Last summer Walt Disney World’s Coronado Springs Resort got a towering addition! A Gran Destino Tower to be exact. 😉 The new tower sits as the focal point for the rest of the sprawling Spanish, Mexican, and Southwest American themed resort. During my Walt Disney World Marathon 2020 trip, I got the chance to stay in the brand-new addition! Read on to discover the new Gran Destino Tower at Walt Disney World!
Coronado Springs is considered a “Moderate” level resort, which means it is a mid-price and mid-amenity Disney owned property. I had never stayed at a moderate resort, so I was excited to get the opportunity to experience one!
Convention Hotel
One thing that makes Coronado Springs different than the rest of the moderate resorts is that it is a convention resort. Because of this, it is constantly busy with folks attending various events in the ballrooms. Personally, I didn’t mind this at all, but it is something to note if you don’t want any of the more business-minded people at your resort.
Club Level
Another interesting addition that the Gran Destino Tower offers is club level access. It is the first moderate level resort to offer this amenity. Club level is typically only offered at Deluxe resorts and includes (for an additional cost) access to an area that has rotating food and drink options available all day. It is on my bucket list to stay “club level” one day, and now with Gran Destino offering this, I might be able to check it off my list sooner. Gran Destino club level is a bit more reasonably priced than the deluxe options since it is a moderate resort.
Dining
For all the details on our dining experience at Gran Destino Tower, click here! We tried the flagship restaurant, Toledo. Food is ALWAYS a big selling point for me when I pick a resort!
Bright colors to greet you 
Seating in the lobby
Check-In & Lobby
Before arriving at the resort, I checked in via the online check-in option. This is a fantastic and convenient way to avoid long lines in the lobby. I was assigned a room and notified via text message when it was available. Once I got to the resort and saw the long line at check-in, I was pretty happy about the online feature. Though the line was long, it did appear to be moving fast. Regardless, if you have the option to do online check-in, I highly suggest it!
The tower is based on an animated short film called Destino. It was a collaboration between Walt Disney and Salvador Dali. This interesting theme brings a creative and surreal aesthetic to the tower. The lively color pallet and Spanish style touches come together in beautiful harmony. The lobby is a perfect representation of this unique theme; it is GORGEOUS! From the focal point chandelier to the mosaic walls, it is a sight to behold.
The lower level has plenty of seating and is home to the Barcelona Lounge. The lounge offers snacks, coffee, and cocktails. All throughout the lobby there is ample seating and electrical outlets. We ended up relaxing in the lobby before our flight home and were able to charge our devices and enjoy the lovely atmosphere.
Gym
The gym in the tower was clean and functional. The equipment was all new and would have been great for a workout (if I wasn’t running a marathon that weekend!). It was a bit small for the size of the resort, but when we checked it out there was only one other person in there. So, depending on when you go, you might not have a lot of competition for equipment.
Room Review
The room was modern and clean with Spanish style touches. I loved the subtle Disney accents (look for hidden Mickey’s!) and added modern conveniences like a Smart TV and USB plugs.
The bed was SUPER comfortable (even though I barely got to sleep in it, those crazy early runDisney races!). The adorable Mickey towel on the corner of the bed made me smile when we first got in. Gotta love those magical touches!
Our amazing view was something I was not expecting! As soon as I opened the curtains and saw the view of the rest of the resort with the lake in the center, I was speechless! What a great surprise and a fantastic way to wind down and relax in the room. The sunsets were spectacular to watch as the colors reflected off the lake.
The bathroom had two sinks, a large tiled shower, and a separate room for the toilet. There was a large barn door closing off the rest of the room from the bathroom. This was super helpful in the morning when folks had different schedules and could get ready without disturbing the rest of the room. There were plenty of nooks and shelves for storage.
Pool
The “Dig Site” pool is a short walk from the Tower. It is shared with the rest of the Coronado Springs Resort guests. The Mayan themed pyramid is the focal point of the pool area. We didn’t go for a swim ourselves, but there were plenty of families enjoying the pool when we walked by. There was also a hot tub, volleyball, arcade and a bar all within the pool area. I could see this being a place that you could spend all afternoon enjoying!
Last Thoughts
Overall our stay at the Gran Destino Tower blew my expectations out of the water! Coronado Springs is a lovely resort with a relaxing vibe. I didn’t expect to enjoy walking the grounds as much as I did, but it was truly gorgeous, especially during sunset! The amenities were top-notch, the cast members were friendly, and we loved our dining experiences. I would advise anyone who doesn’t need over the top Disney theming to check it out. Personally, I enjoyed the subtle Disney nods, but if you need something a bit louder maybe check out the value resorts.
Gran Destino is perfect for anyone wanting a more luxurious stay filled with modern conveniences at a lower price point than a Deluxe resort. This was my favorite Disney owned, Walt Disney World resort stay to date. I know I will be back and hopefully I can snag a club level room! Snacks all day!
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This had some helpful information for someone planning a trip that way (:
It looks so beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
Great info! I too make most travel choices based off of dining/food options lol, #priorities!
How fun! Salvador Dali is one of my favorites, you can definitely see some of the inspiration as well as Spanish details. The lobby looks like a nice place to arrive to.
Such a beautiful resort. Personally, I was very impressed with their gym. As someone who works out during vacation, it’s important that I have somewhere I can easily workout during my stay.
Totally! It’s a nice gym!
We have never stayed at Coronado Springs on any of our visits, but this looks beautiful. My kids would love the pyramid themed pool. ❤️
This hotel looks like an absolute dream from the moment you walk in the door!
It was amazing! =)