Travel Review: Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida

I was recently invited by my company to attend a leadership training conference that was being held at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida. I was more than willing to accept the offer. Not only was it a "free" vacation to Florida, but it was also an opportunity to stay at a Disney owned property - something I'd never had the opportunity to do before.

While still in the planning stages for the conference, I immediately began to see the things that separate Disney from so many other vacation experiences. One of the many services that the Disney resorts offer is the Disney Express option. With the Disney Express option, air travelers have the opportunity to register their flight information with Disney online. A few weeks before your trip, you receive a package in the mail containing special tags for your checked luggage. These tags enable Disney service personnel to scan luggage as it arrives at Orlando International Airport and transport it directly to your room for you. This means that all you have to do when you step off the airplane is step onto the shuttle which will deliver you to the front door of your resort. This service is especially beneficial to families vacationing with small children, or for those who would just rather avoid the hassle of baggage claim all together.

Once I arrived in Orlando I was quickly ushered onto a shuttle which delivered me to the front door of the resort. My immediate first opinion: "WOW!" The rich American Southwest feel of the property literally transformed me to an entirely different place.

I was checked in quickly by an extremely pleasant staff, and directed to the location of my room. While the journey to the room location was a bit of a hike, it was far from unpleasant since the beautifully landscaped property was literally exploding with trees and flowers of all varieties. As a focal point to the incredible landscape was a huge lake, and I was able to witness families leisurely enjoying the paddleboats that were available for guests to rent.

Upon arriving in my room I was comforted by more of the warm Southwest feel that was expressed in every detail from the furniture to the art on the walls. The room size was more than adequate for a small family, and came with a mini-refrigerator, hair dryer, clothes iron, coffee maker, and in-room safe. High speed internet access was also available for the flat fee of $9.95 per day. Impressed with what I had seen so far, I decided to unload my belongings and take a tour of the rest of the property.

Honestly, I'll admit that by this point I was sure that there was little more that could impress me, but as I wandered along one of the many pathways that separated the casitas I encountered some of the most incredible fountains I had ever seen in my life. Literally at every turn there was another courtyard with a brilliant display of not only trees and flowers, but also a variety of fountains - each one remarkably different from the others. The shady palm trees offered more than 100 different options to sit back and relax and just enjoy the surroundings.

Upon continuing my tour to the main buildings, including the conference center areas, I was immediately amazed in not only the attention to architectural detail, but also the vast amenities that the resort had to offer including a health club, barber/beauty shop, restaurants, and convenience store. There was definitely not a shortage of things to do.

Another of the property amenities that was especially beneficial to families with children was the pool area complete with a Mayan Temple that acted as a huge waterfall. The pool area was equipped with enough slides to keep children occupied for hours, and a separate wading pool was available for smaller children. A third pool, in a separate location on the property, was dubbed the "quiet" pool, and was geared more for adults who just wanted to lounge without a lot of extra commotion.

Surrounding the lake was a path that made its way all the way around to the main buildings. The path, which was nearly a mile in distance, provided the opportunity to take a leisurely stroll, or rent one of the bikes or surrey's available to visitors. Along the path, clusters of palm trees shaded hammocks that provided the perfect getaway spot for anyone wanting a little quiet time alone or with someone special.

Above all of the features that the resort had to offer, an impressive aspect for me was the convenience of it all. Busses and shuttles ran at regular intervals and were available, at no additional charge, to take guests to any of the other Disney properties including theme parks as well as Downtown Disney and The Boardwalk.

Rooms at the Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida are available starting at $149 per night and can be included in a custom built Disney package. In order to make reservations, or plan your Disney experience, visit them online at http://disneyworld.disney.go.com

For any family wanting a stress and hassle free vacation experience, then I highly recommend making your next family vacation on a Disney property. With the vast amenities, endless recreational things to do, and beautiful surroundings you're certain to have a vacation where magic happens!