On-Site Magical Disney Stays: Coronado Springs

Contributed By:

Becky Cain, A Mouse and A Beach Travel Advisor

If a plethora of dining options and an amazing pool are on your must-have list for your next Disney vacation, Walt Disney World’s Coronado Springs Resort and Gran Destino Tower might be the perfect fit for you!

Resort Theming

Coronado Springs blends Spanish, Mexican, and American Southwest culture into a gorgeous resort with very distinct sections. The original resort sections are all based around a large lake, Lago Dorado, and are divided into three villages: Casitas, Ranchos and Cabanas. A newer addition is the stunning Gran Destino Tower with its modern take on Spanish designs and towering 15 stories - giving it some of the best views of the surrounding Disney property. 

Room Types

Coronado Springs rooms can sleep anywhere from 2-8 adults depending on the room style and location.

The Village sections of this resort are themed to The Three Cabelleros and a 2019 refurbishment gave the rooms a more modern look with artwork from this beloved ride and movie. While all the villages offer unique atmospheres, guests who prefer convenience should plan to pay for a Preferred room in the Casitas section if they want the convenience of a short walk to the lobby and restaurants. Due to its large size, Coronado Springs boasts an internal bus loop to allow guests the ease of being picked up closer to their rooms. 

Village Options:

• Village King - 1 King Bed

• Village Standard - 2 Queen Beds

• Village 1 Bedroom Suite King - 1 King Bed and 1 Queen Sleeper Sofa

• Village 1 Bedroom Suite Queen - 2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen Sleeper Sofa

• Village Executive Suite - 1 King Bed, 2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen Sleeper Sofa

In 2019, the Gran Destino Tower opened with a Spanish inspired feel and nods to an animated short created by Walt Disney and Salvado Dali called Destino. With beautiful mosaics, Moorish lamps and subtle hints to Destino, including dandelion artwork and photos from the film set, Gran Destino Tower is a luxurious option with a budget happy price point. 

Gran Destino Tower Options:

• Tower King - 1 King Bed

• Tower Standard - 2 Queen Beds

For added amenities, including access to the Chronos Club which serves refreshments 7:00 am to 10:00 pm daily, Concierge Services and Health Club Access, the following Club Level room types are also available in the Gran Destino Tower:

• Tower King - 1 King Bed

• Tower Standard - 2 Queen Beds

• Tower Deluxe Suite - 1 King Bed and 1 Queen Sleeper Sofa

• Tower 1 Bedroom Suite King - 1 King Bed and 1 Queen Sleeper Sofa

• Tower Presidential Suite - 1 King Bed and 2 Queen Beds

Resort Facts: Dining Options, Pools, Transportation

Dining

If you are looking for Disney merchandise, to pin trade or to pick up sundry items, Panchito's Gifts and Sundries will be your destination! Located in the main building, El Centro, this shop will carry a wide selection of Disney merchandise options including Coronado Springs specific options. 

For a quick meal or snack, head to El Mercado de Coronado, a food court offering a large variety of options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can also purchase a Disney Rapid Fill Refillable Mug here and fill it with coffee, tea and fountain drinks throughout the length of your stay. 

Looking for a quick grab and go option or your morning caffeine fix, head to Cafe Rix during breakfast and lunch. With a full specialty coffee and smoothie bar, this is a great spot to visit right before heading to rope drop the parks. Alternatively, you could stop by the Barcelona Lounge for a full menu of specialty coffees, including Spanish options, and a few breakfast options in the gorgeous lower floor of the Gran Destino Tower.

Insider tip: if you are taking a Disney cruise and leaving from Coronado Springs, you will meet your transportation guide in this lounge - arrive a little early and you can take a fresh coffee on the bus!

If having a cocktail while enjoying the breeze off the lake sounds good to you, stop by Laguna Bar, a tequila and mezcal bar right off Lago Dorado. If this sounds delightful, but you are looking for a full meal, take a walk to the middle of Lago Dorado over one of the pedestrian bridges to dine at Three Bridges Bar & Grill. This lakefront restaurant offers Spanish-American cuisine and is known for its sangria - you can enjoy a glass with your meal or even sign up for a class to learn how to make the sangria yourself! 

If traditional Mexican cuisine is calling to you, stop by Maya Grill for favorites including fajitas, enchiladas and churros. The restaurant feels like stepping into a Mayan temple for a unique dining experience.  I highly recommend starting your meal with the chips with queso blanco and ending it with stuffed churros for a tasty treat!

Pool days call for cocktails and snacks, so enjoy your fun in the sun while grabbing refreshments from Siestas Cantina. With a full specialty cocktail bar and some out of the box appetizers, your pool time will be extra delicious! I recommend the Lava Flow frozen cocktail on a hot day!

Do you have any sports fans traveling in your party? They will love catching their favorite games at Rix Sports Bar & Grill with its local draft beers and American food favorites, including wings, burgers and my favorite - Watchos, waffle fries covered in cheese and bacon. 

Last but not least, are my two favorite spots at Coronado Springs, located on the top floor of the Gran Destino Tower giving both locations incredible views. Dahlia Lounge is a stunning rooftop lounge with delicious tapas and amazing cocktail options. Plan to spend the whole evening here or as a pre-dinner drink stop before heading next door to Toledo. This unique restaurant embraces the Spanish avant garde era with a gorgeous color changing ceiling in sunset colors. With a menu that boasts shareable options like tapas and charcuterie plus an assortment of steak and seafood offerings, it is the perfect place for a date night or celebration.

Pro tip: Book your dining reservations here during the later evening and request a park side window table at check in - you may be able to see fireworks from both Epcot and Hollywood Studios!

Pools

Coronado Springs offers a variety of pool options with 4 pools on property. The largest and most exciting is located at the Dig Site, a massive pool with a Mayan ruins theme including a large pyramid, huge hot tub and 123-foot waterslide!  Guests who prefer a quieter space will enjoy the three smaller leisure pools located throughout the Villages sections. 

Transportation:

Guests staying at Coronado Springs will utilize the Disney bus system for visits to all four theme parks and Disney Springs, with an internal bus loop that makes getting to your room a bit easier.

Pro tip: the bus loop can add a little time to your park travel so make sure to add that into your itinerary for a smooth trip! 

Resort Amenities

When choosing which resort to stay during your Walt Disney World vacation, it’s important to also think about what amenities you would like to do or what would be fun for your family. Coronado Springs provides additional entertainment for families including:

• Fitness Centers at La Vida Health Club and Gran Destino;

• Roasting marshmallows by the campfire at the Dig Site pool;

• Movies under the stars, located on Gran Destino Lawn;

• Volleyball on white sand courts;

• Jogging Trail, .9 mile loop around the lake;

• Playground with archaeological theme at the Dig Site; and

• Iguana Arcade, located at the Dig Site.

Additionally, there are two art class options (for a fee) that you can take part in during your visit:

• Spanish Mosaic Art 

• Colors of Coronado Painting Experience

This would be the ideal resort for you if: 

Sit down dining is a high priority during your vacation and you love the flavors of Spanish-Mexican cuisine. You want your stay to feel a bit more elevated than the Value resorts, but aren’t quite ready to budget for a Deluxe resort. You plan to drive to the parks or don’t mind having a little longer commute on the buses. 

Check out why Becky Cain, one of our AMAAB travel advisors, loves Coronado Springs:

Coronado Springs was the perfect getaway for before and after my Disney cruise since I love trying new restaurants! Having so many delicious options made for a decadent stay and I loved getting to try out both the VIllage and Gran Destino Tower room options. Since I was only going to the parks for the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, I wasn’t bothered by the internal bus loop, but I do recommend keeping in mind that this is a very large resort and the commute to the parks does take a little longer. I had my car with me though, and plentiful parking made it a breeze to take a quick drive up to the main building for dinner and shopping if I didn’t want to wait for a bus. My husband and I absolutely adore Dahlia Lounge and Toledo for a date night, so I highly recommend staying in Gran Destino Tower for a quick elevator ride to both!

-Becky Cain

AMAAB Travel Advisor

@dandelion_wishes_travel

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