Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort – Gran Destino Tower – Details
Editors Note: The Gran Destino Tower opens at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort on July 9, 2019. This marks the completion of a multi-year expansion/re-imagining. Below are a trio of Press Releases about the expansion/changes:
- New Gran Destino Tower Anchors Dramatic Re-Imagining of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World Resort
- Unique New Restaurants Offer Dining Delights, Spectacular Views at the Re-Imagined Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
- Fast Facts: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
New Gran Destino Tower Anchors Dramatic Re-Imagining of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World Resort
Resort hotel is transformed with new arrival experience, restaurants, amenities and modern flair
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (July 8, 2019) – 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. On July 9, 2019, the resort will complete a multiyear re-imagining focused on today’s travelers, marking the official debut of a new tower, new restaurants and a new arrival experience.
The new Gran Destino Tower rises dramatically on the southeastern shores of Lago Dorado (“Golden Lake”), the resort’s 22-acre lake. The tower – opening to the public July 9 – 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.
Gran Destino Tower takes its name from the classic Disney film “Destino.” Drawing inspiration from the surrealist animated short, the tower is a whimsical, magnificent visual feast, diverse in its design and execution. The tower’s outdoor Destino Plaza are also ideal for weddings, business receptions or other special events.
Past its grand entrance and signature ribbon-patterned design that climbs up the side of Gran Destino Tower, guests step into a stunning lobby – an 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.
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 differentiated 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.
Gran Destino Tower is crowned by dramatic rooftop dining locations, Tolédo – 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, Tolédo – 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.
As part of the broader re-imagining 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.
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.
- Café Rix – A charming grab-and-go location 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.
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 that introduced an expansive desk space, hard-surface floors, platform beds and more. In addition, a fresh, sophisticated new color palette ties together the entire resort experience.
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is now 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 re-imagined.
For more on the resort hotels of Walt Disney World, phone 407 W-DISNEY, your local travel agent or www.DisneyWorld.com
Unique New Restaurants Offer Dining Delights, Spectacular Views at the Re-Imagined Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (July 8, 2019) – With two restaurants and a stylish rooftop lounge leading the way, new food and beverage experiences share the spotlight as Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort emerges fresh from a multi-year, resort-wide re-imagining. The two new restaurants extend the wide variety of palate-pleasing dining options found throughout the resort.
The new Gran Destino Tower is home to an unforgettable new dining experience, Tolédo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood, a unique rooftop table-service restaurant offering dishes and small plates inspired by the flavors of Spain. Featuring sweeping views of Walt Disney World Resort, this charming, surrealistic location invites guests to dine indoors under a pair of large olive trees nestled beneath an intricate vaulted ceiling with shimmering stained-glass accents.
Tolédo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood is the namesake of the Spanish city that was home to avant-garde writers and artists in the 1920s and ’30s. Spain also inspires the savory menu choices:
- Begin the adventure with tapas from the Basque region of Spain. An onstage tapas kitchen serves small plates, charcuteríá, and cheeses.
- Or choose from Cazuelas – chef interpretations of classic recipes presented in a traditional Spanish terra cotta dish.
- Entrees include rioja-braised chicken, Spanish-style bone-in ribeye or golden tilefish (100% sustainable seafood).
- Spanish sides include bravas (potatoes) with pimento aioli, braised gigante beans with aged sherry vinegar, and roasted cauliflower with harissa vinaigrette.
- Three signature desserts from the Master Pastry Chef include the Tapas Bar, a crunchy chocolate bar with bite-sized flavors of Spanish coffee, crunchy chocolate, raspberry mousse and lemon curd.
In the Disney animated film “Destino,” from which the tower takes its name, the immortal Chronos is in love with the mortal Dahlia. This passion shines through in the Dahlia Lounge, a convivial room that shares the tower’s rooftop with Tolédo – Tapas, Steaks & Seafood. The heroine inspires the lounge’s visual aesthetics – from dandelion chandeliers and metal bell accents to ceiling coffers with swirling patterns reminiscent of her flowing hair. Cocktails are crafted by expert mixologists, while wines from California and Spain include high-end cavas handpicked by the master sommelier. Visitors to the lounge – indoors or outdoors – can also choose from tapas or small-plate specialties.
The second new restaurant at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is on an island in the middle of Lago Dorado. Three convenient new walkways stretching across the 22-acre lake lead to Villa del Lago and its Three Bridges Bar & Grill. Offering casual waterside dining in an open-air setting, this idyllic new location presents a varied menu that includes curry-lentil hummus, Szechuan peppercorn wings, salads, a signature burger and a grilled skirt steak with pepper relish. Behind the central bar, a beautiful stone hearth invites guests to unwind with a pitcher of sangria or a vibrant cocktail while enjoying tranquil lake views.
Here’s a taste of other venues found at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort:
- NEW! Barcelona Lounge – On the ground floor of the two-story lobby in Gran Destino Tower, this dramatic yet casual space offers a European coffee experience paired with Spanish and classic American pastries as well as healthy breakfast items. The city of Barcelona inspired the eclectic patterns and warm colors, including the stained-glass feature wall behind the bar. Under a magnificent chandelier, the space transforms throughout the day, transitioning by late morning to an artisanal cocktail bar with a variety of tonics to complement an international gin collection. Those tonics include the resort’s own house-crafted, signature Gran Destino Gin Tonic. Guests can linger over lake views while enjoying select wines and craft beers from both Spain and California. Dishes of cheeses, olives and more, paired with sourdough, are served beginning at 11 a.m.
- NEW! Chronos Club – With its casual yet intimate shadings, this bright, open-air club-access space located on the 15th floor of Gran Destino Tower is perfect for unwinding and enjoying light refreshments throughout the day. Chronos Club offers lake views and a Barcelona vibe with its cooler color palette.
- Maya Grill – This grand Mexican dining room features ancient-modern styling and Nuevo Latino cuisine.
- Rix Sports Bar & Grill – This stylish establishment puts a unique spin on classic bar food.
- El Mercado de Coronado – There’s something for everyone at this food court filled with kitchens serving made-to-order breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Café Rix – At this charming grab-and-go location, guests find pastries and coffee, among other tasty snacks.
- Laguna Bar – Signature cocktails are available at this breezy lakeside lounge.
- Siestas Cantina – This poolside hideaway is a place to unwind with refreshing beverages and snacks.
Fast Facts: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
- Opened Aug. 1, 1997, as Disney’s largest convention resort featuring one of the largest single-level convention centers on the East Coast; new Gran Destino Tower opens July 9, 2019, signifying the resort’s grand re-imagining
- Location: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort area, Walt Disney World Resort
- 2,385 guest rooms, including suites in lakeside casitas and the new Gran Destino Tower
- More than 220,000 square feet of dedicated meeting and event function space
- Rings Lago Dorado, the 22-acre lake at the center of the resort
- Fitness offerings include four swimming pools, walking/jogging trail, volleyball court
- Restaurants, lounges, food court and Café Rix grab-and-go provide a wide range of culinary options
- Remodeled Panchito’s offers an array of trendy and art-inspired merchandise
- Reservations: com, (407) W-DISNEY or via certified travel agents
Gran Destino Tower
- Grand opening: July 9, 2019
- 16 floors, 545 guest rooms (includes 50 suites, highlighted by two presidential suites)
- New arrival and reception experience featuring a dramatic two-story lobby
- Dining and cocktails with panoramic views: Tolédo – Tapas, Steaks & Seafood and Dahlia Lounge
- New meeting venues include 24-seat boardroom and 2,859-square-foot Lantana room that divides into three smaller rooms; adjoining 1,674-square-foot pre-function space includes show kitchen
- Barcelona Lounge, on the lower lobby level, offers coffee in the morning, cocktails remainder of the day
- Club-access guests can visit Chronos Club, a bright, comfortable lounge where they can relax and enjoy light refreshments throughout the day or take advantage of vacation-planning services
- Destino Plaza off the lower lobby level is ideal for weddings and other special outdoor events
Resort Inspiration
- Gran Destino Tower takes its name from the surrealistic Disney animated film “Destino”
- The rooftop restaurant, Tolédo – Tapas, Steaks and Seafood, is inspired by the renowned Spanish city that was home to avant-garde writers and artists in the 1920s and ’30s
- Dahlia Lounge is 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
- Three lodging districts adjacent to Gran Destino Tower are inspired by the elegant cities, neighborhood dwellings and diverse natural landscapes of Mexico and the American Southwest:
- The elegant and sophisticated Casitas emphasize 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 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. Bas-relief sculptures, called stellae, have been carved on the pyramid. The deck and its tiled bottom also feature inlaid representations of Mayan symbols.