If you’ve been researching resorts for a Walt Disney World vacation over the past few years, you know that DIsney’s Caribbean Beach and Disney’s Coronado Springs have been undergoing extensive renovations. We all know what that means: construction and everything that comes with it –noise, dust, closures, and a generally unmagical time.

But like a beautiful butterfly emerging from its cocoon, both of these resorts have emerged in a new, reinvigorated form! Not only is it now safe to stay at these resorts again, they’re even better than before!

Hard Times at Coronado Springs

Coronado Springs didn’t have a lot of intrusive refurbishment compared to Caribbean Beach (more on that later), but that didn’t mean it wasn’t disruptive; recreation areas were closed, construction on the lake was an eyesore for waterfront rooms…

…and then there was the tower being built in the middle of the resort. All of this was part of an ambitious project to update and re-theme Coronado Springs for a more modern, adult audience. The results have been very impressive.

The Rise of the Gran Destino

Now out of refurbishment, the new Coronado Springs Resort has a more understated Mexican theme with some classic and modern Spanish influences.  The biggest highlight is the new Gran Destino Tower, a 15-story marvel that can be seen across the entire resort.

The tower takes its name and inspiration from Destino, a short film collaboration between Walt Disney and Salvador Dali that began in 1945. The project was abandoned due to financial troubles following World War II, only to be completed by Disney animators in 2003. While not as surreal as a Dali painting, the tower is still a work of whimsical art.

A new building also comes with new dining options. Guests can start and end their day in the elegant Barcelona Lounge, which serves both breakfast pastries and artisanal cocktails. The star attraction, however, has got to be Tolédo — Tapas, Steak, & Seafood. Named for the Spanish city beloved by avant-garde writers and artists in the 1920s and 30s, Tolédo specializes in tapas, steak, and seafood, all served in a rooftop restaurant with breathtaking views of the fireworks.

Of course, a new hotel building is only as good as its rooms, and Gran Destino delivers. The new tower has the most up-to-date rooms of any Disney Resort, including a new smart TV system that offers on-demand movies, PhotoPass, vacation planning tools, and the ability to stream content via Chromecast, directly from your mobile device. Now you can binge new episodes of The Mandalorian from your suite!

We would be remiss, however, if we didn’t talk about the other improvements to the resort. After all, the entire complex has been given a fresh coat of paint, literally and figuratively. The main lobby has undergone a total revamp, with new decor, new outfits for Cast Members, and a new tablet-based check in system. Pepper Market has also been updated to El Mercado de Coronado, a new quick service location that replaces the whimsical vibe of its predecessor with something more neutral. Don’t worry though, the menu hasn’t drastically changed, so you can still get your favorite rice bowls.

Out on the water, the Three Bridges Bar and Grill at Villa Del Lago is another new table service experience that’s a bit more casual than Tolédo. If you’re craving a burger or some classic street food, you can cozy up in the outdoor seating at this restaurant built over Lago Dorado while enjoying nighttime views of the Tower.

Other upgrades include refurbishments to the Dig Site recreational area (including the pool), updated rooms across the resort, and an improved bus area with dedicated stops for each park. The new Coronado Springs is a bit more understated than its Southwest-inspired previous incarnation, but it still maintains some Disney charm with a touch of Spanish and Mexican class.

Caribbean Beach Bummer

Despite its dramatic transformation, Coronado Springs wasn’t massively disrupted by its renovation. It wasn’t a pleasant experience compared to other resorts, but you still generally had the accommodations you’d expect of a moderate Disney Resort, since construction was mostly focused on the new tower and restaurant, with rolling refurbishment taking place elsewhere. At Caribbean Beach, things were… not so great.

Caribbean Beach was hit with a triple whammy. First, it was chosen to be the hub for the new Disney Skyliner gondola system, which meant it was at the heart of a multi-resort and -park infrastructure project. Still, that was the least of the resort’s worries because an enormous chunk of real estate was about to be eaten up by the new Riviera Resort.

Two whole sections of the resort, with accompanying accommodations, were wiped off the map to make way for the new addition, leaving Caribbean Beach with reduced capacity. To make matters even worse, Disney decided this would be the perfect time to renovate Old Port Royale, the resort’s lobby and the home of its main dining and retail options.

All of this makes sense from a planning perspective: if you do the major construction all at once, it minimizes disruption for guests over time. The only issue is that it is not fun being a guest during these multi-layered construction projects. The only dining options on-site were a tented buffet, a food truck, and some temporary markets in unused hotel rooms. Want to pick up some souvenirs or sunscreen? Your only on site option is a merchandise truck from Hollywood Studios. With the disruption, the noise, and the sub-par accommodations, it was bad enough for Disney to start compensating guests with $25 gift cards for every night of their stay.

The Beach Takes Off!

However, a long period of turmoil inevitably leads to a massive transformation, and Caribbean Beach has blossomed in the wake of its renovations. The star attraction is obviously the Skyliner, which despite some early hiccups, has proven to be a beloved new addition to the World. Getting to Epcot and Hollywood Studios is as easy as boarding a gondola now, and since the Skyliner terminal is at the International Gateway, you’re right next to Boardwalk and the Yacht and Beach Club as well. While it lacks the prestige of being on the Magic Kingdom Monorail loop, it offers a level of convenience and value that may even be more appealing to some guests.

Of course, the resort itself has also seen some vast improvements. Old Port Royale has seen some major changes; enough that it might qualify as New Port Royale at this point. Gone is the crowded and cramped lobby and simulated outdoor facades. Instead, the new lobby features decor inspired by a beachside villa, for a more traditional lobby experience. You’ll have plenty of room to stretch out here without having to worry about tripping over a Pin Trading kiosk or a T-Shirt rack.

The new lobby also features a renovated Calypso Market, providing everything you need for your sub-tropical getaway. Centertown Market is a refreshed quick service restaurant serving up interesting takes on Caribbean flavors. Alas, the previous table service location, Shutters, did not survive the refurbishment, but the new table service locale, Sebastian’s Bistro, brings a level of class and tasty bites to the resort.

Next door is the new pool bar, Banana Cabana (which we dare you to say five times fast). Serving as the lounge for Sebastian’s, this laid back cabana serves much of the table service restaurant’s menu, alongside plenty of tropical drinks to enjoy by the pool.

Finally, since Caribbean Beach is so enormous, even at its reduced size, there’s a second quick service location onsite. Spyglass Grill has some overlap with Centertown Market but also offers unique offerings in a much more scenic location. Be sure to check it out if you’re staying near the Trinidad section.

The new Caribbean Beach Resort has the same laid back island feel as before but with some updated accommodations and a lot more convenience. If you’re a fan of Hollywood Studios and Epcot, Caribbean Beach should be near the top of your list when it comes to resort selection.

The Circle of Life (and Refurbishment)

So now that Caribbean Beach and Coronado Springs are no longer at the bottom of the list, which resorts should you avoid? That’s always going to be a complicated question, since there’s no such thing as a bad Disney resort. Everyone has different needs and preferences. Even during the height of construction, Caribbean Beach and Coronado Springs were the right choices for a lot of families.

Instead, your best bet is to keep an eye on our refurbishment and closures tracker to see if your preferred resort is undergoing some major changes, like the multi-month renovation of the Big Blue Pool at Art of Animation. The tracker also keeps an eye on attractions and water parks, so you can plan ahead well in advance.

Still, we’d like to hear your thoughts on the matter. What resorts do you think deserve a skip right now and in the near future? What could be done to improve them? Which resort is your absolute favorite so you’ll stay there even with construction? We’re always keeping an eye out for your comments, so keep them coming!