Discover Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort: A Quick Review

The author traveled as a guest of Walt Disney World and Coronado Springs Resort. All opinions are the author’s own, and neither Walt Disney World nor the hotel had any input in this article.

I recently stayed 4 nights at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida, in September 2025. This was my first time staying at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel, and I really enjoyed the experience.

This huge resort paired subtle Disney branding with kid-friendly amenities and a beautiful setting. I enjoyed returning to the laid-back atmosphere of the resort after spending all day in the parks. Plus, the ease of the complimentary Disney bus transportation between the resort and parks was a fantastic benefit that made me a believer in staying on Disney property.

Let’s jump into some of the main points of interest for Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort so you can decide if it’s the perfect fit for your next Disney vacation.

Booking Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is part of the Disney Resorts Collection. It’s in the Moderate category, so it’s a nice middle ground for families looking for an affordable hotel with some upgraded amenities.

Prices start around $276 per night, and discounts may be available for Florida residents, annual pass holders, Disney Vacation Club members, Disney+ subscribers, and U.S. military members.

Be sure to compare prices on sites like Booking.com or Apple Vacations to make sure you’re getting the best deal. If you’d like to keep your out-of-pocket costs low, you could also pay for your stay with a Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or a Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Then you can use your miles to cover those travel expenses.

Location of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort area. The hotel offers complimentary bus service to and from all 4 Disney parks. It takes just about 10 to 15 minutes by bus or car to reach any park. Additionally, guests can use these buses to access Disney water parks, Disney Springs, and Disney’s Winter Summerland Mini Golf Course.

Buses come every 15 to 20 minutes, and there are 4 stops at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.

The resort is about 25 to 30 minutes from Orlando International Airport (MCO), depending on traffic. I took Lyft to and from the airport, and each ride was about $40 before tip.

Family-Friendly Amenities

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort offers family-friendly amenities, making it great if you’re traveling with kids (especially older kids). However, it’s a huge property, so be sure to bring a stroller for younger kids who might be averse to walking 5 to 10 minutes to get to a restaurant or the pool.

Pools and Recreation

There are 4 pools, including the Dig Site pool, which features a 50-foot replica Mayan pyramid and a 123-foot waterslide.

Next to the Dig Site pool is an arcade, a playground, and pingpong tables. Be sure to catch the nightly bonfire and marshmallow roasting at the Dig Site pool.

Additionally, there is a fitness center, a 0.9-mile walking and running track around the lagoon, and activities like arts and crafts classes (for an extra charge).

Movies Under the Stars

Every Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, you can catch an outdoor movie at 8:30 p.m. During my visit, movie selections included “Monsters, Inc.” and “Hocus Pocus.”

Guest Rooms

There are different room types and areas throughout Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. I stayed in the Ranchos section, which was at the back of the resort. Walking to the hotel lobby or restaurants from my room took about 5 to 10 minutes.

My room was basic but modern, clean, and comfortable. The Ranchos section consisted of 2- to 3-story buildings with outdoor walkways.

The downside of this type of setup is that you don’t have any privacy when your window is open, so you have to keep your curtains drawn most of the time (not a problem if you’re going to spend all day in the park, but not ideal if you plan to spend time in your room during the day).

There was a large dresser-desk combo with a minifridge and a coffee maker. The 2 queen beds were comfortable and had storage underneath for suitcases.

The bathroom had a narrow countertop area with 2 sinks. There was also a closet in this area (which included a luggage rack, steamer, and an iron). The toilet and shower were in a separate space, which was very convenient.

Food and Beverages

While you may be planning to eat most of your meals in the parks, it’s good to have plenty of options at your resort, too.

We ended up eating only 1 dinner at the resort. Since we were pretty tired from spending the day park hopping, we didn’t feel like going to a sit-down restaurant, so we just grabbed a bite at El Mercado de Coronado, a grab-and-go cafeteria. It was quick and convenient — my daughter gave the mac and cheese 2 thumbs up.

Plus, we got free drinks with our reusable insulated cup. The resort-refillable drink mug can be purchased at any Disney Resort hotel or water park for $22.99 and comes with free refills during your stay (up to 14 days) — and it made a nice souvenir to take home with us.

El Mercado is listed under the Quick Service category for Disney Dining Plans.

Final Thoughts

This was my first time staying at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel, and I can easily say it absolutely beats staying off Disney property. The ease of the continuous, free bus transportation between parks was a huge perk, and I enjoyed the beautiful grounds and varied food at the hotel.