traveling with my bwuhs

On our recent weekend trip to Walt Disney World, we stayed at Coronado Springs Resort—and while it felt like a big leap away from our usual favorite, Animal Kingdom Lodge, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

We had been eyeing Coronado Springs for a while but always found ourselves pulled back to AKL (and if you know, you know). When we realized the Purple Day Expo was being held right at the Coronado convention center, we decided this was finally our moment. Convenience won out over comfort, and I’m so glad it did.

We’ve driven past Coronado Springs countless times—on summer trips to Orange Lake and on Disney buses heading to and from the Lodge—so pulling in didn’t feel like a grand reveal. The Gran Destino Tower, visible right from West Buena Vista Drive, is hard to miss. Still, seeing it up close was a different experience. Compared to the four-story Animal Kingdom Lodge, the 16-floor tower felt massive and impressive.

I didn’t take photos of the lobby (a regret I’m still holding onto), but it was stunning—bright whites, gold accents, and a soft citrus scent that instantly felt luxurious. If you’re a Disney scent person like me, you already know I’ll be on the hunt for it. Check-in was quick, the cast members were incredibly helpful, and we were sent off with a map that quickly became essential.

Our room was in Casitas 3 on the fourth floor. We opted for a preferred room to stay close to the convention center and dining—and that was absolutely the right call. Coronado Springs is expansive. Each section (Casitas, Ranchos, and Cabanas) has its own pools, bus stops, and parking areas, and it’s very easy to get turned around. Even with signs, we relied on that map.

The room itself had everything we needed and felt comparable in size to Animal Kingdom Lodge rooms. The one thing I missed? A balcony for my morning coffee. I tried sipping on the exterior walkway, but it just didn’t have the same peaceful feel. Our view overlooked a courtyard, and we were lucky enough to have adjoining rooms with family. For most of the stay, the door stayed open, and the kids moved freely between rooms—which was such a win.

During downtime, we explored the resort—walking around Lago Dorado, crossing the three bridges, and spotting fish, birds, lizards, and even rabbits along the way. The grounds are absolutely beautiful. We checked out the Dig Site pool (the main pool area) and enjoyed a quieter swim at the Casitas pool the next morning. The boys also used leftover arcade credits at the Iguana Arcade, which was a fun bonus activity.

For dining, we ended up eating three meals at El Mercado de Coronado. Breakfast was a highlight—pancakes, egg sandwiches, and Mickey waffles never miss. Lunch and dinner were a bit more mixed. I loved the chicken tinga bowl, but other items—like the beef au jus sandwich and hot honey chicken sandwich—weren’t favorites for our group. The cafeteria-style setup was convenient, but the ordering lines were confusing and often disorganized. We also got the resort refillable mugs.

One of our favorite surprises of the trip was the Bruno character hunt. Each day, a cardboard cutout of Bruno from Encanto is hidden somewhere around the resort. After finding him and taking a picture, the kids can go to the lobby to receive a Disney Wellness button and stickers. It was such a simple but magical activity—and the cast members running it were hands-down the most engaging we encountered all weekend.

We spent Saturday at EPCOT for the International Flower & Garden Festival (more on that in another post), and while the day itself was great, the return trip was… not our favorite moment.

When we left EPCOT around 9:30–9:45 PM, the Coronado Springs bus line was overflowing—far more than any other resort. It had started raining, and the line extended well beyond the covered area. Buses for other resorts came and went while we waited. Eventually, we squeezed onto a standing-room-only bus after two had already come through. It wasn’t ideal, especially after I had been hyping up Disney transportation to our family all week.

When we returned to the resort, we noticed heavy traffic, including buses stuck trying to get through. Between that and what may have been conference crowds, it seemed like the delays were compounded. It was a bit of a letdown compared to our usual experience, but still just a small piece of the overall trip.

Before heading home, we discovered one of the coolest Hidden Mickeys of the trip. I’ll share the photo, but I won’t spoil the location. Half the fun is finding it yourself. We also loved another hidden Mickey that was tucked into this fountain.

All in all, we had a wonderful weekend. The few hiccups—some of the food and the bus experience—were minor compared to everything else. We loved introducing our family to the Disney bubble and experiencing Coronado Springs together.

Would we stay again? I think so—especially for the convenience of events or if we plan to explore more of the dining options next time.

What’s one Disney “little detail” (like scents, Hidden Mickeys, or cast member interactions) that keeps you coming back?

❤ Jen