Coronado Springs-A Walt Disney World Resort
This is our second time staying at the beautiful Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida. Back in August, when Matt and I started planning our next Disney fix there was no question for us on where we should stay. We love this “moderate” category resort with its Spanish, Southwest American, and Mexican theme. In the paragraphs and photos below, I will share some of the key highlights of the resort and what makes it one of our absolute favorites.
Looking into the lower lobby (seating area of Barcelona Lounge).
The Barcelona Lounge.
This resort is one of the largest on the Disney property (and even includes a convention center). It has many areas you could be placed during your stay such as the tower, the casitas, the ranchos, and the cabanas. There is a walking path all along the outskirts of the property, or you could utilize the three bridges that connect everything and cut down on your commute.
Map of the resort.
The resort is beautifully decorated in a southwestern theme. It feels more elevated and more “adult” but there are still touches of Mickey throughout the resort.
There is always something to do. From the Sangria University class you can sign up for, to the movies under the starts, to lounging by the pool, to the arcade, you can find something to do that you, and your family will enjoy.
During our stay we even took the time on our last day to take part in the scavenger hunt!! It took us all over the resort and we even got a prize at the end!
The Gran Destino Tower has the newest rooms and also includes the Barcelona lounge, a rooftop restaurant (Toledo) and bar (Dahlia Lounge), a gym, and the lobby, and is where you check in.
Fountain outside the gift shop
Attached to the tower down the long hallway is the convention center (we did not even notice it as guests), Cafe Rix (as close to Starbucks as you can get), the gift shop, Rix Sports Bar & Grill, El Mercado de Coronado (grab and go food for all meals), and Maya Grill. There is also a bus stop here (but it is the last stop for pickup and drop off). We ate most breakfasts at the Mercado as we wanted to get in and out in a hurry. The breakfast sandwiches were pretty good and came with nice crunchy hashbrowns. We ate dinner here once and the app gave options but when we got there, the app had been incorrect on what was available. They have the typical things like burgers and chicken fingers, but rotate things like lasagna, meatloaf, roast chicken a few nights a week. The young lady knew I was disappointed that they did not have what I wanted (what I had seen on the app) and made me pasta even though it was not technically on the menu.
Just through the blue doors is the fountain and gift shop.
Just outside the Mercado is the Laguna Bar
Some breakfast options at El Mercado de Coronado
As you keep walking past the convention center you will come across the Casitas. These rooms are where we stayed this trip. This area has its own private pool and gym. Over by the gym there is also La Vida Health Club, Salon & Spa. There is a bus stop here and it is the first for pickup and drop off (which we loved).
This area was lovely. The resort has so much charm.
The Casitas pool. Straight back to the left is the gym and spa.
The Casitas Gym.
The exact building we stayed in. We were on the 3rd floor.
Quick glance at our room.
The view from our room.
The morning view from just outside our room.
The view from one of the bridges coming from the main pool looking over towards the Casitas area.
As you continue around the outside edge of the resort, you will run into the Ranchos. These are in the far back right of the property behind the main pool. They have their own private pool as well as a place for laundry. They also have a bus stop and are the second location for pick up and drop off. We felt like this one was the farthest away from everything and is a pretty significant walk to the lobby even if you use the bridges. They do have the nicest and biggest private pool.
An example of the Ranchos buildings.
The Ranchos area.
The Ranchos pool.
Right in front of the Ranchos and centered in the middle of the resort is the pool. It is one of the coolest I have seen at any of the Disney resorts and has a pretty epic waterslide!! There is also a hot tub off to the side that is wonderful to soak your feet in after a long day at the parks! The pool area is called The Dig Site. We ate lunch here one day and it was not the best (frozen chicken fingers and fries). You can bring your own food and drinks (lots of people had beer and coolers) so we brought some chips and things to snack on. They have a nice area to the far right that is in the shade. We did get a pina colada that was absolutely delicious.
The main pool.
The slide.
Inside the arcade.
Right beside the pool is the arcade, the playground, a volleyball court, and Siestas Cantina. There were also ping pong tables outside the arcade.
The Playground.
The Volleyball Court.
View of the Tower from the Cabanas area.
As you keep walking past the pool back towards the tower, you will pass the last of the guest rooms, the Cabanas.
We have stayed here in the past and loved how secluded it felt. It was like we were at our own private resort. The buildings only had two floors and it was just off to the side of the tower but not too far away from everything. They have their own private pool, and bus stop and are the third for pick up and drop off. Another thing we really liked about this section of the resort was the private beach area.
Beach area over by the Cabanas.
The Cabana pool is over to the right.
The Cabana pool
If you keep walking past the Cabanas, you will end up back at the Tower. This is where the movies are played in the evenings, the firepits are located, and there are some giant lawn games to play. There is general seating throughout the resort, as well as designated smoking areas.
The area just outside the Tower.
The area outside the Tower.
They mean it friends! That is a real snakeskin beside the sign!!
One of the three bridges.
There are three bridges on the resort connecting the three main guest areas to the center of the lake (Lago Dorago). They connect at The Three Bridges Bar & Grill at Villa del Lago. The bridges help with overall commute as you are getting around the resort. We have also eaten at the restaurant and the tacos and burger are delicious! You can either sit down at the restaurant or you can place a mobile order for pickup.
The Three Bridges Bar & Grill.
Sunset photo taken from the Three Bridges Bar & Grill facing the Casitas.
The tacos from the Three Bridges Bar & Grill.
The Burger from The Three Bridges Bar & Grill.
The Churros from the Three Bridges Bar & Grill.
We had a wonderful second stay and found things to do we had not done the first time, and even places to explore we had not seen the first time. This resort is great for all ages and can accommodate a party of any size. I hope this has helped if you were undecided on whether or not to stay here! Please feel free to share!!
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