I recently had the pleasure of touring Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and their brand new Gran Destino tower, and I have to say I was mighty impressed! With the addition of the new tower, they really have brought up the level of this resort, it feels like more than a moderate resort. It really does feel like a deluxe level hotel, but it still has a moderate price level! In this Coronado Springs Resort review, I’m going to go through everything you need to know about staying at this resort. With the recent renovations, I truly believe this is the new hidden gem.
The theming of the resort is Spanish/Mexican, which is reflected in the design of the buildings and the food offerings you will find at this property.
Lobby/Arrival
When you arrive at Coronado Springs, you will now be taken to the new Gran Destino Tower to check-in. All guests, whether they are tower guests or not, check in at Gran Destino. I think this was a really smart move because the grandeur of the tower when you walk in is amazing! It really feels like you are walking in to modern luxury. The decor and the colors really make you feel welcome, and the lobby is a very inviting area to just hang out.
On one side is the check-in desk and the other side has working stations where guests can plug in their devices to charge or get some work done. This is a conference center resort, so they do receive a lot of business travellers and they made sure to cater to that.
Just beyond the lobby, one floor down, is the Barcelona Lounge where you can get drinks and relax. They have beautiful pieces of art in this area and one breathtaking piece of Walt and Mickey. You just can’t help taking a minute to reflect on the man who sparked all this creativity.
Dining
Out of all the moderate resorts, Coronado Springs has the most choice in terms of quick-service, lounges and table-service. If dining choices are important to you, then this resort will have you covered! Their main quick-service location is called El Mercado and is found in the main building, El Centro. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, and I found the selections to be really tasty.
If you want a table-service option, then there are 3 options at Coronado Springs:
- Toledo – Tapas, Steak and Seafood
- Maya Grill
- Rix Sports Bar & Grill
They also have several lounges to choose from where you can get drinks and small bites to eat. The Barcelona Lounge and Dahlia Lounge can be found in the Gran Destino Tower. Cafe Rix is in El Centro and you will find some pretty nice decadent desserts there. Finally, you can head out over the water and go to Three Bridges Bar & Grill. It’s an idyllic setting over the water where you can enjoy some drinks and dinner.
Location
Coronado Springs is closest to the Animal Kingdom park, but not within walking distance. You will need bus transportation to get to any of the parks from this resort. I would day that the longest bus ride would be to Magic Kingdom, which could take approximately 15 minutes.
Rooms
While the Gran Destino tower is brand new, all of the rooms on property have been refurbished. Whether you stay in the tower or one of the casita buildings, you will get a fresh, renovated room.
All the carpets have been removed and now the flooring is a nice, clean laminate. The beds have been raised from the floor, which makes for great storage area for luggage to keep it out of the way. They have also added Smart TVs to all the rooms where you can view your Photopass photos. The overall look and feel of the room is very clean, and I really like the new approach Disney is taking with their renovated rooms.
Pool/Fitness Center
The Dig SIte pool is the main pool area which is a short walk from El Centro and the Gran Destino Tower. It features a mayan pyramid with a fun water slide, any kid would have a blast hanging out here! There are also lounging areas, a beach volleyball court, a hot tub, a playground and an arcade.
The property also has 3 other quiet pools if you would like to escape the crowds at the main pool. These quiet pools can be found in each separate section of the resort property.
Coronado Springs is also the only moderate resort to feature a fitness center and spa. You’ll find La Vida Health Club on property where you can work out, get a massage or have your hair done. It is amazing that you get these deluxe level amenities at a moderate resort!
Gran Destino
The Gran Destino Tower is where Disney has really added value to this property. Since it is a tower building, all rooms enter from the inside, so it is very similar to a deluxe resort. While the prices of the rooms in the tower are a bit more than the casita building rooms, they are still very affordable compared to a deluxe.
The first thing I noticed when I went to go visit the rooms in the towers was the scents in the hallways. I don’t know how to describe it, but the hallways smell amazing! Disney really does know how to pay attention to every detail and just a simple smell really boosted that first impression you get walking to your room. The decor in the hallways is warm and inviting, and I was already impressed before I even entered the room.
The decor of the rooms is similar to the casitas, very clean and modern. The difference with the tower rooms is that you get different views from your room. You can choose from a standard view (parking lot) or water view (lagoon). There are also options for suites in the tower if you need more space.
Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood is their table-service restaurant located on the top floor of the tower. It has spectacular views and depending on which side you sit on, you will be able to view some of the park’s fireworks. I had the opportunity to dine there one evening and it was a delicious experience! I can’t believe this isn’t a Signature restaurant and it is a good use of one table-service credit on the dining plan. A very elegant feel to the restaurant and the offerings on the menu were quite diverse.
Chronos Club Lounge
The Club Lounge has got to be the best addition to this resort! The Chronos Lounge can be found on the 15th floor of the Gran Destino Tower and you must have a club level room booked to be able to access it. It is open from 7 am to 10 pm every day, and as a club level member, you can come and go as you please. They serve food and beverages all day long and you help yourself to anything you want. In the morning, they have a breakfast spread out with coffee. During the afternoon and evening, they have small bite eats and drinks. While I was there, they had several options for wine, some champagne, and beer. I really could of spent a whole day there just snacking and drinking!
The Final Say
Before the recent renovations, I will be honest, Coronado Springs was not one of my favourite resorts. With the addition of the Gran Destino Tower, the club lounge and the new table-service restaurants – this has quickly jumped up to one of my top resorts! The value you get at this moderate resort is above anything you will get at any of the other moderate properties. The tower truly does feel like you are staying in a deluxe hotel, but at moderate level prices!
I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to recommend this hotel! The only downside is that most rooms accommodate a maximum of 4 per room, so this would not be an option for families of 5 or more. If you are a party of 4 or less, then I strongly encourage you to take a closer look at Coronado Springs. If you can swing the extra $$ and go for club level, you definitely won’t be sorry! If you would like more information about booking this resort, then feel free to reach out at laurab@clickthemouse.ca.
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Get a Quote from CLICK THE MOUSELaura is a mom of one adorable girl with a love of all things Disney. She traveled to Disney World with her family in 2010 and was hooked. They have since been a total of over 15 times. With all her knowledge of planning Disney trips, she now wants to share that with others. She loves giving guidance, tips and advice to others planning their magical vacation!
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