Planning a trip to Walt Disney World can be fun, but also complicated — especially when you’re trying to choose between 25 resort hotels. If you’ve narrowed down your choices to these two resorts, how do you make your final selection?
Well, we’re here to walk you through the similarities AND differences between Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and Disney’s Port Orleans.
Whether cost, room size, location, pools, and/or restaurants are most important to you, we share the information that you’ll need to make an informed decision. After all, we want you to stay at the hotel that is best for your traveling party!
Let’s get started and look at all the details so that you can plan your Disney trip with confidence.
There’s no doubt that Disney vacations are expensive, and no one wants buyer’s remorse when it comes to what can usually be the most EXPENSIVE part of your Disney trip. We’ll dive deeper into the details of these resorts by breaking down our analysis into five categories:
- Common Ground
- Theme/Rooms
- Pools
- Food
- Transportation
It takes a lot of research to plan a Disney vacation, but we’re here to help.
Common Ground
When planning your Disney World vacation, Moderate Resorts can be a great option that won’t break the bank but offer up some larger rooms and more amenities than a Value Resort.
Before we mention their differences, let’s take a look at what Coronado Springs and Port Orleans have in common. First, both have a relaxed vibe with quality theming.
Each has a central lobby building with outer buildings housing the actual hotel rooms. These resorts are sprawling with multiple, internal bus stops. And these resorts also have the unique commonality (talk about an ironic statement — unique commonality!) that they both have two accommodation options.
Port Orleans has two distinct districts, Riverside and French Quarter which offer Moderate accommodations and a variety of Cajun theming.
Coronado Springs also has two accommodations options, the Casitas, Ranchos, and Cabanas, situated around the Lago Dorado water mass and the Gran Destino Tower.
But what about the cost per night? These moderate resorts have similar price points!
For Coronado Springs Resort, starting at $290 per night for the cheapest room at the cheapest time to visit. The range goes aaaaalllll the way up to $2028 per night for the most expensive room (the Executive Suite) at the most expensive time to visit. Please note that these estimates do not account for any tax or current discounts.
For Port Orleans Resort, that means that for the cheapest room at the cheapest time to visit, you can expect to pay around $278 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts), and it goes up to $555 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts) for the most expensive rooms at the most expensive time to visit.
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Theme/Rooms
Coronado Springs and Port Orleans – Riverside exude a relaxing atmosphere with nicely done theming.
As much as these resorts have in common, there are some distinct differences.
Port Orleans
Sweet Magnolia! Let the Louisiana-inspired hospitality charm you while exploring this vast resort. In fact, the resort is so large that it’s split into two sections. The French Quarter has all of the charm of New Orleans. Riverside is the larger of the two districts and is split into two sections: Alligator Bayou (swampy setting) and Magnolia Bend (stately mansions).
The atmosphere of Port Orleans is absolutely a winning attribute, helping guests to relax and refuel in a space that’s rustic and comfortable.
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Food
Park days can be exhausting. Whether you’re taking a whole day to enjoy your resort, or you are relaxing after a shopping excursion at Disney Springs, once you’re at your Disney World hotel, you might not want to get back on a bus or boat for nourishment. So, you’ll want to know about the best options at your Disney World resort.
Take a look at the menus and decide which resort has the food that best suits your family.
Port Orleans
Port Orleans – Riverside offers a variety of southern-themed food choices. Port Orleans – Riverside and Port Orleans – French Quarter are connected to each other with a walking path, so you can eat at either resort’s locations and get your fill of southern and New Orleans-inspired meals.
Boatwright’s Dining Hall is Riverside’s hidden gem of a Table Service restaurant, open every evening for dinner. The cajun-inspired menu is perfectly themed to its setting, and the Jambalaya is a hit!
Stop here for southern hospitality and a sit-down meal!
Muddy Rivers Pool Bar can be found by Ol’ Man Island swimming pool and serves up cool and refreshing cocktails and mocktails.
When you’re relaxing at the pool, you can also get light fare at Muddy Rivers.
Riverside Mill Food Court features Counter Service classics along with a few Southern-inspired dishes, all with a view of a 32-foot water wheel through the window. The Riverside Mill has great curb appeal with its blue exterior and long front porch.
You’ll find several windows or stations offering a wide variety of options for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. We’ve eaten here many times before, and the variety and quality have typically been pretty top-notch for a hotel food court.
Riverside Mill offers lots of atmospheric charm in addition to a pretty tasty menu!
River Roost Lounge is a great spot to grab a drink any evening and offers a menu of hearty eats as well. Here you can get light bites and some classic New Orleans cocktails.
This is a charming place to relax with a beverage!
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Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory serves up Resort food court classics like burgers, pizza, and chicken nuggets. But New Orleans-inspired cuisine is well represented with selections like Po’ Boy sandwiches, Jambalaya, and Shrimp & Grits.
Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory is open for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Scat Cat’s Club Cafe is dedicated to serving up a unique-to-the-Resort favorite: Beignets!
Scat Cat’s Club — Cafe is open from early morning (Beignets for BREAKFAST!) to late at night.
Scat Cat’s Club Lounge serves up drinks, live jazz, and more! On select evenings, guests can listen to live jazz musicians while sipping on specialty cocktails.
Though hours may vary, Scat Cat’s Club — Lounge is typically open at 5PM in the evening through midnight. Live music starts at 7:30PM on Fridays through Sundays.
Mardi Grogs Pool Bar — where the name says it all! Enjoy drinks by Doubloon Lagoon, the Mardi Gras-themed pool.
Though hours may vary, Mardi Grogs is typically open at 11AM and through the evenings.
Coronado Springs Resort
Settle in, friends… because we’re about to explore the 10 dining options at Coronado Springs Resort!
El Mercado de Coronado is the primary Quick Service option at Coronado Springs. While a bit of Tex-Mex fare is available in the form of Nachos and Sante Fe Chicken sandwiches, you may be surprised to see find plenty of pasta and flatbreads up for grabs, too.
You can enjoy your meal right there in the roomy dining area, or choose one of many grab-and-go options like an entrée salad or sandwich.
The fantastic dessert bar tends to fly under the radar, but the cupcakes and cronuts are well worth a look (and taste!). Adults can even pick up a layered Fiesta Margarita here!
Next door, Café Rix also offers an above-par selection of pastries for breakfast, and you can grab a specialty coffee to start your day.
Coronado Springs is home to several Table Service restaurants. Maya Grill serves authentic Mexican fare for dinner (which you can enjoy with a tequila or margarita flight).
Rix Sports Bar & Grill is a casual spot where you can grab some great pub grub (don’t miss the WATCHOS) while you take in the big game on one of its bajillion TV screens.
It was love at first site when the lovely Three Bridges Bar & Grill at Villa del Lago opened to deliver ON-the-water dining to Coronado Springs!
This shaded, open-air restaurant serves up sharable plates along with full entrees like Steak Frites. Or you can simply enjoy a crafted cocktail or a glass or two of house-made sangria.
(Pssst… did you know that you can also earn your Sangria Diploma here? It’s true!)
Casual outdoor lounges include Siestas Cantina, located at the Dig Site pool area. (You can also grab a bite to eat here, too.) Laguna Bar is a small but charming waterfront bar that also serves up some of the eats from Rix Sports Bar & Grill.
But we’re not done yet…
Barcelona Lounge is a stunner of a space, located on the lobby level of Gran Destino Tower.
It serves as an espresso bar by day, and a gin bar by night (though other spirits and wines are also on offer).
Travel all the way up to the rooftop’s Dahlia Lounge to enjoy tapas, Spanish wines, and crafted cocktails in an upscale setting complete with fantastic views.
Those rooftop views extend to the gem that is Toledo — Tapas, Steak & Seafood.
Guests can expect cuisine inspired by Spain at this Signature restaurant, including seafood and steak options. Small plates and House Boards (charcuterie and cheese) are plated in an on-stage tapas kitchen. Wine lovers should take note that 80% of its vintages on the extensive wine list are from Spain.
Truly, it’s almost an embarrassment of riches when it comes to dining at Coronado Springs Resort.
Click HERE for our Complete Guide to Eating at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort!
Results
Port Orleans has all of the dining options at both Riverside & French Quarter, not to mention the easy access (via boat) to Disney Springs.
Still, when you do a resort-to-resort comparison, it’s no contest. The win goes to Coronado Springs Resort for its sheer variety, food quality, GORGEOUS settings, and wide range of pricing options from casual to upscale. In fact, not only does Coronado Springs win out in a food contest over Port Orleans Resort. These days, Coronado Springs can hold its own against Deluxe Resorts when it comes to offering true destination dining in Disney World.
The Complete Guide to Eating at Disney’s Coronado Springs
Transportation
So, what happens when you want to explore things OUTSIDE of your Resort? Just like all Disney Resort hotels, free transportation is provided to all four Disney World theme parks and Disney Springs at both Resorts. But there is another MAJOR difference to explore…
Port Orleans
If you’re planning to visit the parks, you’ll have to use the Disney bus transportation system for all of those needs. And though Port Orleans isn’t as close to Disney Springs as Saratoga and Old Key West are, there is boat transportation that’ll take you over to the shopping district and access to all of those restaurants!
Otherwise, you’re limited to taking the bus — a bus that’s shared sometimes with Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter.
Coronado Springs Resort
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, meanwhile, simply offers bus service.
And, due to the fact that the nearest park is Disney’s Animal Kingdom, that means you can expect longer rides times to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Magic Kingdom.
Find our Guide to Disney World Transportation HERE
Results
Again, this is an easy win…. But this time, that win goes to Port Orleans Resort, because that boat service to Disney Springs seals the deal!
Find our Guide to Disney World Transportation HERE
The Winner!
So, where do we think you should stay? Sorry, that decision has to be up to you. Port Orleans swept the Pool and Transportation categories. The options to access the pools at both French Quarter and Riverside provide a plethora of cool, relaxing options. And a chill boat ride down the Sassagoula Waterway to Disney Springs locked in the Transportation category.
Coronado Springs won the Room/Theme and Food categories. The posh options in the Gran Destino Tower and all of that on-site dining really make Coronado Springs stand out as a whole vacation destination by itself!
But really, that decision comes down to you. Which resort will you choose?
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Would you rather stay at Caribbean Beach or Coronado Springs? Please let us know with a comment!
Emma says
You forgot Rachos and Cabanas as Coronado. It has 4 areas.
Kevin c says
Thank you so much for this very very informative article. Or family with a 3 year old are contemplating these very two hotels for a two in a month
Karen Lee Callen says
Such a tough decision. We are going for 10 nights. I am thinking of splitting the time between the two resorts
Kevin c says
So we ended up visiting both resorts at the begining of the year.
Port Orleans – Grounds are beautiful. Very Disney themed and tons to eat, see, playground, huge pool and the ferry to disney springs!!! If your going with kids, i’d choose Port Orleans hands down.
Coronado Springs – More modern, but convention center feel. Not as much in terms of things the children will enjoy other than the pool and a small playground area. I’d say it caters more to adults, couples, whom are looking for a quieter , more secluded experience away from the busy-ness of the parks. It is a modern and more spread out resort though.