Discover the Magical Moderate: 9 Reasons Why You Should Stay At Disney's Coronado Springs 2024

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort offers a truly enchanting experience for those seeking a perfect balance of luxury and affordability.

As one of Disney’s moderate resorts, it provides a unique blend of theming and amenities that set it apart from the rest of the moderate hotels.

I stayed here for 14 nights in November 2022, and I fell in love with it for 9 main reasons.

This post is all about the top 9 reasons why you should book a stay at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.

Disney’s Coronado Springs

@caffeinebythecastle
Last November, I had the pleasure of staying at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort! And yes, in that time, I fell in love with this resort – and here are the reasons why! Have you stayed at Coronado Springs? And if not, are you planning to?! To read the full post, check out caffeinebythecastle.com/disneys-coronado-springs/ #coronadosprings #coronadospringsresort
♬ Bach unaccompanied cello suite “Prelude” – Jianteng

1. The addition of Gran Destino Tower

In 2019, the Gran Destino Tower opened at Coronado Springs, which elevated the Moderate resort to feel like a Deluxe resort.

If I didn’t know, I would’ve thought I had entered a VERY expensive Deluxe resort, the first time I visited the tower.

Although the Gran Destino Tower feels deluxe (and is certainly the “most deluxe feeling” area of the resort), it is not ridiculously expensive.

A Tower Standard View room (which sleeps 4) can get as low as $303 (not cheap, but decent for Disney World) during the Value season. Granted, this is a handful of weekdays in January and February – based on 2023 prices.

2. Coronado Springs is the only Moderate Resort with suites

Unless you count the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. But they’re cabins, not suites. And, they’re becoming a DVC property.

Suites are pretty common at Value and Deluxe Disney World hotels.

Family suites can be found at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s All-Star Music Resort.

There are also suites at every Deluxe resort (many of them being DVC villas).

These are the suites that can be found at Disney’s Coronado Springs:

Tower – Deluxe Suite – Club Access – which sleeps up to 4 guests – $672 – $1,322 per night (based on 2023 prices)
Tower – One Bedroom Suite – Club Access – which sleeps up to 4 guests – $1,236 – $1,875 per night (based on 2o23 prices)
Tower – Presidential Suite – Club Access – which sleeps up to 6 guests – $1,732 – $3,520 per night (based on 2o23 prices)
Casitas – 1 Bedroom Suite – which sleeps up to 6 guests – $1,034 – $1,572 (based on 2o23 prices)
1 Bedroom Suite – King – which sleeps up to 4 guests – $1,050 – $1,577 (based on 2o23 prices)
Casitas – Executive Suite – which sleeps up to 8 guests – $1,473 – $2,259 (based on 2o23 prices)

These suites are certainly not cheap, so I’d recommend looking for a good discount; these prices are far from moderate (if you’re paying full price).

3. Coronado Springs is the only Moderate Resort with Club Level options

Club Level isn’t a foreign concept at Disney World Deluxe Resorts, but it didn’t exist at Disney’s Coronado Springs until 2019 – when Gran Destino Tower opened.

If you book a Club Level room or suite, you have access to “complimentary” food and beverages throughout the day, and there are also concierge staff available to help you during your stay.

Coronado Springs’ Club Level is called ‘Chronos Club’, and it is likely to be the cheapest way you can experience Club Level at Disney World.

A Tower – Standard View room – with Club Access ranges from $428 to $975 per night (based on 2023 prices. So, it can be a decent value, depending on the season you visit, and if you’re spending much time at the Chronos Club.

4. The resort was recently refurbished

You don’t have to splurge on a suite or a room in the Gran Destino tower, to have a high-quality experience.

The Standard rooms were refurbished prior to the opening of Gran Destino Tower, and they look amazing!

I stayed in a Standard Room last November, and was thoroughly impressed. I would argue that they have the best Standard Rooms of all the Moderate Resorts.

5. Coronado Springs is the best Moderate Resort for adults

Are you going on a honeymoon? An adults-only trip? Or, are you someone who jokes that Disney World is for adults? If so, Disney’s Coronado Springs has got you covered!

Whilst some other Moderate Resorts (especially Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort) can be brighter and more colourful, Coronado Springs is more subtle and sophisticated. You rarely see families with young kids staying here.

This makes sense considering Coronado Springs has a convention centre.

Yes, I am very envious of people who get to stay at Coronado Springs as part of their job!

6. There’s a huge range of dining options

Quick service, table service and bars, oh my!

Here are all the dining options at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort:

Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood – the fanciest quick service restaurant at Coronado Springs
Three Bridges Bar and Grill at Villa del Lago – an outside table-service dining location (with to-go options)
Rix Sports Bar & Grill – a table service option, which is perfect if you want to watch sports while you dine
El Mercado de Coronado – the main quick service location at Coronado Springs
Dahlia Lounge – a bar/lounge

Maya Grill – a table-service restaurant
Barcelona Lounge – a bar/lounge located in the lobby of Gran Destino Tower
Siestas Cantina – a poolside quick service location
Cafe Rix – a grab-and-go quick service location
Laguna Bar – a bar/lounge

I would recommend skipping El Mercado de Coronado (unless you’re just getting drinks and snacks). This used to be the best quick service location at a resort (in my humble opinion), but now I consider it the worst.

It is no longer run by Disney, so we have seen a decrease in quality and an increase in price.

That being said, I highly recommend Three Bridges Bar and Grill (especially the Roasted Corn Dip with Tortilla Chips).

And Dahlia Bar is worth a visit for a sophisticated experience (and some mediocre views of Epcot and Hollywood Studios fireworks).

coronado springs transportation — Enjoying a mocktail at Dahlia Lounge!

7. Exciting amenities and activities

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is home to:

The Lost City of Cibola Pool (the feature pool), as well as 3 leisure pools
A Convention Center
Not one, but TWO fitness centers (La Vida Health Club Fitness Center and the Fitness Center at Gran Destino). I didn’t know there were two fitness centers until after my 14-night stay, so that tells you what kind of vacationer I am 😂
A 0.9 mile Jogging Trail
The Iguana Arcade
Spa Services (currently unavailable)

If this isn’t enough for you, you can check out these awesome activities:

Sangria University – a $59 (including tax and gratuity), 90-minute afternoon course, teaching you everything you need to know about sangria (for guests 21 and over. Guests under 21 will only be served non-alcoholic beverages). This is held at Three Bridges Bar and Grill.
Movies Under The Stars – where you can watch a Disney movie at 8:30pm every night on Gran Destino Lawn
Colors of Coronado Painting Experience – a $35 (+ tax), 2-hour art class at Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood.
Spanish Mosaic Art – a $25 (+tax), 2-hour experience, where you can design your own mosaic masterpiece! This takes place 1pm-3pm on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday afternoons at Dahlia Lounge.

8. Coronado Springs is often the cheapest Moderate Resort

Don’t let the crazy high prices of the suites fool you! If you’re opting for a Standard Room (which is a really great option), it will likely be the cheapest Moderate Resort.

If you are using an annual pass hotel discount, Coronado Springs often has a better discount than the other resorts, which adds to your savings!

Standard Rooms at Coronado Springs range in price from $250 to $446 (which is the week of Christmas, so it is rarely as high as this).

Comparatively, here are the room rates for Standard Rooms at other Moderate Resorts:

Caribbean Beach Standard Room Rates: $258 to $479

Port Orleans – French Quarter Standard Room Rates: $278 to $451

Port Orleans – Riverside Standard Room Rates: $278 to $451

I’ve even seen Standard Rooms at Coronado Springs that are CHEAPER than the Little Mermaid Rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. So, you can get a great deal here!

9. Proximity to Animal Kingdom

Is Animal Kingdom your favourite Walt Disney World park? Are you planning on spending a lot of time there?

If so, staying at Coronado Springs might make perfect sense for you!

Coronado Springs is located in the Animal Kingdom Park area, and is just a short bus ride away!

Ta Ta For Now

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is an underrated gem among the moderate resorts.

Have you stayed at Disney’s Coronado Springs? And if not, do you plan on staying there on a future trip?

This post was all about the 10 reasons why you should stay at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.

Discover the Magical Moderate: 9 Reasons Why You Should Stay At Disney’s Coronado Springs 2024