The Re-imagined Walt Disney World Coronado Springs Resort
The Barcelona lounge on in the Destino Tower Lower Level Lobby
When it originally opened on August 1, 1997, Disney Coronado Springs was the largest Disney convention resort and featured one of the largest single-level convention centers on the East Coast. The opening of the new Gran Destino Tower earlier this week, July 9, 2019, signified the entire resort’s grand re-imagining. Located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort area, the resort features 2,385 guest rooms, including suites in lakeside casitas, the new Gran Destino Tower, and more than 220,000 square feet of meeting and event space. The 22-acre Lago Dorado lake at the center of the resort provides a perfect walking/jogging trail along with state of the art fitness center, four swimming pools, a volleyball court, recently remodeled lounges, a food court, and grab-and-go offerings. “Destino.”
The new tower serves as the new arrival and reception area for Coronado Springs, featuring a dramatic two-story lobby. The lower lobby bar, Barcelona Lounge, offers coffee and pastries in the morning, transforming to a full bar during the evening. The 16th-floor rooftop restaurant, Tolédo – Tapas, Steaks, and Seafood, is inspired by the renowned Spanish city that was home to avant-garde writers and artists in
Sams Disney Diary Coronado Springs Grand Opening of the Gran Destino Tower
the 1920s and ’30s, you will also find the Dahlia Lounge on the 16th floor, named after the “Destino” heroine, a mortal woman who enchants the Greek god Chronos; dandelion chandeliers, metal bell accents, and ceiling coffers with swirling patterns all draw inspiration from the restaurant’s namesake. Speaking of Chronos, that’s the name of the 15th-floor concierge club. The Gran Destino Tower serves as the main access point for the three lodging districts adjacent to the tower, each inspired by the elegant cities, neighborhood dwellings, and diverse natural landscapes of Mexico and the American Southwest: The Casitas emphasizes the residential areas of colonial cities found all over Mexico. The Ranchos represent ranch houses of the dry southwestern chaparral regions of northern Mexico and the American Southwest. The Cabanas evoke the look and feel of a small tropical coastal fishing village on the Mexican coast. The Dig Site feature pool complex features a massive gray stone Mayan temple that recalls many of the ceremonial centers created by the ancient Mayans; according to Disney legend, the temple sits five stories above the Coronado Springs, and the water cascades down the temple’s steps into the Lost City of Cibola Feature Pool.
Check out my coverage of the event over at www.thedisneynerdspodcast.com, including:
Sams Disney Diary Coronado Springs Grand Opening of the Gran Destino Tower A not so hidden mickey
Sams Disney Diary Coronado Springs Grand Opening of the Gran Destino Tower
Sams Disney Diary Coronado Springs Grand Opening of the Gran Destino Tower
Sams Disney Diary Coronado Springs Grand Opening of the Gran Destino Tower
Sams Disney Diary Coronado Springs Grand Opening of the Gran Destino Tower
Sams Disney Diary Coronado Springs Grand Opening of the Gran Destino Tower
Sams Disney Diary Coronado Springs Grand Opening of the Gran Destino Tower
Sams Disney Diary Coronado Springs Grand Opening of the Gran Destino Tower
Sams Disney Diary Coronado Springs Grand Opening of the Gran Destino Tower
Sams Disney Diary Coronado Springs Grand Opening of the Gran Destino Tower
Sams Disney Diary Coronado Springs Grand Opening of the Gran Destino Tower
Sams Disney Diary Coronado Springs Grand Opening of the Gran Destino Tower
Sams Disney Diary Coronado Springs Grand Opening of the Gran Destino Tower
Sams Disney Diary Coronado Springs Grand Opening of the Gran Destino Tower
Sams Disney Diary Coronado Springs Grand Opening of the Gran Destino Tower
Sams Disney Diary Coronado Springs Grand Opening of the Gran Destino Tower
Sams Disney Diary Coronado Springs Grand Opening of the Gran Destino Tower
Sams Disney Diary Coronado Springs Grand Opening of the Gran Destino Tower
Sams Disney Diary Coronado Springs Grand Opening of the Gran Destino Tower
Sams Disney Diary Coronado Springs Grand Opening of the Gran Destino Tower
Sams Disney Diary Coronado Springs Grand Opening of the Gran Destino Tower
Sams Disney Diary Coronado Springs Grand Opening of the Gran Destino Tower
Sams Disney Diary Coronado Springs Grand Opening of the Gran Destino Tower
Sams Disney Diary Coronado Springs Grand Opening of the Gran Destino Tower
Sams Disney Diary Coronado Springs Grand Opening of the Gran Destino Tower
Walt Disney World Resort cast members celebrate the grand opening of the new Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., July 9, 2019. The opening of the tower also marks completion of a multiyear re-imagining of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, which offers new restaurants, recreational amenities, club-level services and a new arrival experience. (David Roark, photographer)
The new Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort opening July 9 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, takes its inspiration from the Disney animated short film “Destino.” (Steven Diaz, photographer)
A chef prepares dishes in the onstage tapas kitchen located in Tolédo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood on the 16th floor of Gran Destino tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Gran DestinoTower opens July 9 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Steven Diaz, photographer)
Guests at a preview of Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort enjoy craft beers, select wines and artisanal cocktails in Barcelona Lounge. Gran Destino Tower opens July 9 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Steven Diaz, photographer)
The new Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort opening July 9 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, takes its inspiration from the Disney animated short film “Destino.” (Steven Diaz, photographer)
The stylish new guest rooms in Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort blend Old World Spanish style with modern design. Gran Destino Tower opens July 9 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Steven Diaz, photographer)
The stylish new guest rooms in Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort blend Old World Spanish style with modern design. Gran Destino Tower opens July 9 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Steven Diaz, photographer)
The stylish new guest rooms in Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort blend Old World Spanish style with modern design. Gran Destino Tower opens July 9 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Steven Diaz, photographer)
The stylish new guest rooms in Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort blend Old World Spanish style with modern design. Gran Destino Tower opens July 9 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Steven Diaz, photographer)
Guests can enjoy delicious entrees and shareables, along with refreshing cocktails and signature sangria pitchers at Three Bridges Bar & Grill, a casual waterside dining experience in an open-air setting located in Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Steven Diaz, photographer)
Guests can enjoy delicious entrees and shareables, along with refreshing cocktails and signature sangria pitchers at Three Bridges Bar & Grill, a casual waterside dining experience in an open-air setting located in Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Steven Diaz, photographer)
Guests can enjoy delicious entrees and shareables, along with refreshing cocktails and signature sangria pitchers at Three Bridges Bar & Grill, a casual waterside dining experience in an open-air setting located in Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Steven Diaz, photographer)
Curry-Lentil Hummus is offered at Three Bridges Bar & Grill in Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Steven Diaz, photographer)
Stuffed Mushrooms filled with plant-based chorizo and smoked tomato aioli is offered at Three Bridges Bar & Grill in Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Steven Diaz, photographer)
Grilled Skirt Steak served over a grilled baguette with pepper relish and topped with egg is offered at Three Bridges Bar & Grill in Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Steven Diaz, photographer)
Warm Manchego and Oaxaca Cheese Dip is offered at Three Bridges Bar & Grill in Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Steven Diaz, photographer)