Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

Upon arrival, Coronado Springs’ southwestern theme isn’t immediately apparent. The hotel’s colorful portico leads to a an octagonally shaped room with a tall domed ceiling and a central fountain. Several archways open to different parts of the resort, including the main lobby, the gift shop, the convention center, and the on-site restaurants. It isn’t until guests head outside, that the southwestern theme takes shape. Fake boulders, adobe-like structures, and plenty of cacti dot the grounds -- but the theme doesn’t feel as spirited as it is at other Disney properties, like Port Orleans - French Quarter or the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The thematic subtleties may appeal to some travelers, especially adults, whose presence here is more noticeable than at other Disney hotels. Thanks to the on-site convention center, Coronado Springs draws more business travelers than its neighbors (though there are still plenty of families). In fact, Coronado Springs’ ongoing renovations (expected to end around summer 2019) are geared toward adult convention-goers. The hotel’s new tower will feature high-end decor, and will be located within close proximity of the resort’s ballrooms and meeting spaces. 

Coronado Springs has a central location within Disney World with plenty of attractions located within the radius of a short drive. It’s a four-minute drive to Blizzard Beach (across the street), a five-minute drive to Animal Kingdom, a six-minute drive to Hollywood Studios, and an eight-minute drive to both Epcot and Magic Kingdom. Disney Springs, Disney’s premier nightlife and dining venue (formerly Downtown Disney), is a 10-minute drive from the property. Unfortunately, Coronado Springs is not connected to any attractions via monorail or water taxi, so guests must drive themselves or rely on Disney shuttle-bus transportation, which can be slow. Off the Disney compound, Sea World is a 16-minute drive, Universal Studios is an 18-minute drive, and Orlando International Airport is a 27-minute drive. 

Like the rest of the property, rooms at Coronado Springs have a subtle southwestern theme. Carved headboards and sliding bathroom doors have a rustic feel, while boxy patterned wallpaper borders resemble Santa Fe style architecture. Clay colored carpeting alludes to the color of adobe bricks, and aqua accents add visual interest. In-room amenities include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and single-cup coffeemakers. Bathrooms feature the classic Disney layout -- sinks and vanities in one room, shower/tub combos and toilets in another. Vanities have granite countertops, but only single sinks (most Disney hotels in this category have double ones). Open closets hold ironing equipment and key-operated safes. Standard Rooms are equipped with one king or two queen size beds, and guests can upgrade to premium views of the lake. But since rooms lack private balconies, we’re not sure the upgrade is worth the extra money. However, for some travelers, it might be worth upgrading to Premium Rooms, which are located close to “El Centro” (the building that houses the lobby, restaurants, convention center, etc.) cutting down on walking time between rooms and the resort’s amenities. Guests looking for even more space can book one of Coronado Spring’s “casitas,” multi-bedroom suites with separate living areas. The casitas are popular with families and business travelers -- extra space for the former, close to the convention center for the latter. However, the casitas do not have full kitchens. It should be noted that Coronado Springs is undergoing extensive renovations until the summer of 2019. A new multi-story tower is being built, all guest rooms are being refurbished, and commons spaces are getting a much needed facelift. The hotel will remain open during the renovation, but guests can expect construction noise and crane sightings until further notice. 

Coronado Springs has a handful of nice amenities, including a souvenir shop with Disney paraphernalia and sundries, multiple 24-hour self-service laundry rooms, and a signature Disney arcade-style game room. Wi-Fi and standard parking are free, and guests are entitled to Disney hotel benefits, like Extra Magic Hours and the Magical Express luggage transportation service. It should be noted that Coronado Springs does not have monorail or water taxi service, only Disney shuttle buses. 

Coronado Springs has four pools. Three of the four -- the Cabanas Pool, the Casitas Pool, and the Rancho Pool -- are situated outside of buildings with the same corresponding name. These pools are somewhat small, but aren’t usually crowded. The Dig Site is the hotel’s main attraction, and is where the majority of guests hang out during the day -- especially families with kids. The Dig Site doesn’t exactly correlate with the hotel’s southwestern theme -- there’s a giant Mayan Temple in the center of the pool -- but this doesn’t seem to bother kids, who spend hours sliding down the temple’s waterslide and playing on the adjacent playground. Siestas Cantina, the Dig Site’s bar, serves lunch and cocktails next to the pool.  

For a Disney hotel in the moderate category, Coronado Springs has a lot of dining options, though food across the property is mediocre at best. Maya Grill, the hotel’s signature dinner restaurant, is a Tex-Mex dinner spot with menu options like tacos, fajitas, and quesadillas. The dining room is classic Disney kitsch, with a central Mayan temple and ornate wall carvings. Las Ventanas is open for breakfast and lunch, and has an eclectic menu of Mexican, American, and Japanese-inspired fare -- think huevos divorciados and omelets for breakfast, then french dip sandwiches and soba noodle bowls for lunch. Rix Sports Bar and Grill is the hotel’s sports bar by day, lounge by night. Guests can order a variety of cocktails, foreign and domestic beers, and wines by the bottle or glass, as well as light bites from the Rix bar menu. The adjacent Rix Cafe is a bakery/mini market that sells sweet treats, grab-and-go meals, and coffee. Pepper Market, the quick-service dining hall, is by far the most popular eatery at Coronado Springs. The quick-service concept is incredibly popular across the Disney brand, and is known for its varied options, tasty food, and unbelievable cleanliness -- but Pepper Market falls a bit short. While the eatery has fun, colorful decor, it’s not as well kept as those found at other Disney properties, and its food is merely adequate. Though this doesn’t seem to stop guests from lining up at its serving stations, which sell everything from tacos and nachos to pizza, burgers, and sandwiches. Pepper Market is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

La Vida Health Club is Coronado Springs’ combined spa and fitness center. The spa is really just a massage center, where guests can book massages or facials. It doesn’t have the same amenities as a full-service spa, like a sauna, steam room, or relaxation space. The fitness center is large and modern (by Disney standards), and is equipped with LifeFitness cardio and weight-lifting machines, as well as free weights. 

Coronado Springs’ on-site convention center has 220,000 square feet of meeting space, including two ballrooms, an exhibit hall, and 45 breakout rooms. As a whole, it can accommodate up to 6,500 guests, and it's equipped with modern lighting and audio visual systems. The convention center will undergo some minor changes during the hotel’s renovation process, but it will remain open and available to use throughout construction.