Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is a beautiful property that has undergone many changes in the past few years. The hotel opened the brand-new Gran Destino Tower in 2019, and it took the resort to a whole new level. In my opinion, this expansion turned this moderate resort into a deluxe. This addition brought new food, an updated lobby, a lovely bar, and an elevated experience. I visited the resort the other day to take a little stroll and see if there are genuinely any cons to staying at this resort.
Pros
Before we jump into the cons, I want to focus on all the positives this hotel has, which there are a lot. As you read through the list, I want you to remember this is a moderate resort, not a deluxe.
- There are five different dining locations, one cafe, two lounges, one poolside bar, and a lakeside bar.
Of the five restaurants, I constantly hear excellent reviews about Three Bridges Bar & Grill and Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood. I haven’t eaten at either of these dining locations yet, but they are very high on my list of places to try because of the reviews I hear. The places I have dined at are Rix Sports Bar & Grill and Maya Grill. Recently, I ate at Maya Grill and enjoyed my experience, the services were phenomenal, and the food was delicious. It seems like they paid attention to every detail of the food. Rix Sports Bar is exactly what you’d expect it to be. It’s a smaller space but feels like an elevated sports bar because of the food and service.
- The grounds are well-kept and beautiful.
I walked around the property, and it honestly took my breath away. It’s one of the prettiest resorts I’ve ever walked through. The hotel’s color palette stands out while the sun is rising or setting.
- The resort has a gym!
Many travelers don’t utilize the gym on vacation, but I do. Coronado Springs has a gym, and it’s not huge, but it has everything you need. The last time I stayed here, I did use it, and I loved that they had a refrigerator filled with cold towels to use at the end of your workout. I have stayed at a few other moderate resorts that don’t have gyms, so I was shocked when I saw one here. Do you know which hotels have gyms? Deluxe resorts. This is just one other thing that elevates the property.
- The pool is highly themed, and it’s a large space.
A resort with a large pool area and a fun theme add to the entire experience. This pool can get very busy, but it shows how much fun it is. Now the main pool isn’t the only one. Three smaller and quieter pools are spread out throughout the resort.
Cons
It’s hard to believe this resort could have any cons, but there are a few. I think these so-called cons could be overlooked, or if you can change your perspective, they could become pros.
- It is a huge resort and very spread out.
I have this a con because depending on where your room is, you could have a decent walk to the main building. At most, you could be facing a 15-minute walk to grab breakfast if you are in the Ranchos section at the back of the property. By the way, the buildings here are called Casitas, Cabanas, and Ranchos.
- Coronado Springs Resort is perceived to be far from the rest of Disney.
The resort is located on Western Way, which is a road that leads out of Walt Disney World. It may feel like you are at the back of Disney property, but Magic Kingdom is only a 10-minutes away. Some guests perceive the resort to be far from everything.
- The only transportation is WDW Buses.
To me, this is the only real con. Disney buses are reliable, but they can add a whole lot of extra waiting around. They can also add stress at the end of the night when everyone is leaving the parks at the same time. Other moderate resorts have several modes of transportation that make getting places more manageable, and I wish Coronado had that. For example, Caribbean Beach has the Disney Skyliner, and Port Orleans has boat transportation to Disney Springs.
Well, folks, that’s the end of our pros and cons list. If you agree with this list or you have anything you’d like to add to it, please leave a comment.
