Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Opened in August of 1997, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is one of the largest single-level convention hotels on the East Coast, offering more than 220,000 square feet of space, a 60,000-square-foot ballroom (one of the largest ballrooms in the Southern United States), 45 breakout rooms, an 86,000-square-foot exhibition hall, high-speed and wireless Internet connectivity, booth-controlled A/V and lighting, remote control lighting and projection, state-of-the-art sound systems, satellite up/down link capabilities and ceiling-recessed screens.
The resort has an American Southwest/northern Mexico theme with plazas, courtyards and a rocky shoreline making up the terrain. The foyer has a lovely fountain in its center, but it is the domed ceiling that is the true jewel of the entranceway. A soft pink glowing light opens into the dome itself… an incredible mural that depicts a gazebo with doves (lots of doves!) sitting/flying amidst a spring flower garden.
Themed to the region’s urban areas, the Casitas (little houses) offer accommodations amidst plazas, fountains and palm-shaded courtyards. They are three and four stories and are the focus of convention accommodations. Architecturally, the Casitas represent urban centers like Santa Fe or Monterrey. All sorts of surprises decorate the grounds of the Casitas… lovely fountains, and a serene pool. Disney, of course, wouldn’t be Disney if it didn’t have topiaries! In the Casitas, surrounded by a near-circle of gardenia bushes, sit the main characters from Disney’s 1944 feature film The Three Caballeros. One section of lawn highlights a really beautiful piece of art made out of columns and wooden slats.
The Ranchos are 2- and 3-story pueblo-style villas that reflect more arid rural regions in a rustic ranch setting, complete with small streams tumbling over a rocky steam bed.
On the northern shore of Lago Dorado are the two story Cabanas which reflect the beauty and serenity of Mexico’s coastal regions. The Cabanas are 2-story buildings with a sandy shoreline and more than half the rooms have lake views.
What does the resort look like?
The resort is built around a 15-acre shimmering lake, Lago Dorado. Named for European explorer Francisco de Coronado, Coronado Springs is a showcase of native architecture and landscaping. There is a stepped Mayan pyramid towering over an elaborate 120′x90′ pool area with a water slide and a playground that doubles as an archeological dig site for kids. There is a jaguar perched over the water slide spitting water at guests as they slide down… and be sure to look for the Hidden Mickeys!
How are the Guest Rooms?
The average guest room is approximately 314 square feet and has two queen-size beds. There are 224 rooms with king-size beds; and 99 disabled-accessible rooms with amenities such as roll-in showers and lowered light switches and thermostats. Standard rooms accommodate up to four guests. All rooms have sliding wood doors across the sink area dividing it from the sleeping area.
Guest room amenities include 4-cup coffee makers (with decaf and regular coffee packets) plus room service for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Each room has a flat screen TV and all new dark wood furniture. Each room also has an armoire, small table with two chairs, night stand, ceiling fan, and small wall safe. Hair dryers, iron, and ironing board, and small refrigerator are also standard. Available on request are cribs, bed rails, additional refrigerators, and wheelchairs. There is no charge for wheelchair use at the resort. Newspaper delivery is $1.50 per day. There are several newspaper vending machines throughout the resort, located near the elevators. The rooms are also wired for high speed Internet access – a cable is usually available in a bag on a hanger in the closet; if not, request one from Housekeeping.
All guest rooms were renovated with new furnishings in 2009.
What is the parking situation like at Coronado Springs and Walt Disney World?
If you are staying at Coronado Springs, at check-in, you’ll be given a parking pass to put on your dashboard. This pass identifies you as a Disney resort guest, and helps you gain easier access to other Disney resorts as well as granting you FREE parking at the four major theme parks.
Parking at Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Winter-Summerland Mini-Golf, Fantasia Gardens Mini-Golf, Fort Wilderness, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and self-parking at Downtown Disney and Disney’s Boardwalk entertainment area is FREE to all guests, *including* those not staying at Coronado Springs, or another Disney resort.
Self parking at all Disney resorts is FREE to *all* guests, even if you are not staying at that resort (such as Coronado Springs); however some resorts have parking restrictions. The Contemporary, the Polynesian and the Beach Club Resorts give guests not staying at those resorts a 3-hour parking pass to allow dining and/or shopping at these resorts. Parking at any of the resorts to gain access to the theme parks is not allowed. Some Disney resorts may ask for a photo ID or for an Advance Dining Reservation number from guests who are dining at the resort before allowing access to the resort parking lot.
(Did we mention how FREE the parking is?)
What buildings/sections are closest to what parts of the resort?
With over 1,915 guest rooms, Coronado Springs Resort is very large. You will find Bell Services Staff, driving around the resort in their carts, very willing to give you a ride to most places you’d like to visit on the grounds.
As you read the Building numbers and locations below, picture a large, almost circular lake. Beginning at 6 o’clock is Casitas Building 1, followed by Building 2 and so on as you walk clockwise around the lake. Completing the circle is Cabanas Building 9B at 5 o’clock.
Casitas 1 is directly over the convention center and closest to Pepper Market, Maya Grill, the Main Bus Stop and the Front Desk. The Health Club and Beauty Salon are located between Casitas 2/3 and Casitas 4. Casitas 3 and 4 are closest to the Casitas Quiet Pool (and Guest Laundry). Casitas 4 is nearest the Casitas Bus Stop (Bus Stop 2). Casitas 5 is the furthest of the Casitas from the Main Building but closest to the Dig Site.
Ranchos 7A and 7B are the closest to the Dig Site. The Ranchos share a bus stop with theCabanas (7A being the closest Ranchos building to Bus Stop 3). Ranchos 6A and B are the furthest buildings out and probably the quietest.
The Cabanas Building 8A is close to both the Cabanas Bus Stop (Bus Stop 4) and the Dig Site. Cabanas 9B is closest to Main Building (El Centro, which houses Pepper Market, etc.), theMarina, and is just a short walk from Bus Stop 1. Cabanas 9A is closest to the Quiet Pool (and Guest Laundry).
Coronado Springs offers an internal shuttle system for all guests. Transportation is provided in large marked golf carts that bring guests to and from all parts of the resort. They are always on the move and out and about, just flag one down or call the front desk from your hotel room and a cart will be on its way.
What do I need to know about Check-in?
As with most of the other resort hotels, check-out is at 11am, check-in is at 3pm. Upon arrival head to the front desk for check-in. Rooms are generally not available until 3pm. Early check-in allows you to leave luggage with bell services, get your “Key to the World Cards”, received your theme park tickets (if you don’t already have them) and head off to the parks or relax around the resort. You will probably be given a phone number to call periodically to see if your room is ready.. When you call in, answer a few questions. You will then be given your room number and your “Key to the World” cards will open your door! Text alerts are also available, just provide a cell phone number to the front desk cast member.
Is Bell Services available to move my luggage?
Yes, upon arriving at the front entrance, Bell Services staff will take your luggage if you wish and give you receipts. Once you have checked in, if your room is ready, they will lead you to your room and unload your luggage. Bell Services will also pick up your luggage and deliver it to the front area when you are ready to check out. As with all Disney resorts, Bell Services will also store your luggage upon arrival until your room is ready and after you check out, before leaving for the day. Luggage Storage is located to the left of Panchito’s Gifts and Sundries.
What other facilities will I find?
The facilities include La Vida Health Club and Casa de Belleza hairstyling salon in the main building and Iguana Arcade at the Dig Site pool complex. The Casa de Belleza Salon offers the following services: hair styling, permanents, colorings, foiling, make-up, nail services, and facials.
Niki Bryan Spa provides services at the Health Club. For pricing and other information visit: http://www.relaxedyet.com/
What is the Transportation to the theme parks like at Coronado Springs?
Transportation from Coronado Springs to the theme parks is by Disney bus.
The bus stops are:
Bus Stop 1: El Centro
Bus Stop 2: Casitas
Bus Stop 3: Ranchos
Bus Stop 4: Ranchos and Cabanas
Transportation times are:
to Disney’s Hollywood Studios: less than 10 minutes
to Epcot: about 10 minutes
to Animal Kingdom: about 20 Minutes
to Magic Kingdom: about 20 minutes
to Blizzard Beach: about 5 minutes
NOTE: A side trip to Blizzard Beach is sometimes added to the Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios routes – this will add at least 5 minutes to the trip.
What dining options are available at Coronado Springs?
Pepper Market is a unique “interactive restaurant” and seats over 400 in a faux open-air market atmosphere with bright and festive tables and chairs. You purchase your meals in a market-style set-up with various food stations which include (but not limited to) the following: tacos and fresh tortillas; Asian stir-fry items; American grill with steaks and rotisserie chicken; fresh pasta; specialty pizzas; cold and hot sandwiches; breads and sweet rolls, and more. Inside the large chili pepper iron gates, guests are seated by a host or hostess and each guest receive a card. You then can stroll around the food areas, interact with the different chefs, choose what you want to eat and receive a stamp on your card for each item you get. At the end of the meal, you present your card(s) to a host or hostess and pay as you exit. A 10% gratuity is automatically added to your bill. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Pepper Market is open 6:30 a.m.- 11 p.m. There is also a cappuccino and espresso window with gourmet coffees and pastries that opens at 6 a.m. A margarita and beer kiosk also offers beverages.
Cafe Rix is located just off of the Lobby area. This is a convenient spot to purchase and refill mugs. They are open from 6:30 a.m. until midnight for Quick-Service. Sample menu items include Egg & Cheese Sandwiches, Paninis and Wraps. They also serve Gelato and fresh baked goods such as Cookies, Muffins, and Danishes. Specialty Coffees are available at the coffee bar, and they offer a wide selection of bottled beers, water, and soft-drinks. Newspapers can be purchased here, and Disney Dining Plan credits are accepted.
Maya Grill, operated by one of the premier restaurateur families of Mexico is the full-service restaurant featuring a huge, wood-fired grill. Seating surrounds a Mayan temple replica. The Grill also features wines from Mexico, Argentina and Chile. The Maya Grill is open for Breakfast from 7-11 a.m. and for Dinner from 5-11 p.m.
Rix Lounge is the 300-seat lounge offering tapas-style appetizers and specialty drinks. The drink list includes the Strawberry-Banana Split (our favorite) and the Chocolate Martini, while appetizers range from chorizon flatbreads to citrus-infused chicken skewers. Rix Lounge is open from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily.
Siesta’s Pool Bar and Grill in the Dig Site pool area, offers food like hamburgers, buffalo chicken sandwiches, and chicken caesar wraps along with specialty drinks like Electric Lemonade from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Laguna Bar offers some light bite options like panini sandwiches and personal pizzas.
Room Service - There is room service available to all resort guests, which offers continental breakfast (7-11 a.m.) and light (sandwiches, pizza, snacks) all-day dining (11 a.m.-11 p.m.).
A full menu of all Coronado Springs dining options will be available in the near future, so please check our site often to find out more!
Is there a gift shop?
Panchito’s Gifts and Sundries is a 6,000 square-foot shop filled with authentic Native American and Mestizo handicrafts along with Disney’s own character merchandise. The shop is named after Panchito, the Mexican parrot in The Three Caballeros. Scenes from The Three Caballeros are painted on the walls of the shop, and there is a large figure of the flying burro from the film that is the center of the shop.
What about the resort’s pools? (yes, that’s pools with an “s”)
Coronado Springs has four wonderful pools; a themed pool at The Dig Site, as well as a quiet pool in each of the three regions. The Dig Site includes a 272,000+ gallon pool, a bar, a sand volleyball court, the largest outdoor hot tub on Walt Disney World property, which accommodates approximately 22 people (wink wink nudge nudge), the Explorer’s Playground, and the Iguana Arcade.
The Dig Site features a 46 foot tall Mayan pyramid themed as a modern archaeological dig. You can also find a Spitting Statue at the Dig Site to help cool you off. Night-time lighting resembles that which you would imagine at a archaeological dig site. Water flows from the top of the pyramid down into the pool. The Dig Site is open 8am to midnight.
- The Jaguar Water Slide is 123 feet long, shoots under a spitting jaguar and is partially covered. There is a “walkway type bridge” which allows you to view people in the water slide from above.
- A Children’s Pool includes a central spouting fountain.
- There are three quiet pools, one located in each of the regions: Casitas, Ranchos, and Cabanas. Towels are available poolside at the Dig Site, but no towels are available at the Quiet Pools. You’ll need to take the towels from your room.
What other Recreation is available at Coronado Springs?
- There is one video game arcade – the Iguana Arcade, near the Siesta pool bar.
- Explorer’s Playground provides kids an area to dig for artifacts in the sand, play on swings or climb into the Pyramid. There is a large Mayan head statue in the midst of the playground; partially buried in the sand.
- Encircling the lagoon and linking the quiet pools is a 0.9 mile esplanade for leisurely strolls. A nature walk winds its way through the wooded sections of the resort featuring wooden walkways and bridges.
- The Marina located on the southern end of Lago Dorado near El Centro offers kayak, pedal boats and electric boat rentals from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There are also bicycles, both regular and surrey bikes, available for rental from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. They also have helmets for those that request one. In addition, they’ll rent you a fishing pole, if you’d like to do some catch-and-release fishing on the lake.
- La Vida Health Club (open 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m) is 3,000 sq feet and has Cybex weight-lifting machines, free weights, step machines, treadmills, and stationary bikes. It also features a Precorps Transport cross training. The health club also has a 200 sq ft sauna, manicures, pedicures, facials, massage services, tanning facilities and personal training assistance.As of June 1, 2004, resort guests (age 14 and older) can use the fitness center at no additional charge for the duration of their stay. A parent or legal guardian must accompany children under 17. The purchase of a spa treatment includes use of the adjacent fitness center for the day of treatment.
- Rix Lounge, a 300-seat nightspot, opened in late 2007 at Coronado Springs Resort. Rix offers house music, specialty drinks and tapas-style appetizers. It is the first venue of its kind on Disney property outside the Downtown Disney entertainment and dining area. Rix is open daily from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. A DJ will play Top 40 music, and bands will perform some nights. There is a dress code (specifically, we hear from a friend, no sneakers).
I use a wheelchair, how accessible is Coronado Springs?
ECVs (electric wheelchairs) will move about fine inside and most of outside the resort… the only possible glitch being the narrow sidewalk and the suspension bridge as you approach the Dig Site from the Casita/Cabana side. There *is* handicapped access into the pool, wheelchair sign and everything.
Mouse-cellaneous Info on Coronado Springs:
For Hidden Mickeys (symbols with three circles representing the head of Mickey Mouse) check carefully at the Hieroglyphs on the temple at the feature pool.
The Coronado Springs Quiet Pools are the first on Disney property to use Bromine instead of Chlorine!
The Pressed Penny Machines are off the Main Registration area near the phones.
Vending machines are located throughout the resort buildings (sodas are $2.00), near the elevators.
Stamps, a Mailbox, an ATM machine, and a calling card vending machine are located to the right of the Front Desk area near the Telephones.
Jogging maps are available at the Marina or Guest Services.
The Coronado Springs Resort and Convention Center is located at: 1000 West Buena Vista Drive; Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830-1000; Telephone: (407) 939-1000; Fax: (407) 939-1001
