Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort stands as a remarkable blend of Spanish-Colonial charm and contemporary sophistication within Walt Disney World’s portfolio of hotels. This sprawling moderate resort combines the romantic allure of Colonial Mexico and Spain with modern amenities, creating an experience that transcends the typical moderate resort category.

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Summary

• A moderate resort featuring Spanish-Colonial Mexican theming, dramatically enhanced by the 2019 addition of the 15-story Gran Destino Tower, which offers upscale accommodations and rooftop dining.
• The resort is comprised of three themed villages (Casitas, Ranchos, and Cabanas) surrounding the 22-acre Lake Dorado, plus the modern Gran Destino Tower.
• Features the Dig Site complex with a 50-foot Mayan pyramid, the Lost City of Cibola Pool, a 123-foot water slide, and the largest hot tub on Disney property, plus three quiet pools throughout the resort.
• Extensive dining options include Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood (signature rooftop dining), Three Bridges Bar & Grill (waterfront dining), Maya Grill (table service), El Mercado de Coronado (food court), and multiple lounges and bars.
• Serves as Walt Disney World’s primary convention resort with over 220,000 square feet of meeting space, which results in enhanced amenities and services for all guests.
• El Centro, the resort’s original main building, houses the food court, shopping, and guest services, while Gran Destino Tower provides a second, more upscale lobby experience.
• Recently renovated rooms across all villages feature modern amenities and sophisticated decor, with Tower rooms offering an elevated experience comparable to deluxe resorts.

Gran Destino Tower

The resort’s defining feature is the magnificent 15-story Gran Destino Tower, which opened in 2019 and revolutionized the property’s aesthetic and offerings. This architectural marvel serves as the resort’s main entrance, welcoming guests with a stunning two-story lobby adorned with Spanish-inspired artwork and dramatic details influenced by Spanish surrealist art.

Within Gran Destino Tower, guests find accommodations that rival deluxe resort offerings. The tower rooms showcase sophisticated design elements with smart TVs featuring enhanced streaming capabilities, luxurious bathrooms with walk-in showers, and premium furnishings complemented by upscale bedding. The panoramic views of Walt Disney World Resort from higher floors are particularly impressive, with some rooms offering distant vistas of theme park fireworks displays. Superior soundproofing, climate systems, designer lighting, and abundant charging options round out the modern amenities that make these rooms exceptional.

The Tower’s Club Level accommodations grant access to the exclusive Chronos Club, offering personalized service and daily culinary presentations that elevate the experience to new heights of luxury and convenience.

Coronado Springs Resort Villages and Standard Rooms

Beyond Gran Destino Tower, three distinct villages encircle the picturesque 22-acre Lake Dorado, each offering its own unique atmosphere and charm. The Casitas embody sophisticated Spanish city life with urban-inspired architecture and formal courtyards. These buildings offer some of the closest accommodations to the resort’s main amenities and convention center, making them particularly popular with guests seeking convenience.

The Ranchos capture the rugged beauty of the American Southwest, with architecture reminiscent of Arizona’s desert landscapes. The rustic theming creates a unique atmosphere within the resort, offering a more secluded and natural setting. Meanwhile, the Cabanas provide a bright, coastal Mexican resort feel with colorful buildings and casual atmosphere, proving especially popular with families due to their proximity to the main pool complex.

All standard rooms across these villages received comprehensive renovations alongside the Tower’s construction. These refreshed accommodations feature contemporary furnishings with sophisticated color schemes, either queen beds or king bed configurations, and enhanced bathroom designs with sliding barn doors. The rooms provide ample storage solutions including raised bed frames, while updated technology and amenities ensure modern comfort throughout each stay.

El Centro and Gran Destino Tower Lobby

El Centro

El Centro stands as the original heartbeat of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, housing essential services and amenities within its Spanish-Colonial inspired walls. The building’s impressive architecture features terracotta roofing, white stucco walls, and elegant archways that create an authentic representation of Mexican and Spanish colonial design. Towering palm trees and meticulously maintained gardens frame the entrance, while traditional fountain features add to the ambiance with the gentle sound of flowing water.

Upon entering El Centro, guests are greeted by a soaring atrium adorned with handcrafted details at every turn. Intricate wrought iron chandeliers cast warm light across terra cotta tiles, while hand-painted murals depict scenes from Spanish and Mexican history. The building’s design creates natural light through cleverly placed windows and skylights, highlighting the rich color palette of browns, oranges, and deep reds that define the space.

The layout of El Centro flows naturally between different functional areas. The main lobby area features comfortable seating arrangements with leather chairs and sophisticated soft furnishings, all arranged beneath dramatic archways and beside ornate columns. Traditional Spanish tile work appears throughout the space, from decorative wall installations to practical flooring, each piece contributing to the overall theme.

Panchito’s Gifts and Sundries, the resort’s primary retail location and gift shop, occupies a significant portion of El Centro. The shop’s design mirrors that of a Mexican mercado, with wooden display cases, traditional pottery displays, and architectural details that maintain the colonial theme while offering modern merchandise and convenience items.

El Mercado de Coronado, the quick-service dining location, represents one of El Centro’s crown jewels. The space was designed to evoke the feeling of dining in a traditional Mexican marketplace, with different serving stations separated by archways and architectural elements. The recent renovation enhanced the space with improved traffic flow and additional seating options, from casual counter seating to more intimate table arrangements. The ceiling features exposed wooden beams and traditional lighting fixtures, while the walls showcase custom artwork and traditional decorative elements.

Behind the scenes, El Centro houses the resort’s main kitchen facilities, which service not only El Mercado but also support the resort’s extensive convention and catering operations. The building’s design efficiently manages the flow of both guests and service staff, maintaining the themed atmosphere while providing practical functionality.

The Rix Sports Bar & Grill, located within El Centro, offers a more contemporary atmosphere while maintaining subtle nods to the resort’s theming through architectural details and design elements. The venue provides a different dining and entertainment option with multiple televisions, a full bar, and table seating for casual dining.

El Centro also houses essential guest services, including the concierge desk, luggage services, and resort transportation information. The building’s layout creates natural paths between these services while maintaining distinct spaces for different functions. Conference guests will find business services and meeting planning offices discretely integrated into the building’s design.

One of El Centro’s most impressive features is its ability to handle large crowds during peak times while maintaining an intimate atmosphere during quieter periods. The building’s various seating areas, both in common spaces and dining locations, can accommodate convention groups and vacation travelers simultaneously without feeling overcrowded.

The outdoor areas immediately surrounding El Centro have been thoughtfully designed with covered walkways, seating areas, and landscaping that creates natural transitions to other resort areas. These spaces provide comfortable waiting areas for transportation and offer perfect vantage points to enjoy Florida sunsets over Lake Dorado.

El Centro successfully balances its role as both a functional hub and a themed environment, providing necessary services while maintaining the immersive atmosphere expected of a Disney resort. Whether guests are checking in, dining, shopping, or simply passing through to other areas of the resort, El Centro provides a consistently themed experience that enhances the overall quality of a stay at Coronado Springs Resort.

Gran Destino Lobby

In contrast, the Gran Destino Tower lobby presents a dramatically different arrival experience. The soaring two-story space draws inspiration from Spanish modernism and surrealism, particularly the works of Salvador Dalí and Antoni Gaudí. The lobby’s centerpiece is a stunning ceiling installation featuring geometric patterns and metallic accents that catch and reflect light throughout the day. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with natural light while offering views of the resort’s grounds and Lake Dorado.

The Tower’s Barcelona Lounge, seamlessly integrated into the lower lobby level, features a massive curved bar backed by an artistic installation that echoes the ceiling’s geometric patterns. Intimate seating areas feature sophisticated furniture in jewel tones, complemented by Spanish-inspired artwork and architectural details. The space’s subtle lighting transforms as day turns to evening, creating distinct atmospheres for morning coffee service and evening cocktails.

The check-in area in Gran Destino Tower elevates the arrival experience with individual check-in desks rather than a traditional counter, creating a more personal welcome experience. Behind the check-in area, a dramatic artistic installation featuring metallic elements and bold colors serves as a focal point, while comfortable seating areas provide spaces for guests to gather or wait for their hotel room.

The two lobbies serve different purposes while maintaining the resort’s overall theme. El Centro continues to serve as a bustling hub of activity, particularly for dining and shopping, while the Gran Destino Tower lobby provides a more sophisticated, upscale arrival experience. Together, they exemplify the resort’s unique ability to blend traditional Spanish-Colonial charm with modern luxury, offering guests two distinct but complementary welcome experiences.

Coronado Springs Dining Experiences

Coronado Springs elevates the moderate resort dining experience with an impressive array of options. Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood crowns Gran Destino Tower, offering signature dining with spectacular rooftop views. The restaurant’s Spanish-inspired menu and sophisticated atmosphere make it a destination for guests throughout Walt Disney World.

Three Bridges Bar & Grill presents an enchanting setting on Villa del Lago, a man-made island in Lake Dorado. This open-air venue combines waterfront ambiance with an upscale casual menu featuring Latin-inspired dishes and craft cocktails. The setting is particularly magical at sunset, when the lake’s waters reflect the sky’s changing colors.

Maya Grill serves Mexican-American cuisine in an elegant setting adorned with Mayan-inspired decor, providing a refined dinner experience with attentive service and quality offerings. Meanwhile, El Mercado de Coronado redefines quick-service dining with multiple stations offering fresh, made-to-order items spanning Mexican, American, and international cuisines. The renovated space provides abundant seating and efficient mobile ordering capabilities.

El Mercado de Coronado (located in El Centro and formerly known as Pepper Market) offers multiple dining stations serving different cuisines throughout the day. For breakfast, guests can find traditional American breakfast items like Mickey waffles, eggs, bacon, and pastries, as well as some Mexican-inspired breakfast options. Lunch and dinner offerings include: Mexican cuisine such as tacos, burritos, and enchiladas American favorites like burgers, sandwiches, and salads Italian options including pizza and pasta A grill station featuring chicken, fish, and other proteins Grab-and-go items including fresh fruit, packaged snacks, and beverages A dedicated dessert station with cookies, cakes, and other treats The food court features a spacious seating area designed to evoke a Mexican marketplace, with high ceilings, decorative archways, and themed lighting. Mobile ordering is available through the My Disney Experience app, making it convenient for guests to order ahead during busy periods.

The resort’s lounges deserve special mention, particularly the Barcelona Lounge in the Tower lobby, which transitions seamlessly from morning coffee bar to evening cocktail destination. The space’s design draws inspiration from Spanish modernism and provides a sophisticated setting for any time of day. The Dahlia Lounge, adjacent to Toledo, offers some of the most impressive views at Walt Disney World along with expertly crafted cocktails and small plates. The lounge’s design pays homage to Spanish surrealism while providing an intimate atmosphere perfect for evening enjoyment.

Coronado Springs Conference and Event Facilities

As Walt Disney World’s premier convention resort, Coronado Springs houses extensive meeting and event spaces. This business focus benefits all guests through enhanced amenities not typically found at moderate resorts. The superior dining venues and enhanced customer service standards create an elevated experience for everyone, while extended dining hours and enhanced bell services add convenience to every stay. The professional atmosphere blends seamlessly with Disney magic, creating a unique environment that serves both business and leisure travelers effectively.

The Coronado Springs Convention Center is one of the largest convention facilities at Walt Disney World Resort, featuring over 220,000 square feet of meeting and event space. The exhibit hall itself, known as the Coronado Ballroom, offers approximately 60,000 square feet of flexible space that can be divided into up to six smaller sections.

The Convention Center is connected to El Centro and the resort’s other amenities via covered walkways, making it easily accessible while remaining separate from the main resort facilities. This design allows the resort to maintain its vacation atmosphere while efficiently serving business and convention guests.

Coronado Springs Recreation

The Lost City of Cibola Pool serves as the resort’s primary recreation area, featuring an iconic 50-foot pyramid with cascading waterfalls that creates a stunning centerpiece for the complex. Located in the Dig Site, A 123-foot water slide winds through the structure, providing excitement for guests of all ages. The expansive pool deck offers premium loungers and plenty of space for relaxation, while multiple hot tubs provide peaceful spots for evening unwinding. A children’s splash area ensures younger guests have their own space to play safely.

Each village also features its own quiet pool and hot tub, providing intimate swimming options closer to these Coronado Springs rooms. These secondary pools offer a more serene experience, perfect for morning swims or peaceful afternoon soaking. The resort’s recreation extends beyond the pools, with a fully-equipped fitness center featuring state-of-the-art equipment and a scenic 1.2-mile jogging trail circling Lake Dorado. The La Vida Health Club offers spa treatments for those seeking additional relaxation, while beach volleyball courts and the Iguana Arcade provide active entertainment options for all ages.

Coronado Springs Transportation

The resort’s comprehensive bus transportation system connects guests to all Walt Disney World theme parks and other Disney destinations with remarkable efficiency. Multiple convenient bus stops throughout the resort, covered waiting areas with digital arrival boards, and frequent service ensure minimal wait times. An internal resort bus connecting all areas proves particularly valuable given the property’s size.

Situated in the Animal Kingdom resort area, Coronado Springs offers strategic advantages for park access. Animal Kingdom is just a five-minute bus ride away, while Hollywood Studios and Epcot can be reached in ten to twenty minutes. Magic Kingdom and Disney Springs remain easily accessible, and the resort’s location provides convenient access to off-property dining and shopping as well.

Room Selection and Village Benefits

The Gran Destino Tower offers the resort’s premium experience, with rooms featuring upgraded amenities and stunning views. Higher floors provide impressive vistas of the surrounding area, while the Club Level adds additional luxury through Chronos Club access. Standard Tower rooms maintain the same high quality while offering more accessible pricing.

In the Casitas area, guests find themselves closest to convention facilities and El Centro, making these hotel rooms ideal for business travelers or those prioritizing dining access. The Ranchos provide a more secluded experience, with unique southwestern theming and natural landscapes creating a peaceful retreat. The Cabanas, with their proximity to the main pool complex and bright, beachy atmosphere, prove particularly popular with families.

Coronado Springs Value

Coronado Springs presents a unique value proposition within Disney’s moderate resort category by offering near-deluxe accommodations at moderate prices. The recent renovations throughout all villages ensure consistent quality, while the variety of dining options rivals many deluxe resorts. The presence of convention facilities results in higher service standards and enhanced amenities that benefit all guests.

To maximize a stay at Coronado Springs, guests should utilize online check-in and the My Disney Experience app for smooth arrival and dining experiences. Advance dining reservations for Toledo and Maya Grill are highly recommended, as these signature restaurants often book quickly. Taking time to explore the resort’s grounds, particularly around Lake Dorado at sunrise and sunset, reveals the property’s full beauty and charm.

Why Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort masterfully balances its role as a convention destination with the magic expected of a Disney property. The addition of Gran Destino Tower has elevated the resort’s status, creating an experience that often exceeds expectations for its category. Whether seeking a romantic getaway in the Tower, a family vacation near the pool complex, or a business trip with a touch of Disney magic, the resort delivers an experience that consistently impresses and satisfies.

The combination of moderate pricing with premium amenities makes Coronado Springs an exceptional value within Walt Disney World’s resort portfolio. For guests seeking sophistication, comfort, and enhanced amenities without the deluxe resort price tag, Coronado Springs stands as an impressive and satisfying choice, providing a unique blend of business-class amenities with Disney’s legendary attention to detail and magical touches.