Disney Gran Destino Tower Review at Coronado Springs

Located at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, the Gran Destino Tower offers deluxe rooms, suites, and views at this Disney Moderate resort. Centrally located, this multi story tower, includes lounges, rooftop dining, a gift shop, rooms and more. With an easy breezy vibe, thanks to the lake, and plenty of outdoor seating, we think it could just be one of the best places to stay at Disney World. Here’s everything to know about staying at Gran Destino Tower on your next visit.

Located at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World, the Gran Destino Tower could be considered luxury. Positioned among the Spanish theming of the rest of the resort, this is still a moderate resort at Walt Disney World, and quite a large one at that. Home to the Coronado Springs Convention Center, this resort is often overlooked by many guests who are trying to avoid business conventions on their Disney trip. Because, who isn’t? It’s a reasonably priced resort though and should definitely be kept in mind for your Disney trip, as it has some of the best resort restaurants on Disney property. And makes for a great work, or staycation. 

Is Gran Destino Tower a Deluxe Resort at a Moderate Price? Although Gran Destino Tower may seem grander and a standalone resort, it’s actually still part of Coronado Springs and therefore a moderate resort. We’ve stayed at Coronado Springs many times before and have grown to love this resort for its unique theming. Boasting a blend of Spanish, Mexican, and Southwest American cultures, Gran Destino Tower takes decorative touches to the next level to give guests what feels like a truly immersive experience. 

Gran Destino Tower Lobby

The lobby of Gran Destino could be a destination all in itself. The décor is stunning, the music is relaxing and you can even head down the stairs to the Barcelona Lounge for morning coffee or an afternoon snack, or a fun cocktail.  With Spanish and Moorish influences throughout, this lobby is really a masterpiece. Even if you’re not staying at Gran Destino Tower, the lobby here is actually now the check-in area for Coronado Springs, so if you are staying in any of the rooms in Coronado Springs, you’ll get to see the beauty of this place upon arrival. 

Gran Destino Tower Rooms – Standard

The rooms at Gran Destino Tower are pretty standard with the new renovations that are being done throughout the resorts at Walt Disney World. They are clean and modern and kind of on trend. The rooms come standard with either 2 Queen beds or a King Bed Room, and either Resort or Water Views. Rates for standard rooms are generally between $400- $500 per night. Other rooms include Concierge Level Rooms at Coronado Springs, as well as the gorgeous Deluxe Suites at Gran Destino, if you have a larger travel party or are staying a while. We’re sharing more about those below. 

We were put in a water view room and it was lovely to be able to look out every morning at the water and see the span of the resort. If you can snag a water-view room, we highly recommend it! We also really enjoyed the layout of Gran Destino in that it is set up more like a deluxe resort than a moderate one. And by that, we basically mean that the doors are on the inside of the building, rather than facing outside like a typical moderate room. It definitely gives the resort a more quiet and more luxurious feel. The Room is complete with built-in toiletries (save room in your suitcase!), a Keurig, and the same long desk space we love in the regular Coronado rooms, perfect for getting work done if there for a convention, or just needing space to display your ears.

Bathrooms

The bathrooms at Gran Destino are much more upscale that your typical Moderate Resort at Disney World. With a glass shower and double vanity separate from the toilet. 

Gran Destino Tower Rooms – Deluxe Suite

The Deluxe Suites at Gran Destino are definitely on the pricier side. But if you’re looking for a room with plenty of space and a separate bedroom, without the cost of a 1-bedroom or higher in a Disney Vacation Club villa, this might be the ticket. Though you can always find a better deal on family suites at Art of Animation, or family suites at All Star Music, these suites are more upscale and offer all of the conveniences of the Tower and Coronado Springs in general. So, it’s a great middle ground between family suites at the Value Resorts and DVC rooms. 

Gran Destino Tower Rooms- Concierge Level

As the only Disney Moderate Resort to have Concierge Level, Coronado Springs offers up exclusive perks at the Chronos Club. With all day food options, and a gorgeous club space, this is one of our favorite Club Levels at WDW. There are different types of rooms that are available under Club Level status, and the number of rooms varies by resort.  Club level is not only more luxurious but also more expensive. Guests staying in Club Level rooms have access to the lounge during the length of their stay, as well as the full day on their Disney arrival day and departure day. At the Gran Destino Tower you can access the Club Level Rooms and Lounge on the 15th Floor. Rates for Club Level Rooms at Gran Destino Tower range from $650- $2500 per night depending on which room you choose. 

Gran Destino Tower Restaurants

Gran Destino Tower has really tried to become a destination all in itself. Remember when we mentioned Barcelona Lounge earlier? Well not only do they have their own lounge on the lowest level of the tower, but they also have a pretty fantastic tapas restaurant as well as another lounge on the top floor, Dahlia Lounge.

Toledo Restaurant

Disney’s Toledo Tapas, Steak & Seafood is a rooftop restaurant, that shares a balcony with the neighboring lounge, for views of Hollywood Studios and the fireworks in the evenings. Offering wines, amazing tapas-style small bites, full entrees and elegant desserts, this is one of the best restaurants at Disney World. It’s also quite affordable. 

Dahlia Lounge

The rooftop bar, Dahlia Lounge, is located directly across from Toledo, offers stunning views from their balcony as well as premium wine, signature cocktails, mocktails, tapas, and charcuterie boards. The atmosphere is great, and they even share a few of the same menu items with Toledo. You can even see Tower of Terror from the balcony here! 

Barcelona Lounge

On the ground floor of the Grand Destino Tower is another lounge; this one serves coffees and cocktails. And there are even some options for food in the to-go fridge as well as at the lounge, during certain times of day. The two story windows allow tons of lights in this space, and we love just coming here to read or work. We most like the specialty coffees here, like the Café Bombon and the Cortado.

Gran Destino Tower Transportation 

By far the only thing we don’t love about Gran Destino Tower is the transportation. Limited to Disney Bus transportation this large resort has several bus stops. However, the distance from EPCOT and Hollywood Studios is a short one and if those are parks of choice, then staying here won’t have you stuck on buses for too long. Here are the times it takes a Disney Bus to get to each Disney World Park from Coronado Springs Resort. 

• From Coronado Springs to Magic Kingdom: 18  minutes, approx.
• From Coronado Springs to Epcot: 13 minutes, approx. 
• From Coronado Springs to Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 13 minutes, approx. 
• From Coronado Springs to Animal Kingdom:  20 minutes, approx. 

As a guest at Gran Destino, you’ll still have access to Minnie Vans, but as far as free transportation is concerned, buses will be your go-to here. 

Gran Destino Tower FAQ

As one of Disney World’s largest resorts, the Disney Coronado Springs Resort and Conference Center, has a lot to offer. But if you find yourself in the parks all day, you may miss it! As such, we’ve rounded up a few questions about the resort that may be helpful as you decide where to stay on your next Disney trip. 

Is Gran Destino Tower good for Kids? 

The overall feel of Gran Destino Tower is a bit more grown up, and overall we noticed fewer children here in general. That said, while families will find the larger area of the resort, like the Mayan pool, pretty cool, the tower itself and the resort has minimal Disney theming. There are Disney touches throughout the resort, but they are pretty subtle the tower itself is beautiful but doesn’t really scream Disney. 

That being said, Coronado Springs has always been known for their more grown-up demographic, since they tend to be the most business resort due to its convention center. If your family is ok with that, then we say go for it! If you prefer the more “Disney” atmosphere, then this may be a little out of your comfort zone.

Does Gran Destino Tower have balconies?

Nope! One of the major differences between staying at Gran Destino Tower and a Deluxe resort is that the rooms don’t have balconies. So while you’ll get gorgeous views, you will pretty much just see them through the window of your room.

Can you see fireworks from Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs?

Yes you can! There are actually several places you can see the fireworks from, including some of the guest rooms. You can also see fireworks from Toledo or Dahlia Lounge. As well as from Chronos Club. If you’re not staying in the tower, you can also see the fireworks pretty well from the bridge near Three Bridges Bar and Grill.

How many floors is Gran Destino Tower?

Gran Destino Tower is 16 floors! The top floor is where you can find Toledo and Dahlia Lounge. The 15th Floor is a “locked” floor reserved for Concierge Level Guests. 

Is Disney’s Coronado Springs Gran Destino Tower worth the price?

As of right now, we think it’s a steal! Yes, it is a little more expensive than say, a standard room at Coronado Springs or even Port Orleans French Quarter. But many times we see prices really comparable to Caribbean Beach Resort available in the tower. This resort just feels like a deluxe resort, but at a moderate price point. Being the only moderate resort with a club-level lounge, Chronos Club, and offering multiple types of suites, its such an upgrade.

As a result, we completely think this resort is worth its moderate resort price tag. Remember though, pricing is always based on availability, so if the resort becomes more popular, or if you’re booking during a busier time, you can expect prices to be higher.

Overall, we love Gran Destino Tower. It has become one of our favorite resorts to visit for a Disney staycation and is just beautiful at Christmastime at Disney.