Nine Reasons We Love Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
I usually say that I prefer substance over style, but some places at Disney make me reconsider.
Then, there’s the odd example of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, which somehow marries both in one gorgeous package.
Here are nine reasons to love Coronado Springs, arguably the most ambitiously themed of all Disney resorts.
The Theming
Let’s start with the major pro. When you visit Coronado Springs, you will feel like you’ve somehow traveled due south AND back in time.
The building structures and style of this resort unmistakably celebrate the American southwest and classic Mexican design aesthetics.
As you wander the hotel grounds, you’ll notice courtyards and plazas that would seem right at home in a different era of civilization.
Coronado Springs reinvents the Mexican vacation of yesteryear while providing modern amenities.
The loving recreation of Spanish colonial architecture qualifies as one of the most inspirational themes at Walt Disney World.
I’m not joking when I say that a family member recently texted me countless photos from their walk across the hotel’s grounds. They were in awe of the place.
The Golden Lake, aka Lago Dorado
A vital element in Coronado Springs’ majesty is Lago Dorado, which literally translates as Golden Lake.
Disney constructed white sand beaches around the lake to enhance the theming. As you wander around Lago Dorado, you’ll forget you’re at Disney.
This area’s vibrant beauty will cause you to forget all your problems as you bask in the sunlight.
When Coronado Springs opened in 1997, park officials planned the resort as the next conference center destination.
Strategists appreciated that businesspeople would love a sunny distraction in between work hours, and Lago Dorado provides that welcome recreation.
Gran Destino Tower
In July of 2019, the popular Coronado Springs hotel finally expanded the number of available rooms.
Critics of the resort complain about the expansive nature of the grounds.
To combat that problem, Imagineers built a high-rise tower that soars 16 stories in the air.
Named Gran Destino Tower, it’s situated on the southeastern shore of Lago Dorado. You cannot miss it due to the height, and all roads seemingly lead here.
This expansion features 545 guest rooms at a centralized location. It gained recent fame in 2020 when NBA players holed up here during the pandemic.
Yes, this building and its accompanying grounds are where many players lived during the NBA/Disney Bubble season!
The Lost City of Cibola Pool
Whenever you ask any regular Coronado Springs guest to mention their favorite part of the resort, the most likely answer is the pool.
Imagineers went all out with this one, building an entire Mayan ruins section for the backdrop.
When you’re ready to swim, you’ll approach a Mayan temple that’s no longer habitable. In fact, that’s the conceit of the pool.
You’re at a dig site where archaeologists explore the ruins in search of wondrous discoveries.
Apparently, these folks swim during their downtime. They also love hot tubs, which explains why this area features the largest one on the Disney campus.
You don’t want to miss the Jaguar Slide, either. It’s…safer than it sounds.
The Presidential Suite
As an aspirational goal, you should know about the Presidential Suite at Gran Destino Tower.
When Disney added the tower, management understood the high demand for rooms here. As a special touch, Disney added this sumptuous suite.
The panoramic view from this room provides the best possible perspective of Lago Dorado, and you’ll see some beloved Disney landmarks in the distance.
To an extent, this suite mirrors some of the decadent ones at Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, California. That’s the goal.
Until recent years, Walt Disney World lacked the majestic, over-the-top suites of its counterpart.
Suites like this start at $1,763 per night. So, you’ll need to start saving now…but it’s worth the money as a bucket list goal!
The Prices
When Coronado Springs opened, it became Disney’s first Moderate resort with a convention center.
The company sought to reconfigure its entire hotel lineup by altering guest perceptions about what you’ll find at a middle-tier property.
Since then, Coronado Springs prices have remained reasonable, one of the primary reasons why the hotel’s occupancy rates are so high.
Rack rates at Coronado Springs start in the upper-$200s range and generally hover in the $300s.
Given all the amenities at the resort and its Animal Kingdom area location, that’s a very reasonable cost.
Of course, you should contact a MickeyTravels agent. These experts can probably find you an even better deal, depending on your vacation dates.
Always remember that MickeyTravels agents offer their services free of charge to you! And nothing beats free, right?
The Rooftop Restaurant
For years, California Grill claimed a unique title among Disney restaurants. It was the only rooftop eatery across Walt Disney World properties.
When Gran Destino Tower debuted, Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood anchored the top floor alongside Dahlia Lounge.
These two places have earned a spot in Disney fans’ hearts for their Spanish cuisine and decadent shareables.
Despite the name, Toledo also qualifies as a steakhouse, with three different entrees on the menu.
However, many consumers prefer the tapas and other table-sized portions available here.
Of course, the most lasting appeal stems from the view. This rooftop restaurant features glimpses of EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios landmarks.
I should mention that it hasn’t reopened during the pandemic. Once the fireworks return, Toledo counts as one of the best places on the Disney campus, though.
The Sports Bar
Do you watch ESPN whenever you can? Do you go insane if you can’t catch the game, even when you’re on vacation? If so, I’ve got the place for you!
During our Disney vacations, a running joke is that we can always book an Advanced Dining Reservation at Rix Sports Bar & Grill.
Seriously, on Valentine’s Day weekend, everywhere else at Walt Disney World showed as booked.
Meanwhile, Rix had reservations available at 6 and 6:15 and…you get the point.
This quirk works in your favor, though. Rix features pretty good food and a Disney Springs-like menu, which is to say that it’s more open-ended.
You’ll find all the staples of sports bar cuisine here, and you can get a table whenever you want. What’s not to love?
The Three Bridges
There’s another bar and grill at Coronado Springs, and it comes with the most unique setting. It’s a waterfront restaurant!
In fact, Three Bridges Bar & Grill resides inside the waterways at Coronado Springs!
Imagineers built an entire restaurant out in the waters of the Golden Lake. The “three bridges” referenced in the name represent the walkways.
You’ll take the three bridges to reach the building, wherein you’ll dine in a serene, open-air setting by the water.
Some of the “tables” are even pool patio couches. It’s among the most relaxing places to dine at Walt Disney World.
Oh, and the food ain’t too shabby, either. As I type this, it owns a remarkable 4.5 out of 5 grade on TripAdvisor!