The Pools at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
This article discusses the pools at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. We’ll preview photos of the resort’s feature pool, waterslide, quiet pools, and other recreational amenities.
Disney’s Coronado Springs is hands down our favorite moderate resort. This Southwest-themed resort offers stunning grounds and tons of amenities, including its pools.
If you’re planning a stay or considering this resort as an option, you might want to know a little more about the resort’s pool areas. Coronado Springs has a unique feature pool that sits toward the center of the resort.
This area, known as The Dig Site, has a feature pool with a Mayan pyramid backdrop, plus a few other bells and whistles. You can expect this pool to be bustling with guests under the circumstances of pleasant weather.
If you are the type that shies away from busy pool areas, you’ll be happy to know the resort has three other pools spread out over its luscious landscape. These are all considered “quiet” pools and have nearby laundry facilities.
There’s no shortage of pool options at Coronado Springs. So pack your swimsuit (don’t forget the sunscreen) and get ready for a splashing good time during your Walt Disney World vacation!
Coronado Springs Pool
Coronado Springs has the following pools:
- The Lost City of Cibola Pool is the resort’s feature pool. This tremendous pool can be found at The Dig Site.
Additionally, Coronado Springs has three leisure pools in the following villages:
- Casitas
- Ranchos
- Cabanas
*Gran Destino Tower does not have a pool area. However, the tower is within short walking distance of the Cabanas quiet pool and The Digs Site, the resort’s feature pool area.
Pool Hours at Coronado Springs
During our last stay at Gran Destino Tower, the feature pool hours were posted from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. That visit was during the summer. However, on our visit in the winter, the pool hours at Coronado Springs were posted as 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
So, the pool hours might vary slightly depending on what time of year you visit.
Pool hours for the resort’s three leisure pools are usually between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. Hours are typically posted toward the bottom of the pool rules signage. The quiet pools do not have a lifeguard on duty.
The Dig Site
We’ll start with The Dig Site, which sits toward the center of the resort, across the lake from El Centro (the lobby). The Dig Site is a large recreation area where you’ll find the following:
- The Lost City of Cibola Pool
- Jaguar Slide
- The Ruins
- Explorer’s Playground
- Iguana Arcade
- Siestas
- The Ball Court
- The Spa
- Children’s Pool
The Lost City of Cibola Pool
The Lost City of Cibola Pool is themed like a Mayan Ruins. It sits at the base of a 50-foot (50′) pyramid with a 123-foot (123′) waterslide called the Jaguar Slide.
Here are a few photos of the pool at Coronado Springs.
The Lost City of Cibola Pool is approximately 4’9″ (four feet nine inches) at its deepest point. Complimentary life jackets are provided at the pool. Towels are also provided at the pool, so there is no need to pack them in your luggage.
The Jaguar Slide
The feature pool at Coronado Springs has a water slide. It’s called the Jaguar Slide.
A few rules for the slide are posted at the entrance. Note that sliders should slide feet first, sitting or lying on their back. The pool depth at the slide exit is 3’6″ (3 feet and 6 inches).
To reach the slide, you’ll first climb a raised area to the far side of the pyramid.
Then, you’ll climb an additional staircase to access the slide. Parents, I wanted to point out that you cannot see this area well from the pool. So you might want to walk part of the way up with your child.
I walked to the top so you could get an idea of how far the slide is from the pool. After you descend this first set of stairs, an additional staircase on the right leads to the slide. You can see where the railings start in the photo below. If you look closely, you can also see where two people have made it up to the start of the slide.
Along the way, you might notice the jaguar perched over the slide.
While the slide is long and fast, it has no significant drops.
Take a seat and wait until the light turns green. Then you’re off!
When my son was younger, we stayed at Coronado Springs often. He always enjoyed this slide.
You can tell the slide isn’t too adventurous. But the speed will provide just the right amount of thrill.
The slide exit is at the far corner of the pool.
Related: Disney Resort Pools with Water Slides
The Kiddie Pool at Coronado Springs
A kiddie pool is available at Coronado Springs. It sits in a separately fenced gate within the larger pool area. The kiddie pool is across the walkway from the area where the water slide exits to the pool.
Several lounge chairs surround the kiddie pool–a few are in the shade.
The Hot Tub at Coronado Springs
Coronado Springs is home to the largest hot tub at Walt Disney World. It seats up to 22 guests!
This hot tub area is also separately fenced. It’s located toward The Dig Site’s main entrance.
Other Recreation
In addition to The Lost City of Cibola Pool, the Dig Site has plenty of other things to do besides swimming. It’s what we love most about the area.
For instance, a sand volleyball court is available near the front corner of The Dig Site.
Several outdoor table games are available toward the back corner.
An area called the Explorer’s Playground sits directly behind the pyramid.
It’s divided into two spaces. One area is geared more toward toddlers. The other play area (in the photo below) is for older children.
As you may already know, nearly all of the resorts at Walt Disney World have an arcade. Iguana Arcade is the one at Coronado Springs.
Here’s a look inside.
Siestas
As far as dining goes, Siestas is the resort’s poolside bar with a secondary quick-service restaurant. Bar service is available on one end of the counter, while a separate window provides an area to order food.
Here is a preview of the menu at Siestas on our last visit.
Related: Restaurants at Disney’s Coronado Springs
Quiet Pools at Disney’s Coronado Springs
In addition to The Lost City of Cibola Pool, Coronado Springs has three quiet pools between the villages. We’ll preview each of them below. Guests can use any of the quiet pools. However, using the pool in your village is likely most convenient.
Casitas Pool
The Casitas has a quiet pool that sits toward the front of building 4. This resort section is closest to El Centro and the convention center. Many of the rooms here fall in the preferred room category.
Note that all the quiet pools at Coronado Springs have a maximum depth of 5′ (five feet). Additionally, life jackets are available at each pool.
Ranchos Pool
The next quiet pool is located in the courtyard of Building 7B in the Ranchos section. This section sits between the Casitas and the Cabanas. It’s directly behind The Dig Site.
Each of the quiet pools at Coronado Springs has a laundry facility. So, if you need to do laundry, you might enjoy some time at the nearby quiet pool.
Related: Laundry Facilities at Coronado Springs
Cabanas Pool
Finally, the quiet pool at the Cabanas sits in front of building 8C. The Cabanas section sits between Ranchos and Gran Destino Tower. It is also exceptionally close to The Dig Site.
As mentioned earlier, Gran Destino Tower does not have a leisure pool. So, if you’re staying in the tower and would like to use a quiet pool, the Cabanas pool is the closest to your room.
Related: Gran Destino Tower Review
Final Thoughts
Overall, Coronado Springs has excellent pool options with plenty of recreational activities. As a result, it ranks high on our list of the best resort pools at Disney World.
Those planning a stay at Coronado Springs might enjoy our resort guide. It lists our coverage to date for the resort.
Or you might enjoy these other articles:
- Coronado Springs Resort Review (Our Stay in the Cabanas)
- Club Level at Gran Destino Tower Review
- Coronado Springs Transportation Guide
- Panchito’s Gift Shop at Coronado Springs
In the comments:
What are your thoughts on the pools at Coronado Springs? Do you prefer to hang out at a larger pool like The Dig Site area or one of the quiet pools?