Get Your Diploma at Sangria University at Coronado Springs

 by Beth Keating

Review

DisneyBizJournal.com

July 27, 2023

 

Between my husband, my kids, and myself, we have a total of 14 diplomas under our belts. What we didn’t have was a diploma from Sangria University at Three Bridges Bar and Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs. We set out to remedy that situation a few weekends ago. And it was a blast!

Three Bridges Bar and Grill is one of our favorite haunts at Disney World, and it serves as your open-air classroom for this interactive, 90-minute workshop. Three Bridges is located in the center of Lago Dorado at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, with beautiful views of the lake and a cool breeze coming through the venue.

Sangria University is relatively inexpensive on the Disney scale, with a $59.00 fee for each participant.  (While the class is designed for those 21 and over, kids are welcome and will get a non-alcoholic version of the set-up, but the kids will pay full price. Sooooo, probably best to find an alternate activity for them. They aren’t going to find the lesson nearly as interesting as you will.)   

 

The $59.00 “tuition” might seem a little pricey at first, but considering that your starter flight is the same flight that is on the regular Three Bridges evening menu for $22.00, and you also get a plate of the house-made guac and chips (which usually runs $12.00 on the bar’s menu), and you also get the fixings for creating your own personalized libation, the class is a pretty good deal. Plus, it is enormously fun.

When you check in at Three Bridges for your class, you’ll be escorted to your preassigned table, where you’ll find your supplies for Sangria University already set-up for you, including your flight of sangria, ingredients for your custom sangria, and snacks. When everyone has arrived, your “Sangria Professor” will take over, sharing the history of sangria and imparting some fun lessons on the beverage creation process, and teaching you about the different flavor profiles, alcohols, and their origins in your included sangria flight.  (With a little tie-in to Disney history as well!)

In case you don’t know much about sangria heading into the class, you’ll start out enjoying a selection of varied choices that your “Sangria Professor” will walk through with you, describing their compositions and pedigrees along the way.  There are four sangrias in the curated flight offered on the Three Bridges restaurant menu, and you’ll receive all four of those selections during your class, including:

 

• Espumoso (Sparkling) Sangria: Freixenet Blanc de Blancs Brut Cava, Peach Liqueur, and Lemon.

• Blanco (White) Sangria: Macabeo Wine, Torres Magdala Naranjas del Mediterráneo, St. Germain Elderflower, Passion Fruit, and Lemon.

• Rosado (Rosé) Sangria: Garnacha Rosé Wine, Cruzan Mango Rum, SKYY Infusions Citrus Vodka, and Desert Pear

• Tinto (Red) Sangria: Garnacha Wine, Torres Magdala Naranjas del Mediterráneo, and Orange.

 

Next, they will turn you loose to create a custom drink infused with your own preferences.  And that’s where the fun really begins.  You’ll choose the wine and liquors you would like to add to your personal sangria, and in addition to the provided (free) choices, you’ll have an opportunity to include other premium liquors, starting at $5.00. You’ll add a few fruit embellishments, too. You can design your drink at your leisure, adding and enhancing as you see fit.

 

My husband and I both started with Rosé wine, but while I added an included apricot brandy, he opted to scale up to vanilla vodka and mango rum for the small additional charge.  It was nice, but still lacking a little something, so he added the provided strawberry puree and fresh strawberries, and declared it a lovely, sweet summertime libation.  I started with just my Rosé and apricot brandy, and added a bit of fruit, a little at a time. And with each addition, the drink became a completely different flavor.  

The oranges went in first. The drink had a very strong citrusy scent, and it was still light without being overly sweet.  Next went in the raspberries, which made the drink prettier, but didn’t change the flavor at all.  There was a shot glass of lemonade among the supplies on the table, so we thought, “Why not?”  and added the lemonade. It brightened the glass, and we thought it was a good selection, and a drink we’d enjoy making again.  The lemonade mellowed the citrus out a bit.  About halfway through the glass, though, we decided to add the strawberry puree, and the drink really came together, with a completely different taste yet again.  This time is was fruity and sweeter, and a perfect summer afternoon treat.  We liked the final iteration of the drink, and decided to stop there.

 

At the end of the session, after you’ve created and sampled your own special drink, you’ll receive your “Certificate of Mastery” declaring you a “Sangria Sommelier,” plus a few printed sangria flight recipes to take home. Go ahead and frame your certificate if you’d like, and see how many people pick it out amongst the other diplomas on the wall!

 

Sangria University is a popular event, and is offered at Coronado Springs on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m., and books up quickly. We were able to reserve our spots about six weeks out from our class. You pay for your seat in advance, and can register on the My Disney Experience app, or on the Disney website on the Enchanting Extras reservations page.

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Beth Keating is a theme parks, restaurant and entertainment reporter for DisneyBizJournal.

Unexpected Ambience at Maya Grill

 by Beth Keating

Review

DisneyBizJournal.com

November 9, 2022

 

We’ve eaten at most of the dining establishments at Disney World’s Coronado Springs over the years. Coronado, despite its high incidence of convention attendees and a more business-like appearance, has always been one of our favorite resorts, even though it really lacks any overt “Disney theming.”  Rather, it has a more subdued atmosphere, with soft music playing throughout the resort, and gorgeous southwestern colors everywhere, from the muted desert tones of the Casitas and Rancho buildings, to the jeweled tones of the newer Gran Destino Tower. The sizable center lake, “Lago Dorado,” also adds to the charm and peacefulness of the Resort.

The one restaurant we hadn’t visited yet was the Maya Grill, a “grand Mexican dining room featuring ancient-modern styling and Nuevo Latino cuisines.”  With the enticing sunset water views of Coronado’s Three Bridges Bar & Grill a stroll away, we just hadn’t made it over to Maya Grill before COVID closures, and sadly, Maya took a while to reopen.

 

The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere, with terra cotta colored walls, southwestern theming that gives a “pyramid” kind of vibe, fire and sun motifs, and grand columns soaring to the ceiling.  The restaurant is a good size, but feels “homey” because the dining areas are sectioned off into smaller “room” type groupings. 

 

An unexpected bonus was the live guitar music during our meal.  The musician was really good, and we didn’t realize initially that the music was live until the guitar player strolled around the corner toward our little section of the dining room.  He shared a mix of popular and Disney tunes while walking around, even singing birthday greetings to guests at a nearby table.

Maya Grill’s menu leans Tex-Mex, and has a plethora of unique cocktails and specialty drinks, including, of course, a selection of tequilas.  For our appetizer, we went with the Empanada de Barbacoa ($15.00), a serving of two empanadas filled with Barbacoa beef, and topped with Ranchero sauce, Mexican crema and Cotija cheese.  A side of street corn relish accompanied the empanadas.  The empanadas were warm and fresh, just a bit of a bite from the Barbacoa, which was delicious, and the empanada dough was firm rather than flaky. The little crescents were not in the least bit greasy, which sometimes happens with fried dough.  They were just the right size for an appetizer, a smidge bigger than bite-sized, but not too large to interfere with the main course.  They were just shy of “crunchy” (but in a good way), and the Ranchero sauce alternated with the coolness of the crema.

 

For our entrées, we chose the Traditional Taco Salad ($18.75) and the Baja Fish Tacos ($25.00). 

The taco salad was served in an edible crispy tortilla shell, filled with greens, nacho beef, Monterey Jack cheese, bell peppers, black olives, Mexican crema, and a lovely avocado dressing.  It was an excellent salad, if somewhat lacking in dimension.  There wasn’t much variety to the salad, as it was primarily greens with a layer of spiced meat and dressing. The taco meat had a hint of a kick, but still gentle enough for those who might be spice adverse. After digging down into the salad, we discovered the black olives hiding on a bottom layer, and two lone strips of red peppers. The olives added a nice, salty component, and gave the salad a bit of earthiness. After reading the salad description when we got home, though, we wondered if parts of the salad had been left out of our assembly, since the ingredients list also claimed “avocado and pico de gallo,” which definitely didn’t make an appearance in our salad.  That being said, we would order this salad again, but it would be improved with a touch more variety, maybe something along the order of black beans? Of course, if the few ingredients were indeed missing from our salad, that could have changed the depth of the flavor, too. The tortilla bowl itself was freshly made, warm and not at all oily, and made for a nice crunch along with the greens.

The Baja Fish Tacos were a big hit.  Incredibly soft tortillas were filled with Tempura battered cod that was light and tender, with a crunchy outer breading. The rest of the taco was filled out with shredded cabbage, and a Chipotle lime aioli and pineapple relish that gave a nice sweet and spicy mix to the sauces.  The lime brightened the dish, and the fruit accompaniment in the tacos created a great flavor mix with each bite.  The Esquites that accompanied the tacos was a unique side dish, a bit crumbly, yet with a smooth flavor that was, at the same time, sweet yet tangy.  

 

We finished off our meal with a fun choice, the Fried Baby Churros ($10.00).  The tiny little bite sized churros were served warm and crispy (without being either too hard or too soggy), and had a high quality vanilla ice cream melting its way into the crevices of the churros.  The combination of the warm churro and melty ice cream, along with caramel dulce sauce drizzled over the top, was a yummy combination.  Strong and comforting cinnamon tones were a nice end to dinner.  

We’re sorry to say that we simply waited too long to visit this restaurant, tucked away down the end of a hallway at Coronado.  Most guests may not even realize it’s there. Between the excellent food, the delightful music and warm ambiance, and an attentive and friendly cast member as our waitress, we had a great experience, and will definitely be back to visit again.

 

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Beth Keating is a theme parks, restaurant and entertainment reporter for DisneyBizJournal.

Where Should You Eat at Disney If Not Ready to Eat Indoors During COVID?

 by Beth Keating

Review

DisneyBizJournal.com

March 2, 2021

 

The pictures on the evening news might have you thinking that everyone is smiling happily, and returning to eating out at restaurants following COVID lockdowns. Despite what your TV might be telling you, not everyone is ready to head indoors and dine at their favorite restaurant. A lot of us are still bringing take-out home, and cooking from scratch in our own kitchens.

 

On a recent non-vacation journey to central Florida, we found ourselves trying to figure out how to eat dinner each day without resorting to a week’s worth of drive-thru food eaten in the comfort of our car.  Here’s a list of some of the dining choices that we discovered at Disney that allowed us to have dinner, comfortably seated outdoors, adequately socially distanced, and without needing theme park passes.

 

Geyser Point, Wilderness Lodge:  This was one of our two favorite choices on Disney property. Seated near the shores of Bay Lake, we were able to dine under an open air roof, watching the boats ferrying guests back and forth to the theme parks. The chairs were super comfortable, and some guests were even seated on cushioned couches and low coffee tables. Big screen TVs played varying sports, and the menu was casual, yet delicious. Think rustic National Parks lodge motif. We were seated at the very edge of the roofline, along the line of shrubbery, and with the more-than-adequate distance between tables, we were almost able to feel like we were dining in a garden overlooking the water.  QR codes provided the means to access the menu from our phone. We’d definitely head back to this relaxing locale again. And probably will, as the food was terrific! 

 

Three Bridges Bar and Grill, Coronado Springs: A similar open-sided design to Geyser Point, Three Bridges is out in the middle of the lake, connected by – shocker- three bridges. Décor is southwestern, with seating again on comfy couches, or wooden tables. The open air restaurant gets great breezes from the lake, and is particularly pretty at night when the lights from the tower reflect off the water.  Staff here was especially attentive, checking temperatures on the way in to the restaurant, offering small plates to rest your mask on, and parking hand sanitizer stations near all the entrances and bathrooms. QR codes again accessed the menu from your phone for less physical contact.  And the food was excellent, too!  This was the overall winner in our central Florida dining experience.  See our dining review here.

 

D-Luxe Burger, Disney Springs: D-Luxe Burger is a quick-serve restaurant that is hooked in to Disney’s mobile order system.  Using your My Disney Experience app, or by pulling up the app using your phone and the QR code at the restaurant, staff interaction is kept to a minimum.  Order your food online, pick it up at the counter when it’s ready, and pick a seat at the umbrella tables outside on the dock. We dined here in the late afternoon, when Disney Springs crowds were low. We chose a table overlooking the blue springs, and were able to enjoy the scenery while we ate. While we were the only ones seated at the dockside umbrella tables at that hour, it is possible that on a busy night, your distancing might be a little less “distanced” than you’d prefer. All in all, the burgers were good, the shakes even better, and it was a solid choice for eating outdoors.

The Polite Pig, Disney Springs: The Polite Pig doesn’t have nearly as much space, or as many tables, for eating outdoors as some of the other options at Disney Springs due to its location near a central walkway, but the food is so good and the tables turn over so quickly that if you pass by at an opportune time and see some open spaces, it’s worth the stop!  The mac and cheese is a solid choice for a side (we actually brought some back to the hotel room to eat), and the coffee-rubbed brisket was worth writing home about.  There’s even an outdoor bar, should you be so inclined after a hard day’s work… or park hopping.

 

The BOATHOUSE, Disney Springs: If you are feeling a little more upscale, The BOATHOUSE offers outside dining on a dock overlooking Lake Buena Vista where you can watch the amphicars plying the waterways. They have a brand new Sunday brunch as well, and are known for their extraordinarily fresh selection of seafood, especially for their oysters.

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, Disney Springs: This little place in Disney Springs has been a favorite for our family on several occasions, mainly because of the kitschy “Indiana Jones” and “Star Wars” tie-ins. They have outdoor seating right on the water, and they are typically open late so you can grab a bite after you get done with meetings – or the theme parks! 

 

These are just a few of the choices we came across when we were in the Disney area. Disney Springs certainly has plenty of other options, from the outside upper decks at Morimoto Asia, Wine Bar George and Paddlefish, to the rotating selection of food trucks where you can find your own table. Blaze Pizza is super quick, and has a plethora of picnic tables outdoors. Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ is a favorite among locals (get the fried chicken), and has an outdoor patio and “Shine Bar.”  Cookes of Dublin has a smaller outdoor patio, and there are a number of grab-and-go spots like Earl of Sandwich and Morimoto Asia Street Food that have outside tables sprinkled nearby, and of course, there are always the pool bars at the resorts, which almost always have outside dining tables, if you don’t mind a few wet kiddos running by!  

 

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Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.

 

Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!

Open Air Dining at Disney’s Three Bridges Bar and Grill

 by Beth Keating

Review

DisneyBizJournal.com

February 27, 2021

 

After a busy day of meetings and work, the day had gotten away from us and we suddenly discovered it was nearly 8:00 pm and everyone was starving. Dining in the age of COVID can be a daunting task, however, so after scouring the Disney website for a suitable choice, we landed at Three Bridges Bar and Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs. Since it was a location we’d been wanting to try since it opened in 2019, our family was looking forward to the meal.

Three Bridges is a southwestern-style casual dining spot on the “Villa del Lago” island in the center of Lago Dorado, accessed by – you guessed it – three wooden bridges. Its middle-of-the-lake location is especially delightful in the evening, with a breeze blowing through the open air eatery. The lights from the nearby Gran Destino Tower reflect on the water, making for a romantic dining spot that is equally welcoming to families with children in tow due to its laid back vibe. (There is a kid’s menu.) Though we were there in the late evening, it would be a perfect location to relax with a drink and watch the sun set as well. On cooler nights, the firepit and torches give a warmer ambiance to the setting.

 

In this era of COVID, we were especially impressed by how extra-cautious Three Bridges was compared to other restaurants. Temperature checks were made on the way in, hand sanitizer  stations were available at the entrance, and our server offered up small plates for our masks so that we didn’t put them directly on the table surface or in our pockets. It was the first time we’d seen a restaurant offer this small, and appreciated, touch. QR codes at the table also allowed diners to pull up menus on their phones, rather than touching shared plastic or even paper menus.

The menu consists of an interesting selection of “shareables” and our group ordered two of the most popular ones, the Szechuan peppercorn wings ($14.00) and the shrimp-corn fritters ($17.00).

 

The wings were brushed with a soy-ginger glaze that had just enough of a kick from its spices, and leaned toward the “sweeter side” of spiciness as opposed to a “burn your lips” kind of spicy. A garnish of pickled vegetables was a surprisingly yummy addition to the plate. 

The real stand out of the night, however, was the shrimp-corn fritters. There were four to the order, with a delightful dipping crema. There was a hint of sweetness to each bite as well, offset by the diced red pepper in the fritter. Perhaps the sweet taste was due to what we thought might be a tiny dusting of sugar over the top of the shrimp ball?  Or maybe the corn in the fritters was just that sweet. In any case, a uniquely made jalapeno-ranch dipping sauce was served with the fritters, and one of our diners thought they could eat a whole bowl of the dipping sauce on its own!

 

For our entrees, we chose three separate selections. The Braised Pork Tacos ($14.00) came as a set of three filled soft blue corn tortillas. A crunchy marinated carrots and radish slaw topped each of the tacos, with a dollop of salsa verde and Cotija cheese sprinkled liberally on top. The braised pork was very tender, and as a plus, the pork wasn’t one of those pulled pork versions  smothered in so much sauce you couldn’t taste the pork. Rather, Three Bridges lets the pork shine on its own, and it was delicious! 

Our group also ordered the Harissa Lamb Chops ($25.00), which were ultra-tender and juicy. Three chops came nestled on a Naan flatbread, and were perfect for eating right off the bone. Topped with a tzatziki, cucumber and tomato relish, the lamb chops were a big hit.

The Crispy Chicken Biscuit Sliders ($15.00), the final selection, came served two to a plate, and had a bit of an unexpected consistency. They offered a very “homemade” rather than processed feel to the chicken, and the hot honey and blue cheese topping gave the sandwich an extra boost of flavor.

 

Many of the dishes at Three Bridges come with a choice of smoked paprika fries or fruit, and in our case, two of our diners chose the fries, and found that they were accompanied by a nice dipping sauce that had just a hint of a smoky flavor. The fruit was a combination of chilled grapes and fresh cuts of pineapple.

 

In addition to their shareables, entrees and salads, Three Bridges offers a full selection of cocktails and their signature sangria pitchers.

 

Sadly, we didn’t make it to dessert… we were just too stuffed. Next time, though, we have our eyes on the warm churros.  We might just go back one of these days for a late afternoon respite, and order the churros and an ice cold drink. And maybe watch the sun set over the water.

 

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Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.

 

Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!

 

Coronado's Three Bridges Bar & Grill Opens Ahead of Schedule

by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

June 10, 2019

Yessssss!  Three Bridges Bar & Grill at Villa del Lago at Disney’s Coronado Springs had a surprise ribbon cutting and grand opening today!

You can catch the ribbon cutting with Rob at “Passport to the Parks” below (big thanks to Rob!):

Rob has been covering the progress of the eatery over the past few weeks, and we were excited to see this gorgeous spot open ahead of its projected July schedule.  Rob live-streamed the ribbon cutting, and was literally the first diner through the doors to show off the eatery.  His video will give you a nice overview of Three Bridges, and cast member Jaimie gives Rob (and thus, us!) a knowledgeable rundown of the menu highlights, as well as pointing out what makes some of the selections unique. 

Several of the dishes bring in influences from various cultures, with contemporary twists. House-made sangrias and Spanish coffees also are highlights of the new menu.  

Three Bridges has a unique location in the middle of Lago Dorado, the centerpiece lake at Coronado Springs. The spot will certainly give diners a visual treat, whether you attend during the daytime and enjoy the fantastic vistas of the southwestern style resort, or relax in the covered outdoor seating in the evening with the sparkling lights reflecting off the water. (Speaking of lights, we especially love the striking lanterns hanging in the bar area.) 

There also is a spectacular stone fireplace in the restaurant, and comfortable sofa style seating.  You can get to the restaurant – you guessed it - by strolling the bridges over the lake.

Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.

From Ray Keating: If you enjoyed this article, and since I’m the author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories, can I ask you to take at least one (preferably more) of the following steps?

1) Please join the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories email list, and get the upcoming short story, THE TRAITOR, for free! Sign up here.

2) Buy one of my Pastor Stephen Grant novels or short stories at Amazon.comor signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com.

3) Become a member of the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship, and get all kinds of FREE stuff, including each new book in the Pastor Stephen grant series. Check out the levels and benefits here.

Disney Confirms Coronado Springs Restaurants Opening This Summer

by Ray Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

May 29, 2019

Today, Disney confirmed what DisneyBizJournal intrepid reporter Beth Keating had written about earlier this week, that is, the Three Bridges Bar & Grill, Dahlia Lounge and Barcelona Lounge at the Walt Disney World resort Coronado Springs will be opening this July. This is in addition to the opening of the Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood restaurant sitting atop the new Gran Destino Tower.

Photos of offerings courtesy of the Disney Parks Blog

Disney informs us that the Three Bridges Bar & Grill will be a table service restaurant featuring sandwiches, shared plates, and more, as diners relax at Villa del Lago in the center of the lake. Shared plates will include Szechuan Peppercorn Wings and Stuffed Mushrooms. Other items that caught my attention were the Grilled Skirt Steak, Harissa Lamb Chops, and the Three Bridges Signature Burger. The burger will be accompanied by Manchego cheese, roasted garlic-lemon aïoli, arugula and tomato. Beverages will include refreshing alcoholic and non-alcoholic selections.

The Dahlia Lounge will be a rooftop spot in the Gran Destino Tower offering a variety of wines and cocktails, along with assorted tapas and plates.

And lastly, in the lobby of the tower, the Barcelona Lounge, with décor inspired by Barcelona, Spain, will offer “a European coffee experience.” It will have assorted breakfast options, transitioning during the day to “an artisanal cocktail bar.”

Everything opens in July when the Gran Destino Tower opens. And I’m left wondering why I would need to go to the parks the next time I stay at Coronado.

Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels. He can be contacted at  raykeating@keatingreports.com.

If you enjoyed this article, and since I am the author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories, can I ask you to take at least one (preferably more) of the following steps?

1) Please join the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories email list, and get the upcoming short story, THE TRAITOR, for free! Sign up here.

2) Buy one of my Pastor Stephen Grant novels or short stories at Amazon.comor signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. 

3) Become a member of the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship, and get all kinds of FREE stuff, including each new book in the Pastor Stephen grant series. Check out the levels and benefits here.

Coronado Springs: The Bridges Are Open!

by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

May 26, 2019

Coronado Springs, the lovely resort we've called home on our previous few visits to Disney World, has opened the bridges spanning Lago Dorado. Could that mean the Grand Opening of Three Bridges Bar and Grill is not far behind?  

The official opening is slated for July 9th, along with the first reservations for the Gran Destino Tower at the resort, but we suspect that the restaurant may offer a soft opening to cast members before then, given the fact that the furniture is in, the lights are on, cast members are milling about, and there was even a television turned on over the bar!  

Things have improved dramatically since 

we took this picture in September 2018!

This beautiful restaurant is sure to be a favorite on Disney property, given its unique location on a small island in the middle of the lake accessible only by the bridges, with superb water views of the surrounding casitas and ranchos, comfortable seating, a short walk to El Centro, spinning wind sculptures, and dramatic night time vistas of this southwestern themed resort.

Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.

From Ray Keating: If you enjoyed this article, and since I’m the author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories, can I ask you to take at least one (preferably more) of the following steps?

1) Please join the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories email list, and get the upcoming short story, THE TRAITOR, for free! Sign up here.

2) Buy one of my Pastor Stephen Grant novels or short stories at Amazon.comor signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com.

3) Become a member of the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship, and get all kinds of FREE stuff, including each new book in the Pastor Stephen grant series. Check out the levels and benefits here.