Planning a Resort Day at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

When you’ve got a Disney vacation coming up, it’s easy to visualize hours and hours within the magical parks. However, if your Disney trip includes staying at any Walt Disney World resort, you’re missing out on the other wonderful half of your trip! Disney goes above and beyond for its resort guests, just as it does for park visitors, and you will be astounded by your home-away-from-home’s amenities if you make at least one day a “resort day”. Resort days can also come in handy if you prefer a slower vacation pace overall, or if you’ve come to Walt Disney World with children and find yourself in need of a break from park-hopping! When it comes to choosing a resort for your trip, and for your resort days, you can’t go wrong with Coronado Springs. This resort has a romantic Mexican and Spanish feel, with airy stucco-style buildings and its own lake! Read on for our step-by-step guide to enjoying this paradise. 

1. Spend some of your day by the water.

There’s one highlight that’s always at the forefront of resorts’ offerings, and it’s the pool. In Coronado Springs’ case, however, there are four! The “Lost City of Cibola” pool sports a 50-foot Mayan pyramid and a jaguar-themed waterslide, while three quieter leisure pools adorn the resort’s surrounding “settlements”. The Cibola pool area is perfect for water-sports-lovers or children, and adults can feel free to while away the afternoon with a poolside nap at the other three locations!

2. Luxuriate in an extravagantly-sized hot tub.

If you love water, but prefer it on the warmer side, then you’ll want to try Coronado Spring’s hot tub. This hot tub is adjacent to the Cibola pool, and is actually Disney World’s biggest one, capable of holding 22 people! With a hot tub of this size, you can lounge in the shadow of Mayan majesty while still feeling like you have plenty of space to yourself.

3. Take an artistic class.

Are you looking to learn something new on your trip? Sign up for Coronado Spring’s master-led painting class! This class is a great way to relax and get out of the sun in the afternoon, and anyone 12 and up can participate! Drinks are also complimentary for this event, so you can delight in tropical sips while you’re painting something beautiful.

4. Visit the marketplace for a satisfying snack.

Even on a resort day, you might find yourself busy with pool time, painting class, and evening fun–so stock up on food at El Mercado de Coronado! This grab-and-go establishment is perfect for quick, delicious meals that you can take with you to your next activity. Egg and cheese sandwiches or the signature Mickey waffles are always a good bet for breakfasts, and a bacon cheeseburger or a white chocolate mocha coffee can be a great midday snack!

5. Try dinner by the lake.

One of Disney’s biggest assets is its food, and you can be sure to find something delicious at Coronado Springs! For a lovely evening of lakeside lounging, head to the Three Bridges Bar and Grill (named for the three bridges that cross Lago Dorado, the resort lake) and enjoy a waterside breeze as you dine on szechuan peppercorn wings, manchego-cheese-laden burgers, or a churro dressed in chocolate sauce!

6. Embrace your outdoorsy side.

If your family enjoys rustic activities, save some time at the end of your resort day for the Coronado campfire! Get comfortable around the fire with your loved ones, relaxing and telling stories with marshmallows to roast. This is the perfect activity for summer nights, as well as evenings in the cooler seasons!

7. Head back in time for a unique dining experience.

If the Cibola pool’s gotten you in the mood for Mayan aesthetics, try the Maya Grill! Whether you want a slow roasted pork shoulder, plant-based chicken enchiladas, or the restaurant’s signature “impossible” cake with mango and chocolate sauce, this is the perfect place for Southwestern cuisine!

8. Finish the evening with some alfresco movie-viewing.

If you stayed up for Coronado’s campfire, keep the night’s magic going with Movies Under the Stars. This popular resort event features classic Disney films being played poolside, and it’s a perfect way to enhance the signature Disney twinkle that permeates your entire vacation!  

Disney’s resorts never fail to keep guests’ magical experiences in mind, and the Coronado Springs Resort is a wonderful place to recharge in between park explorations. If you start your day with a leisurely swim followed by lunch at El Mercado, paint class, and an evening of decadent dinners or fireside fun, you’re sure to have a good time! Each guest’s resort day could be different, but the luxury of a day “at home” means that you can arrange your day in any way that you wish. And as we all know, Disney loves to make wishes come true!