Coronado Springs Resort at Disney
Inspired by the explorer who searched for the fabled Seven Cities of Gold, Francisco Vazquez de Coronado, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort celebrates the character and traditions of the American Southwest and northern Mexico. Coronado Springs Resort is a large sprawling resort and it is also the only Moderate Resort to be used as a convention resort .You will see guests walking around in business suits and ties, but most of the time they have on polo shirts with khakis. Surrounded by Lago Dorado (Lake of Gold); the resort is divided into three “villages”. The Casitas, The Ranchos; and The Cabanas. All of the rooms here have 2 queen beds or 1 king bed. Dark Mahogany finishes, private vanity area, flat panel TV’s and mini refrigerators.
The Casita village is set among colorful plazas, fountains and palm-shaded courtyards. The casitas (translation: Little Houses) resemble three and four story buildings in a village setting. This area was themed after urban areas of the American Southwestern and Mexico. The casitas are home to many of the convention accommodations. This area is closest to the main lobby and dining areas.
The Ranchos have a more rustic, rural flavor to them. These two and three story villas are themed after the dry, rural desert ranchland regions of the Southwest United States. This area comes complete with an Arroyo (translation: a small stream that tumbles over a rocky streambed).
The Cabana village is located on the northern shore of Lago Dorado. These two story buildings are styled as adobe architecture. This area reflects the beauty and serenity of Mexico’s coastal regions. More than half the rooms in this village have lake views and make them a popular choice among guests. A sandy shoreline beach, complete with hammocks, compliments this section.
Inside the main lobby area known as El Centro you will find the gift shop, Panchitos, the convention center and the resorts dining spots.
The Pepper Market is Coronado Springs Resort’s food court. Pepper Market is set up completely different than the other food courts located at the other resorts in Walt Disney World. Recent changes to Pepper Market include buffet service at breakfast and lunch. At dinner you choose your meals in a Mexican market-style set-up while walking from station to station and talking with the chefs. You are seated by a host/hostess and receive a ticket. The host/hostess will take your drink order. You then can stroll around the food areas, choose what you want to eat and receive a stamp on your ticket for each item you get (each guest receives their own card). At the end of the meal, you present your ticket(s) to a host/hostess and pay as you leave. 10% gratuity is automatically charged to your bill at the Pepper Market. If you would like to get your meal “To Go”, make sure to get a “To Go” ticket and you will not be charge the 10% gratuity.
The food counters at Coronado Springs include some awesome choices. A Mexican station, a grill station which includes steaks and meat carvings, wings, burgers, rotisserie chicken, baked potatoes and french fries. A pizza station that has calzones and pizzas made to order so they can take up to 20-25 minutes. A pasta station that offers traditional fettuccine/linguine/penne dishes. A sandwich station that has a variety of hot and cold sandwiches, fruit salads and a variety of soups and salads. And to top it all off, a bakery/desert station that includes bread, sweet rolls, cakes and great cookies all made on premises. a Kids Station which includes the old standbys of chicken strips, hot dogs, pasta and pizzas is also available.
One of my favorite resort table service spots is located at Coronado Springs. THE MAYA GRILL
Delight in Latin-flavored American cuisine in this inviting restaurant with a large exhibition open-pit, wood-fired grill and Mayan decor. A fine dining restaurant that transports guests into a world of ancestral “Latino” ambiance with their Sun, Fire and Water Temples. Along with an extensive wine menu, dinner offerings include steaks, seafood and chicken with an array of signature desserts that are irresistible. The Maya Grill is open for dinner from 5 – 10pm
There is plenty of recreation available at Coronado Springs too. Whether it’s swimming in the huge pool or relaxing in a hammock in the sand there is something for everyone at Coronado Springs.
The Dig Site
This wonderfully themed area includes a huge pool (120-by-90), mostly 4ft depth but ranges from 3ft 6″ to 5 ft. There is also a sand volleyball court, the largest outdoor hot tub on WDW property, the Explorer’s Playground, and the Iguana Arcade. The focal point of the resort, the Dig Site’s 46 foot tall Mayan pyramid themed as a modern archaeological dig of an ancient lost kingdom. A beautiful waterfall flows down the ceremonial stone steps and into the pool. The water slide is 123 ft long, 16 foot high Jaguar waterslide emanating from the back of the pyramid. A jaguar spits and tries to get you wet as you shoot under him. There is a “walkway type bridge”, which gives you a chance to watch or take photos of the kids (or adults) sliding on the water slide, from above. Yes, life jackets are available at poolside and the slide dumps into a shallow part of the pool. No running on the pool deck or double riders on the slide allowed. Also included at the Dig Site is a kid’s pool area with 5 shooting rays of water into the air.
Quiet Pools
Each Village has their own quiet pools with umbrellas and tables.
Siesta’s
The pool bar is located at the Dig Site and features fast food such as hot dogs, burgers, salads, nachos, and sandwiches. Beat the heat while enjoying the pool with a frozen margarita, a vast selection of imported and domestic beer and for the younger guest, non-alcoholic beverages are available. Also, refillable mugs can be refilled here. The bar is open from 11am to 6:00pm and food is available for purchase during the same hours.
Iguana Arcade
The arcade is open daily from 8:00am to 8:00pm. It offers a wide variety of games both classic and new.
La Marina
The marina is now operating featuring Sammy Duvall’s Watersports. You can try paddleboarding or wakeboard/tubing behind a jet ski.
Transportation at Coronado Springs Resort is via Walt Disney World bus transportation to all four theme parks as well as Downtown Disney.
Contact me today to book your Walt Disney World Vacation and stay at the amazing, gorgeous Coronado Springs resort with your family!
Amy Ross
Manager & Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
630-251-8358
amy@mickeytravels.com
staging.mickeytravels.com/team
“Making Magic One Vacation at a Time…”
