Welcome back to another Disney Top 5!
One thing all of us Disney lovers are good at is…opinions! Although MousePlanet is an informational site, it has certainly published its share of opinions over the years, especially in this column. This is, after all, MY Disney Top 5. I’ve been giving you my opinions and thoughts about all things Disney for about 17 years now! However, the beautiful thing about being a Walt Disney World fan is that, if you stick around long enough, things will change and your opinion will undoubtedly evolve. That happened to me recently when I stayed at the Disney resort mentioned above, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.
The one thing, however, that I will never change my tune about is staying on Walt Disney World property. That’s just a no-brainer for me. I want the bubble. The bubble seems to want me. Being inside the Disney bubble makes me happier than just about anything else in life. I’ve stayed just about everywhere on Disney property. It’s easier at this point in my life to tell you the Disney resorts that I haven’t stayed in – hello Pop Century, Art of Animation, All-Star Sports, All-Star Music, Riviera, and Old Key West Resorts. (We’re staying at Old Key West for 5 days this August, so that one will be off the list shortly!) For full disclosure, when my sons were moving in/out of the Disney College Program, we were “forced” to stay off property – one night at the Disney Springs Holiday Inn and a few nights at the Disney Springs Westin. Those are pretty close to being on Disney property, though, especially The Westin, which is literally steps away from the Springs. I had no complaints with either of them, except—of course—that they were not technically inside the bubble and, well, you know…it’s just not the same.
So, let’s go back to Coronado Springs, specifically about 20 years ago. My wife was competing in the Danskin Women’s Triathlon on Disney property. Yes…a triathlon! That means swimming was involved. And yes, my wife swam in the Seven Seas Lagoon! How many people do you know in your Disney circle that can actually say that? Anyway, the race exhibition headquarters were located at the Coronado Springs Convention Center. My daughter, Samantha, and I accompanied Mommy, mostly to see the resort and look around. Sam was only 6 at the time. I remember walking around and thinking, “Nice place. Don’t think I have much interest in staying here though.” This was way before Gran Destino Tower and Three Bridges Bar and Grill were built. There was actually a second convention there at the same time, and I wasn’t crazy about seeing everyone walking around with convention badges around their necks, dressed business casual. It felt like work to me. And with that, Coronado was off my radar for many years.
Circle wipe to the last few years. Once my sons got into the Disney College Program and have since become cast members, we happily visit them several times a year and even more happily stay with them in the Disney resorts as we do so. On one of those occasions, Coronado Springs had availability in Gran Destino Tower, so they booked us all into a room there. I had taken a walk through the tower shortly after it opened once before, and it did seem like a beautiful hotel, so—despite my earlier hesitations—off we went for four nights at Coronado Springs. We liked it enough that we went back on our very next trip! Let’s take a look at what changed this veteran Disney fan’s opinion with my Top 5 things to love about Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.
5 – The Dig Site Pool
When it comes to vacations, I’m like a little kid – the pool at the hotel is extremely important to me! If I can’t have a great beach in front of my hotel, I’d better have a great pool. This is especially true at Walt Disney World, otherwise known as The Hottest Place on Earth! Disney is full of awesome pools. The volcano pool at the Polynesian and Doubloon Lagoon at Port Orleans French Quarter are two of my favorites. And there’s no pool at any hotel or resort anywhere like Stormalong Bay at the Yacht and Beach Club. That’s an experience in and of itself. I had always heard great things about The Dig Site, the main pool at Coronado Springs, but once I was staying there it quickly rose to the top of my Disney pool list. It hasn’t kicked off Stormalong Bay – and I doubt anything ever will. But The Dig Site is a beautiful pool complex. It’s huge, but for a resort of this size, that’s a good thing because it does a great job of accommodating guests while still leaving room. The landscaping surrounding the pool is perfect and perfectly fits in with the Lost City of Cibola theme.
We were there during one of the cooler months, so the hot tub, which is incidentally the largest on Disney property, was a welcome haven for my tired park-storming legs at the end of the day. There’s a full bar and a quick-service restaurant poolside, a kids’ area, an arcade, a volleyball court, a great slide, and it’s all watched over by the famous 50-foot-tall Mayan pyramid, complete with a waterfall. The kids and the big kids like me will absolutely love it!
4 – The Hammocks on the Beach
I’ve been a hammock fan since I was a kid. We had a summer cottage near the beach my whole life. My mom still lives there, as a matter of fact. The hammock between the two giant trees, right next to the house, has been a fixture there for my whole life. I’ve had several hammocks in my own yard over the years. So, yeah, I’m a big hammock fan, I guess. There have been several instances on Disney property where I’ve crashed out in a hammock on a cool evening after a long, crazy park day. (Which actually sounds like another Top 5 list that I somehow haven’t tackled over the years – stay tuned!) During our second stay at Coronado Springs, we had rooms in the Cabanas section, which is designed to evoke a more beach-themed vacation experience. And right out in front of our building was a beach and a fine set of hammocks.
I took a nice midday break in one of them one day. And each night, I made sure to set aside a little swing time for myself before bed. I tell you this: a hammock, the lagoon next to me, and the reflected light of the Gran Destino Tower on the water – maybe a cocktail down in the sand – and I’m not sure I could have been much happier!
3 – Gran Destino Tower
We’ve stayed twice at Coronado. Once in the “old” resort in the Cabanas section and once in the “new” tower. A great deal has been said and written about Walt Disney World and its latest hotel building. Many have complained that the last few Disney resorts – Gran Destino, The Riviera, and the Island Tower at The Polynesian – have been similar towers, albeit each with different theming. I can see that argument. This is just my opinion, but I don’t think we’ll ever see the days of resorts like Coronado or Port Orleans being built again. Big sprawling resorts aren’t built anymore. I suppose anything can happen, but it does seem like Disney is building towers as add-ons to their resorts. I’ve visited all of the aforementioned towers and—that all said—I do think Gran Destino is something different and—dare I say—a little special.
Some say it’s not very Disney. And the answer to that is no, it’s not very Disney-themed. However, the mere fact that they chose to name and theme this hotel after one of the most unusual Disney collaborations —Walt’s experimental film with Salvador Dalí —earns it major points in my Disney fan book. I wasn’t sure I would like Gran Destino, but I actually did. I do not think, as many have said, that it’s like a standard Marriott-type hotel. Sit in the lobby and tell me that you feel like you’re in a standard hotel somewhere off property.
The big deal with Gran Destino is that it’s a Moderate resort, priced as such, but it tends to feel like you’re staying in a Deluxe resort. The rooms are bigger and have a bit more amenities in them. I suppose balconies would be nice, but then that’s a Disney thing, isn’t it? Deluxe rooms have balconies, while Moderates don’t. We were all quite pleased with our stay at Gran Destino. It costs less, gives the four of us some more space, and we enjoyed a Deluxe resort feel without the cost. Add the amazing Toledo restaurant and beautiful Dahlia Lounge on the top floor, and you’ve got a pretty interesting choice on the list of places to stay on Disney property. Our room even looked right into Galaxy’s Edge. That made this Star Wars fan pretty happy indeed. It might not be for everybody, but I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did.
2 – The Vibe
Here’s the thing about Coronado Springs. It’s a tale of two resorts, and I don’t mean Gran Destino and the rest of the original buildings. I mean the Disney crowd and the convention crowd. For those of you unaware, Coronado Springs is one of Disney’s convention resorts. It boasts well over 200,000 square feet of meeting spaces and ballrooms. Many people claim that the aforementioned Gran Destino Tower was built for convention attendees, which is why it’s not overly Disney-themed. That may very well be. But there’s still a lot of magical Disney vibe to be had here. There are plenty of families staying here, just like at Riverside or Caribbean Beach. The pools are full of kids. The gift shop is one of my favorites on property and is named after Panchito from The Three Caballeros.
The cast was excellent, as always. They’ve got Mickey waffles! And there were certain nights when I would take a walk over to the main building, El Centro, and the lights reflecting off the water, the light music playing in the background, and the Disney vibe would totally suck me in. It’s truly a beautiful resort, and I’ve often felt the Disney bubble here.
The one time that bubble does get popped, though, and it only happened once on each trip, was when I encountered an abundance of conventioneers. I’m not saying they were rowdy or anything like that, and I’ve been to a couple of conventions myself, so I understand. It’s just that, sitting out by the lagoon with a cocktail at night, watching the lights on those strings across the plaza, just my wife and I and a few other Disney travelers, was dreamy.
The next night, when I went back for the same moment, the outdoor bar was full of men in business casual dress, ID badges around their necks, knocking back drinks…and it was considerably different. Once again, they weren’t rude or anything, but it did sort of pop my Disney bubble and remind me of work. Same thing the next morning. We LOVE having breakfast with our sons outside by the lagoon. We sit there and plan out our Disney day. But hearing the table next to us have a morning business meeting just sort of reminded us of work once again, and the bubble popped. You can definitely get away from it. We could have moved to another area for breakfast. There are plenty of options and places to go. My point is, the vibe here can be downright Disney magical. That’s why it’s so high on my list. You just have to keep an eye out for those people who aren’t looking to trade pins and experience Happily Ever After and are there to work. I’m not condemning them, mind you. I just would rather steer clear of them on my vacation to keep that awesome Disney tranquility that can be found at Coronado Springs ever present on my mind. It’s absolutely there.
1 – Three Bridges Bar and Grill
It’s not too often that I put a restaurant or bar at the top of a Top 5 list, especially when it’s a list about a resort. That must say a lot about this particular place, the Three Bridges Bar and Grill. It only took one visit to move it to the top of our list of Walt Disney World dining options. We found ourselves in the typical situation that we often encounter at Disney. No reservations. Tired of counter service food. Wanted something a little bit more. Exhausted from our day of magic. What to do? Well, if you’re staying at Coronado Springs, just log onto the My Disney Experience app and get your name on the waiting list – they do not take reservations – and typically, within 10-15 minutes, you’ll be out on the lagoon eating and drinking at a truly unique establishment. Years ago, when I first visited the resort, Three Bridges was not there. Lago Dorado, the lake in the center of the resort, certainly was. But the bridges that help interconnect the sprawling grounds weren’t there either. The bridges add to the vibe, especially at night, and make it much easier to get around the resort. Whoever had the idea to build a bar/restaurant at the intersection of the bridges was a genius.
Three Bridges is comfortable, featuring many traditional tables as well as a variety of cozy couches with low tables. It’s a place to relax, have some great food, some excellent libations and gaze out at the majestic-looking Gran Destino Tower, especially at night. You can even see the Epcot fireworks from the lakeside seats.
We’ve sat at an actual table and on the comfy chairs, and both hit the spot just right. On the food side, try the House-Made Guacamole, the Roasted Corn Dip, or the Crispy Chicken Wings for appetizers. We’ve tried the Steak Frites, which was perfect, the Pork Carnitas Tacos, and the Poke Bowl with Marinated Tuna for entrees. They were all excellent. The churros and the tres leches were delicious desserts. Wash it all down with a variety of tasty libations, such as the Golden Bourbon Breeze or the Spanish Margarita. Alternatively, if you’re not in the mood for the harder stuff, the Berry-Mint Smash or the Hibiscus Mint Limonada are outstanding and refreshingly good. There’s a handful of places at Disney resorts that would make me go out of my way to get there for a bite or a drink, and Three Bridges is right there at the top of that list. As a matter of fact, never mind. Don’t tell anyone else this. I’d like it kept a little bit secret!
So there you have it. Did Coronado Springs replace The Yacht Club as my favorite Disney resort? No. That’s probably never going to happen. Is it my favorite Moderate? That’s still Port Orleans French Quarter, despite its small size, for its incredible atmosphere. But Coronado was not on my list at all, until I stayed there in the tower and we fell in love with it. Then we went back and stayed again in the older section of the resort and loved it just as much. So, yes, it’s now pretty high up on our resort list, and we can’t wait to go back. Give it a shot if you haven’t already, and if you’ve loved it before, go back and love it again. Just everyone…please stay away from Three Bridges!
That’s all for this time. Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you next time with another Disney Top 5.
