Thinking about staying at Disney’s Coronado Springs resort? Here’s everything you need to know!
Posts about Disney’s Coronado Springs
The basics
Resort category: moderate
Theme: Spanish, Mexican, and Southwest American cultures
Opening date: August 1, 1997
Last major refurbishment: 2019
Room types: standard, water view, preferred, 1 bedroom suite, executive suite, tower room, king bed, deluxe suite, presidential suite
Room capacity: 4 adults in standard room, up to 8 in suites
Number of rooms: 2,496
Price range: $250-400/night for standard rooms
Parking: $20/night
Transportation: bus
Location: Animal Kingdom area
Address: 1000 West Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830-8403
Phone number: (407) 939-1000
Like staying organized? Consider vacation planning printables – 41 pages of trip planning, including a budget worksheet, guide to characters, trip comparison worksheet, info about the Disney Genie system, daily itineraries, packing checklist, and much more.
Coronado Springs map
Location of Coronado Springs
This resort is located in the “Animal Kingdom resort area”. It is closest to Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Blizzard Beach water park. Magic Kingdom is the furthest park from Coronado Springs.
Rooms at Coronado Springs
There are a number of different room types at Disney’s Coronado Springs, as well as different buildings. The original Coronado Springs resort consists of areas called Casitas, Ranchos, and Cabanas (this is where you’ll find the standard rooms and a few suites). In 2018 Coronado Springs opened Gran Destino Tower, a large building towards the front of the resort. There are typical hotel rooms here as well as a variety of suites.
- Standard rooms
- standard view
- king bed
- water view
- water view – king
- preferred room
- preferred room – king
- Suites
- 1 bedroom suite – king
- Casitas – 1 bedroom suite
- Casitas – executive suite
- Gran Destino Tower
- Tower – standard view
- Tower – standard view – king bed
- Tower – water view
- Tower – water view – king bed
- Tower – deluxe suite
- Tower – one bedroom suite
- Tower – Presidential suite
Amenities include hairdryer, free wifi, in-room safe, coffee maker, iron/ironing board, mini fridge, lighted makeup mirror.
Coronado Springs dining
Three Bridges Bar and Grill
Dinner
Table service – does not accept reservations
Latin inspired food and drinks with all open-air/outdoor seating, such as queso, tacos, chorizo, churros, margaritas, sangria
Fan favorite food items at Three Bridges: Warm Manchego and Oaxaca Cheese Dip, Three Bridges Signature Burger, Crispy Chicken Biscuit Sliders, Warm Churros
Rix Sports Bar and Grill
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Table service and bar dining available
Sports bar with a slight Latin flair – burgers, sandwiches, fish and chips, nachos, wide selection of draft beers
Fan favorite food items at Rix: Watchos (loaded waffle fries), Queso Fundido Burger, Signature hot dogs (Cajun, Siesta’s, Mayan, Polish)
Toledo – Tapas, Steak and Seafood*
Dinner
Table service
The flavors of Spain can be enjoyed at this rooftop sit down restaurant which features a large tapas menu, a nice selection of steaks, and lots of seafood options.
Fan favorites: charred octopus, cheese board, Chuletón 28-oz Bone-In Rib-Eye for Two
Maya Grill*
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Table service
Mexican and Latin entrees, appetizers, and desserts
Fan favorites: Guacamole, margaritas
El Mercado de Coronado
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Quick service
Both hot and cold grab and go items are available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Cafe Rix
Breakfast, lunch
Quick service
Offers pastries and coffee for breakfast, and prepackaged sandwiches and salads for a grab and go lunch.
Siestas Cantina
Lunch/dinner
Pool bar/quick service
A quick service location near the pool where you can get some fast eats like appetizers, salads, hot dogs, and sandwiches. Also has drinks and specialty cocktails.
Dahlia Lounge
Dinner/late night
Lounge/bar
A rooftop lounge offering an assortment of tapas, wines, and other drinks.
Barcelona Lounge
Breakfast
Lounge/quick service
Regular coffee, Spanish coffee, and an assortment of pastries
Laguna Bar*
Drinks
Lounge/bar
An outdoor bar with a number of specialty drinks, with an emphasis on margaritas and mojitos.
*Currently closed/unavailable due to the pandemic
Price of Coronado Springs
Pricing varies based on the season. Disney’s Coronado Springs is considered a moderate resort, but can range anywhere from $200-380/night at the rack rate for a standard room. Rooms in the Gran Destino Tower are higher priced than the other rooms at the resort. Lower prices may be found is a discount is available. Here is some sample pricing for 2021 and 2022 for a standard room:
- Early September 2021: $248/night
- Late December 2021: $363/night
- Early February 2022: $213/night
- Early May 2022: $250/night
- Late July 2022: $253/night
- Early September 2022: $254/night
Pools, Recreation, and Activities
Pools
There is one large main pool area at Disney’s Coronado Springs and 3 additional smaller “leisure pools” around the resort. The leisure pools are located in each of the three building areas of the resort, with one in Casistas, one in Ranchos, and one in Cabanas.
The main pool is known as the “Dig Site” and it has a huge pool with a 50 foot tall Mayan pyramid and 123 foot long water slide. You’ll also find the largest hot tub on Disney property here.
Recreation
Volleyball – There is a white sand volleyball court located in the Dig Site pool area, and volleyballs can be borrowed for free from the Siestas pool bar with a valid guest ID.
Jogging trail – If you’d like to go for a run, Coronado Springs has a jogging trail that loops around the resort for just under a mile (about 0.9 miles).
Explorer’s Playground – Near the Dig Site pool, the Explorer’s Playground is a great place for kids to play and has swings, slides, and a sandbox.
Things to do at Disney’s Coronado Springs
Movies under the Stars – almost every evening a different Disney movie is shown on a large screen at the Dig Site pool. An activity schedule is provided at the resort to let you know what movies will be playing and what other activities may be happening.
Trivia and pool activities – head poolside for some fun trivia games, scavenger hunts, dance parties, and more!
Coronado Springs campfire – gather over a firepit, roast some marshmallows, and make s’mores! There is an extra fee for s’mores making kits.
Iguana Arcade – near the Dig Site pool area you’ll find this arcade with a variety of video games to play.
Sangria University – every Saturday and Sunday Three Bridges offers “Sangria University,” a tasting and educational session at 2:30pm. The cost is currently $45 per person. You can get more information or sign up by emailing [email protected].
The Running of Coronado Fun Run – a 1.7 mile run run available most Sunday mornings. You must register in advance and registration is $15 and includes a pin given to you when you complete the run. (Currently on hiatus)
Colors of Coronado Painting Experience – held in the Dahlia Lounge every Monday, an artist will lead you through creating your own painting step by step. Registration required. Cost is $50 per person and includes complimentary drink and painting supplies. (Currently on hiatus)
La Vida Health Club and Spa – offers a fitness center for guests to use as well as spa appointments that can be reserved, including massages, facials, or salon treatments from the next door Casa de Belleza. (spa and salon services currently on hiatus)
Transportation options
While at Coronado Springs, if you are looking to use Disney transportation you only have the buses available here. Buses run from the resort to all 4 parks, Disney Springs, and the water parks (sometimes you have to get on a park bus to get to a water park, but they will let you know that). Due to the size of Coronado Springs the buses do a loop around the resort with bus stops at 4 locations, so you can go to the bus stop nearest your room.
Pros and Cons of Disney’s Coronado Springs
✔️Pros
- Rooms are nice and newly refurbished
- Great dining and lounge options
- Has more amenities than most moderate resorts
- Price is reasonable
- Lots of different room options
- Has a more upscale “adult” feel
- Largest hot tub on Disney property
❌Cons
- Large size of resort means it can be hard to get around or takes time to get to the main building or pool
- Rooms in the new tower can be pricey for a moderate
- Bus is the only Disney transportation
Benefits to staying at Coronado Springs
- Extra magic hours
- Magical Express (in 2021)
- included Disney transportation to/from the parks
- Magic bands available at discounted prices
- Disney dining plan can be added (not currently available)
- 60 day Fastpass+ booking (not currently available)
- More park pass reservation availability for Disney resort guests
- Large fitness center and spa
- Beautiful jogging loop around the resort
- Numerous dining options
- Club level rooms available
Is Coronado Springs a good resort?
Everyone’s definition of “good” is different, and I’ll get into who I think Disney’s Pop Century resort is best for in the section below. I will admit Coronado was always a little lower on my radar because the themeing didn’t appeal all that much to me. But after staying there I really appreciated so many things about it, I booked a second stay there, and I will definitely be back in the future. I think it’s a great place if you want some downtime or to relax due to the large pool and hot tub and all of the restaurant and bar options. It has a lot of extra amenities due to also having a convention center which many Disney resorts don’t have, but all guests can take advantage of them. The transportation and location is probably the biggest downside for me here. If I had a car and planned to drive around this would be a top choice.
Who is Coronado Springs best for?
I typically recommend Coronado Springs to people who would like something nicer than a value resort but are still on a bit of a budget. When Disney offers discounts the “regular” rooms (not Gran Destino tower) almost always qualify, so if you’re hoping for a discount to come along later Coronado Springs is usually a pretty good bet.
I also think it is a great choice for an adults only vacation, though there are plenty of families and kids who stay there as well. It’s nice if you’re looking to relax a bit. The first time I stayed there we had taken an afternoon break and planned to go back into the parks in the evening, but we were having such a great time at the resort given the lounges and the pool that we just stuck around all night.
The resort also has some room options for larger families and groups. If you have a larger family or you’re traveling on business consider the suites here.
Compared to other Disney resorts
Coronado Springs has a very different feel than the value resorts like Pop Century. The theming is not “Disney” or loud and in your face. It has a beautiful Southwestern theme to it that is much more subtle. It has more amenities than the value resorts or any of the other moderate resorts. There are many more dining options here than the values, including several table service restaurants. The pool has a water slide and a hot tub.
Compared to the other moderate resorts, Coronado Springs is often one of the cheapest. However, there can often be a big price difference between their standard rooms and their Gran Destino tower rooms. It also has more to offer than the other moderates in terms of amenities, such as having a spa and club level rooms (items usually only found at deluxe hotels). The other moderates are all very large with multiple bus stops as well, except for Port Orleans French Quarter. Transportation here is all buses everywhere, which is similar to the Port Orleans resorts (though they also have boats to Disney Springs). Caribbean Beach has the advantage of the Skyliner to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Finally, the Cabins at Fort Wilderness have a boat to Magic Kingdom.
When looking at a deluxe hotel, Coronado Springs is lacking in a few areas. The rooms are slightly smaller and they don’t have a balcony or deck area. Most of the deluxe resorts have better locations and make it easier to get to the theme parks. If you’re a big foodie, some of the deluxe resorts have signature dining options or more restaurant choices (though Coronado Springs is definitely ahead of the other moderates in this area).
If you’re looking at a time period where Coronado Springs costs around $250/night for a standard room, a room at Gran Destino tower could be around $350/night. In contrast a value like Pop Century costs around $200/night. To compare, to other moderates, Caribbean Beach shows prices around $300/night and a cabin at Fort Wilderness is around $500/night. Deluxe resorts range from $420-700/night (for more affordable deluxe resorts like Old Key West up to the super popular ones such as the Contemporary).
Can you walk from Coronado Springs to Disney Springs?
Coronado Springs is not walking distance to any locations at Disney. Despite the name it is not close to Disney Springs. I can tell you from experience running the Disney World marathon you can run from Blizzard Beach to Coronado, but it’s at least a mile or two 😉
Best room numbers to request
Keep in mind that Coronado Springs has a number of room types, so typically if you want something specific (like in a location near the main building or in the tower) you need to pay for that room type. When you book your room you can make all sorts of requests, including which floor you’d prefer to be on, what sort of view you might like, if you want to be near the elevators, etc. These requests are not guaranteed but Disney will do their best to honor them if possible. We recommend requesting a higher floor to potentially be away from some of the noise and to have better views.
A few suggestions:
- If you have booked a standard room and not a preferred room, Casitas 4 is a nice building that’s still fairly close to the main building and close to a quiet pool (not the main pool).
- Casitas 5 is close to the bridge to Three Bridges restaurant, where you can also walk to the main building or the main pool.
- Cabanas 8A is close to the large main pool, the Dig Site.
- Cabanas 8C is the closest to Gran Destino tower.
Which Coronado Springs rooms are preferred rooms?
The preferred rooms at Coronado Springs are located in Casitas 1, 2, or 3.
Free price quote
Want to know how much it might cost to stay at Pop Century for your family during certain dates? Wish you had an easy way to compare prices for different dates or at different resorts? Request a free price quote from me! As a travel agent specializing in Disney I can help you get prices and plan the Disney vacation that’s right for you. The best part? It will cost you the same as booking through Disney and you’ll receive specialized help and recommendations. Contact me today to get started.
Feeling overwhelmed? A travel agent can help you book and plan your trip – and it doesn’t cost you anything! I’ve helped hundreds of people plan their magical vacations – contact me today to get started.
Have you stayed at Disney’s Coronado Springs? What did you think of this resort?
This is such an informative post! Love how you compare it to other resorts.
This sounds like a resort I’d look into if I were vacationing at Disney. You had me at “largest hot tub!”
Right?? Love a good hot tub!
SO much info, thank you! I haven’t stayed at Coronado is years, probably since like 2013 or 2014, so I definitely haven’t seen the latest refurb. I remember that I used to loooove the Pepper Market restaurant back in the day, but it looks like that’s been changed into the Mercado. It was a quick service with different counters, but you had like a stamp card and paid at the end instead of getting all your food at once. However, I am here for Sangria University – sign me up!
I actually never stayed there when it was the Pepper Market but I heard that was very cool! I am, in fact, signed up for Sangria University in October 😉