings, and the newly added Gran Destino Tower. All buildings surround a large lake, with many main attractions located right in the middle of the resort, giving all guests easy access no matter where their room is.

Accommodations

Disney’s Coronado Springs offers a wider accommodation variety than any other moderate resorts. The resort was originally comprised of three sections of buildings: Cabanas, Casitas, and Ranchos. Casitas is the closest to El Centro, the hub for all shopping and most dining options. And, Ranchos is the farthest away. All the buildings within these sections are designed similarly to value resorts, as they all have exterior doors and hallways.

There are twelve buildings throughout the three sections with a combined 1,917 rooms.

Gran Destino Tower

In 2019, Disney added the Gran Destino Tower to Coronado Springs. This modern 15-story tower holds over 500 rooms, a new restaurant, and two new lounges. Additionally, the Gran Destino Tower is now home to the check-in and concierge area. Gran Destino Tower is set up similarly to a deluxe resort, with interior hallways and doors.

Club Level Rooms

Access to the Chrono’s Club, a feature typically only offered at deluxe resorts, is a massive perk for guests wanting to stay in luxurious accommodations at a cheaper price. Club-level access includes a variety of complimentary refreshments daily, such as continental breakfast, wine, and beer selections, as well as desserts and cordials. The Club-Level Concierge can also assist you with any park information, dining reservations, and ticket sales.

Room Options

Here’s an overview of all the different room types available at the hotel:

• Standard View
• Water View
• Preferred Rooms
• 1-Bedroom Suite
• Tower – Standard View
• Tower – Water View
• Tower – Standard View Club Access
• Tower – Deluxe Suite Club Access
• Tower – One Bedroom Suite – Club Access
• Tower – Presidential Suite – Club Access

Rooms with two queen beds can sleep up to four guests, while king-bed rooms can sleep two guests. Preferred rooms are located within the Casitas section, close to El Centro and transportation.

The theming of the rooms throughout the property pays subtle tribute to the southwest, with hardwood floors, burnt orange and dark brown hues, desert artwork, and the Three Caballeros making appearances. The desk area within these rooms is larger than most on the property, catering to the business convention center guests.

Dining Options

There are ten restaurants and lounges within Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort — more than any other resort on Disney World property! From the picky to adventurous eaters, everyone in your travel party will leave this resort satisfied by its options.

Quick Service

For a quick bite, there are three quick service options throughout Coronado Springs. These are your cheapest meal options, with most meals being under $15.

El Mercado de Coronado

El Mercado de Coronado, located in El Centro, is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This cafeteria-style restaurant offers all meals, as well as coffees, grab-and-go options, desserts, fresh fruits, and drinks. This is one of two locations where you can fill up resort refillable mugs.

Breakfast offers the standard fare of waffles, eggs, pancakes, and sandwiches, with a southwest flair on the menu, such as breakfast empanadas and chorizo frittatas. Grab-and-go snacks and pastries such as yogurts, bagels, danishes, and muffins are also available. Joffrey’s Coffee provides on-site coffee, ranging from standard brewed coffee to specialty hot or iced lattes.

Lunch options include a variety of pizzas, pasta, burgers, and chicken, as well as build-your-own bowls and Tex-Mex entrees such as nachos.

Dinner offers the same menu as lunch, adding a hand-carved chef’s station with a daily rotating menu. Grab-and-go options such as premade salads, cold deli sandwiches, and pastries are also available throughout the day.

Cafe Rix

During breakfast hours, Cafe Rix is a second quick service option offering specialty coffees, smoothies, and grab-and-go pastries and sandwiches. There are no seats within Cafe Rix, but plenty of seating within El Mercado de Coronado and outside seating.

Siestas Cantina

Siestas Cantina, the poolside spot for food and drinks, is open for lunch and dinner. It offers walk-up service, bar seating, and a small number of tables. Basic burgers, chicken, and pizza can be ordered here, as well as a few specialty items such as shrimp tacos and nachos. Additionally, a full bar is available, providing beer, wine, and specialty cocktails.

Bars & Lounges

If you’re in the mood for a cocktail or a light bite, Coronado Springs offers three different lounges for guests.

Laguna Bar

The Laguna Bar is an outdoor, lakeside tequila bar that is open only in the evenings. Laguna Bar creates handcrafted signature cocktails and offers a full bar of beers, wines, and liquors. Additionally, a small bites menu is offered, including items such as boneless wings, nachos, and mozzarella sticks.

Barcelona Lounge

Around the lake inside the Gran Destino Tower is the Barcelona Lounge. True to the style of Barcelona, the decor is bright, with mosaic, colorful glass lining the barback, and a chandelier catching rays from the tower’s large windows.

Barcelona Lounge is located on the lower level of the Gran Destino Tower, with direct access from El Centro or outdoor sidewalks or just down the steps of the lobby and check-in area.

This lounge offers two sets of hours, mimicking its Spanish cultural roots. During the morning hours, specialty coffees can be enjoyed here, featuring popular Spanish coffees such as cafe-con-leche. The lounge opens bright and early, making it the top coffee spot for the early risers. A small selection of breakfast sandwiches is also available here in the morning.

During the lounge’s evening hours, it transforms into a specialty cocktail bar featuring Spanish gins, wines, and craft beers. Small tapas such as charcuterie and olives are available to snack on in the evening.

Dahlia Lounge

Lastly, guests can make their way up to the rooftop of the Gran Destino Tower to enter Dahlia Lounge, a sophisticated mingling lounge with indoor and outdoor lounge seating and stunning views of Walt Disney World. Dahlia Lounge is situated across from Toledo—Tapas, Steak & Seafood, making it the perfect spot for a pre- or post-dinner cocktail. Premium wines and spirits are available here, poured by highly trained mixologists. Additionally, a variety of Spanish tapas are available, including sliders, croquetas, calamari, and churros.

Table Service Dining

As a business convention center, Disney’s Coronado Springs hosts plenty of guests who never visit the theme parks. Because of this, Coronado Springs needs more dinner options for its guests, so it offers four table-service restaurants!

Maya Grill

Maya Grill transports guests out of El Centro and into ancient Mexico, tributing the Mayan motifs of fire, sun, and water. Open for dinner only, the menu offers an array of appetizers, salads, and popular Mexican cuisines entrees such as tacos, enchiladas, and fajitas. Don’t pass up the Pastel de Tres Leches dessert!

Typically, it is pretty easy to get a reservation here on the My Disney Experience app or by adding your party to the walk-up waitlist.

Rix Sports Bar & Grill

Rix Sports Bar & Grill is one of the only sports bars on Disney World property, offering 31 TVs to view sporting events around the clock. Additionally, Rix Sports Bar & Grill is the only table-service restaurant at Coronado Springs that offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Pancakes, breakfast platters, and chicken and waffles round out the breakfast menu, while classic sports bar fare fills the lunch and dinner menu with wings, burgers, nachos, and salads.

Like Maya Grill, getting a reservation here on the My Disney Experience app or by adding your party to the walk-up waitlist is easy.

Three Bridges Bar and Grill

Three Bridges Bar and Grill at Villa del Lago is an open-air dining venue located in the middle of the lake, Lago Dorado. Its name comes from the convergence of the three bridges connecting the restaurant with each resort section. This outdoor venue opens in the late afternoon daily and offers beautiful views, making it the perfect romantic lakeside dinner.

The menu caters to Latin cuisine, offering shareable appetizers, salads, carnitas, seafood, and poke bowls. Be sure to save room for the famous churros! A full bar is also offered, while they are most famous for their sangria options.

No dining reservations are available for Three Bridges, but there is a walk-up waitlist.

Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood

Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood is located on the rooftop of Gran Destino Tower. This upscale establishment resembles a fine dining experience and was even added to the 2023 Michelin Dining Guide. This venue is only open for dinner every Wednesday through Sunday. So, be sure to plan accordingly when making your advanced dining reservations.

Inspired by 1930s Spanish art, Toledo provides a dim, light, romantic dining experience with high-quality plates. Its menu ranges from famous Spanish tapas like pan con tomate or gambas al ajillo, then shifts its main focus to steaks and seafood to round out the entrees with bone-in rib-eyes, beef filets, scallops, and more. A popular shareable side is the Brussels sprouts and the patatas bravas.

Amenities & Recreation

If you think dining options were plentiful at Disney’s Coronado Springs, the amenities and recreation available to guests will surely keep everyone occupied during your family’s stay. Coronado Springs offers a variety of free and additionally charged activities — let’s dive in!

Free Activities

Pools

Disney’s Coronado Springs is home to four pools. Three leisure pools are located within each section – one each in Casitas, Cabanas, and Ranchos. These pools do not offer any poolside activities but do offer loungers and tables for guests to relax on the pool deck.

The fourth pool, the Lost City of Cibola pool, is located at the Dig Site. The Dig Site is a central location that houses most of the activities at Coronado Springs. This pool is complimented by a 50-foot Mayan Ruins pyramid with a waterfall streaming down its steps, creating a perfect view for your next pool day. Additionally, the Lost City of Cibola pool offers the largest hot tub on the property, with the ability to hold 22 guests.

A small kiddie pool with bubblers is situated in a secluded, mostly shaded corner of the pool deck, and a 123-foot water slide racing a Jaguar is fun for all ages. Poolside activities such as music, trivia, relay races, and more are held throughout the day at the Lost City of Cibola pool.

Other Outdoor Activites

Further within the Dig Site is the Iguana arcade, a sand volleyball court, shuffleboard, table tennis, a nightly campfire with complimentary marshmallows, and the Explorer’s playground (which is one of the largest playgrounds on Disney property).

Movies Under the Stars are offered on select nights at the Gran Destino Lawn, playing your favorite Disney movies on a big outdoor screening. And, a 0.9-mile scenic jogging trail is available around Lago Dorado Lake for runners.

Fitness Center

Guests looking to continue their workout regimen while on vacation can access the La Vida Health Club Fitness Center or the Fitness Center at Gran Destino. Both fitness centers are open 24 hours a day. Guests must be 14 years or older to use the facility. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Shopping

Ready to do some shopping during your resort stay? Panchito’s Gifts and Sundries has you covered! Panchito’s sells Disney souvenirs, clothing, toys, and more, as well as sundries for any forgotten essentials such as medications, sunscreens, and diapers.

Paid Activities

Another unique feature of Disney’s Coronado Springs is the organized activities offered throughout the resort.

Colors of Coronado Painting Experience

The Colors of Coronado Painting Experience is a two-hour painting class in which guests follow along with a local artist painting a Disney-themed picture on an 11×14” canvas.

The experience is held every Friday afternoon in Toledo—Tapas, Steak & Seafood. It costs $40 per person and is recommended for ages 12 and up. Advanced reservations can be made on the My Disney Experience app.

Spanish Mosaic Art

Inside the Dahlia Lounge at Gran Destino Tower on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday afternoons, there is a Spanish Mosaic Art class. This two-hour experience helps guests create Disney-themed art inspired by Barcelona, Spain.

The class costs $25 per person and is recommended for ages 12 and up. Advanced reservations can be made on the My Disney Experience app.

Sangria University

Probably the most famous activity at Disney’s Coronado Springs is Sangria University, held at Three Bridges Bar & Grill. On weekends only, guests 21 and older can participate in this mixology class, learning the history of sangria and creating the 4 in-house sangrias that Three Bridges offers, accompanied by a light appetizer.

This experience ranges from $69-$79 plus tax and gratuity and requires advanced reservations.

Transportation Options

Transportation is the largest drawback of this resort. While Walt Disney World offers four modes of complimentary transportation: buses, boats, monorail, and skyliner, Disney’s Coronado Springs only has access to buses.

The main hub for all bus transportation is in the front of the resort, between the main entrances to both El Centro and Gran Destino Tower. But this does not mean that guests have to walk all the way around this very large resort to make their way to the bus stop.

There are three additional bus stops located around the property, conveniently located outside the different sections of guest room buildings. All buses make their way to each bus stop around the resort, meaning that guests can walk to the closest bus stop to their location to get picked up.

Minnie Vans, Ubers, or Lyft’s are also available for guests looking to bypass the complimentary transportation but do come at an extra charge.

For guests with a vehicle, parking is free at all theme parks and Disney Springs with a resort stay.

Pricing

Price is the number one factor for most people when planning any vacation, so picking the right Disney resort for your budget is important!

Room rates for Disney’s Coronado Springs are moderate, meaning they won’t be the cheapest rooms available at Walt Disney World, but they won’t be the most expensive either.

Standard view rooms within Cabanas or Ranchos hover around $300 per night, while preferred rooms in the Casitas section start around $350 per night.

Standard View Tower rooms within Gran Destino Tower cost around $375 per night.

1-bedroom suites hover around $1,000 per night, and standard rooms with Club Access start at $600 per night. Comparatively, a standard room with Club Access at a deluxe resort such as Disney’s Polynesian Resort costs around $950 per night. So, while the price tag is high, Club Level Access at Coronado Springs is an affordable option for interested guests.

Of course, prices will vary depending on the time of year and any events that may be happening at Walt Disney World during your visit.

Guest Benefits

As one of Disney World Resort hotels, you’ll be able to access some extra perks that make your vacation a bit more magical (and convenient). This includes:

• Early Theme Park Entry (allowing you to enter any of the four theme parks 30 minutes before
• Free Disney transportation
• Extended dining reservation window (60 days + the length of your stay)
• Early access to purchase Individual Lightning Lanes
• Ability to purchase a Disney Dining Plan
• Discounted MagicBands
• Staying in the “Disney Bubble”
• Free water park admission on the day you check in (coming in 2025)

Who Should Stay at Disney’s Coronado Springs

So, is Disney’s Coronado Springs the right pick for your next Disney vacation?

Coronado Springs may be the best fit for your vacation if:

• You are planning on spending full days at the hotel to relax
• You want multiple dining options within walking distance
• You don’t mind Disney Bus transportation
• You are looking for deluxe accommodations at a moderate price
• You are okay with a large resort and potential long walks to amenities

Coronado Springs may not be the best fit for your vacation if:

• You plan on spending most of your time in the parks and want to save on your hotel stay
• You want to keep your budget as low as possible
• You want direct access to more convenient transportation options like the Skyliner or Monorail
• You want a smaller, easy-access resort

Comments

Have you ever stayed at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort? Let us know what your favorite Disney moderate resort is in the comments!