Disney’s Coronado Springs Suites: Top 20 Questions Answered
Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World offers more suite options than you can shake a magical wand at. We’ve sorted out the list and have more than you probably ever wanted to know about this unique lodging choice. Don’t forget to check out the handy chart at the end of the post!
Our family is a huge fan of Walt Disney World. And we’ve stayed at many of the resorts on Disney’s Orlando property. We’ve tried the gamete, from budget-friendly, value resorts to lux, deluxe category resorts.
But, as our family grew, both in numbers and in age, we realized we needed a little more space for our Disney vacations. So, deluxe category Disney villas, adjoining rooms, or value suites became our go-to.
We’ve booked adjoining rooms at the tropical themed Polynesian. We’ve been back several times to the Art of Animation Resort for their fantastic theming and spacious value rooms. We’ve stayed both pre and post clown-themed pool at the Boardwalk Inn Villas.
In fact, we’ve stayed at most of the Walt Disney Resorts over the years.
Yet, the suites at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort were a mystery to us until recently.
While researching the resort prior to our stay, I realized… whew! … there are a lot of suite options. Deciphering which one was a good fit for our family was a bit challenging. As a moderate resort, I knew it would be different than anything up or down the scale. Yet, I wondered if it would have more similarities to value resort options or be pleasantly more deluxe-ish. And I especially wondered what the differences were among suite categories.
But never fear, fellow Disney vacationers. After our stay in a Coronado Springs suite, I found out a ton about it. And as it turns out, it’s a great Disney hotel option.
Wondering if this choice is a good spot to call your Disney home for your family vacation too? Here are the answers to your top 20 questions about Disney’s Coronado Springs’ suites so you can find out.
Lounge at Gran Destino Tower
1 - is Coronado Springs more like a Disney value resort or a Disney deluxe resort?
One of the cast members I met at Coronado Springs put it best. She defined the resort as “moderate plus”.
And it’s so true! It boasts bigger rooms than other moderates. It’s also the only moderate with a fitness center and club level rooms. And it has the most restaurant options in its category.
Like other moderate resorts, the resort has several pools, one with a water slide. But, there’s a bit more of an upscale feel than value resorts. We found Coronado Springs to be the nicest of the moderates in terms of this.
But, transportation options resemble other moderate or value resorts. The resort lacks super convenient transportation to any of the four theme parks. Unlike at deluxe resorts, guest can’t walk, or ride Disney’s monorail or the Disney Skyliner to any parks. And an internal bus system is utilized, meaning several stops are required when leaving or arriving at the resort.
Stained glass and olive tree at Toledo’s, a fantastic restaurant at Coronado Springs
2 - How many suite options are there at Coronado Springs?
Coronado Springs Resort at Disney has six distinct suite options. Three of those options are in the main tower while the other three are away from the main building.
The Gran Destino Tower portion of the resort has deluxe, one-bedroom, and presidential suite categories. The other remaining buildings have one-bedroom king suites, casitas one-bedroom suites, and executive suites. All buildings also have non-suite rooms as well.
Gran Destino Tower at night
3 - What are the differences between the Coronado Springs tower suites and the casitas or regular suites?
One difference between Coronado Springs Gran Destino Tower and the other part of the resort is age. Gran Destino Tower was opened in 2019, while the rest of the resort opened in 1997.
This is one reason it can be a bit tricky to find out a lot of information about the resort. Articles written prior to or early in 2019 won’t have complete information.
This is also why the tower feels newer and a bit more refreshed. Although the other part of the resort has been updated, it’s not as new as the tower.
The major difference is that tower suites also have club level access. The Chronos Club, as it is known at the resort, is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. One-bedroom king and casitas suites do not have club level access.
Club level access is a game changer. Disney club level rooms provide access to an area serving breakfast as well as snacks, hors d’oeuvres, and drinks throughout the day. The service at the club is fantastic and the convenience is tough to beat.
However, club access does come with a significant price tag. Families need to weigh the benefits versus the costs for sure… but that’s a whole other blog post.
Tower suite guests also get daily housekeeping service, as opposed to every other day for guests not in the tower. They have access to Disney Signature Services, concierge services, a separate guest services line, and complimentary health club access.
Finally, those staying in the tower are closer to amenities. Several of the restaurants and lounges, the front desk, the market, and the health club are all in the tower.
Bedroom in one-bedroom suite at Gran Destino Tower
4 - How big are Coronado Springs suites?
Sleeping space in these suites is standard for many options. Tower deluxe, tower one-bedroom, and one-bedroom king suites, for example, sleep four guests.
Other suites provide more sleeping space. Casitas one-bedroom suites, for instance, have two double beds, sleeping six. And casitas executive suites have a second bedroom, allowing sleeping space for eight.
But even for suites that only sleep four, space is one of the characteristics where the suites at Coronado Springs really shine. If your family loves lots of elbow room, these suites will be your mojo.
Suites start at 750 square feet in tower deluxe rooms, which is approximately twice the size of regular rooms. One-bedroom king suites and casitas one-bedroom suites are 942 square feet. Tower one-bedroom suites are 1125 square feet. Casitas executive suites are 1517 square feet and tower presidential suites are a whopping 1875 square feet.
In other words, all are likely bigger than most people’s first apartments.
Our tower one-bedroom suite was huge with a capital “H”. We found it had tons of space to walk around.
When entering the room, there’s a large walk-in area and coat closet separating the rest of the suite.
A huge living area is located off of the entrance. Two chairs, a large coffee table, pullout sofa and oversized television are located in the middle of the room. A desk and dining table flank one side of the living area and a kitchenette flanks the other. The half bath is located behind the kitchenette area.
One bedroom with a king bed, armoire, chaise, and night tables are located off of the living area. An enormous bath with toilet, walk-in shower, double sinks, and separate vanity is next to the bedroom.
Living space in one-bedroom suite in Gran Destino Tower
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5 - Are rollaway beds available at the resort?
Rollaway beds can be requested. Note though that they’re not guaranteed since there’s limited availability. And a charge of $15 per night is added for use of the extra bed.
Dining area in Gran Destino Tower one-bedroom suite
6 - Can you fit extra guests in a suite?
Walt Disney World’s online booking option automatically only offers rooms that accommodate the number of guests in your party. Makes sense, right? Everyone needs a place to lay their heads after a day in the parks.
But…
Sometimes it just seems a waste to book that extra room or larger suite if you don’t have too. All that sweet suite space at Coronado Springs begs to question if there’s room for guests not on the reservation.
I don’t want to stress out you rule-followers, as I am generally Team Rules too. But, I’m also Team Mom-Of-More-Than-Two. And I know the cost of traveling with a bit of a larger family can add up quickly.
Technically, there’s more than ample space in suites for that blowup mattress or additional bedding you bring with you.
But, there are a few things that go along with having an extra person in your room.
For example, only those listed on the reservation will have mobile or Magicband key access. The same applies to access to the fitness center or club lounge, if your suite is club level. (However, borrowing a Magicband from someone in your party or getting a room key card for a minor is unlikely to be a problem.)
The big negative though…
Only resort guests listed on the reservation get park perks. So early or late entry to the parks? And the ability to book Lightening Lane and Genie+ selections before those not staying on property? These perks disappear for anyone not listed on the resort reservation.
Kitchenette in one-bedroom suite at Gran Destino Tower
7 - Do the suites have a kitchen?
So, this where you’ll notice a difference between Disney’s deluxe lodging options and Coronado Springs. Deluxe resort options encompass Disney Vacation Club villas, which include full kitchens. Unlike DVC properties, Coronado Springs’ suites do not have kitchens.
All of the suites except the tower deluxe suite do have a kitchenette area though. It includes a dining table or bar, bar-sized sink, small refrigerator, paper cups, paper plates, and plastic utensils.
The tower deluxe makes up for no kitchenette with club access.
While it’s personal preference which is the biggest plus, we are club fans for sure. We didn’t find a lot of functionality in the kitchenette. The small refrigerator was great for leftovers but not big enough to hold real groceries. And without a microwave or oven, cooking isn’t possible anyway.
Pull-out sofa and barn doors in one-bedroom suite at Gran Destino Tower
8 - Is there a door between the living area and the bedroom?
All suites at the resort have a barn-style door separating the living area with the bedroom. So everyone gets a little privacy.
Extra vanity space in Gran Destino Tower one-bedroom suite
9 - How many bathrooms are there?
The tower deluxe and tower one-bedroom suites at Coronado Springs have one and a half bathrooms. The one-bedroom king suite and the casitas one-bedroom suite have two full baths. The casitas executive suite has two and half baths, while the tower presidential suite has three full baths.
The extra bathroom feature is a deal changer when it comes to getting ready in the mornings. And it’s pretty awesome when your Disney-tired at the end of the day.
Storage and chaise in Gran Destino Tower suite bedroom
10 - Is there ample storage available?
If you like to empty those suitcases and put things in drawers while you’re in a hotel, you’re in luck.
The Gran Destino Tower one-bedroom suite, for example, has a large closet with a sliding door in the bedroom. It also has end tables with three drawers each flanking the beds and a dresser with two large drawers. Although there’s no drawer space in the living area, there’s a large closet when you first walk into the suite.
Other suites have comparable storage options, with the tower deluxe suite having storage more along the lines of a junior suite.
Gran Destino Tower
11 - Do suites have balconies at Coronado Springs?
No, suites (or regular rooms for that matter) do not have balconies.
View from our suite at Gran Destino Tower
12 - Do suites on Property offer upgraded views?
Views vary according on suite type and location. Tower suite rooms have several different options for views. Suites here may overlook the courtyard, landscaping, or parking areas.
Suites not in the tower have less variation in views. Casitas one-bedroom suites and executive suites have views of the courtyard. One-bedroom king suites have views of the garden or lake.
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Sampling of breakfast options at Chronos Club at Gran Destino Tower
13 - Do all Coronado Springs suites have access to the club level?
Club level access does not come with every suite at the resort. Club level rooms and suites will be located in Gran Destino Tower (as opposed to the casitas section).
Living area in one-bedroom suite at Gran Destino Tower
14 - Is there space to store an ECV in a suite?
Space is one of the biggest benefits to suites at this resort. There is ample space to park an ECV or motorized wheelchair. Some suites are also handicapped accessible with features like roll-in showers.
Evening offerings at Disney’s Chronos Club
15 - What is the cheapest suite option at Coronado Springs Resort?
The tower deluxe suite has the smallest footprint at the resort… and the smallest price tag.
Interesting, while it’s less than the casitas and king one-bedroom suite, it does include access to the Chronos Club and Disney’s Signature Services. So, while the tower deluxe suite costs about twice as much as a regular room, you get all the club benefits.
We found this suite was cheaper than a non-club level one-bedroom at Bolder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. (Wilderness Lodge is one of the more affordable DVC properties.) For our dates searched, it was about $140 less per night.
Our favorite nook at Disney’s Chronos Club
16 - How do the other suites compare in terms of cost?
The casitas one-bedroom suite is next in line in terms of price while the king one-bedroom is just a few dollars more than that. The tower one-bedroom suite tends to be more per night than it’s one-bedroom counterparts.
The tower presidential suite and casitas executive suite are splurges at the highest price point. However, they also sleep more people, perhaps negating the need for an additional room or suite.
Our search found all these suites to be more expensive than Wilderness Lodge one-bedroom villas.
However, lodging prices at Walt Disney World can really vary. So it’s always a good idea to check multiple resorts if you’re not set on one particular option.
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Three Bridges Bar and Grill at Coronado Springs
17 - What are the other biggest positives about Coronado Springs suites?
Aside from the abundance of space offered in suites, this room option has loads of other benefits. One of the biggest positives about Coronado Springs’ suites is that deluxe level amenities are offered at moderate level prices. For example, all the other club level rooms in Disney World are located in deluxe resorts.
The suites are also beautiful with an upscale feel. Wood accents, plush pillows, well done art and other features all make it feel vacation-worthy. We never felt like we were in anything less than a lux hotel suite you might find elsewhere.
Dig site pool at Coronado Springs
18 - What are the negatives about Coronado Springs suites?
Coronado Springs suites are pricier than other moderate resort options. And they are certainly pricier than suites at value resorts.
Price comparing, especially if you have flexibility in your dates or are booking well in advance, is definitely recommended. Prices can fluctuate quite a bit across properties and are dependent on promotions as well. Just because Coronado Springs is a moderate category resort doesn’t mean it’s always cheaper than, for example, two non-suite rooms at a deluxe resort.
Dahlia Lounge in Gran Destino Tower
19 - What are the biggest positives about the resort as a whole?
So, as you well know, my fellow traveling mom and dads, a family vacation is not defined alone by the room. How about the best things about Coronado Springs Resort as a whole?
Dining ranks at the top of the list for the resort. The property has no less than ten great dining options. Toledo’s, for example, is reservation worthy even if you’re not staying on property. It sits on the rooftop of the resort. Guests dine on Spanish food while seated under a pair of olive trees and stained-glass art.
El Mercado de Coronado is an excellent grab-and-go option with a huge variety of options. Several lounges are spot on in terms of atmosphere and offerings. And Three Bridges Bar and Grill’s lakefront location makes it a special yet casual choice.
Disney’s Coronado Springs is also beautiful with a true resort feeling. It’s reminiscent of being on a resort we would choose even without theme parks to go to. The lake in the center of the action creates a gorgeous backdrop.
Grounds of Disney’s Coronado Springs
20 - What are the biggest negatives about the resort as a whole?
The resort gets dinged most frequently for its transportation options. Busses are the only available transportation.
Because of the size of the property, it also requires an internal bus system. When traveling to and from parks or to Disney Springs, you’ll need to make several stops. Although you won’t need to change busses, it can take a bit longer than when utilizing transportation at other Disney resorts.
We also found the main pool, though wonderfully themed, more crowded than others we’ve been to in Walt Disney World. On such a large property, it can be difficult to find a spot to sit.
And finally, some guests note that Coronado Springs doesn’t feel as Disney themed as other choices. We loved the theme, but this may not be the resort for those with young kids hoping to see tons of Mickey and pals.
