Coronado springs - a bit disappointed...
 

I’m just back from 2 weeks staying at Disney in the Coronado Springs and I was a bit disappointed. Don’t get me wrong the hotel was lovely. The newly refurbished rooms are very nicely decorated with USB ports for charging, huge tv’s, comfy beds. The Gran Destino tower is beautiful inside and the views from the top are truly spectacular. However despite all of that I felt a bit disappointed in the hotel to the point where I don’t think I would go back.
There wasn’t anything major, just little things that added up.
Firstly the convention centre and the number of conventions is a bit of an issue. In the two weeks we were there, there were 2 big conventions lasting 2 days each, a martial arts tournament for kids and something to do with kids football. On these days the food court became incredible busy. The last day in particular with the football kids was so busy to the point you could barely move or find a table at breakfast time. Not to mention when people from conventions are all around on laptops, talking business, wearing suits, etc when you are dressed for a pool day with shiny sun tan cream, bikinis and hair piled up just makes you feel a little self conscious. Almost like you are the one out of place. Then on buses from Disney springs people from the convention are moaning loudly about the buses, having to stand, having to wear the magic band and all the tourists takes some of the holiday and Disney magic away too.
The tower opening meant the hotel pretty much doubled in capacity (and although of course not full it definitely felt busier after it opened) with the same number of buses and quick service eating places so just not enough facilities for the number of people (I know it’s summer and busy but waiting 35 minutes for a bus from Disney springs and still not get in cause it’s full or waiting 25 minutes for the 8am magic kingdom bus for it to be full after the first two stops and then drive past the last 2 because it’s full isn’t good enough)
Finally we had issues with house keeping. In the first week they came at 5pm when we were back in the room and trying to get ready to go out so we just took fresh towels. Later in the week the room wasn’t cleaned at all, but we figured maybe they missed us, maybe they came before we left in the morning so let it go. In the second week by 6pm they still hadn’t came and we had to phone for them to send more towels over and the housekeeping manager was very apologetic ensuring that it wouldn’t happen again. On the final day we left the room at 7:30am and came back at 7pm for the room once again to have not been touched. Phoned reception again really not happy as this was 4 times across the two weeks. Yes we could have used the same towels twice but the bin was over flowing and after full days in the park you just want to feel clean with a fresh towel. Also when some people turn down housekeeping and get $10 a day back and yet we wanted it and weren’t getting it. The housekeeping manager was great and once again very apologetic and refunded us the cost of a night which was $200 which was very generous of them. Wasn’t really expecting anything or at the most the $40 for the four days.
Like I said it’s all little things that add up, but for me they are pushing Coronado springs towards conventions with the new bars and restaurants to appeal to couples or business people at conventions rather than families looking for Disney magic. Despite it being a beautiful hotel I think I would definitely look into staying elsewhere next time.

Thanks for your review. I certainly understand your comments about the conventions and all the business people. Sounds like the Hilton I stay at in Southampton. I’m dressed in a suite and everyone else is dressed for Peppa Pig Land

I guess it’s a way of Disney filling the hotels. The value resorts and CBR are similar too

Not just he moderates and values. My ex husband works for an international company that takes over the Swan and Dolphin for aweek every year for a Symposium and overflows into the Y and B and Boardwalk too. All those IT types definitely change the hotel vibe.

Definitely. Felt on some days there were more people for the convention than Disney guests/ park goers. There’s something nice about everyone being on holiday and relaxing, enjoying Disney, not most people running around, working on laptops, speaking on phones.
The new bars and restaurants say it all for me. That huge new tower but no new quick service eating place. A lovely bar/ restaurant in the middle of lake with definitely a couples vibe, the top floor restaurant which looked very fancy and a bar that was advertised as having a wide range of gins. Doesn’t scream family holiday at Disney.

I realise I may not be making a popular point, but I'll put the flame-proof jacket on anyway...

If I stay at a convention hotel I would expect to see people attending conventions. It would change the vibe from a non-convention resort.

I would say, however, that reading Disney's website, they barely make a mention of CSR being a convention resort so they could be setting an incorrect expectation.

Re the buses, it's v early days for the tower being open. I would hope and expect they will be monitoring and adjusting accordingly. I'm booked for next year and am looking forward to the less Disney vibe but still being onsite perks.

Will be interesting to see how busy the buses and foodcourt are next month when we go. Won't be impressed if we can't get on the buses though. Housekeeping won't matter as we're going to opt out.

I think that conventions themselves are not an issue.

Its the delegates that may be, and that is where Disney need to ‘up their game’ to ensure that they do not intentionally or unintentionally cause distress to Disney vacationers.

If i felt they were overstepping the mark, i would ask for-the Hotel Manager and have a grown up chat.

Disney332

I think this was the whole point of the Tower, the idea I think was to create an area that was focused on the convention and business guests, and the rest of the resort for holiday guests, the problem I think is a lot of families are loving the tower and booking it ,causing a mix which Disney was hoping to avoid!

Totally get all your points and you have my empathy...but...

The Gran Destino Tower screams, adult holiday at Disney and that IS the target market.

Im booked, as it floats all my boats.

Disney332