Disney’s Coronado Springs Photo Walk 2015: Photo Tour of Resort in 250 Pictures

Hi everyone!

I photographed Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort for this photo walk a couple of weeks ago, I am sorry it took a while to get it posted! It was a cloudy day when we went, although I actually like it that way for photos. There are 3 pages and about 250 photos.

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is one of 4 Walt Disney World moderate resorts (not counting Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground, which has changed classifications many times). Disney’s Coronado Springs resort has a huge convention center, the only moderate at Walt Disney World to have one. Because of that, the resort also has numerous upgrades from the other moderates. It includes a fitness center, beauty parlor, more dining options, and even a nightclub. The lobby is the most impressive of the moderates (though I am also partial to Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter). And the pool?  It features a Mayan Pyramid. One thing I prefer about Disney’s Port Orleans Resort is the boat transportation to Downtown Disney/Disney Springs. Otherwise, there are many aspects of the Southwestern-themed Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort I like compared to other moderates. The actual timed portion of the photo walk is around the lake, but we’ll see much more than that in this article.

I spent 6 years as an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, and Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort was not a highly requested moderate. Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside was #1 for requests, followed by Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort got lost in the shuffle – but being a convention resort, it was sometimes booked solid anyway when I tried to find availability.

The entrance is my favorite of any of the moderates, especially during Christmas with the large white swags of garland. It is just so…grand.

This building is the hub of activity, with check-in, shopping, and most dining located here. It is called El Centro.

This entrance leads to a foyer.

El Centro is noted here.

This foyer with the fountain is like a hub, with several directions one can take. Guests can walk to the restaurants and Convention Center. There is a gift shop outside of the photo called Panchito’s Gifts and Sundries. To the right is Registration, and other doors lead outside.

This angle shows the Registration hall.

Look up and notice this gorgeous ceiling design.

A horse rears up.

This fountain is filled with a plant. For all the times I’ve photographd this fountain, I never noticed a third child until now.

Panchito’s Gifts & Sundries is themed to the Three Cabelleros.

This is a large gift shop, with Walt Disney World merchandise and other Southwestern themed items.

This donkey always offers a cheerful greeting.

Three Caballeros artwork can be found in these alcoves.

Look up and you can find Jose.

In the Registration area, a hidden Mickey can be seen in lights. The only time it is hard to see it is during Christmas, when the tree blocks much of the light.

There is a lovely seating area with windows. To the left is a television for children that runs Disney cartoons.

Artwork lines the back of the registration desks.

There are a couple of display cases near the entrance to the Registration hall, which include sculptures and figures.

Outside, a topiary display of the Three Caballeros is very popular for photos.

We are starting our timed walk here at 11:20 a.m. I always photograph the walk first, and then time it. Many of the walks around Walt Disney World are broken down into approximately one mile, and Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is no different. While the three distinct sections of the resort are not a mile from El Centro, the walk around the lake (Laga Dorado) is just about that long (Disney actually says .9 miles).

We are walking to the right, toward the Cabanas section of the resort. All of the resort paths are now called New Balance Running Trails.

Signage makes it very easy to find everything.

Up ahead is La Marina, but not much goes on there anymore. Many resorts have stopped boat rentals.

We are continuing past El Centro and toward the Cabanas.

There is a bridge up ahead that we will take a left at.

Before walking to the left, this is where the El Centro bus stop is on the right.

There are many ways to get to The Dig Site, which is where the main pool is located.

We reach this bridge at 11:21 a.m., just one minute after we left.

The fog was starting to lift off the lake.

We are beginning our walk past the Cabanas to the right.

The lake is on the left, and Cabanas buildings are on the right. As with all of the moderates, the resort rooms have exterior corridors.

Cabanas building 9B.

Laga Dorado.

We are passing 9B at 11:22 a.m., just 2 minutes after we left.

There is a sandy beach with hammocks here to the left – swimming isn’t allowed.

We are still passing 9B.

The hammocks really looked nice on this warm day!

This sign directs guests to different areas.

More hammocks are to the left as we continue our walk past the Cabanas.

There is a Cabanas pool here, which we arrive at 11:24 a.m. – just 4 minutes after leaving El Centro. All 3 sections have pools.

A guest laundry only allows entrance with a resort MagicBand.

There are over 1900 rooms at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.

We are walking toward The Dig Site, which is to the left.

We had already passed one shortcut to The Dig Site, there are several around the lake.

These are the last Cabana buildings we will be passing.

This reminds me a bit of San Diego architecture, Mission style.

We are heading to the The Dig Site.

Maps around the lake help guide guests.

The Dig Site is hidden behind the trees.

I don’t remember these plants here before, they remind me of the sea – I think they are similar to what is found in the Little Mermaid section of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.

Directional signs.

We are arriving at The Dig Site.

We take the steps up to The Dig Site, which has more than one entrance. We arrive here at 11:26 a.m., and stop the time so we can look around.

The pool here is very impressive, with the 50 foot Mayan Pyramid replica.

Water cascades down the pyramid.

There are plenty of lounge chairs.

Siesta’s Cantina offers beverages.

Siesta’s also has a breakfast menu and an all-day menu. Guests can enjoy a Mickey Waffle without even heading to El Centro.

The bar includes two beers on tap.

There are signature cocktails and more.

I hadn’t known that Rix had its own beer, Rix Red Lager.

The hot tub is the biggest at Walt Disney World, with space for 22 guests. This is between 2 and 3 times the size of the one at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort.

The pool is called The Lost City of Cibola.

The Ball Court features a volleyball net. Guests can sign out a ball.

Explorer’s Playground is for children ages 2-12.

There is a slide, equipment and sandboxes.

This is the entrance to Iguana Arcade.

The arcade is a good size, with a variety of games and air hockey.

A Cast Member posed for my photo.

I like the restroom sign.

At the pool, there is a 123 foot water slide called The Jaguar Slide. Until now, I hadn’t seen the jaguar.

Guests get spit on by the jaguar above.

This is the view from where I was standing.

The exit to the slide.

Park hours and pool information are on the back of the lifeguard chair.

A squirrel on a chair.

The fire pit is where guests can cook marshmallows at night.

We are now starting the timed part of the walk again, walking toward the Ranchos. We arrive at The Dig Site at 11:26 a.m., and leave at that same time.

Walking past Cabanas 8A.

The Ranchos are up ahead.

Even though the Ranchos location is furthest from El Centro, it is my favorite section.

No signage is needed to realize that this area of the resort is very different than the Cabanas.

We are walking to the right.

The building ahead is nearly hidden by the plants.

We will be walking through the Ranchos first, and then the Casitas.

This area has a Radiator Springs feel to it, and just seems so much more remote (in a good way).

This rock almost looks like it could be a car. 🙂

The horticulture here is much different than the Cabanas and the Casitas, with cactus and other plants.

A lot of landscaping work was being done at the resort on the day we stopped by, but we dodged it pretty well with photographs. You can see one worker ahead in the distance.

This is the Ranchos pool.

We are walking straight, just following the signs to the Casitas.

This area has a desert feel to it.

Another cactus plant.

Each of the building sides look different in the next few photos.

For walking purposes, this may be my favorite moderate – though they all are nice and offer different views.

El Centro can be seen ahead, and we will be walking to the right to get to the Casitas.

Directional sign.

This bridge crosses from the Ranchos to the Casitas, we arrive here at 11:31 a.m. – just 11 minutes after we started.

Next up, we look at the Casitas and more in El Centro (including the restaurants).

Above we see El Centro, but now we are nearing the Casitas.

The main building always looks beautiful, including in the fog.

The Casitas area is where the fitness center and beauty salon are located, as well as several fountains. It is central to the Convention Center.

Palm trees line the sidewalks.

A hammock looks inviting.

For as long as I can remember, this walk to the fountain (which is not part of the timed walk, it is off to the right) has smelled absolutely wonderful. I believe it is Jasmine, and I could recognize it with my eyes closed.

It does look like what Jasmine looks like, and smells like it too. And while there aren’t tons of blooms, they produce a potent scent.

This is the first fountain we will see at the Casitas.

Lights are hidden inside a faux clay pot.

While I prefer the Ranchos for theming, I like the Casitas for location. The Dig Site is close by, as is El Centro (which includes dining), and the health club.

Passing by a Casitas building.

These orange flowers have been part of all my photo walks since 2007 at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.

Casitas 5 is to the right.

We are walking along the sidewalk, with the lake on the left.

Benches can be found in each of the three areas.

We are still walking on the path.

El Centro view.

We are passing by Casitas 4 at 11:35 a.m.

Each of the three sections has its own pool, this looks like a good one for laps.

This building holds the La Vida Health Club.

Casa De Belleza Salon and the La Vida Health Club are listed. We are stopping the timed portion of the walk to look around.

The health club has a nice selection of equipment including treadmills, plus a sauna.

Back outside, we are walking toward my favorite fountain at the resort.

We are passing by Casitas 3 at 11:37 a.m.

Lions stream water into the fountain. It reminds me of the frog fountain at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort.

I’m not sure what this is.

It does look nice, but offers no protection from the elements and doesn’t go anywhere.

I did get lost for a minute back here, into an area I don’t think I’ve ever photographed. This looks like it was once a fountain, although maybe it was just a planter.

Another fountain in the center of the building.

And yet another fountain. If you like fountains, then the Casitas is where you should be.

More faux clay pots are part of the design, I really like them.

We are heading back out to the main walkway.

We are walking under the Casitas 3 sign.

We are stopping the clock just for a minute to walk back to this viewing area, which is another favorite of mine at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Guests can sit on benches and enjoy the view, which includes the Walt Disney World Dolphin hotel.

A banana tree grows fruit.

We are walking back to El Centro now.

We will be passing the Convention Center.

I just like walking under this archway.

Another of the orange flowers (I have no idea what it is), which always reminds me of the resort.

We continue walking along the path.

The Cabanas can be seen across Laga Dorada.

The Laguna Bar is coming into sight.

We arrive back at El Centro at 11:40 a.m., 20 minutes after we began.

The Pepper Market entrance is located here.

And behind us, the Laguna Bar.

There is plenty of seating at the bar.

We are walking into the main building, with the Pepper Market our first stop. The Pepper Market has been ala carte and a buffet, but is now all ala carte.

The dining area.

Guests purchase their meals before sitting. Rix Lounge is also in view ahead.

Mayan Brand Hand Packed Vegetables decor sign.

Tijuana Real Citrus decor.

This is a look at what guests can eat for breakfast.

Pancakes, scrambled eggs and more can be ordered at the counter.

The express window is still here, though it was closed when I walked by.

One of the restaurants at Walt Disney World that I have never dined at is the Maya Grill.

The menu looks good, and we do need to eventually try it.

Here is a look at the inside. This is the nicest of the restaurants at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.

Las Ventanas opened a year or so ago as a table service restaurant, and seems to be a permanent location. It is open for breakfast and lunch. The menu items seems solid, I’d probably choose this over the Pepper Market.

Rix Lounge is the nightclub located near the Convention Center. I tried going at night when it first opened, but was turned away because I was wearing sneakers. I don’t think there is a dress code now. Last year was the first time I went inside during the day, it is used for guests to enjoy food and drink purchased at the Rix counter service location.

Here are a few of the items that can be found at the counter service Rix.

Gelato is good here. Not that I’ve ever had bad gelato.

The Convention Center is huge! I went to an evening event here when I worked at the Disney Reservation Center years ago that took up many ballrooms. I’ve also been here for pin events and such.

Artwork in the hallway.

This is the end of our photo walk through Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort! I know there probably a few gaps, but it was hard cutting down from 600 and even harder once I had it down to 400. It is a sprawling resort, but very relaxing as well. And I like the upgrades that can usually only be found at deluxe resorts (and the main pool).

We will next be updating our photo walk of Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Look for that in the next two weeks!