Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort has a special place in our hearts because it was the first post-pandemic trip we took as a couple. It was two years ago so sure, the pandemic was still very much a thing, but it was when the world started to breathe a little and we felt comfortable traveling for once. So obviously if you know me, you know that we would take the opportunity to go on a Disney vacation. This trip is also special because not only was it the first time Dane (my now husband) had been to Disney since he was 3 years old, but we also got engaged on this trip. It was truly magical.
Even though I would love to unpack all the fun we had on this trip, this specific post is about Coronado Springs and how it ended up being the perfect getaway for our first real trip as a couple. Coronado Springs was surprisingly very tranquil for being a moderate resort. We honestly felt like we were staying on a deluxe property with a moderate price tag. That said, let’s get into it.
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Resort Vibes
As I mentioned, Coronado Springs gave us deluxe vibes for a moderate price. If you’re not familiar with staying on Disney property then you might be asking, “Bri, what are you even talking about?” If that’s the case, you can jump to this blog post and read how I break down the differences between each tier. Quick recap though, Disney has three tiers for resorts: value, moderate, and deluxe. Each tier has more amenities to take advantage of and the price increases along with them.
The resort’s theme was subtle but intentional with unique Mexican-inspired influences and Southwestern mosaic decor. The resort surrounds Lago Dorado, a man-made lake. There’s a walking path that’s a little over a mile long that connects the entire resort around Lago Dorado. There are palm trees, cacti, beautiful landscaping, fountains and even a bridge that spans in three directions across the lake with an open air restaurant in the center.
Gran Destino Tower is where you’re going to check-in (unless you check-in with the My Disney Experience app). Even if you check into your room through the app, I would take a stroll through the lobby at some point because it is breathtaking. Gran Destino Tower was an addition that opened in 2019, so it is still very new. When we walked in, we couldn’t help but notice how swanky it felt. Definitely deluxe resort vibes. You’re going to want to stop in to check out Dahlia Lounge anyways (we’ll circle back to this). You can specifically request a room at Gran Destino Tower, but you’ll see a price increase for these newer rooms.
El Centro is where you’ll find all of Coronado’s main restaurants, shops, and amenities. By the way, this imaginary tour is going clockwise around the lake. So head back on the walking path and keep going because the next stop is Casitas.
This is actually where our room was located. We loved how close we were to El Centro and Gran Destino Tower. We did not request a preferred room by the way. We just completely lucked out. We also were pixie dusted and got upgraded to a king bed for no additional charge. How? I asked. Take this one tip from a travel agent (hi, that’s me) always ask. It doesn’t hurt to ask because if they have what want you want available, they might upgrade you.
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The other two areas include Ranchos and the Cabanas. The rooms in these areas are set up just like ours. However, Cabanas is located right in front of the sandy “beach”. Cabanas is also located directly next to The Dig Site (which we’ll circle back to).
I wanted to note that this resort is also home to a convention center. The convention center makes this Disney resort more adult-friendly than family-friendly. However, it’s a Disney resort so it’s still incredibly family friendly.
Our Room
Alright, it’s time for the big reveal. When we walked in, we were honestly shocked at how nice it was. Again, deluxe vibes at a moderate price.
We LOVED the double sink and huge rolling door in the bathroom. The bathroom was very spacious, especially since the toilet and shower were in their own separate area. Just to give you the whole picture, the bathroom was on the far side of the room. Once you walked into the space, there was a double sink and storage space. If you turned to the left, there was a separate space where the shower and toilet were located. But the best part? There was a door that closed in between the shower/toilet and sink area. Chef’s kiss.
The room was also very spacious. There was beyond enough room for a pack-and-play (even though this is a post about couple’s trips, just stating the fact). The best part was the fact that we got a water view. In case you didn’t know what I meant by getting pixie dusted before, this is what I mean. We booked a standard room with two queen beds and totally agreed to have a parking lot view. We showed up and were upgraded to a water view room in a preferred location and it had a king. Never be afraid to ask.
Transportation Options
This is going to be short and sweet. Your one and only option for transportation at this resort is going to be buses. Unless you’re in a preferred location like El Centro or Gran Destino Tower, expect to get some steps in too. The bus stops are located on the outskirts of the parking lots for Casitas, Ranchos, and Cabanas. Considering how large this resort is and where the bus stops are located, I would consider this a pretty big drawback if the location to the parks and convenience is a top priority. Coronado Springs is located near Animal Kingdom so you will have a short bus ride compared to other Disney resorts. However, a bus ride to Magic Kingdom can easily be a 20-minute trip from Coronado. So this is definitely something to think about.
Food. Food. Food.
If you’re new here, there’s one thing you need to know about me: I take food pretty seriously, and I take Disney food VERY seriously. Food plays a huge part when planning a Disney vacation for myself (side note: this is why I’m obsessed with Disney Cruise Line). Hence, Coronado Springs is my all-time favorite moderate resort because you will find more food options here than any other moderate resort on Disney property.
We’ll start off with the little guys. Barcelona Lounge, Cafe Rix, and Laguna Bar are really convenient grab-and-go locations! Barcelona Lounge is right at Gran Destino Tower in the lower lobby. It’s the perfect spot to grab a coffee and get some work done on your laptop or a great spot to grab a pastry to-go before heading to the parks! Cafe Rix is located in El Centro. Great for a pit stop to grab a smoothie, fruit cup, or pastry! Laguna Bar is a tequila and mezcal bar (my kind of place) that overlooks Lago Dorado. The vibes are immaculate here.
The main quick-service location is El Mercado Coronado. It’s nothing special. Basically, it’s your average quick-service location that gets the job done. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We had breakfast here on our check-out day, and I thought it was solid. And yes, there are Mickey waffles!
Rix Sports Bar & Grill is very unique. Unique for a Disney resort, that is. You know the game you’ve been watching on your phone but pretending that you haven’t been because you’re trying to have a fun-filled family vacation? Well, you can just head to Rix because it’s loaded with TVs and odds are you can watch it there. Plus, there are wachos. WACHOS?? But Bri, what is a wacho? It’s nachos with waffle fries instead of chips. Very underwhelming but they’re kind of a thing at Coronado and are served at multiple dining locations (I don’t get the hype, sorry not sorry).
Three Bridges Bar & Grill at Villa de Lago is my favorite dining location at Coronado. Hands down, it’s also the coolest. It’s an open-air restaurant that is literally in the middle of the lake. Top-tier vibes and aesthetics. You have to walk along the cutest bridge to get to the restaurant too. I ordered pick-up from here through the Disney app every single night for second dinner. It was so good! They also have a sangria flight that is actually worth the hype! Really, really good food, unique options and even better cocktails.
Don’t worry, we’re almost done. I told you there was a lot….
Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood has the atmosphere of a signature restaurant but without robbing you blind. I mean, it’s still tapas, steak, and seafood so have realistic expectations, but it’s not gonna cost you an arm and a leg like California Grill would. It’s located at the top Gran Destino Tower. Good vibes and good food. Yes, I say vibes a lot. I don’t know how else to describe the fact that you’ll have the most amazing views while eating dinner and can even see fireworks with a later reservation other than the word “vibes”. Sue me. Dahlia Lounge is right across the way and is the perfect “grab a drink and chill” spot. We did just that on our first night of our stay and just took in the incredible theme park views from the back patio while sipping on some tasty cocktails.
Last but not least (but also not the best) is Maya Grill. It’s a sit-down restaurant that has good food but it’s not gonna knock your socks off. This restaurant gets some heat by not being good enough but I honestly think it’s fine. Fun fact: the cocktails served here are the same ones you’ll find around the Mexico Pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase. I definitely would not go out of my way to eat here if I were staying at a different resort.
Overall Opinion
We would 100% stay at Coronado again. Not only do I highly recommend this resort for my clients who want to book moderate, but I would stay here every time if I could (kinda just wouldn’t be the smartest idea with me being a travel agent to always stay at the same resort…). Even though the transportation isn’t the most convenient, every other factor trumps that for me. We had such an amazing time on this trip and Coronado had a huge part in that.
If you’re thinking about your next trip to Disney and want to use my free planning services, my form is linked here. I would love to help you figure out what resort and vacation package is best for you and your family. Or even if it’s a solo trip too!
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