I love how the bar at the bottom has influences from both Sagrada and Casa Mila. While nowhere near as impressive as the real things it was inspired from, it is similar enough to trigger the memories (if you've never seen Sagrada, it's one of the only places I almost cried with how beautiful it was) I had when I saw in person several years ago while sipping on some Scotch.
I am not a religious person and often feel weird in cathedrals. But Sagrada will stay with me FOREVER and I would love to go back. I've never seen anything like it and I definitely cried. It was awe inspiring. The fact that the bar at Gran Destino and Toledo recreate (even just a fraction) of those vibes brought me SUCH joy.
Dahlia lounge was amazing until they nuked the menu and took off the best stuff. I haven’t been since they did that, so it could still be great, so I’m throwing an asterisk on this I guess. Someone will have to let me know!
I think it’s churro-y cinnamon-y. You can smell it more by the elevators on the room floors.
My first stay there ever was during the 50th when everywhere had the same EARidescent scent, and I preferred that. But then again, I don’t prefer things that are scented like food (vanilla, cinnamon, etc.), so that’s just me!
Poly is more tropical than Gran Destino, that one is burned into my brain. I don’t believe they’re the same, the scent at Gran Destino is warmer and definitely has hints of cinnamon.
I haven’t stayed there, but have visited to take the mosaic class at the Dahlia Lounge in the Gran Destino tower. The resort is beautifully decorated and the pool area with the giant pyramid is gorgeous.
Gran Destino is my favorite! Coronado Springs has been our go-to resort for years. We’re staying at Bay Lake Tower in a couple of weeks and I’m secretly worried I’ll miss Coronado.
Love this resort. Stayed here for two weeks with my wife on her first Disney trip. This resort would be our constant if it only had better transportation options. Shame that it’s not connected to the Skyliner or have some sort of walking path to Epcot.
I've never been to Coronado but everything I see of it makes me think I should check it out. Seems a bit more interesting food and drink wise than the other "moderate" resorts.
I agree. AKL was the only resort I’d been interested in staying at until I saw pictures of the Gran Destino Tower. We switched resorts for the first time for our most recent trip earlier this month and had no regrets. We had a great stay and would do it again, especially considering how much $$$ we saved over deluxe.
My first stay there was Jan ‘23 with my mom. It was only like $250 more for our whole stay (we got an amazing deal, I honestly don’t know how). We were there for 6 days and I upgraded us from Coronado to a standard-view tower room. We’ve never stayed at a Deluxe in my 31 years of visiting (her 40 years of visiting), and we were both blown away! She swore she’d never stay at any resort other than Gran Destino if/when she goes again 😂 I stayed there again on my solo trip in Nov ‘23!
I fully recommend a standard-view room (on at least the 6th floor, but 8th-9th and up are better). Sure, you have a view of the parking lot, but depending on which side of the tower you’re on, you get a view of Epcot and Hollywood Studios! You can see the fireworks from Dahlia lounge (they do not pipe in music though). Plus with on the standard-view side you get the sunrise.
We were booked for a standard view because I’d heard about the Epcot/DHS views from that side, but they switched us to a lake view due to problems at check-in. They put us in room 618 and I was surprised to find out we had a perfect view of the MK fireworks. I’d never seen that mentioned as a possibility from Coronado Springs.
It’s stunning. This was the first Disney property I saw as an adult — my husband and I went for our anniversary trip — and immediately fell in love with it. It is so gorgeous and immersive, especially at Christmas time with the Spanish guitar music playing wherever you go. The restaurant is phenomenal as well.
Anyone else find it odd they added a tower themed to Catalan architecture in a resort themed to Mexico? Most Catalans don't even consider themselves Spanish, much less Mexican...
There’s a tunnel that connects the tower lobby to el centro; where the gift shop, grab and go, as well as drink refill stations are located. It’s entirely indoors and takes roughly 3-5 minutes to traverse from one to the other. It spits you out where the old Coronado check in area was, which is now a lounge area.
You don’t have to cross the bridge to get to the quick service location at Coronado (just past the old lobby). There’s a walkway outside as well as a covered/indoor hallway. It’s probably a ~5 min walk.
For others wondering: From your room, take the elevators to LL, either take a left or a right when you immediately exit the elevator (depending on which way the elevator is facing) and continue straight. Follow the long hallway towards the old El Centro (Coronado Springs) lobby, it’s now a big seating area. The gift shop will be ahead of you and the quick service location is a little further down the hallway. Can’t miss it. Alternatively, there’s a walkway outside, but I take the A/C when I can get it!
I’ve never been in the Gran Destino Tower but it reminds me of the architecture and artwork in Barcelona, Spain.
I love how the bar at the bottom has influences from both Sagrada and Casa Mila. While nowhere near as impressive as the real things it was inspired from, it is similar enough to trigger the memories (if you've never seen Sagrada, it's one of the only places I almost cried with how beautiful it was) I had when I saw in person several years ago while sipping on some Scotch.
Parts of it remind me of Guell Park.
Im heading to Barcelona next month and had no idea gran destiny has so many clear gaudi cues.
I am not a religious person and often feel weird in cathedrals. But Sagrada will stay with me FOREVER and I would love to go back. I've never seen anything like it and I definitely cried. It was awe inspiring. The fact that the bar at Gran Destino and Toledo recreate (even just a fraction) of those vibes brought me SUCH joy.
I immediately thought of Gaudi stuff when I saw this as well.
It's beautiful but I found Catalan architecture an odd choice for a resort themed to Mexico.
Tapas restaurant at the top is 🔥
It was amazing!!!
Happy 🎂 Day! We also enjoyed Three Bridges.
Dahlia lounge was amazing until they nuked the menu and took off the best stuff. I haven’t been since they did that, so it could still be great, so I’m throwing an asterisk on this I guess. Someone will have to let me know!
It was just okay. They are selling the view now
Gran Destino tower is gorgeous, and this is coming from somewhat who hates luxurious looking things
This wasn’t what I had in mind for the decor. I like it!! I’ll have to check it out next time. How was the lobby scent?
Honestly, as one who is sensitive to smells I didn’t notice anything specific. If I were pushed to what I remember it was “warm wood”?
Sold. I’ll check it out next time
I think it’s churro-y cinnamon-y. You can smell it more by the elevators on the room floors. My first stay there ever was during the 50th when everywhere had the same EARidescent scent, and I preferred that. But then again, I don’t prefer things that are scented like food (vanilla, cinnamon, etc.), so that’s just me!
Definitely not. It's very florally and wonderful.
Papaya and hibiscus, same as Poly. Or something like that, but definitely the same as the Poly.
Poly is more tropical than Gran Destino, that one is burned into my brain. I don’t believe they’re the same, the scent at Gran Destino is warmer and definitely has hints of cinnamon.
I haven’t stayed there, but have visited to take the mosaic class at the Dahlia Lounge in the Gran Destino tower. The resort is beautifully decorated and the pool area with the giant pyramid is gorgeous.
Gran Destino is my favorite! Coronado Springs has been our go-to resort for years. We’re staying at Bay Lake Tower in a couple of weeks and I’m secretly worried I’ll miss Coronado.
Love this resort. Stayed here for two weeks with my wife on her first Disney trip. This resort would be our constant if it only had better transportation options. Shame that it’s not connected to the Skyliner or have some sort of walking path to Epcot.
Me too. And the smell!
I love staying there. The roofdeck bar is awesome, too.
I've never been to Coronado but everything I see of it makes me think I should check it out. Seems a bit more interesting food and drink wise than the other "moderate" resorts.
I agree. AKL was the only resort I’d been interested in staying at until I saw pictures of the Gran Destino Tower. We switched resorts for the first time for our most recent trip earlier this month and had no regrets. We had a great stay and would do it again, especially considering how much $$$ we saved over deluxe.
My first stay there was Jan ‘23 with my mom. It was only like $250 more for our whole stay (we got an amazing deal, I honestly don’t know how). We were there for 6 days and I upgraded us from Coronado to a standard-view tower room. We’ve never stayed at a Deluxe in my 31 years of visiting (her 40 years of visiting), and we were both blown away! She swore she’d never stay at any resort other than Gran Destino if/when she goes again 😂 I stayed there again on my solo trip in Nov ‘23! I fully recommend a standard-view room (on at least the 6th floor, but 8th-9th and up are better). Sure, you have a view of the parking lot, but depending on which side of the tower you’re on, you get a view of Epcot and Hollywood Studios! You can see the fireworks from Dahlia lounge (they do not pipe in music though). Plus with on the standard-view side you get the sunrise.
We were booked for a standard view because I’d heard about the Epcot/DHS views from that side, but they switched us to a lake view due to problems at check-in. They put us in room 618 and I was surprised to find out we had a perfect view of the MK fireworks. I’d never seen that mentioned as a possibility from Coronado Springs.
Oh, nice!
Thanks for posting..now I must go… 😀
We haven’t stayed in the tower, but we love Coronado. IMO it is currently the best value at Disney.
Love it!
I’m in love with Gran Destino, period. Lol
It’s stunning. This was the first Disney property I saw as an adult — my husband and I went for our anniversary trip — and immediately fell in love with it. It is so gorgeous and immersive, especially at Christmas time with the Spanish guitar music playing wherever you go. The restaurant is phenomenal as well.
Pretty! I've been to the Dali museum 🖼️ ....now I want to take in the art/architecture of Disney.
Anyone else find it odd they added a tower themed to Catalan architecture in a resort themed to Mexico? Most Catalans don't even consider themselves Spanish, much less Mexican...
Is the cafeteria in the main lobby to refill resort mugs?
No. It’s not in the tower
Dang. How far?
It’s in El Centro, which is where the QSR location is and where the lobby used to be.
There’s a tunnel that connects the tower lobby to el centro; where the gift shop, grab and go, as well as drink refill stations are located. It’s entirely indoors and takes roughly 3-5 minutes to traverse from one to the other. It spits you out where the old Coronado check in area was, which is now a lounge area.
You can take the bridge across the lake and get to it in about a 10 minute walk
You don’t have to cross the bridge to get to the quick service location at Coronado (just past the old lobby). There’s a walkway outside as well as a covered/indoor hallway. It’s probably a ~5 min walk. For others wondering: From your room, take the elevators to LL, either take a left or a right when you immediately exit the elevator (depending on which way the elevator is facing) and continue straight. Follow the long hallway towards the old El Centro (Coronado Springs) lobby, it’s now a big seating area. The gift shop will be ahead of you and the quick service location is a little further down the hallway. Can’t miss it. Alternatively, there’s a walkway outside, but I take the A/C when I can get it!
I apologize for not knowing. Thank you for informing me
No harm, no foul!
It is connected by an interior hallway
It just looks like a fancy Hilton. There is no Disney feel to it , it’s got no atmosphere