Five Reasons a Stay at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Is Anything But Moderate
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort whisks Guests away to Spanish Colonial Mexico from the moment Guests are greeted by the colorful covered outdoor walkway. This continues inside to the gorgeous interiors and stately water fountain. Nestled on the 22-acre Lago Dorado lake, this resort offers Guests a Southwestern escape in a beautiful setting.
Welcome to Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Water Fountain and Registration area at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Let me just say, we LOVED this resort. It was almost as if we were staying at a resort within a resort. The architecture of the various styled buildings is stunning and the setting around the lake invokes a sense of tranquility and beauty.
View of Main Building, Restaurants and Convention Center from Dig Site Pool, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
While this is categorized as a moderate Disney resort, staying here feels anything but moderate. With amenities such as the La Vida Health Club, multiple restaurants, bars and lounges, a large pool complex with many recreational activities, and stylish accommodations, this Walt Disney World Resort is definitely a must-stay resort.
Here are my top five reasons Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is much more than just a moderate resort.
THE DIG SITE POOL:
The Dig Site Pool is a complex of outdoor recreational activities and the indoor arcade. The Lost City of Cibola pool is the obvious central focus, with a 50-foot replica of a Mayan pyramid.
View of Lost City of Cibola Pool at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Replica of Mayan Pyramid at Lost City of Cibola Pool, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
There is a water slide behind the pyramid that plunges Guests into the pool. When we visited, adults and kids alike were clamoring to experience the Jaguar Slide, which spits water down upon Guests as they slide towards the pool. This was one of my kids’ favorite things about the pool.
The Jaguar Slide at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
This massive pool however is not the only area to play in this complex. In addition to the main pool, there is a smaller kid’s pool and the largest hot tub on Walt Disney World Resort property, holding up to 22 people! To the side of the Lost City of Cibola pool is a small sand playground, a ping pong table, and the arcade.
Archaeologically themed sand playground at the Dig Site at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
The Iguana Arcade at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
For the adults, on the lake side, there is a sand volleyball court. I am sure this provides hours of entertainment for the entire family.
Sand Volleyball Court at the Dig Site Pool at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
All this activity can make anyone hungry, and Guests relaxing at the pool have a wide variety of food options at the Siestas Cantina. Offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, this Quick Service location has options for any appetite. Below is the lunch menu – don’t worry, Mickey Waffles are available from the breakfast menu!
Menu at Siestas Cantina, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
For the adults who are enjoying a day at the pool, the Siestas Cantina also offers a bar area with refreshing drinks and cocktails.
Bar at Siestas Cantina, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Guests can easily spend a day relaxing and enjoying all the Dig Site Pool complex has to offer. My kids already are asking to go back soon for another wild ride down the Jaguar Slide!
PEPPER MARKET
The breakfast at Pepper Market was hands down the best breakfast of any resort we have stayed at to date. I am a big breakfast person and love to have many options. My kids of course just want Mickey Waffles. The various stations offer everything from fresh fruit plates and smoothies to breakfast sandwiches to waffles and pancakes to omelettes. It would be extremely hard for any Guest not to find something appealing for breakfast. Click here for the full breakfast menu.
While we did not eat lunch or dinner at Pepper Market, the menus are equally diverse, offering several different options. At the bar area in Pepper Market, adults also can order alcoholic drinks such as sangria and margaritas.
Not only did we love the breakfast menu, we equally loved the decor of Pepper Market. It is colorful and diverse and truly embodies the Southwestern theming of the resort.
Pepper Market, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Pepper Market, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Pepper Market, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Pepper Market, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Pepper Market, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
THE MULTIPLE DINING AND LOUNGE OPTIONS
There are so many extra amenities at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort it is hard to remember that it is only a moderate resort. Since I am a foodie at heart, the variety of dining and lounge options at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort was a huge hit for me.
There are several restaurants on-site, including Quick Service, casual and a more upscale uniquely themed restaurant. Pepper Market and Siestas Cantina are Quick Service options. Cafe Rix is a quick grab and go option offering items such as pastries, gelato and sorbet, and beverages, including alcoholic options.
Cafe Rix, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
For casual dining, Las Ventanas offers sit-down breakfast, lunch and dinner. For a more Southwestern themed upscale dining experience the Maya Grill offers traditional Mexican and American dishes.
Unlike many moderate resorts, in-room dining room service is available for both breakfast and dinner.
There are two lounges on-site: Rix Lounge and the Laguna Bar. I particularly liked the lakeside setting of the Laguna Bar. Imagine sipping a margarita, sangria, or signature cocktail such as the Mojito Frambuesa in this beautiful outdoor lounge area.
Laguna Bar, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
THE DOOR DIVIDING THE BEDROOM FROM THE VANITY AREA
This may seem like an odd point to make, but I was so in love with the wooden sliding doors from the bedroom area to the vanity and bathroom area in our room. On this visit I was with my two girls alone, and would wake up early each morning to get ready before getting the girls up. Having that actual door to close off the vanity area was key in letting me get ready in the morning without waking up the girls. It’s also a beautifully intricate door that adds the the richness and upscale decor of the room.
Resort Room at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Picture from www.disneyworld.com
There are several room options available at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, ranging from rooms with two queen beds or one king bed (water view, preferred and standard) to junior suites, executive suites, and 1 bedroom suites. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort also offers a Business Class room option, somewhat similar to Club Level at the deluxe resorts.
THE OVERALL BEAUTY AND ATMOSPHERE OF THE RESORT
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is nestled on Lago Dorado lake, with an architecturally diverse landscape of casitas, ranchos and cabanas. The lake views themselves are gorgeous – we were lucky and had a view towards Hollywood Studios and Epcot, and could glimpse the top of the Swan and Dolphin. Waking up to this view each morning was quite a nice way to wake up.
View from our room at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
The lake views from anywhere at the resort are equally stunning.
View of Casitas from Dig Site Pool. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
View of Cabanas at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
The interiors also are beautiful and excellently themed for the resort. My girls particularly enjoyed the registration area with coloring sheets and cartoons, and I was happy to sit in the seating area and relax for a little while. The upscale nature of the interiors made this resort feel so much more than a moderate resort.
Seating area in Registration at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Panchitos Gift Shop, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Hallway from Registration Area to Pepper Market, Disney Coronado Springs Resort
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is a perfect mix of a moderately priced resort with added amenities, decor and architecture that make it feel much more than a moderate resort. Added benefits such as additional restaurants and lounges, business class room upgrades, and the Dig Site Pool complex add to the value of this resort. I am so glad we had the opportunity to stay at this resort, and I definitely recommend it to any Guest looking for a beautiful setting at a moderate priced resort.
