The Dig Site at Disney’s Coronado Springs (Photos + What to Expect)

The Dig Site at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is one of those things that’s uniquely Disney. I remember the first time we stayed at the resort. It was way back before there was even talk of a tower hotel. Back then, you had to walk around the entirety of the lake to get anywhere. We were lucky to receive a room assignment in the Cabanas, which put us close to El Centro, the main lobby, and the Dig Site.

Since we were in the Cabanas, we could sneak in and out of the back entrance to the Dig Site. This entrance sits near the back of the pool in a shaded area surrounded by trees. You can’t see any of the pool area, and don’t know what to expect if you’ve never visited. As the path clears, a large pool with a pyramid comes into view. If there was ever any doubt about the choice you made to stay here, it tends to vanish. This place is sublime.

Disney describes the Dig Site as a sprawling pool complex with a Mayan ruins theme. The Dig Site is home to the Lost City of Cibola Pool, a hot tub that’s the envy of other resorts, and plenty of other activities for those who have kids who “don’t want to get in the water.” Below, we’ll preview a few photos of the resort’s large recreation area and discuss a few more specifics of what to expect.

The Dig Site’s main entrance sits at the edge of the lake between the Cabanas and Ranchos sections. If you’re staying in the Casitas, the bridge across the lake is the shortest distance, or you can take a leisurely walk around the lake if you prefer. Those in Gran Destino Tower can take a smaller bridge that bypasses the Cabanas directly to the Dig Site. A sign is posted at the main entrance that lists the following amenities:

• The Lost City of Cibola Pool
• Jaguar Slide
• Children’s Pool
• The Spa
• The Ruins
• Explorer’s Playground
• Iguana Arcade
• Siestas
• The Ball Court

Here is a photo of the secondary entrance near the Cabanas section of the resort. The entire pool area is surrounded by lush foliage, which serves as a buffer. This is not a hotel where you’ll have to worry about hearing a lot of noise from the pool if you’re in the room taking an afternoon nap.

Here is that moment when the pool comes into view. (Hopefully, you’ll hear a “this place is so cool” from the kids.)

The pool’s centerpiece is a 50-foot pyramid where, as Disney puts it, “weary explorers can revive themselves in the waters streaming down its stone steps.” Here are a few photos.

As you may know, all moderate and deluxe resorts feature pools have a water slide. We have a separate article that compares the water slides at the Disney Resorts here. Coronado Springs is home to the Jaguar Slide, a 123-foot-long water slide that features a Jaguar looking over it.

The slide’s entrance is to the far back right of the pool area. Here is a photo of the stairs you’ll climb to reach the top. Don’t be surprised if you find a line on a busy day.

When the light turns green, it’s go time.

You might even see the jaguar perched over the slide on the way down. It’s a pretty fast slide, so don’t be surprised if you miss it.

The slide comes out at the back corner of the pool. You’ll usually find parents waiting.

Disney notes that lifeguard attendants can vary by pool. We have found that the Dig Site always has lifeguards, and an additional cast member is often at the top of the slide. The resort’s quiet pools, however, do not have lifeguards. We have a separate article that highlights all of the pools at Disney’s Coronado Springs.

A kiddie pool sits in a separately fenced area.

Toward the front of the pool, you’ll find the largest hot tub on Disney World property. Per Disney, it offers room for 22 tribesmen.

One of the things that I enjoy about the Dig Site is that you’ll find other recreation areas that don’t involve a dip in the pool. While some children are water babies, others might prefer to stay on dry land. We always see several table games sitting outside the arcade.

The Iguana Arcade offers an air-conditioned space to get a little relief from the heat. It will cost extra to play a few games.

The Explorer’s Playground offers two distinct areas. One playground is geared toward children ages 5-12 years old.

A smaller apparatus is available for children ages five and under.

Here is a view from the playground and arcade area that shows how the pool area is surrounded by a fence. So you don’t have to worry about little ones wandering from the playground into the pool area.

A sand volleyball court is available toward the front of the Dig Site.

If you plan to spend a significant amount of time at the pool (highly recommended), you’ll be happy to know that Siestas is an excellent quick service option. We’ll often grab lunch or dinner here over El Mercado.

A separate bar area sits adjacent to the quick service window, and a refillable mug station sits between Siesta’s and the pool’s restroom and changing area.

Lastly, I wanted to touch on a few little things that might be important to some of you. Unfortunately, while the pool is surrounded by beautiful landscape, the actual pool deck is entirely in the direct sun. The only pool chairs in the shade are near the water slide. You cannot see the pool from this area. As far as pool chairs, the resort has plenty, but none of them have umbrellas. The only options with umbrellas are the handful of tables with chairs around the pool deck. They are few and far between and, from our experience, almost always the first to go. If you prefer to avoid the overhead sun, you might plan late afternoons and evenings at the pool.

Recreation cast members are on site to provide activities at the Dig Site in the afternoons. Your children might enjoy complimentary poolside games and Disney movie trivia. Who am I kidding? Even the parents tend to get a little involved with the trivia questions.

The Dig Site is also where extra-cost activities are held, like Mickey Tye Dye, which is offered on select afternoons. You’ll need to check the resort’s recreation calendar for exact details. It’s typically posted around the resort and at the bus stops. We like to take a picture of it when we arrive. We have a separate article that discusses the Movies Under the Stars and Nightly Campfire at Coronado Springs. These are both fun and complementary activities you can incorporate into a resort day.

Lastly, the Dig Site has a few fun theming elements stamped in the concrete. It’s these little things that, for many of us, tend to make a big difference. Themed concrete…

Final Thoughts

We love the Dig Site and have always enjoyed our stays at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. For more on the resort, you might enjoy the following:

• The Health and Fitness Centers at Disney’s Coronado Springs
• A Resort View vs Water View Room at Gran Destino Tower
• Every Coffee Option at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
• Walking Distances to the Rooms at Disney’s Coronado Springs

You might also enjoy our entire Disney World Pool Guide or the list of Disney Resort Hotels.

In the Comments

Have you ever spent any time at the Dig Site? Do you have any other questions we didn’t answer? Let us know below in the comments or on our social media.