La Plante Mountaineers

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Review

Posted on by raenaenae

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Review

Disney’s Coronado Springs is a Moderate Resort at Walt Disney World with a Southwestern theme. Coronado Springs Resort is Walt Disney World’s biggest convention hotel but when we went it was almost a ghost town in its normal comparisons. This hotel review includes updated room photos, our reflections on our stay at the resort, amenities, dining, conveniences, transportation and much more. Additionally, there were no conventions at the time making it less of a Hussle and bustle spot. Not to mention Toledo Tapas, Steak & Seafood and Maya Grill were closed when we went due to COVID-19.


In April of 2021 my daughter and I did a 10 day stay at Disney’s Coronado Springs. It was a last-minute change from a value resort to the moderate resort. Though I was to super excited to stay at this resort, I really had wanted to stay at a Grand Destino Towers instead. I had been trying to book a room at the Grand Destino Towers but all they had were single beds or larger rooms. Since it was just us two, we preferred 2 queen beds.
We give this resort an 8 out of 10!!! Definitely Going Again!

Conveniences

Amenities close to your resort room is always beneficial. I was able to get a room at the Ranchos, building 7. I was super excited because we were near two pools, Ranchos Village pool and the main attraction pool Lost City of Cibola. They had a bar here at the pool as well called Siestas Cantina and they made really good drinks along with usual beers and mixers.
Disney Bus Transportation is always a great perk but can be a lengthy process. Our bus stop was close to our resort, and we just needed to step out the door and walk across the parking lot to the Ranchos bus stop. It was nice that it was close, but our wait times were tremendous.
We were also close to the Three Bridges Bar and Grill at Villa del Lago. Yummy. While walking over the view was fantastic day or night and the breeze of the lake felt delightful.
Laundry services was very close to us and as always, I did my laundry the last full day of visiting at Disney World. Mariah enjoys extra pool time and I enjoy lounging by the pool side with a drink at had while the laundry is working harder than I am. It sure helps, because the last thing I want to do after a 10 vacation is a mountain of laundry.

Resort

We choose to do a standard bedroom. We are rarely at the resort and choose to spend our time at the parks. We are roller coaster junkies. Our room was in building 7 in the Ranchos neighborhood. We loved the theming and convenience inside the resort.

Main room

We had two queen beds!!! Boy they were soft! I only wish they had heavier blankets.
Large cabinet featuring a dresser, tv stand, refrigerator and desk. Modern and functional.
The lighting was superb. When I had to walk up early to get on the Rise of the Resistance, I had a smaller light away from her face. This was great, I didn’t want to wake her up too early. Makes her less cranky. Lol.
I loved that each area had USB Ports and more plug ins. I was able to plug in everything from the 2 phones, camera, Switch game console (Yes, even at Disney she brought it), computer, and the tablets.
Coffee!!!! DO I say more! I was glad they still have the Keurig’s in the room. I brought my own coffee as well, very convenient, when I need a pick me up and didn’t want to walk down to EL Centro or pay $7.
Safe. I was happy they still kept the safes in the room after the did the remodel. We suck all our valuables in there.
TV and Cable system. There has to be something to say about how Disney communicates their information to you by phone, TV, phone, kiosks and other ways. The TV and cable system helped us in more ways than one. I really enjoy the up-to-date weather, theme park and ride information. The all you can watch Disney movies and that unique and specialized welcome screen!!! You know the screen when you turn on your television and see “Welcome Home La Plante.” Greatest feeling ever!!! Well beside walking into the parks and seeing your favorite icons or characters.
Air Conditioning!!! Do I need to say more!!! With Florida being hot and humid! I really enjoy the air conditioner.
Style! We love the ranchos style mixed with modern elements. The lighting, furniture and flooring all work together. While bringing in elements like the artwork and functional pieces needed to enjoy your stay.

Bathroom

The bathroom offered privacy and generous selection of amenities. Having a teen is already difficult already not to mention with privacy but the separate shower and toilet stalls were big enough to separate us while each one did there thing.
Having plenty of space to do your make up and hair with someone next to you doing the same is GREAT!!! I had plenty of space to layout all my personal belongings for 10 days, but still kept it clean and organized.
Although we enjoy having shampoo, conditioner and bodywash available. We just don’t enjoy the products. So, I brought my own and will continue to until they change my mind. LOL! Due to COVID I also brought heavy duty handwash. That is antibacterial I mean. We still had a lot left too!

Featured Room Amenities:

  • Hairdryer
  • Internet – Free WiFi Service
  • Coffee Maker
  • Telephone with voicemail
  • In-Room Safe
  • Lighted makeup mirror
  • Mini-refrigerator
  • Iron & Ironing Board

Resort Information

  • Number of Rooms 1967
  • Check In Time 3pm
  • Check Out Time 11am
  • Convention Space
  • Extra Magic Hours
  • Room Charging
  • Self Laundry
  • Shopping Delivery
  • Valet Laundry


Room Types available at the time

  • Price Range $167 – $258
  • Club Level
  • Exterior Corridors
  • Pool View
  • Preferred
  • Standard
  • Suites

Dinning on Property


While not all of the restaurants were open, like in particular our favorite Toledo Steakhouse or the Maya Grill. Luckily, many others were including Barcelona and Dahlia Lounge, El Mercado de Coronado, Three Bridges Bar & Grill, Siestas Cantina, Rix, and our other favorite Rix Sports Bar & Grill. Boy, do we love those Watchos!!!
We have always adored Disney’s restaurants, some more than others, but here we couldn’t complain. We had plenty of options to choose from and the prices were reasonable for Disney standards. We both were hoping Toledo’s would be open but with COVID-19, it just wasn’t the right timing. Toledo later opened in early August.


The First night we ate really late around 11pm. We decided to order out at Three Bridges Bar and Grill at Villa del Lago and eat in our resort room. We loved it! Our poor feet were hurting and pour bellies were growling. We had dropped off out luggage and went straight to Magic Kingdom at about 10:30am that day. We didn’t arrive tell later that night, it made it a long day with the flight starting at 6am. I had the lamb entree and Mariah had the steak with fry’s entree and of course we love the pita type bread there. We shared the cheesecake desert from El Mercado de Coronado as well. Here were the meals we ate at the resort while staying there. I have included the prices as well.


Dining and Lounges

  • Food Court
  • Indoor Bar
  • Pool Bar
  • Quick Service
  • Room Service 7am – 1am, 4pm – 11pm
  • Table Service


Three Bridges Bar and Grill at Villa del Lago


Appetizer- Warm Manchego Cheese and Oaxaca Cheese Dip
Chorizo, Roasted Peppers and Tortilla Chips $14.00
My Entrée- Harissa Lamb Chops*
Tzatziki, Cucumber-Tomato Salad and Naan Bread $25.00
Mariah’s Entrée- Steak Frites*
Char-grilled Sirloin, Smoked Paprika Fries and Chimichurri $22.50

El Mercado de Coronado


Philly Cheese Steak
Tender sliced Rib-eye with Onions and melted Cheese on a Hoagie roll. Served with Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Fries and Pickle Spear $17.00
Chicken Tenders
Breaded Chicken Tenders with seasoned Fries and dipping sauce $14.00

Pepperoni & Cheese Flatbread
Pepperoni, Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheeses $17.00

Centro Flatbread
Italian Sausage, Goat Cheese, Caramelized Onions & Fresh Mint $18.00

Nachos
Corn Tortilla Chips with Ground Beef, Cheese Sauce, Sour Cream and Pico de Gallo $14.00

Crispy Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich
Crispy Chicken Breast tossed in Hot Sauce, Pepper Jack Cheese and Cool Herb Aioli. Served with Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Fries and Pickle Spear $16.00

Rix Sports Bar & Grill


Appetizer- Watchos
Crispy Waffle Fries loaded with House Blend Queso Blanco, Bacon and Scallions $15.00
Mariah’s Entrée- Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich
Buttermilk Chicken Breast, Nashville Hot Sauce, Pepper Jack Cheese, Pickle Coins, Fried Onions, and Blue Cheese Slaw on a Toasted Roll $19.00
My Entrée- BBQ Ranch Burger*
Half-Pound Burger, Cheddar Cheese, Applewood-smoked Bacon, Crispy Onion Straws, Lettuce, Tomato, and House- BBQ Ranch Dressing on a Toasted Roll $19.50

Cafe Rix


Breakfast-
Doughnuts- different types
Assorted Cupcakes
Muffins
Gelato- Mango Sorbet and raspberry gelato
What we thought of the room
The rooms were updated and very clean. We opted for a standard view with 2 queen beds.
When we arrived, our rooms were not ready nor was our suitcases there, so we dropped off our luggage at concierge and took off to Magic Kingdom. When we arrived back at the resort later that evening, our room was ready, and concierge brought our items to the room for us. I’m sure glad they did because it was a long walk from the towers to our resort. That was the pit fall from it all. The massive resort allows for enough space, like a park, but quite a walk to each major area.
They updated technology in the room were fantastic. We had USB plug ports all over and the TV displayed our names at the welcome page. The new system gave us better information than in other years. Disney TV is amazing by the way!!!

Transportation


Complimentary bus transportation to and from all Disney theme parks and water parks is available here. Our bus stop was close to our hotel, and we just needed to step out the door and walk across the parking lot to the Ranchos bus stop. On average, Disney buses run every 20 minutes from all Walt Disney World Resorts, although wait times can vary. While wait times at the bus stops during peak travel times were overly long here.


Too long sometimes, we waited over 45 minutes on some trips. Of course, we used the My Disney Experience App for wait times, but for Coronado Springs, they were not accurate. Physical distancing while waiting for the bus was an issue as well at Coronado Springs. There were signs on the ground, but no one followed them. Due to waiting longer we had quite a full bus and still had more stops to go, on every trip we took.

Bus stops at Coronado Springs

  • Grand Destino Towers
  • Casitas
  • Ranchos
  • Cabanas

Amenities


We loved the perks of staying on property at a Walt Disney World Resort. Here is what Coronado Springs had to offer and services we use.


Our favorite but quite sad to see it leave it the Disney’s Magical Express. Since we live in Kansas and arrive at Orlando International, we have always taken part in this wonderful perk and amenity offered. Since it will be leaving at the end of 2021, we will now have to find a different means of transportation from Orlando International.


Disney Bus Transportation is our main way we travel through the park, though if we stay at a hotel that offers a short walk, monorail, boat ride or gondola we will take it. Since we have visited so much, we have always learned to be early than late. It usually is in our favor. We get into the parks earlier or get sat faster because we arrived way before our time scheduled. I can’t tell you how many times Mariah has fallen asleep on the bus coming back from the parks. LOL!


We always take advantage of convenient complimentary Internet access throughout Walt Disney World Resort theme parks and hotels. Except when we need to get a pass on Star Was Rise of the Resistance. LOL!


We love the convenient on-line check in and usually have a room set for us before we arrive. So nice to just go straight to our room after we arrive.
I try not to use the ATM here due to extra bank charges, but I have and really enjoy that they are all around the resorts or theme parks when needed.
I have to admit I had to use the business center this past time and not for business. My moto is when I’m on vacation no business aloud. But this past time I had to print out our boarding pass there and for free! Due to the Disney Airline Check-in Bases out of order due to COVID-19. I had to print my own boarding passes. It was a pain because we had to carry our luggage through the airport both arriving and leaving Disney World. Unlike before I didn’t touch my luggage until I arrived in Kansas City.


This year I opted out of Housekeeping Services. I usually get it and tip the housekeeper when she cleans but with COVID, I wanted less people in our rooms. I had preplanned and brought tons of cleaning products and sanitizers to kill any living thing.


Plunge into one of the 4 outdoor swimming pools or enjoy other recreational amenities including a waterslide and a sauna. Our favorite was the Lost City of Cibola pool and sauna at the Dig Site. The pool had a massive pyramid with water coming down from it and waterslide connected. The best park was at night!!! It was so beautiful! It tops our 5 Best Pools at Disney List too!

Recreation

  • Arcade
  • Feature Pool with Pool Slide
  • Gym
  • Health Spa
  • Hot Tub
  • Playground
  • Poolside Activities
  • Poolside Movies
  • Quiet Pool
  • Running Trail

What we didn’t like!


Oh boy, well we can safely say we enjoyed this resort, but and yes there is always a but! The two items we thought could improve were transportation and closer facilities. We felt that the transportation was horrible, and the resort is so big you got plenty of steps just walking to and from the main building.
Let’s start with transportation. There are 4 stops here and boys does it take a long time to get around the resort. The first stop at Destino Towers, which we decided to get off of due to the long wait times around the resort. We felt we got to our resort quicker by jumping off that stop. Many times, our bus was completely full. Sometimes the driver stopped a 5th time at Destino towers giving them more time to add more people on the bus making it a longer trip. We weren’t the only ones complaining about this either and we notice the bus schedule was not always correct on the My Disney Experience App or the digital tv panel provided by Disney at the bus stops. We felt they needed to add another bus to route.
Second, was the size of the resort. It was ginormous and yes, we knew going in it was a convention resort. In fact, Disney’s largest, but since they were at 30% capacity, they could of but us closer to the main area, El Centro. We walked to and from the room to the El Centro as little as possible. Forget about taking the bus, we knew that we could get there fast then waiting for one.

All in all. this was an amazing resort with fabulous décor and food. Transportation sucked but it still worked and during a pandemic I really can complain. I mean we were the crazy ones at Walt Disney World during all of this. We are so glad we didn’t get sick and we were able to ride all the rides, well the ones opened.