During our first family trip to Disney World, we stayed at Coronado Springs Resort. Since that trip we also tried out Port Orleans French Quarter (it’s our second favorite) and Port Orleans Riverside… but Coronado has a special place in our hearts (we’ve stayed there three times)! Read this blog to find out why WE think Coronado is simply the best!
Coronado Springs is a Moderate That Feels Like a Deluxe!
When we were planning our first Disney trip we realized that with the current promotion (30% off Moderate Resorts) that it was actually going to be cheaper for us to stay at a Moderate than a Value resort… so we chose Coronado Springs! I found a lot of mixed reviews on the resort, but it just looked so beautiful I had to try it out and I’m glad we did! The pictures don’t do this resort justice. The grounds are absolutely stunning and peaceful!
This resort is themed like the American Southwest & Northern Mexico. I felt like I was in a resort in Mexico for sure! We have stayed in the Cabanas and Ranchos section, but there is also the Casitas section. I was amazed at how beautiful the rooms were and how much detail went into the theme. The grounds were also beautiful (but very large). One of the complaints about the resort is how big it is because there is so much walking, but we didn’t mind. The big lake in the middle of the resort was full of fish, turtles, and ducks. Our son LOVED looking for animals in the lake (luckily we didn’t see any alligators)!
Food Options at Coronado Springs
We ate at the resort quick service restaurant (Pepper Market) a few times because it was so convenient. The food wasn’t amazing, but it was good enough to go back! We did find out on the last day that the breakfast was much better than the lunch and dinner though! We have also gotten breakfast pastries from Cafe Rix and they are DELICIOUS! Sadly we have never eaten at the resort’s table service restaurant, Maya Grill although we heard great things about it!
Wow… That Pool is AWESOME!
There are plenty of options to keep you busy while at the Resort! There is a HUGE main themed pool (the Dig Site) with a large Mayan pyramid as the centerpiece. The first time we stayed there our son was still in his anxious stage and all the people and the music overwhelmed him. Luckily there are THREE “quiet pools” on the property to choose from if you want a more relaxing swimming option. However, the other two times we stayed here he LOVED the pool and went on the slide OVER and OVER again! Coronado Springs also has the largest whirlpool on Disney property! The whirlpools are a must for my husband! He likes to relax his feet after a long day at the parks!
Other activities include a campfire, movies under the stars, bike and surrey bike rentals, volleyball, jogging trail, playground, and arcade! There is also the La Vida Health Club if you are looking for spa services or need a gym to work out while you are on vacation! ?
You can always just relax on the “beach” like Ashtyn decided to do after a long day of walking (please remember to stay out of the water)! Coronado Springs still holds a dear place in our hearts, but we have decided for our next trip to Disney we should probably stay in a Deluxe Resort so we can truly compare it… I just have a feeling it’s going to hold up to them!
If you are looking into a Disney Cruise instead of a Walt Disney World vacation you might want to check out my post on the Disney Dream to the Bahamas!