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Location
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Animal Kingdom Resort Area
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Category
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Moderate Resort
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Theme
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Southwest American/Mexican Theme
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Central Building
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El Centro has Registration, shopping and dining.
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Resort Layout
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Three ‘villages’: Casitas, Ranchos, Cabanas surround Lago Dorado.
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The Convention Center is the largest on WDW property. It has a separate parking lot.
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Facts & History
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Opening Year
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1997 |
| History |
As Orlando began to host more and more conventions, Disney didn't want to miss out. So far all their convention facilities were at Deluxe (thus expensive) resorts. In order to cash in on the growing trend, they built their first 'Moderate' convention center. But, this being Disney, it's not just a resort - it's a story. The resort is actually named after explorer Francisco de Coronado. According to legend, a Spanish explorer set out in 1569 to find the Lost Cities of Gold. He stumbled upon an ancient Mayan pyramid but found no gold. The maps to this pyramid were discovered centuries later, and a team of scientists and their families soon created a small community of pueblos and ranch houses as they continued studying the surrounding country and Spanish ruins. Coronado Springs is unique as a Moderate resort as it has Suite rooms, and as of 2008, business class rooms with separate concierge and check in. |
| Rooms renovated 2008/2009 |
| Design |
Designed under the direction of Walt Disney Imagineering by Graham Gund Architects of Cambridge, Mass., Coronado Springs is based on the Spanish Colonial Revival Style. |
| Expansion |
The Convention Center was expanded in 2005. |
| Christmastime |
Beautiful wreaths and trees decorated with orange and yellow ornaments carry the Spanish theme into the holidays. |
Types of rooms
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Standard -
Garden
Parking lot
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314 Sq ft. 2 Queen beds, Tub/shower & toilet, single vanity, desk with chair, dresser with flat panel TV, nightstand, ottomans.
Accommodate 4 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
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Water
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314 Sq ft. 2 Queen beds, Tub/shower & toilet, single vanity, desk with chair, dresser with flat panel TV, nightstand, ottomans.
Accommodate 4 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
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King
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314 Sq ft. King bed, Tub/shower & toilet, single vanity, desk with chair, dresser with flat panel TV, nightstand, ottomans.
Accommodate 4 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
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Business Club*
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314 Sq ft. Club Level room. 2 Queen beds or King, Tub/shower & toilet, single vanity, desk with chair, dresser with flat panel TV, nightstand. Concierge amenities available.
Accommodate 4 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
*for convention attendees only
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| Cabanas 9B |
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Junior Suites
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1 or 2 bedroom suites. Please inquire for more information.
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Handicapped
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314 Sq ft. King bed, Roll-in shower & toilet, double vanity, desk with chair, dresser with flat panel TV, nightstand.
Accommodate 2 people + 1 child under 3 in crib.
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Additional fee for each person over 2 people per room. No charge for children under 17 staying with adults.
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All Disney resorts are smoke free. Smoking allowed in designated locations.
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Exterior hallways
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Room amenities
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Mini-refrigerator, hair dryer, coffee maker & free coffee packets, in-wall safe, iron & board, TV with limited cable, alarm clock-radio, phone with voicemail and ceiling fan. Toiletries: soap, face soap, lotion & shampoo.
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| Club Level amenities include separate Front Desk and guest services, turndown service, concierge lounge with continental breakfast, midday snacks and evening wine (fee) and cheese. Robes in each room. Convention Guests Only. |
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Double doors separate the bath area from the rest of the room – allowing for additional privacy.
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Crib and bed boards/rails available by request
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High-speed internet for a fee
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Connecting rooms available. Put in your request when booking your room; they are not guaranteed.
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Registration
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Check in
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room guaranteed by 3:00pm
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Check out
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by 11:00am
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Late check out
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can be requested the night before check-out
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Early arrival
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Be sure to Check-in at the Registration desk upon arrival, the room may be ready early, or at the very least they'll give a phone number you can call from any house phone in WDW to get you're room number - therefore you don’t have to go back to the registration desk.
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Express Check out
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Upon arrival you can leave a credit card on your room account. It can then be used to make charges to your room during your stay. And then, the morning you leave, an itemized bill will be on your door handle. If there are any problems, then you can contact the Front Desk - otherwise you're all set and can leave without going back to Registration.
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Magical Express
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For those of you flying into Orlando Intl Airport, Disney is making it even easier to get to their World. You’re given special tags to put on your luggage. Then when you arrive in Orlando, just get on the Magical Express bus – they’ll take you to your resort to check in. You go off and have fun, and you’re bags show up in your room later that day. Before your departure, you'll get a letter saying when you should be at the lobby to check your bags and catch your bus to the airport.
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What you get at check in
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Resort Map: shows entire resort and detail of Convention Center and El Centro.
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Resort ‘newsletter’, El Sol, includes dining, shopping, and recreation info for the resort. Also has other important resort information and phone numbers.
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"Your Guide to the Magic" with dining, shopping, recreation and WDW property map
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WDW Theme Park times Guide
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Key to the World -- your room key not only opens your room, but is also your early entry ID, charge-to-room card, and perhaps your theme park ticket – Don’t Loose It
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If you drove, then you’ll get a parking pass – use it or your room key to park for free at the theme parks, and also to get through the security gate back at your resort.
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What to ask for
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Wild About Safety coloring book for kids (or big kids)
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Theme Park maps
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Any special activities at the resort, or kids activities
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Resort amenities
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Lobby Concierge
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your source for tickets, dining priority seating, dinner shows, recreation reservations, fishing or fireworks cruises, and other information
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Business Services
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Complete business and shipping services. Located in the Convention Center.
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Bell Services
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Luggage services, taxi & limo.
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Valet Parking
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Valet is available by request for a fee.
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Airline Check-in
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On the day of your flight you can print out your boarding passes for select airlines. Located inside Registration lobby.
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Laundry
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Laundry facilities located at Cabanas, Ranchos & Casitas quiet pools. Dry cleaning/laundry service available through housekeeping.
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Fitness Center
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La Vida Health Club located in Casitas area. Available to CSR guests at no additional charge. Equipment, sauna, massage therapy
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Salon
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Casa De Belleza in Casitas area. Full service salon for hair styling, manicures, pedicures, waxing and facials.
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Child Care
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Not at this resort. Call "Kid's Night Out" 407-828-0920
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Misc Services
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ATM, Pre-paid phone cards & postal box are located inside Registration Lobby. Stamps for sale in Panchitos gift store.
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Wifi
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Main Lobby, Convention Center lobby, and The Dig Site pool.
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Ice & Vending Machines
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Located near the elevators in each building.
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Wheelchair rental
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As a guest of the resort, you can request a length-of-stay wheelchair rental. A refundable deposit is given at Lobby Concierge and you are given use of a push-style wheelchair for the length of your stay. Available on a first-come first-serve basis.
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Recreation
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Pools
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The Dig Site: large pool has a water slide, WDWs’ largest spa, playground, and kiddie pool. A large Mayan Temple provides the backdrop. Centrally located, but a long walk from Casitas.
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| Casitas quiet pool |
| Cabanas quiet pool |
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Ranchos quiet pool
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Towels available at Dig Site pool only.
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| Life jackets available free of charge. Located at The Dig Site. |
| Beach |
Located by Cabanas. There is no swimming in Lago Darado.
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Hammocks are found around Lago Dorado.
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Arcade
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Iguana Arcade at The Dig Site
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Rentals & Sports
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La Marina near El Centro
Bikes, surrey bikes
water mice, paddle boats
Seasonal Hours
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Volleyball at The Dig Site
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Playground
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Located at The Dig Site
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Jogging trails
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Paths around Lago Dorado. Inquire at La Vida Health Club.
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Children’s activities
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At The Dig Site, Inquire with Pool staff and at La Marina. Coloring by Registration.
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Hair wraps
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Located at The Dig Site
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| Temporary tattoos |
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| caricatures |
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Pressed penny machines
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Located inside Iguana Arcade
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Disney cartoons
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Playing at the Registration area of El Centro
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Other Entertainment
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Live music in Rix Lounge in the evenings. Inquire at Lounge
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Dining
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Pepper Market
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Food-court/buffet style. You are seated at a table and a server will get your drinks and clean the table. You are given a card, and for each food item you take, you get a stamp on your card. At the end of the meal you turn in your card and the bill totaled up. It can get expensive, so watch the prices. Also, a 10% gratuity is added to your bill automatically. Take-out is also available.
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Breakfast 7:00am-11:00am
Lunch 11:00am-4:00pm
Dinner 4:00pm-10:00pm
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Pepper Market Window
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Coffee, drinks and bakery items to go. |
| 6:00am-11:00pm |
| Maya Grill |
Table service restaurant. Mexican and American offerings. Breakfast buffet and dinner. Located in El Centro past Pepper Market
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Breakfast 7:00am-11:00am
Dinner 5:00pm-10:00pm
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Café Rix
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Counter service with sandwiches & flatbread. Deserts and snacks.
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Breakfast 6:30am-11:00am
Lunch/Dinner 11:00am-midnight
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Laguna Bar
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Full service bar. Located outside El Centro. |
| 11:00am-Midnight |
| Siesta Cantina |
Fast food by the pool. Full Service bar.
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Lunch 11:00am-8:00pm(9:00pm for bar)
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Rix Lounge
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Full bar and appetizers.
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5:00pm-Midnight (varies) ID after 9:00pm
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In-room Dining
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Limited selection available
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Breakfast 7:00am-11:00am
Lunch/Dinner 11:00am-11:00pm
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Refillable Mug
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Available for purchase and use at Café Rix, Siesta Cantina and Pepper Market.
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Shopping
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Panchitos
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Coronado Springs logo items/clothes, standard WDW souvenirs, clothes for all ages, along with Southwestern/ Mexican knick-knacks, jewelry and clothes. Food, drinks, and various sundries available. Located in El Centro.
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Package Pick-up
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Packages sent to the resort from the Theme Parks can be picked up at the designated counter inside Panchitos.
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Transportation
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Monorail
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Not available at this resort
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Buses
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4 bus stops: 1: El Centro, 2: Casitas, 3: Ranchos, 4: Ranchos & Cabanas
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Buses available to all 4 theme parks, both water parks and Downtown Disney.
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Note signs at bus stops for Internal route.
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Boat
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Not available at this resort
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Walkway
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Sidewalk leads from El Centro, leaves the resort and goes south past Blizzard Beach to All-Star Resorts.
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Pros
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Atmosphere – the resort is very beautiful. There are lots of picturesque fountains and gardens throughout the grounds.
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| The renovated rooms make this an upscale moderate resort. And the addition of Cafe Rix goes a long way to improve the dining options. |
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Dig Site – A fantastic pool for all ages.
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| Coronado Springs does not share buses with any other resort, which helps keep the bus crowds down. |
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Cons
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Dining – Reviews are mixed. Some people like the Pepper Market, but there are also some who do not.
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The resort is very large – so you may find the walk to be a long one.
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Other info
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My last stay was
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March 29-30, 2009
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Number of times I’ve stayed here
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9
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Address & phone
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1000 West Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830
Telephone: (407) 939-1000
Fax: (407) 939-1001
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