A look into the rooms, dining, and more at Disney’s convention focused resort.
Welcome home.
That’s the greeting you hear at the start of any Walt Disney World Resort stay. Honestly, it’s one of the best parts. Disney truly goes the extra mile to make you feel like you belong.
On our most recent trip, we decided to try something new: Coronado Springs.
Coronado Springs falls into Disney’s moderate resort tier. It primarily caters to conventions, as it houses a large convention center. That’s an important detail to keep in mind throughout this review.
In 2019, the resort underwent a massive expansion with the addition of Gran Destino Tower. This 15-story tower now serves as the focal point of the entrance. As the tallest Disney-owned tower (by number of floors), alongside Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, it makes quite the first impression. Coronado Springs is also one of the largest resorts on property in terms of room count. It is big, very big.
IN THIS ARTICLE
The rooms at Coronado Springs
We stayed in the Casitas section, located to the left of Gran Destino Tower and the convention center. We booked a double queen room with a standard view which was a parking lot view. I knew exactly what I was booking, so I didn’t mind the view at all. We are the type of family that uses the room primarily for sleeping. We don’t need a fancy oasis.
The room itself was very nice and clean. It also felt much roomier than the standard four-sleeper value room we stayed in at All-Star Sports on a previous trip.
The double-sink bathroom was spacious and easily fit all four of our toiletry bags. However, this is also where some of my complaints begin. The room only had a shower with no tub, which leans more into the convention-resort vibe than a family-focused one. We were traveling with a three-year-old and a one-year-old. Thankfully, they’re comfortable with showers, but a tub would have been helpful. I also selfishly wanted one to soak my pregnant self after a 12-hour park day.
Also, the shower never got tp. I won’t fault the resort too much for that. It could have easily been user error.
Coronado Springs dining options
Coronado Springs offers a wide range of food and beverage options. We barely scratched the surface since we spend most of our time in the parks, but we did try a few spots.
On check-in day, we needed a light snack before our dinner reservations at Disney Springs. We ordered a kids’ chicken strips meal and a quesadilla from Siestas Cantina to split between two adults and two kids. It was the perfect amount of food, just standard quick service meal. It was nothing particularly memorable.
One evening, we returned from the parks close to our one-year-old’s bedtime. She had powered through the day but was not about to skip dinner for sleep. We needed something quick that we could eat in the room, as sitting down at a restaurant felt like too much stimulation for an already overstimulated baby.
Three Bridges Bar & Grill at Villa del Lago we were able to mobile order.
We ordered my daughter the kids’ hamburger meal, which came with two sides and a drink. She chose macaroni and cheese and corn, though other options included rice, fruit, and fries. For $10.50, the portion size was impressive. Truly, it was enough for an adult. I sampled the mac and cheese, and it was great. She ate every bite. That is not an exaggeration.
I ordered the Three Bridges Signature Pressed Burger with fries (drinks are separate). It was $24, and honestly, I should have ordered the kids’ meal for the price, but this burger was delicious. I ate it lukewarm because I prioritized getting my baby fed and to bed first, and I would probably pay $24 to eat it again. And no, I wasn’t starving. I had enjoyed a BBQ brisket melt and tomato soup from Woody’s Lunch Box not too long before dinner.
Our final breakfast was at El Mercado del Coronado, the resort’s food court. It’s a typical Disney resort food court setup. Truthfully, I likely would have eaten there more had I realized its location sooner. That’s on me.
However, there were two challenges.
First, El Mercado did not offer mobile ordering. When we eat at the resort, it’s usually for something quick that we can grab on the way out to the park or shortly after returning at night. Mobile ordering makes that seamless.
Second, it didn’t open until 7:00 a.m. If I’m trying to maximize Early Entry at 7:30 or 8:30 a.m., we need to be heading to the park by 7:00, not just starting breakfast.
Transportation options
I should note that I typically drive my own car to Disney and use it for most transportation, so I’m not the best judge of Disney buses, but I can share our experience.
Coronado Springs transportation options are limited to buses or rideshare. There is no Skyliner access and no boat transportation.
Because the resort is so large, there are multiple bus stops. That’s both a blessing and a curse. It’s convenient to have a stop nearby, but if you’re at one of the later stops, buses may already be full when they arrive. Upon returning from the parks, you also stop at multiple locations before reaching your room.
Patience is key, though after a long park day, patience can run thin.
On one rare occasion, I took the bus back to the resort with my one-year-old while the rest of our group stayed at Hollywood Studios. We waited 35 minutes. Maybe that’s normal. Again, I’m not a frequent bus rider. However, we watched several buses for other resorts come and go during that time. It could have been an isolated incident, so I won’t weigh it too heavily.
Amenities at Coronado Springs
Coronado Springs has solid amenities.
There are four pools. tThree smaller pools near the Casitas, Ranchos, and Cabanas sections, plus the main feature pool known as The Dig Site. Gran Destino Tower does not have its own pool, but all guests can use any of them.
The Dig Site is centrally located and features a large Mayan pyramid structure, a waterslide, sand volleyball courts, lawn games, and a playground. It definitely leans family-friendly. It’s also home to the largest hot tub at Walt Disney World Resort. Nearby, you’ll find the arcade and Siestas Cantina.
The resort also offers standard Disney amenities like campfires, art classes, and Movies Under the Stars. Tucked near the Cabanas section is a sandy, beach-like area with lounge seating. It provides a nice peaceful escape.
Would I stay at Coronado Springs again?
Unlikely, at least not as my first choice.
If traveling with a group that chose Coronado, or if there were a significant deal, I absolutely would. After all, it’s still Walt Disney World.
The resort is beautiful and works well for adults-only trips or guests who aren’t rope-dropping parks every day. The rooms are nice, and the dining options are abundant.
Personally, though, I prefer a resort that feels more family-forward and park-focused. I also miss stronger Disney theming. The characters pictured around that my kids (and honestly, I) get excited about.
Interested in another resort review? Check out a few of our others.
