Disney's Coronado Springs Resort vs Walt Disney World Dolphin

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

Photo: Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Moderate Animal Kingdom Resort Area
Walt Disney World Dolphin

Photo: Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort
Deluxe Epcot Resort Area
Alex Young
Alex Young
· Updated · 5 min read

At a Glance

Tier

Coronado Springs

Moderate

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Deluxe

Area

Coronado Springs

Animal Kingdom Resort Area

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Epcot Resort Area

Transportation

Coronado Springs

Bus

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Walk, Boat, Bus

Table-Service Dining

Coronado Springs

5 restaurants

Walt Disney World Dolphin

7 restaurants

Quick-Service Dining

Coronado Springs

6 locations

Walt Disney World Dolphin

3 locations

Pool Amenities

Coronado Springs

Pool, Hot Tub, Water Slide

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Pool

Extended Evening Hours

Coronado Springs

No

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Yes

Top Highlight

Coronado Springs

Gran Destino Tower offers true Deluxe-quality rooms at Moderate price

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Walking distance to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios

Overview

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

A moderate convention resort themed around colonial Spanish and southwestern influences, anchored by Gran Destino Tower and Lago Dorado.

Walt Disney World Dolphin

A large Marriott-operated convention resort on Crescent Lake with Disney benefits and direct access to the Epcot-area walkway network.

Amenities

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

Recreation

  • Pool
  • Hot Tub
  • Playground
  • Arcade
  • Running Trail
  • Marina
  • Volleyball
  • Water Slide

Wellness

  • Spa
  • Fitness Center
  • Massage services available
  • Salon

Rooms

  • club-access reservations — chronos club

Other

  • Business Center
  • Laundry Facilities

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Recreation

  • Pool
  • Tennis Courts
  • Jogging Trail
  • Arcade
  • Playground
  • Camp Dolphin for children ages 4-12 from 5pm to midnight with themed activities, video games, arts and crafts
  • Swan paddleboat rentals on the white sand beach

Wellness

  • Fitness Center
  • Spa

Rooms

  • Club Level

Other

  • Laundry Facilities
  • Child Care
  • Business Center
  • Boat launch courtyard between Swan and Dolphin; Friendship launches to Epcot and Hollywood Studios
  • Gift Shop

Transportation

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Walk

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Boat

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Pros

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

  • Gran Destino Tower offers true Deluxe-quality rooms at Moderate price
  • Exceptional dining at Toledo restaurant atop Gran Destino Tower
  • Beautiful Lago Dorado lake and lush resort grounds
  • Large convention facilities make it great for business travelers
  • Impressive pool complex with Mayan pyramid waterslide

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Walking distance to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios
  • Can be booked with Marriott/SPG hotel points for potentially free nights
  • Crescent Lake location with boat service and BoardWalk access
  • Shula's Steakhouse and Il Mulino are top-tier dining options on property
  • Often cheaper than equivalent Disney-owned Deluxe resorts

Cons

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

  • Very spread-out resort with long walks from casitas to the main hub
  • Primarily a convention hotel, can feel less magical than other resorts
  • Far from EPCOT and Hollywood Studios by bus
  • Moderate pricing but far location makes it less convenient
  • Some areas of the resort feel dated and in need of updates

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Not a Disney-owned resort, so no Early Entry or advance booking perks
  • Resort and parking fees are high in addition to the nightly rate
  • Dated exterior design with the iconic dolphin statues divides opinion
  • Rooms were historically smaller and less updated than Disney Deluxes
  • Bus service to non-walkable parks is less reliable than Disney buses

On-Site Dining

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

  • Barcelona Lounge

    Quick Service

    American

    breakfast · snack

    View menu

  • Cafe Rix

    Table Service

    American, Quick Service - Coffee

    breakfast · lunch

    View menu

  • Dahlia Lounge

    Quick Service

    Spanish

    snack

    View menu

  • El Mercado de Coronado

    Quick Service

    American, Mexican

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Laguna Bar

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Maya Grill

    Table Service

    American, Mexican, Seafood, Steakhouse

    dinner

    View menu

  • Rix Sports Bar & Grill

    Table Service

    American

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Siestas Cantina

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Three Bridges Bar & Grill To Go

    Quick Service

    Latin

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Three Bridges Bar and Grill at Villa del Lago

    Table Service

    Latin

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Toledo - Tapas, Steak & Seafood

    Table Service

    Seafood, Steakhouse, Spanish

    dinner

    View menu

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Bourbon Steak - A Michael Mina Restaurant

    Table Service

    American, Steakhouse

    dinner

    View menu

  • Bourbon Steak Lounge

    Quick Service

    American, Steakhouse

    snack

    View menu

  • Cabana Bar and Beach Club

    Table Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Fuel

    Table Service

    American, Quick Service - Coffee

    snack

    View menu

  • Phins

    Table Service

    American

    dinner

    View menu

  • Rosa Mexicano

    Table Service

    Mexican

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Rosa Mexicano Lounge

    Quick Service

    Mexican

    snack

    View menu

  • The Fountain

    Table Service

    American

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Todd English's bluezoo

    Table Service

    Seafood

    dinner

    View menu

  • Todd English's bluezoo Lounge

    Quick Service

    Seafood

    snack

    View menu

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