Coronado Springs - Arrival! 02/10/26

Heading Out!

Hey everyone, Anthony here, and finally, we're off! It's been a cold and brutal winter, and this week is no different. We made it to the airport where the parking had six inches of unplowed snow. I had Ash waiting with our luggage at the shuttle stop while I tried to find a parking spot. I saw the bus coming, and like any guy would, I gunned the car and buried it in a snow patch. I locked it, gave a little sign of the cross hoping it wouldn't get towed as I was probably taking up three spots, and started running to make the bus. Out of breath, but excited to get us on our way, we got on the bus, and made our way to baggage check.

Okay, wait a second, before we get to Florida, I (Ash) want to interject. I want to talk about packing. Now that all airlines charge for checked bags, even my coveted Southwest, organizing and maximizing bag space is crucial. I have taught Anthony my methods, and one of them being what you've heard from so many others. Packing Cubes. God do they save space and time. Making sure you pack efficiently allows you to unpack at the hotel in minutes instead of doing what Anthony normally does by rolling it all in ball and stuffing it into a bag. I have cute Disney cubes that I use, along with shoe bags so I keep dirty shoes contained on the way down and the way back.

Transportation

She isn't lying. That would be my normal way of packing. Okay we got into MCO, grabbed our bags, and Ash ordered an Uber. I have done multiple ways of moving from MCO to the Bubble, and what I've found is that it just depends on your situation. In 2023 I came to Disney with my sister and her family and we took a MEARS bus. There was roughly a forty-five minute wait for the bus to get to us, which maybe felt a little taxing, but overall it was fine. In 2024, I came to Disney with a friend, and since it was just two of us we used an Uber. In 2025, again with my sister and her husband, we took Orlando Magical Rides (not sponsored), which was a wonderful service. They had a Mercedes Sprinter ready to go to with car seats for the kids, making our stay at Wilderness Lodge feel all the more luxurious.

So long story short, if you have a small group and want to get moving asap, get the uber. If you're a bigger group and are willing to spare the time, go with MEARS, but if you want to keep a big group, look toward Orlando Magical or another car service that can accommodate. Big point, plan ahead.

Coronado

Okay, Ash back on the keys. We made it to Coronado Springs! I've been dying to get here, especially on a Valentine's week! Coronado is arguably the most couples friendly resort on property, as it is less "Disny-fied?" Is that a term? Oh well, we're going with it. Coronado has a lot of the convention space that Disney rents out to groups, and there was a long line of people waiting to check in for a convention happening at the resort. Does that detract from the experience? Maybe slightly, but for what we were looking to do, we didn't need to be at an All-Stars, Caribbean Beach, or something along those lines.

Anyways, we checked in at about two o'clock, but our room wasn't ready. That’s fine! Couldn’t be happier right now. I’m on property with someone I love and I’m gonna have the best trip! We left our bags with bell services and set off to explore. To say this resort is gorgeous is an understatement. Destino tower is so beautiful, feeling so grand and wonderous. Anthony said Destino makes the Riviera feel outclassed, and this is a moderate resort. The care put into the tower, the lighting, the glass, the beautiful views were intoxicating. We then set off to explore the resort itself, and it is massive. After you walk out of Destino tower you can head out to the Casitas, the Ranchos, or the Cabanas, all of which have their own bus stops and surround the lake. In between them all is the three bridges, of which has the esteemed Three Bridges Bare and Grill at Villa del Lago. I can't wait to go there.

The atmosphere is perfect, making us feel like we made our way into the American Southwest or Northern Mexico. Between the adobe style buildings, the flora surrounding the lake, the Aztecan pyramid at The Digsite pool, not only were we transported out of the snowy and cold north, but we like we had left central Florida! After getting some coffees and debating our next move, we went back to bell services and got our clothes for the crawl. It was a bathroom stall change, but sacrifices must be made for the mouse!

Outfits

I am wearing my white Brooks sneakers, which I’m sure I’ll destroy on my 25,000 step

days. I have white cut off denim shorts, a black and white striped puff sleeve, a mini-mouse purse, and black ears with a red bow. I kind of wanted it to feel like a black and white Minnie stepping into the real world and getting my colors. Sort of a play on the movie Pleasantville for any of you millennials that remember that. Anthony matched me with his Angora colored New Balance shoes, white golf shorts, and is wearing a grey Walt Disney World quarter zip.

The Crawl

            Now that we’re ready we are off to do the crawl. First stop is Disney’s Polynesian Resort, where we are jumping on the wait list at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. Sam's is down on the first floor of the Great Ceremonial House, toward the dock entrance and exit.

When we got into the Grotto we were seated right at the bar, and what an amazing spot.

Between the thunderstorms playing in the background, the spooky atmosphere, and the drinks, we absolutely had a blast. I ordered the Polynesian Pearl with the collectible pearl while Anthony ordered the Zombie, and yes, we paid for his own souvenir mug. The bartenders were such a delight and the atmosphere made us feel so welcomed and happy. To eat we ordered the Kahuna Tuna Sushi Roll, which was Anthony's first time ever eating sushi... meanwhile, well I could eat Sushi every day.

After finishing our drinks and getting our buzz on, we stepped outside into the warm Florida air and walked our way to the Grand Floridian. There was a wedding ceremony happening at the chapel, and it was nice to see the couple taking pictures inside Grand Floridian later on. I love this hotel because it's old timey feel. Seeing the cast members in uniform, the old model A's parked outside, and stepping into a resort that feels frozen in time is such a wonder. After some quick shopping we went upstairs to The Enchanted Rose. Each section of the lounge is framed as though it is part of the mansion from the Beauty and the Beast, and we were seated in the library area. We were able to look out the window and see the fountain, as well as the edges of the main pool, what a wonderful sight in such a cool place.

I had the Floral Bitter Beauty, and I think I was feeling too good at that moment to remember what Anthony ordered. You guys tell us! (Maybe Seasoned Old Fashioned?)

While sipping our bevvy's we ordered the Smoked Trout and Crab Dip, which had salmon roe and chive oil with sesame seed lavosh, and let me say, this might have been the best dip I've ever had in my life. Anthony here - I would normally never order something like this, I'm a meat and potatoes guy, but this was hands down the best dip I've ever had in my life.

We finished our bevvy's and dip, and then took off for the Contemporary. Coming here feels like home for the both of us, as this was my first place I ever went to at Disney. For me (Anth), it was very special to me to come here as well with my Sister in '23. We both agree that yes, the Contemporary is loud because of Chef Mickey's and the layout of the building, but it's still weirdly comforting to be here. We did some shopping, and intended to go to Steak House 71 to continue our crawl, but... well, we're light weights. Between travel and realizing we still needed to get to our room and unpack, we decided to call the night a little early, and hopped on the bus back to Coronado. Once arriving at the resort, bell services was nice enough to give us a ride to our room at the Cabanas, what saints. It's so nice to be back in the Bubble. Can't wait till tomorrow. Holly Studios is gonna be a blast.