Make the Most of Your Disney Dollars at Coronado Springs Resort

The Coronado Springs Resort in Walt Disney World transports guests to Spanish Colonial Mexico with a sweeping lobby and restaurants bursting with Mexican flavors. Watch the sunset over the 22-acre Lago Dorado and nibble off a plate of nachos while staying at the Coronado Springs Resort.

The moderately-priced Disney resort features a Mayan pyramid replica at its resort pool with a crazy water slide for the young at heart. With expansive grounds and large lake in the center of the property, the Coronado Springs Resort never felt crowded.

What I loved at the Coronado Springs Resort

• The pool, it features a water slide that wowed my boys.
• The grand lobby reminded me of old train stations across the Southwest.

What I wanted at the Coronado Springs Resort

• A more manageable size, I walked for 10 minutes to get to my room.
• Something to eat near the rooms. I had to walk back to the lobby area.
• More transportation options to the parks, Coronado uses bus transportation only.

Staying at the Coronado Springs Resort

The Coronado Springs Resort ($$-$$$) is a moderate resort divided into three different areas with Mexican beach resort themed Cabanas, southwestern cattle ranch themed Ranchos and Casitas modeled after the grand architecture in Mexico City.

The Coronado Springs Resort provides 1,915 rooms that measured 314 square feet, the same size as the Caribbean Beach Resort, another moderate resort. Though the Coronado Springs Resort is the only moderate resort to offer a convention center.

Because of the convention center, the rooms boast features for business travelers. The rooms feature large desk areas with task lighting and lots of plugs for charging.

Where the Caribbean Beach Resort provides a trundle for a total of five people per room, this room  does not. My room featured a walk-in shower instead of a tub with a showerhead. A consideration when planning a trip with kids that refuse to take a shower.

The Wi-Fi  is better than most of the other resorts, including the deluxe resorts. It also features an ATM, resort airline check-in, three guest laundries, Disney merchandise delivery, a business center, a heath club with spa and salon services, and childcare services.

I visited Coronado Springs Resort in April.

My Room at Coronado Springs Resort

I stayed in a second floor room in building 7A in the Ranchos section. The farthest building from the lobby and we hiked for 10 minutes to get there.

My room featured 314 square-feet with a semi-private vanity area along with a glass-enclosed shower outfitted with a rain shower head and separate toilet. The room features two queen beds dressed with white linens.I found a spot for a pack-n-play and luggage though it might be tight.

My room featured a large desk and console unit that housed the Keurig coffee maker with coffee and tea, a hair dryer, an in-room safe, iron and board, a flat-screen television, a mini-refrigerator and ice bucket with real glassware.

I didn’t find an alarm clock. The charging station located on the bed side table with two outlets and two plugs for USB cords was a nice feature.

I visited Coronado Springs Resort in April.

My Bathroom at Coronado Springs Resort

The bathroom area featured sliding doors that provided a separate changing area. A convenient feature for a Mom who wants to dress before the kids wake up.

The vanity area features two separate sinks with granite counter tops, decorative lighting and mirror. I found a lighted make-up mirror mounted next to the sink and the shelf above the sinks was convenient to put toiletries.

I found standard toiletries, including a facial bar, a bath bar, shampoo and conditioner. The hair dryer and iron were stashed in the door of the vanity, next to the wardrobe where I found a limited amount of handing space and the ironing board.

My bathroom  featured a glass enclosed shower stall with a rain shower head. I loved it but my kids don’t need a tub bath anymore. This room included the toilet.

Coronado Springs Resort Family Fun

The go-to activity at the Coronado Springs is the Lost City of Cibola Pool. With a 50-foot replica of a Mayan pyramid, a two-story Jaguar Slide water slide and the largest hot tub in Walt Disney World, this pool is a destination.

Find lots of fun at the Lost City of Cibola Pool

• Dig Site Playground with sand pit
• Movies under the Stars
• White Sand Volleyball Court
• Iguana Arcade
• Siestas Cantina, thepoolside bar and grill

The Coronado Springs Resort offers La Vida Health Club for massages, salon services along with a full range of gym equipment. During my stay I walked along the .9-mile jogging trail that rings the 22-acre lake.

If kids want to ride bikes check out the Coronado Springs Resort bike rental at La Marina. I also found fun four-person surrey bikes.

For guests desiring a quiet pool environment, I found pools in each of the villages, the Casitas, the Ranchos and the Cabanas.

Dining at Coronado Springs Resort

As a moderate resort, Coronado Springs Resort offers several restaurants, unlike the Art of Animation Resort, a value resort.

For traditional Mexican cuisine and American favorites, I found Maya Grill. For families wanting more casual fare, try Las Ventanas, both restaurants accept reservations.

Since the weather was perfect, we wanted to dine al fresco. I headed to the Dig Site pool for Siesta Cantina, where my boys, 9 and 12, ordered off the kids menu.

Other quick service options include Café Rix and Pepper Market.

Where’s Coronado Springs Resort

The Coronado Springs Resort is located at 1000 West Lake Buena Vista Drive near Animal Kingdom. It is located 22 miles from the Orlando International Airport (MCO).

Since this was the last resort of my three-resort tour during my Walt Disney World trip, I used the complimentary Magical Express to return to the Orlando airport.I found plenty of complimentary self-parking at the resort.

To get to the parks, I used the Walt Disney World bus transportation. The service was efficient though we waited at peak times.

Note about transferring resorts during your stay

I changed resorts three times during my five-day/four-night stay at Walt Disney World. Walt Disney World will transfer your bags free of cost. I packed up our bags and rolled them down to luggage services that transferred them in the afternoon, usually between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

If I wanted a bell hop to grab my bags from my room I would have to stay with my bags until the bell hop arrived. I found this inconvenient and brought them to luggage services myself, located next to the main entrance.

Looking for more reviews and information?

I’ve stayed at the Pop Century Resort, the Art of Animation Resort, the Caribbean Beach Resort, the Animal Kingdom Lodge andthe Grand Floridan Resort and Spa.

Looking for off-property resorts, I’ve stayed at the Wyndham’s Lake Buena Vista, the Best Western Lake Buena Vista and the Mystic Dunes Resort and Golf Club.

I use the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World by Bob Sehlinger and Len Testa for every trip. It provides a comprehensive guide, packed with information.

Disclosure

This room was provided for review purposes. This post contains affiliate links.

Know before you go:

• Towels are available at the Lost City of Cibola pool only.
• Lifeguards are on-duty at some pools, check in at the front desk for more information.
• Must be 14-years-old to use the health club and 17 to enter without an adult.