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Suite Surrender

By Kevin Wing
Host, Suite Surrender: America’s Best Resorts

Suite Surrender

(Editor’s Note: Suite Surrender, showcasing America’s best hotel and resort destinations, is written exclusively for AARisings by Kevin Wing, a two-time Emmy Award-winning San Francisco Bay Area television journalist who is with NBC Bay Area/KNTV. Kevin also authors another AARisings column, Beach Trip, which highlights the best-loved beaches in the country. Kevin's new show, Catch a Wave, debuts in 2010. He is also writing a children’s book, of which he hopes will be published in late 2010. In this edition of Suite Surrender, Kevin returns to Florida to showcase two of Walt Disney World's resort hotels, the BoardWalk Inn and the Coronado Springs Resort.))

As I write this, I think of Florida, the only place in the nation right now where the Arctic cold snap is not plunging temperatures to freezing or below-freezing. Yes, we Californians are a little spoiled. When we have to endure more than a few days' straight of freezing temperatures, well, we forget for a moment how much colder it is in other parts of America this time of year, like the Northeast or states like Minnesota or Wisconsin.

Although Florida is, at press time, contending with a few days of scattered rain, the temperatures in the Sunshine State are in the 70s and 80s. How about the mid-80s, like it's been in Miami Beach, for instance. Saying that, whenever it's winter in California, I think longingly of being someplace warm. Without having to travel out of the U.S., Florida is the place right now.

Which brings me to one of my favorite vacation destinations -- central Florida. Yes, if you've been reading Suite Surrender for the last three years, you know how much I adore Walt Disney World. As a native Californian, I grew up on Disneyland. And no place can ever replace Disneyland. I say this because, to put it simply, one cannot compare the Disneyland of California with the Walt Disney World of Florida. It's an unfair comparison. Both destinations have their charm. But, Walt Disney World has so much more to see and do. The massive Disney enclave is much like its own city. At 43 square miles, it's roughly the same geographic size as the city of San Francisco. For a place like Walt Disney World, that's a lot of territory to explore. But, if you like Disney like I do, it's well worth it.

Of course, Walt Disney World is known for the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, the Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney-MGM Studios), Animal Kingdom, the Downtown Disney shopping and entertainment district and a plethora of other attractions which include Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, two water slide parks. WDW is also known for its numerous resort hotels, which are located within the WDW boundaries.

For the purposes of brevity, we are only focusing on two WDW resort hotels for this column -- the BoardWalk Inn and the Coronado Springs Resort. Both are owned and operated by Disney. The BoardWalk Inn is more on the higher end of the cost scale. The Coronado Springs Resort is more affordable.

Let's begin with the Coronado Springs Resort. It's a Southwest-themed hotel destination. It opened in the mid-1990s and is one of WDW's most popular hotel resorts. Disney has thought of everything as far as scenery and ambience are concerned. Coronado Springs is situated on the shores of Lago Dorado, a beautiful 22-acre lake. If you like the feel of the Southwest, this is the place for you. I've stayed here two or three times, and I've loved it every single time.

Coronado Springs is close to Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom theme parks. There are more than 1,900 rooms here, which are separated into three themed areas. The Casitas offer an urban terra-cotta paradise. The rustic Ranchos resemble charming Southwestern pueblos. Cabanas provide a quaint beachfront retreat complete with cozy hammocks. There's something for everyone.

The cornerstone of the resort is the Dig Site, which features a Mayan-period pyramid and a large, sprawling pool. For business travelers -- yes, even when you're having fun at WDW, you might also be there for business -- Coronado Springs also offers more than 220,000 square feet of conference and meeting space.

Coronado Springs has many amenities, including a full-service restaurant, a food court (so many choices!), a nightclub, numerous snack bars and more. You can also rent a bike here and take a stroll around Lago Dorado.

WDW considers Coronado Springs a moderately-priced resort. If money's a little tight but you don't want to give up ambience and a quality place to stay during your WDW vacation, the Coronado Springs Resort is the place for you, a place for two, and a place for families.

Now to the BoardWalk Inn, another fine WDW resort hotel that Disney considers a deluxe resort. Yes, that means that room rates here may be nearly double that of what you would pay at the Coronado Springs. But, it's well worth it, and another nice place to stay. I've stayed here three or four times through the years, and I've never been disappointed.

The BoardWalk Inn, like all WDW resorts, has its own unique theme. Picture 1940s Atlantic City. And its boardwalk. That's what Disney has done in only one way Disney knows how. It's over the top -- but there's nothing wrong with that. You will undoubtedly enjoy your stay here.

The resort is situated on the shores of crystal-clear Crescent Lake, and is within walking distance of the side entry points to the EPCOT theme park. It's also a short boat ride to Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Like the Coronado Springs, there is a lot to explore here at the BoardWalk Inn. It's an attraction in and of itself. Imagine a Coney Island-style boardwalk, because that's what it is. Plenty of amusements. Places where you can buy salt water taffy, or where your kids can get their faces painted. Yes, it's much like the atmosphere and aura of a bustling, colorful carnival.

The rooms at the BoardWalk Inn are either standard (parking lot, main entrance to the resort) or have water views of Crescent Lake. You can choose from a standard room to a suite or even a cottage. And the cottages have charming front yards with white picket fences.

Located on the Boardwalk are four full-service restaurants -- along with bars, clubs and lounges -- and the ever-popular ESPN Club.

Everything that you can imagine from a carnival atmosphere is here for your enjoyment and entertainment. Ride a Surrey bike with your family or friends around Crescent Lake. Steer clear of pedestrians on the Boardwalk -- of course, all you have to do is ring the bell on your handlebar. There are also midway games, two swimming pools (including a themed pool for the kids, the crowning glory of which is a huge water slide anchored by the face of a clown) and opportunities for boating on the lake and the waterways which stretch between the Boardwalk and Disney's Hollywood Studios.

So, if you're looking at visiting Walt Disney World in the near future, the BoardWalk Inn and the Coronado Springs Resort are my two picks for you. You will enjoy your vacation at either resort.

How to get there: Unless you're renting a car at Orlando International Airport, the best way to get to Walt Disney World is via shuttle services. Mears is the best one. With the Disney TransPort shuttle bus network connecting you with every Disney resort hotel with every Disney attraction, the only reason to rent a car would be if your vacation included more than just a visit to WDW. A Mears shuttle, for example, will whisk you to WDW from the airport in about 30 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic along Florida's Turnpike or Interstate 4, which traverses through WDW from the airport.

Next time from Suite Surrender: A visit to one of the many resorts of California's Napa Valley.

To learn more about the new Suite Surrender and Catch a Wave television shows, podcasts and Kevin Wing, go to www.KevinWing.com. You can e-mail Kevin and the Suite Surrender crew at Kevin@KevinWing.com.

Suite Surrender. Where the Destination is Paradise.
Copyright 2009
All Rights Reserved
Kevin Wing / Toby Dog Productions
Issue 8 / December 2009

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Photo used by permission courtesy of Kevin Wing. Photo copyright by Kevin Wing.