When you start planning a Walt Disney World trip, you probably begin thinking about the most pricey resorts first. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa or Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort are right on the monorail and full of elaborate theming and amenities. But then your budget reminds you that those resorts are probably a little out of reach and so you start looking at much more affordable options like Pop Century and the All Stars resorts. But what if there was a resort that had beautiful surroundings as well as suites and other amenities like a deluxe resort for the price of a moderate? This resort doesn’t get the same amount of attention as most others but it’s definitely worth a visit. Here are 5 reasons why you should stay at this hidden gem, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.
1. The theming is incredible
Just as Disney transports guests to a turn-of-the-century National Park lodge at the Wilderness Lodge Resort or a New England-style space at the Yacht Club Resort, entering the grounds of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort makes you feel like you’re somewhere else. In this case, it’s like you’ve stepped into the Spanish colonial Southwest. Rustic stucco buildings in pastel colors, along with bungalows and villages surround a beautiful 15-acre lake named Lago Dorado. And the resort’s exquisite theming is carried inside its buildings too. Coronado Springs’ main building features an arch-lined lobby leading to the La Fuente de Las Palomas (“Fountain of the Doves”), with spring water trickling over a Spanish-style urn and colorful tiles. There’s also a pretty domed ceiling in the lobby that features a mural with a gazebo and doves in a spring flower garden.
2. You can stay in a suite for the price of a moderate
Coronado Springs’ lush surroundings don’t require much dough. The resort is classified as a moderate, so prices aren’t as sky-high as they are for deluxe rooms. Suites — from junior to one-bedroom — are also available. A couple of the room types, such as the Casitas – Executive Suite and Standard View – Business Class, cater to the fact that Coronado Springs houses Walt Disney World’s largest convention center on property, but non-convention-going guests say that conventioneers don’t bother them at the resort at all. They report that the resort still offers peace and quiet after long days at the parks as well as other amenities (which will be explained below).
3. You can explore the Dig Site Pool
Think Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Beach Club is the best aquatic site at a resort? Then you probably haven’t experienced Coronado Springs’ Dig Site Pool, which features a waterslide, a huge main pool (called the Lost City of Cibola pool), three leisure pools — and the largest outdoor hot tub on Disney property, which seats 22 people. The aquatic area is themed like the Mayan ruins and the main pool features a 46-foot-tall Mayan pyramid. There’s also an Explorer’s Playground behind the main pool, where kids can dig in and play.
4. You can dine at the most unique food court on Disney property
Coronado Springs’ Pepper Market Food Court looks like a very colorful open-air market. Once you’re seated, you’re given a card (sometimes called a “Pepper Passport”) and as you go and visit several stations, cast members stamp your card with the names of the menu items that you’ve selected. You pay for everything at once at the register. Stations include the Chef Station (which has a build-your-own burrito option), Market Station (featuring chicken tortilla soup), Italian Station (for pizza and pasta), Kids’ Station, Beverage Station, Espresso Station, Market Specials (featuring carved-to-order roast beef and honey adobo roast chicken) and Bakery Kitchen. It’s enough variety to please most palates, and best of all, most of the options count as counter-service meals under the Disney Dining Plan.
Other dining options at the resort include the counter-service Cafe Rix, table-service Las Ventanas and Maya Grill and the Rix Lounge and Siesta’s Cantina for drinks and snacks.
5. You’re still close to the action
No, Coronado Springs isn’t on the monorail line. But there are several bus stops at the resort, which is located in the Animal Kingdom area, so it’s easy to get to any of the parks as well as Disney Springs. And while the resort is very large, there’s an internal shuttle system that will bring you to and from any of the villages and main areas.
The resort also features a jogging trail around Lago Dorado, an arcade, campfire activities and volleyball, as well as the La Vida Health Club and Casa de Balleza hairstyling salon. So, next time you plan a Walt Disney World trip, why not check out this “underrated” resort? It just might earn a spot on your list of places that you must visit again and again.
