Coronado Springs

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dsoup's picture
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Coronado Springs

So does like everyone who goes to WDW for a convention stay at Coronado Springs? There is definitely a different vibe to the guests there than any other hotel. Or did I just happen to be there at a weird time?

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It definitely feels more "business-y" than the other resorts. You'll find lots of conventioneers at Beach/Yacht, Boardwalk, and Grand Floridian, too. I think because CSR is kind of isolated, folks don't really have anywhere else to go during their time off (no time to get to a park, etc.).

The general vibe doesn't bother me too much, but it certainly doesn't give off that "innocent" "family" atmosphere that you get at someplace like Port Orleans Riverside...

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dsoup's picture
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Yeah I think it kind of 'kills the illusion' to have some dude smoking and trying to pick up chicks.

cdub's picture
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The atmosphere there is definitely different, but its also very reasonably priced, can be very convenient for people with special needs because of the easier car access and has some cool amenities.

Brad's picture
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Like the hammocks!

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It is a lot less Corporate then the Swan and Dolphin. One of my sisters was there with her husband. He was at a conference, she complained because everything was Disney in the gift shops and there really wasn't anything good to buy. I think she would have done better at the Dolphin, they have more "resorty" type shops.

Yeah, I think that because it is more isolated and a LOT of people at conventions don't know about the buses and Disney anyway. It's a bit weird.

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ILUVWDW wrote:

Yeah, I think that because it is more isolated and a LOT of people at conventions don't know about the buses and Disney anyway. It's a bit weird.

Yep. It's so sad. They really miss out. Then again, Disney World is so overwhelming when you're there for the first time I imagine it's easier to just stick to your conference and not spend the time figuring the place out during your 2-3 free hours... sad

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Can you imagine trying to do a little bit of "Disney-ing" when you didn't prepare and only have a tiny bit of spare time. I might not hang out at the bar looking unsavory and smoking, but I'd probably sit in my room and watch TV.

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That's why we have the site! They can just check in here and get a crash course!

MouseTraveler's picture
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One of the reasons there are so many "convention folks" there is that it is one of the few hotels on property that actually have convention facilities. Some of the others include the Contemporary and the Grand Floridian (I think). I believe there is also some convention space at the Yacht/Beach club.

I've coordinated three conventions at WDW, two at the Contemporary and one at the Coronado. Their convention facilities are second to none and if you need something, they practically get it to you before you ask.

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Wow, I knew that Coronado Springs had convention facilities, but I did not know that the Contemporary did. I've always sort of fantasized about staying at the Contemporary. Does it have the same "creepy" spillover as Coronado Springs?

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cdub wrote:
Wow, I knew that Coronado Springs had convention facilities, but I did not know that the Contemporary did. I've always sort of fantasized about staying at the Contemporary. Does it have the same "creepy" spillover as Coronado Springs?

Not to me, but I never noticed the "creepies" because a couple of times I WAS one of 'em! biggrin The Contemporary Convention facilities are in the big building to your right as you leave the main tower on the Resort Monorail run.

Here's some trivia for you. I first stayed in the Contemporary in 1974. There were five of us splitting a tower room, and the cost was around $30 a night.

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MouseTraveler wrote:

Not to me, but I never noticed the "creepies" because a couple of times I WAS one of 'em! biggrin

I doubt that very much. I think the description of the "creepies" have to do with people who don't really want to be in WDW, whereas that's quite obviously not the case with you!

MouseTraveler wrote:

Here's some trivia for you. I first stayed in the Contemporary in 1974. There were five of us splitting a tower room, and the cost was around $30 a night.

Was that on a business trip?

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MouseTraveler wrote:

Here's some trivia for you. I first stayed in the Contemporary in 1974. There were five of us splitting a tower room, and the cost was around $30 a night.

Was that on a business trip?

Nope, I was in college at the time. Strictly a 'monkey business' trip!

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Yeah, I was about to ask "What business sends you 5 to a room!??" until I realized that it was separate from the other discussion. silly

When did you organize your first convention there?

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Brad wrote:
Yeah, I was about to ask "What business sends you 5 to a room!??" until I realized that it was separate from the other discussion. silly

When did you organize your first convention there?


2000. It was a volunteer position for the group I was involved with. I told them I would organize the meetings IF I could pick the places to have them. There was all kinds of griping about having a "meeting at a theme park", but the facilities were SO good, and everyone had such a good time, we came back the next year to the Contemporary. We went back to Vegas the following year then returned to the Coronado Springs.

We also had a couple of board meetings over the years on Disney property, including one in Anaheim and another on board a three night DCL cruise. The cruise meeting was wonderful, because we'd meet from 8-12 in the morning, then do other things. We actually got more done than our normal meetings because we ate together, partied together and generally spent more time together than at a traditional meeting.

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MouseTraveler wrote:
We also had a couple of board meetings over the years on Disney property, including one in Anaheim and another on board a three night DCL cruise.


Are you looking for Board members? laugh PM me for a resume. awesome

Seriously, though, Coronado's facilities are excellent. I had to do a bit of work there on a past trip and was very impressed. Convention facilities are convention facilities, but they vary significantly based on quality of service. I imagine Disney's is top notch.

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MouseTraveler wrote:

2000. It was a volunteer position for the group I was involved with. I told them I would organize the meetings IF I could pick the places to have them. There was all kinds of griping about having a "meeting at a theme park", but the facilities were SO good, and everyone had such a good time, we came back the next year to the Contemporary. We went back to Vegas the following year then returned to the Coronado Springs.

Who would grip about having to go to WDW?!?

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Edward,

Have you ever priced the Grand Floridian vs. the Contemporary? Are they comparable, price wise, to hold events there? I think I'd prefer the Contemporary by far, but wonder if the Floridian would cost more.

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Brad wrote:
Edward,

Have you ever priced the Grand Floridian vs. the Contemporary? Are they comparable, price wise, to hold events there? I think I'd prefer the Contemporary by far, but wonder if the Floridian would cost more.

When we did our groups, the Floridian was higher both in a room cost and catering costs. The rooms were particularly higher. They would work a deal for the Contemporary because of it's age. I don't know particulars, but I remember we didn't even consider the Floridian seriously.

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I can't imagine why someone would pay more for the Floridian over the Contempo. It has inspired me to start a Grand Floridian vs. Contemporary thread. Maybe someone can explain it to me!

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Is there a point at which it would make sense to call your family gathering a "Convention?" How many people do you need before Disney starts giving you bulk discounts?

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Good question, and I don't know. I'd call their group office and ask them. With cruises you can do it with a relative small number, but I'm not sure about hotels.

If you do a group rate, always ask for the moon, including upgrades. Every convention I ever coordinated, I ended up with a suite, including a Concierge in the Contemporary twice. (Not because I was important, but because I made the decision and they want decision makers to be HAPPY!)

I'd simply call them and tell them you're looking at a family reunion in the Orlando area, and it could range from X number of rooms to X number. See what they say.

You might be surprised what they offer because Disney has a LOT of rooms to move in a very weird economy.

Another idea (which I never had much luck with) is to look around for groups that are holding THEIR meetings at Disney World. Most of the time, the reservations are made by the individual attendees, so if you found a good date and room rate, you could suddenly call up and be a part of that group.

"Yes, I'm Mr. Traveler, and I'm attending the Widget Design convention and would like the special rate".

Simple as that if you can find the right deal.

(BTW, I got chewed out on a board one time for this strategy because I was lying, blah, blah, blah. To be honest, to get a great rate at a great Disney hotel, I'll lie a little bit! pfffffffftttttttt!)

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dsoup's picture
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I bet with all the Disney nuts in cyber-space we could come up with a "convention" for every week!

cdub's picture
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We should make a "52 conventions" organization that just makes conventions for every week of the year and whoever's going then can attend.