Grand Destino Tower – A Walk Through and Review at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

In July 2019, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort celebrated the Grand Opening of the Gran Destino Tower. The opening completed a multi-year re-imagining focused on today’s travelers and offers new restaurants and new arrival experience. Celebrating the rich cultures and vibrant landscapes of Spain, Mexico, and the American Southwest through contemporary design and Old-World traditions, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort shines with renewed luster. Catch all the details below!

1 – Gran Destino Tower

The Gran Destino Tower rises dramatically on the southeastern shores of Lago Dorado (“Golden Lake”), the resort’s 22-acre lake. The tower offers 545 modern guest rooms (including 50 suites and club-level services), a grand two-story lobby, new meeting venues, and a rooftop restaurant and lounge with spectacular views. The distinctive tower becomes the stylish new gateway to the 2,385-room resort. All guests visiting Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort will now check-in at the Gran Destino Tower.

2 – A Rich Inspiration & Design

Gran Destino Tower takes its name from the classic Disney film “Destino.” The film was a collaboration between Walt Disney and Salvador Dali. Like the film, Gran Destino Tower is whimsical and beautifully designed. Look out for Dahlia as she transforms into a bell. The architecture, art, and storytelling are beautifully done.

Past its grand entrance and signature ribbon-patterned design that climbs up the side of Gran Destino Tower, guests step into a stunning lobby – a homage to the Catalan Modernism style. On their way to check-in, new arrivals pass intricate wooden screens with rows of beautiful Moorish hanging lanterns, while decorative bronze screens inspired by Spanish tile patterns accent the rear wall of the lobby.

The warm colors and patterns of Barcelona inspire the sun-filled Barcelona Lounge on the lobby’s lower level, offering plenty of casual seating and lake views. Beneath a magnificent chandelier framed by sculpted plaster columns, guests can enjoy coffee in the morning and cocktails as the day progresses.

We were blown away by the beauty of the lobby and the resort itself. It’s modern and fresh, yet there are touches of Disney throughout, including many Hidden Mickeys.

Click here for a video tour of the beautiful lobby at Gran Destino Tower.

Click here for a video and hear from two Walt Disney World Imagineers discuss the look and feel of the Tower.

3 – Guest Rooms & Suites

The Catalan theme extends to the tower’s stylish new guest rooms and suites. A wall covering in each room is inspired by Spanish tile medallions, adding an Old-World touch to a contemporary design. The new tower also offers club-access rooms for guests who want to enjoy the benefits of the Chronos Club. The club boasts commanding views of Walt Disney World Resort and cast members who can assist with vacation planning. Light refreshments are available throughout the day.

Each tower guest room also offers a new interactive television system that provides a more customized and Disney in-room experience. This new television system will enhance the guest experience with Disney-quality services, content, and personalization. For example, guests can view their Disney PhotoPass images on the large screen and stream their entertainment services from their personal devices to the in-room television.

Click here for a video tour of a 10^thFloor, Water View, and King Bed Room in the Tower.

Click here for a video tour of a Suite with Club Level Access.

We really enjoyed our room. It was certainly designed with the modern traveler in mind. There were six USB charging ports alone in our room, along with plenty of plugs. Our king bed, and water view room was spacious and functional. The view is also amazing! We enjoyed sweeping views of the rest of Coronado Springs and Animal Kingdom in the distance. Guests on the other side of the Tower enjoy views of Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot. There really isn’t a bad view in the Tower!

4 – Toledo-Tapas, Steak & Seafood and Dahlia Lounge

Gran Destino Tower is crowned by dramatic rooftop dining locations, Toledo– Tapas, Steak & Seafood, and Dahlia Lounge, offering breathtaking views of Walt Disney World from the tower’s 16th floor. Named for the storied Spanish city home to avant-garde writers and artists of the 1920s and ’30s, Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood is a table-service dining experience. The Spanish-inspired menu features entrees like chuletón, a 32- ounce, Spanish-style ribeye for two, as well as sustainable seafood and classic Spanish sides. It’s all served in a setting that features live olive trees, vibrant colors, and an intricate vaulted ceiling with stained-glass accents. There’s also an onstage tapas kitchen inspired by the flavors of Spain, specializing in small plates, charcuteríá, and cheeses.

The adjacent Dahlia Lounge takes its mesmerizing shapes and swirling patterns from Spanish Modernism, inviting guests into an intimate, artful space where they can enjoy signature cocktails and panoramic views.

Click here for a video showcasing the amazing food at Toledo-Tapas, Steak & Seafood.

Click here for a video of amazing views from the outdoor seating area of Dahlia Lounge.

5 – A Re-imagining of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

As part of the broad reimagining of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, three new pedestrian bridges now extend across Lago Dorado, allowing for quick and convenient passage to and from all parts of the resort. In the middle of the lake, at the nexus of these new pathways, is Villa del Lago (“Lake Villa”), home to a new outdoor restaurant, Three Bridges Bar & Grill. The open-air, waterfront dining location offers delicious entrees and shareables, along with refreshing cocktails and signature sangria pitchers. Three Bridges Bar & Grill features a rustic, Old World charm anchored by a large stone hearth behind the central bar. This is definitely a favorite lounge to visit. The design and views are terrific, and the hummus is amazing!

These new experiences complement the wide array of amenities and experiences at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, including floating gardens, scenic nature trails, and palm-shaped courtyards. Throughout the resort, guests can enjoy a diverse collection of dining options, including:

• Maya Grill – A grand Mexican dining room featuring ancient-modern styling and Nuevo Latino cuisines.
• Rix Sports Bar & Grill – A stylish establishment with a unique spin on classic bar food.
• El Mercado de Coronado – A food court filled with kitchens serving made-to-order breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a wide array of options, so there’s something for everyone.
• CafeRix – A charming grab-and-go location is offering pastries, coffee, and tasty snacks. Laguna Bar – A breezy lakeside lounge boasting signature cocktails.
• Siestas Cantina – A poolside hideaway to unwind with refreshing beverages and snacks.
• Shoppers can delight in an updated Panchito’s merchandise location. Named after one of the main characters from the Disney film “The Three Caballeros,” Panchito’s resembles an open-air Mexican market.
• The Dig Site – a sprawling pool complex with a Mayan-ruins theme – is fed by water cascading dramatically down a Mayan pyramid and features a water slide that evokes the spirit animal of a jaguar. The Dig Site can be accessed via the new bridges over Lago Dorado.

In 2019, all existing guest rooms at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort were updated with new fixtures, furnishings, and lighting. Guest feedback helped shape the room remodel, introducing an expansive deck space, hard-surface floors, platform beds, and more. In addition, a fresh, sophisticated new color palette ties together the entire resort experience.

6 – A Fantastic Moderate Resort

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is a celebration of Spanish, Mexican, and American Southwest cultures infused with a profound respect for the natural world – most notably water. These design motifs span centuries to form a common thread that connects the new with the newly reimagined. We absolutely enjoyed our time at Gran Destino Tower. It’s a fantastic addition to the resort and gives guests a deluxe stay at moderate resort prices!