The thing about Disney World hotels, is that there are an awful lot of them. I haven’t stayed at all of them, or even 1% of them probably, but I’ve stayed at my fair share, most recently at Disney’s Coronado Springs.
Coronado Springs is really more like a series of hotels that ring a small lake. Dozens of 2 and 3 story buildings with names like Cassitas, Ranchos or Tacos Grande, dot the landscape with the occasional “neighborhood pool” sprinkled into the mix.
If you’re at the Coronado Springs property to attend a convention at their on-site convention center, try to get your room in the “Casitas” section. Casitas are the buildings closest to the convention center, and therefore you can roll out of bed at the latest possible minute and still get to your meeting on time.
Coronado Springs along Lake Dorado
The sleeping rooms at Coronado Springs are ok. I overheard one guest, a sorority girl, complaining to her friend on the phone that it’s “like a holiday Inn at three times the price.” Be that as it may, the surroundings, the lake, the various neighborhood pools, make up for the sleeping rooms. The Mouseketeers don’t want you spending a lot of time in your room. You need to be out and about, spending that money quality time with the family.
There’s stuff to do, especially for the just over 21 set (and young at heart) check out the Dig Site pool and bar, which is a nice place to people watch and get a swim (and a very stiff margarita for only $15). There’s also a beach volleyball court, that was in use pretty near constantly during my stay, which offers a bit of sporting distraction while you’re sipping your beverage of choice in a nearby lounge chair.
Keep your hands in the boat kiddies!
The property is quite beautiful, with a paved trail that runs around the lake, that’s perfect for jogging or walking. There’s also a nice bar called the Laguna bar where you can enjoy a beer or a Margarita and pretty good pub fare. Just keep an eye on the locals (see photo at right).
All the prices at Coronado Springs are fairly high, but not beyond the ‘resort’ norm. There are bargains to be had, like the refillable cup for $12.99 that you can refill with coffee or soft drinks for the length of your stay. If you’re there for a week, like I was, it pays for itself promptly since a small coffee is $2.50. If you’re like me and drink 3 or 4 coffees a day, the cup will pay for itself in 2 days, and be saving you money the rest of your stay.
Pro Tip: Label your cup, or otherwise mark it, because there are hundreds of these things in use at Coronado Springs every day, and you don’t want to be picking up someone else’s cup and getting mouth herpes or worse!
One of the best things about staying at Coronado Springs is the easy access to Downtown Disney. The nice Disney folks of course run a free shuttle from the property, or if you have your own vehicle on property there’s plenty of free parking at Downtown Disney. Yup free parking. I know. It’s hard to believe.
After a day at the park with the family, you'll be singing the blues here
Try a Mojito at Bongo, Gloria & Emilio Estevan’s restaurant, or enjoy a nice Irish Whiskey or a pint of Guinness at Raglan Road. No matter where you go there’s good food and good drinks, usually live entertainment, and only mildly predatory pricing.
Here's looking at you, kid.
For an upscale evening on Coronado Springs proper, try Rix, which is a theme bar that evokes Ricks Café Américain, of Casa Blanca fame.
I didn’t experience the Rix Lounge myself, but I did see folks enjoying a libation there most of the evenings that I was onsite, so I offer it to you only as an option, not a known quantity. That said it is quite attractive, and your indoor drinking options at Coronado Springs are otherwise quite limited. I suppose on a rainy night the place fills up quickly.
Lastly let me just discuss another Disney World hotel that I did not stay at, but my friends did, the Disney All Star Sports Hotel. From what I heard there are virtually no amenities, no bar, no nothing, and it’s crawling with kids. If the Coronado Springs is a Holiday Inn, the All Star is a Super 8.
If you’re traveling on business, and the up-pricing at Coronado Springs is not a major obstacle, I’d highly recommend it over the All Star property. Just sayin’.
So as the sun slowly sets behind Lake Dorado, it’s time to head to MCO, and get on that Next Flight Home!
Thank you for the entertaining read! Alright playtime is over and back to school work.
Thanks for the comment Around the World Guy!
(Sorry the delay, the SPAM filter ate your message, and I only just now found it.)
Love your columns Pete….