Disney ResortsPlanningTips

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort vs Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort – Which Disney Moderate Resort Is Best?

With twenty-two Disney Resort hotels to choose from when visiting the Walt Disney World Resort, you have quite a decision regarding accommodation. Disney hotels place you right in the heart of the magic. When you stay in Lake Buena Vista, you are guaranteed the Disney experience in every aspect of your Disney vacation.

If you are considering staying in a Disney Moderate resort, you have five hotels to choose from. The Disney Moderate resorts are:

But what if you’ve narrowed your choice of Disney hotel to two: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort? How do you possibly choose between the two? Let’s look at each resort in more detail. We aim to identify the best of the two Walt Disney World hotels when considering theming, location, transportation, guest rooms, quick-service restaurants, full-service restaurants, and pool areas.

Theming

Theming at Disney Moderate Resorts provides you with an immersive experience. Whether you are exploring the Disney resort, on your way to get something to eat, or finding a spot to relax after a busy day spent in a Disney theme park, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported elsewhere other than the Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort does a beautiful job transporting you to the Caribbean. Relax in a paradise where you can take things at a slower pace while letting your worries melt away. The Disney hotel is split into six areas, each capturing the essence of different Caribbean islands. Barbados, Aruba, Martinique, Jamaica, and Trinidad are sections set around Barefoot Bay, where you will find guest rooms. Meanwhile, Old Port Royale is the place to gather for food, drinks, fun, and pool time. Enjoy the sounds of Calypso rhythms as you wander Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. If you need shade, head to Caribbean Cay and relax in a swing or on the lawn. There are also plenty of hammocks around the Disney hotel to relax in. Find them on the white-sanded beaches on Barefoot Bay’s shores.

Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
Credit: How To Disney

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort celebrates Spanish, Mexican, and South American cultures, uniquely blending them. Lago Dorado is the centerpiece of the Disney resort. The six areas of the Disney hotel sit on the shores of the lake, offering a stunning view as you move from one location to the next. Guest rooms are located in Casitas, Cabanas, Ranchos, and Gran Destino Tower. Meanwhile, El Centro is the place to find the shop, convention center, many of the resort’s restaurants and bars, and places to relax. The Dig Site is another area of the resort where you will find a quick-service restaurant and the main pool area. On the shores of Lago Dorado, you’ll find white-sanded beaches that offer the ideal place to play volleyball or relax in a hammock in the sunshine.

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Credit: V Mills

Verdict:

The winner in terms of theming is mainly dependent on your own preference. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort have similar theming elements, so we’d argue that they are equal for theming. We love the bright colors that feature at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. However, we enjoy the landscape of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.

Location

The location of a Walt Disney World Resort hotel can be a deciding factor for many guests visiting Lake Buena Vista. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is in Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park area of the Walt Disney World Resort. As such, it is close to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. Generally, you can expect to arrive at EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios less than 15 minutes from Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. However, reaching Magic Kingdom Park and Disney Springs from the Disney resort hotel can take longer.

In contrast, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is located in the Disney’s Hollywood Studios area of Lake Buena Vista. Therefore, it’s just a short distance from the Disney theme park and EPCOT too. Traveling to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom Park, and Disney Springs is also easy. You can reach your desired destination in around 10 minutes generally.

Verdict:

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is perfect for guests wanting to be close to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. However, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is the winner regarding location. Its central location at the Walt Disney World Resort makes it easy to travel to all areas of Lake Buena Vista.

Transportation

All Disney hotels are serviced by the Walt Disney World buses. The complimentary transport makes it easy for guests to travel between their Disney hotel and the Disney theme parks. However, access to another mode of Disney transport can be beneficial during a Disney vacation.

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort only has access to one mode of Disney transport: the Disney buses. Meanwhile, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is located on the Disney Skyliner route. The Disney Skyliner provides easy access to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT International Gateway and World Showcase for Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort guests. Guests traveling to Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, and the Disney water parks can use the Disney buses.

Caribbean Beach Resort
Credit: The Family Vacation Guide

When it comes to using the buses at both Disney hotels, there are several bus stops that guests can use. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort are among the larger Disney hotels. Due to guest rooms being spread around a large area, additional bus stops are located around the Disney resorts. When you are checking in, a cast member can inform you of the closest bus station to your guest room.

Verdict:

Due to its access to the Disney Skyliner, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is our preferred resort in terms of transportation. While the Disney buses make traveling around the Walt Disney World Resort easy, it’s fun to ride other modes of transport during your Disney vacation.

Guest Rooms

When staying at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, you can expect standard and preferred guest rooms in one island area. Preferred guest rooms are closely located to Old Port Royale, providing easy access to the main areas of the resort. Meanwhile, standard guest rooms are located in the outer areas of the Disney hotel. Guest rooms sleep between two and five guests, depending on the room having a King bed or two Queen beds and a pull-down bed. You can have various views from a guest room, including a lake, pool, woodland, or courtyard view. Recently, a selection of the guest rooms at Disney’s Caribbean Beach resort have been renovated. Their theming now celebrates The Little Mermaid (1989). Generally, these guest rooms are located in the Trinidad section.

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort offers a broader selection of guest rooms than Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Similar rooms to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort are located in the Ranchos, Casitas, and Cabanas areas of the Disney hotel. One bedroom and executive suites are available in Casitas for an upgraded stay. A one-bedroom suite can sleep up to six adults and offers a luxurious living area, bedroom, and bathroom. An executive suite can sleep up to eight adults and offers sitting and dining areas as well as luxurious bedrooms and bathrooms.

Accommodation is also available in Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Guest rooms are standard. However, if you select a water view, you may have a beautiful view of Lago Dorado and the rest of the Disney resort. Gran Destino Tower offers the only Club Level experience in a Disney Moderate resort. Guests stay in a suite at Club Level at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Enjoy a sitting area, bedroom, and luxurious bathroom during your stay, as well as complimentary beverages and food from the Club Level lounge.

Verdict:

The variety of rooms available at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort means that the Disney hotel takes the title for guest rooms when comparing it to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. This element of the Disney resort offers Disney Deluxe resort vibes, with Disney Moderate resort prices.

Quick-Service Restaurants

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort has two quick-service restaurants – Centertown Market at Old Port Royale, and Spyglass Grill at Trinidad. Spyglass Grill serves American dishes with Caribbean twists and flavors. Open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, it’s ideally located for guests staying a little further away from Old Port Royale. Meanwhile, Centertown Market is a casual quick-service restaurant with an indoor street market vibe. It’s where to get flavorful Latin and Caribbean-inspired dishes from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Depending on where your guest room is in Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, you may be closer to the quick-service restaurants at Disney’s Riviera Resort. In particular, the Aruba and Martinique sections of the Disney hotel are less than a ten-minute walk from Disney’s Riviera Resort. Similarly, access to the Disney Skyliner means that you are a short ride away from other Disney hotels. When you’re wanting to try a new Disney quick-service restaurant, you can easily travel to the following resorts:

Centertown Market, Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
Credit: Vegan Disney Food/V Mills

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort guests have several quick-service restaurants available to them at their Disney hotel. The main quick-service restaurant is El Mercado de Coronado, which offers daily American and Mexican dishes. Sit in the light and airy dining area while enjoying your food. If you need something light, then Cafe Rix is the place to visit. Open from 7 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. daily, it’s the perfect spot to pick up a pastry, yogurt, fruit, and morning coffee before leaving for a Disney Park.

When you need a bite to eat while relaxing by the pool, the Siestas Cantina has all you need. A selection of quick-service food and specialty cocktails and beverages are available to order to keep you hydrated throughout the day. Finally, the Laguna Bar is perfect for relaxing in the evening sun. Overlooking Lago Dorado, you can enjoy beverages, and a selection of dishes, at the bar which is located at El Centro.

El Mercado De Coronado, Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Credit: V Mills

Verdict:

Disney’s Coronado Springs is the winner when considering what is available inside the Disney hotel. There are plenty of quick-service options to enjoy. However, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is the overall winner for quick-service dining. Its nearby location to plenty of other Disney hotels allows you a wide variety of quick-service experiences while exploring some of the Walt Disney World Resort. 

Full-Service Restaurants

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort has two full-service restaurants. The main restaurant is Sebastian’s Bistro. Enjoy family-style dining on Latin and Caribbean-inspired dishes. Sebastian’s Bistro is a hidden gem of the Walt Disney World Resort; it’s often compared to ‘Ohana in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, but getting an advanced dining reservation is much easier. Banana Cabana is the second full-service restaurant at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Relax in the open-air bar and enjoy appetizers, entrees, and dessert, accompanied by a refreshing libation from the bar. 

Sebastian's Bistro, Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
Credit: Disney

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort has a varied selection of full-service restaurants. They include:

  • Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood – Enjoy Spanish dishes in the beautiful rooftop restaurant with stunning views over the Walt Disney World Resort.
  • Three Bridges Bar & Grill – dine in the open-air restaurant, enjoying Spanish and American cuisines while watching the sun set over Lago Dorado.
  • Rix Sports Bar & Grill – open throughout the day, it’s a great spot to watch a game of your favorite sport while sipping on drinks and satisfying your hunger for American dishes.
  • Maya Grill – Enjoy classic Mexican dishes in the majestic dining room that is inspired by the Mayan culture.
  • Barcelona Lounge – You’ll feel like you have been transported to the Sagrada Familia here. Early morning, you can enjoy a selection of breakfast items with espresso and other specialty coffees. Late into the evening, it’s the place to stop for Gin and cocktails, accompanied by appetizers.
  • Dahlia Lounge – The rooftop lounge is the perfect place to sip cocktails and feast on Tapas.
Toledo, Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Credit: Disney

Verdict:

While Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort has excellent full-service offerings, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is the winner. You are not short on choices when looking for full-service dining at the Disney hotel.

Pool Areas

Both of the Disney hotels have several pool areas, due to their size. Most of the pools are quiet, while there is one main themed pool area at each Disney resort.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort’s main pool area is the Fuentes del Morro. It’s a zero-entry pirate-themed pool area with two water slides. While it’s beautifully themed, when using the pool area, we felt it was small compared to other Disney pools. Around the Disney hotel are five additional leisure pools for your enjoyment.

Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort Pool Area
Credit: How To Disney

The Lost City of Cibola pool is the main pool at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. The large pool is located at the Dig Site, with a 50-foot Mayan pyramid as its centerpiece. There is also a 123-foot water slide to make a splash from. Additionally, relax in the largest hot tub in Walt Disney World. Retire to one of three leisure pools around the Disney resort for a more relaxing dip.

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort Pool Area
Credit: Park Savers

Verdict:

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort may have more pools, but Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is our winner. The main pool area is beautiful to spend time at, and we think it’s worth the walk from your guest room whenever you wish to take a dip.

Overall Verdict:

It appears to be an even split between Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is the location, transportation, and quick-service restaurant winner. Meanwhile, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is the winner for full-service restaurants, guest rooms, and pool areas.

Which combination will influence your decision between the two Disney hotels for your next Disney vacation? Will you stay at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort or Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort?

 

Victoria Mills

Victoria is a Disney-loving, tea-drinking, Math teacher from Liverpool, England. Her motto is 'work hard, Disney harder'! Having taken part in the Disney College Program back in 2010, Victoria's love and appreciation for Walt Disney World only grew, and it's the place where she feels most herself - it's home!

Related Articles

Close

Adblock Detected

Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker