Ready to add some spice to your Disney Vacation, Coronado Springs Resort can help you kick it up a notch.
Ellie Benitez
So you’re planning a trip to Disney World and of course you want to stay somewhere amazing. Well you really want to stay at Art of Animation to see what all the hype is about without breaking the bank, but that’s easier said than done. Through my series of resort reviews I will give you the scoop on most of the resorts and maybe even introduce you to some of the less raved about resorts that are still incredible. To kick this off with a bang, I will tell you about one of my favorite resorts, which isn’t quite as talked about as the AOA, All Stars or Contemporary Resort, but is by far fabulous. If you want a truly amazing experience with a more exotic feel, I highly recommend Coronado Springs Resort.
Conveniently located adjacent to Hollywood Studios, Coronado Springs not only has a rustic Mexican style and feel, amazing pools & amenities but the views across the lake and courtyards are absolutely breathtaking. This resort offers you all the perks of staying on property, but gives you a break from the constant Disney overload by just decorating rooms and common areas with subtle amounts of Mickey & friends.
Upon arriving at this resort you will notice it resembles a gorgeous Mexican hacienda and once you step inside your senses are immediately overtaken by the sights and sounds of Mexico & the Southwest. The music and décor intertwine and within minutes you will feel like you are a world away from home in some sort of paradise. You will be checking in at El Centro, which is home to the Maya Grill, Café Rix, Panchito’s Gift Shop, Rix Lounge and another one of my favorites: The Pepper Market.
Once you’re all checked in and en route to your room, you will start to see all the beauty this locale holds. Coronado Springs is unique in that it has three types of Villages in which you can stay: Casitas, Ranchos or Cabanas. Casitas are closest to El Centro surrounded by colorful courtyards, palm trees and fountains which have a more urban Santa Fe & Monterey feel. Ranchos, provides you a more rustic western town setting, as it is farther from El Centro. Cabanas is where you would stay to get a peaceful island feel; white sandy beaches & palm trees await you there.
Our room was located in Casitas and after having stayed at all of the value resorts, I can honestly say that I was not expecting the kind of room we walked into. This room was to die for, it was spacious, bright with dark cherry wood furnishings, with terracotta tile instead of carpet and a gorgeous Mickey accent throw that still to this day, I wish I had one for my home. The bed was so very comfortable, the sheets were soft and smooth; it felt like we never left home. The bathroom was spotless and perfectly themed as well as the rest of the room. There’s even a ceiling fan in the room to give it a true southern feel, this was my husband’s favorite part because it made him feel right at home.
Back from the park and feeling a little famished? No problem, you have a few awesome options, the Pepper Market has excellent yummies day or night – they boast several stations from omelets to the more traditional pancakes & waffles in the morning, to an amazing quesadilla, soup, salad & sandwich stations along with delicious Mexican stations at night. If you’re looking for a more eloquent meal, make your way over to the Maya Grill for more upscale steaks, drinks and such. Just looking to kick back & unwind after a long day at the parks, visit Rix Lounge for some drinks and a great variety of music.
Coronado Springs is built around a 15 acre lake, it has a gorgeous dig pool with waterfalls and a five story Mayan temple as well as a splash pool for the kids. After a long day at the parks, you can come back home to relax in the Hot Tub as this resort is home to the largest hot tub of all the Disney properties. While at the pool you can visit Siestas, a pool bar where you can grab a snack, adult beverage or just refill your adorable resort mug.
So the next time you are booking your dream vacation, look into Coronado Springs Resort and put an exotic spin on your Disney vacation, I promise you won’t regret it. Writing this has made me realize that I am long overdue for another stay at Coronado Springs, but I will resist the urge and book at another resort to give you the full scoop on all the resorts and hotels in the area. I will be returning in just a few short days for another dose of Orlando Fun & Food, so be on the lookout for my next article cause our next trip promises to be a galactic adventure.
Ellie Benitez
Hi my name is Ellie & I'm a Disney-holic! Born & Raised in Sunny South Florida where I reside with my husband still to this day. My Disney addiction started when I was young, I blame my parents as we were Seasonal Pass Holders for most of my childhood & well into my teen years. We'd take a drive up every two or three months just to disconnect, now as an adult I totally understand what my parents meant by that. My husband & I are proud Pass Holders and probably will be for a long time, we can't get enough of the House of Mouse! Whenever I'm not Park Hopping or Disney Dining, you can find me crunching numbers and dealing with all kinds of crazy finance people. ;) Hence the need to disconnect! If you see me out at the parks feel free to stop me & say Hi! C'ya Real Soon!
