Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort 2024: Everything You Need to Know
Coronado Springs Gran Destino Tower Entrance
Coronado Springs is consistently one of the top Resort recommendations for guests heading to Walt Disney World.
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort has it all. Breathtaking views, fabulous dining, recreational activities, and one of the best family pools at Walt Disney World.
Coronado Springs Resort was renovated in 2019, which included the new Gran Destino Tower. Gran Destino Tower features 545 modern guest rooms (including 50 suites and club-level services).
The Gran Destino Tower rooms offer the feel of a Deluxe Resort, while at the price point of a Moderate Resort.
In this complete guide to Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, we'll cover everything you need to know before booking your stay.
Location and Accessibility
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort is located in the heart of the Walt Disney World bubble. The resort is situated near Disney's Animal Kingdom and is easily accessible from all major highways in the area.
The resort is located approximately 22 miles from Orlando International Airport, a short 30 minute drive (most days).
Because Coronado Springs is located in near the middle of Disney property, it’s a short ride to all of the theme parks.
Room Options
At Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, guests can choose between Regular Rooms and Gran Destino Tower Rooms based on their preference for layout, view, proximity and, of course, price. Tower rooms tend to be priced a little higher than regular rooms because they are centrally located to the restaurants, front desk, main bus station and have more of a Deluxe Resort feel.
Regular Rooms are spread across three areas: the Casitas, Ranchos, and Cabanas. Options include:
Standard Room with 2 Queen Beds or 1 King Bed;
Water view (lake or pool), standard view (lake, courtyard or parking area) and preferred view (views of lake, courtyard or parking Area, near El Centro, Dining, Shopping and Transportation, ;
Comfortably accommodates up to 4 adults.
Equipped with modern amenities like flat-screen TV, mini-fridge, and coffee maker.
On the other hand, the Gran Destino Tower rooms are a modern addition that combines contemporary design with more subtle touches of Disney.
The Tower provides panoramic views of the resort and some rooms even overlook the theme parks (there are no “theme park view” rooms, however. Here are the features:
Standard, Deluxe, and Club Access Rooms with 2 Queen Beds or 1 King Bed;
One Bedroom Suites and Presidential Suites;
Floor-to-ceiling windows for unique views of the resort and Disney parks.
Interactive TV, enhanced storage, and a Keurig coffee maker.
In the Tower, you can also find the Club Access rooms that offer access to Chronos Club - an exclusive lounge serving complimentary beverages, desserts and light snacks.
To decide between Regular and Tower Rooms, consider the number of people in your party, your budget, your preference for views.
A key note for larger families, there are very limited options for families larger than 4. With 5 or more over the age of 2, parties are likely to need 2 rooms to be accomodated. In these instances, guaranteed adjoining rooms are available (but not in Gran Destino Tower) but must be reserved by phone. A travel professional can easily make these reservations for you!
Dining Options
Toledo, where the ceiling changes colors
Coronado Springs features a number of great table-service and quick-service restaurants, including:
Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood is a table-service restaurant located at the top of the Gran Destino Tower. This rooftop dining venue boasts an impressive menu featuring dishes inspired by the flavors of Spain. You can indulge in a selection of savory tapas, delectable steaks, and fresh seafood. The vibrant atmosphere and panoramic views of the Walt Disney World Resort make this a dining experience you won't want to miss.
Maya Grill, a traditional dinner-only restaurant, offers a grand dining experience with a menu featuring Tex-Mex cuisine. From fajitas to tacos and a variety of steaks, there's plenty to enjoy in this warm and inviting setting.
Three Bridges Bar & Grill at Villa del Lago is an open-air lounge located in the middle of Lago Dorado, the resort's 14-acre lake. With a relaxed atmosphere, it's the perfect place to unwind after a day at the parks. The menu offers a range of options, from delicious sandwiches and crispy chicken biscuit sliders to warm churros with chocolate dip. They also serve a variety of refreshing cocktails, wines, and beers.
El Mercardo de Coronado Food Court
El Mercado de Coronado is a quick-service location (cafeteria style) offering a variety of foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. From fresh salads and hearty sandwiches to classic pizzas and burgers, you'll find an array of options to satisfy your hunger. For dessert or a sweet start to your day, don't forget to try their delectable pastries.
The Barcelona Lounge, located in the Gran Destino Tower Lobby
Café Rix is your go-to place for grabbing a quick bite or satisfying a sweet tooth. It offers a variety of pastries, yogurt, gelato, and a selection of hot and cold beverages.
Barcelona Lounge, located in the Gran Destino Tower's lobby, is a stylish and modern coffee bar by day, serving pastries and sandwiches along with your morning brew. As the sun sets, it transforms into a vibrant bar serving wines, cocktails, and Spanish and American craft beers.
Dahlia Lounge, another Gran Destino Tower gem, is a rooftop lounge offering cocktails inspired by Spanish ingredients. It's a wonderful place to relax and enjoy light fare with stunning views of the resort.
Siestas Cantina, located near the Lost City of Cibola Pool, is an excellent place to grab a quick bite without straying too far from your sun-lounger. Serving traditional American fare alongside Mexican-inspired dishes, it's the perfect spot for a leisurely lunch or an early dinner.
Amenities and Services
Pools: The resort features four heated pools. The centerpiece is the Lost City of Cibola Pool at “The Dig Site”, a sprawling, Southwestern-themed oasis complete with a five-story Mayan pyramid and a thrilling 123-foot long waterslide. For a quieter experience, you can visit the three leisure pools located in the Casitas, Ranchos, and Cabanas areas of the resort. Check out our complete guide to Coronado Springs pools for hours, activities and more details on The Dig Site!
Fitness Centers: There are two fitness centers that off equipped with cardio and strength training machines.
Volleyball, Jogging, and More: The resort offers a sand volleyball court and a jogging trail. For those who love the water, you can also rent fishing equipment.
Arcade: Kids and kids-at-heart will love the Iguana Arcade filled with both classic and new games.
Playground: Younger children can explore the playground located at The Dig Site.
Business Services: For guests who need business resources, the resort offers a range of services, including fax and photocopy facilities, mailing, and shipping.
Complimentary WiFi
Laundry Services: The resort offers 24-hour self-service laundry rooms adjacent to each of the three quiet pools. Dry cleaning services are also available through Housekeeping.
Banking: exchange foreign currencies at the Front Desk.
Special Events and Entertainment
Movies Under the Stars: Every night at 8:30 pm, weather permitting, guests can unwind with a complimentary Disney movie screening. Held outdoors, it's a fantastic way to enjoy a Disney classic under the starlit sky.
Poolside Activities: The Dig Site hosts a variety of fun poolside activities during the day, including trivia, dance parties, and games for kids. These activities are supervised by Disney cast members.
Arts & Crafts at The Dig Site: Guests can make Mickey Tie-Dye t-shirts or their own tumbler for a small fee most days from 3:15 pm-4:15 pm.
Campfire Activities: Roast marshmallows on a campfire. Located at The Dig Site Pool daily from 6:30-730 pm 7 days a week! This is usually followed by the Movies Under the Stars.
Colors of Coronado Painting Experience: Located at Toledo restaurant, this is a 2-hour class led by local artists. There is a new design each month and when you’ll create an 11” x 14” piece of art to take home. The class is available for $35 per person and is available every Friday from 1pm to 3pm. Toledo is closed during this time.
Spanish Mosaic Art: Design your own Disney mosaic piece of art. This is a 2-hour experience that ends with a 12” x 12” keepsake to take home. This class takes place at the Dahlia Lounge on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 1pm to 3pm.
Seasonal Events: Depending on the time of your visit, you might also catch special seasonal events.
In-Room Celebrations: Make your celebration extra special with personalized in-room celebrations. Whether it's a birthday, anniversary, or first Disney visit, the resort staff can set up themed decorations and gifts for a great surprise.
Coronado Springs Bus Stops and Parking
Overnight self-parking is complimentary to guests staying at Disney Resort Hotels. Valet Parking is $33 per night.
Coronado Springs provides complimentary bus transportation to and from all 4 theme parks, both water parks, and Disney Springs. Buses arrive roughly every 20 minutes. Buses generally operate from 45 minutes before a theme park’s opening time until 1 hour after a theme park’s closing time.
Buses between Coronado Springs Resort and Disney Springs operate until 2 am.
The main bus stop (Bus Stop #1) is located just outside the lobby entrance of Gran Destino Tower. There are 3 additional stops throughout the resort campus for those in rooms further out from Gran Destino Tower. When looking at the Resort Map, Bus Stop #2 is located outside of the Casitas, Bus Stop #3 is located outside of the Ranchos and Bus Stop #4 is located outside of the Cabanas.
When headed to the theme parks or Disney Springs the Coronado Springs bus stop order is:
Bus Stop #2
Bus Stop #3
Bus Stop #4
Bus Stop #1
Then to the destination
When returning to Coronado Springs Resort, the bus stop order is:
Bus Stop #2
Bus Stop #3
Bus Stop #4
Bus Stop #1
This order can make it a long ride after a full day at the parks when returning to the Resort, so it’s worth keeping in mind (particularly with little ones!).
Transportation from Orlando Airport (MCO) to Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
There are a number of options available for transportation from Orlando Airport MCO to Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Unfortunately, Disney no longer offers it’s own service (formerly known as Magical Express).
There are shuttle options, including Mears Connect (which previously operated Magical Express with Disney) and the Sunshine Flyer.
There are also private transportation options, including Uber, Lyft, and others, including Happy Limo. Our family has used Happy Limo and Uber on a number of occasions with great experience. Depending on party size and vehicle needs, expect transportation to range from $15 for shuttle service per person, to $150 for larger groups in private transportation.
Booking and Reservations
Interested in booking a Walt Disney World Vacation at Coronado Springs Resort? Reach out for a free, no obligation quote!
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the preferred rooms located at Coronado Springs?
Preferred rooms at Coronado Springs are located in buildings that are closer to El Centro, the main hub of the resort. These rooms offer convenient access to dining, shopping, and the main bus stop.
Do you get extra magic hours at Coronado Springs?
Guests staying at Disney Resorts, including Coronado Springs, are eligible for Early Entry to the theme parks, which is typically 30 minutes before the parks are scheduled to open. Hours vary and are available in the My Disney Experience App.
What is the difference between a standard room and preferred room at Coronado Springs?
The main difference between a standard room and a preferred room at Coronado Springs is their location within the resort. Standard rooms may offer views of the resort, courtyard, or parking areas, while preferred rooms provide views of the lake, courtyard, or parking areas and are situated closer to El Centro, dining, shopping, and the main bus stop.
Can you see fireworks from Coronado Springs Resort?
There are limited views of the fireworks from some resort rooms and from the Toledo Restaurant balcony.
Is smoking permitted at Coronado Springs Resort?
At Disney Resort hotels, smoking is permitted in designated outdoor smoking areas. Smoking is not permitted in Guest rooms or on balconies.
