Feeling Fancy at Disney’s Gran Destino Tower

A Luxury Feel at Moderate Prices

The Gran Destino Tower is the newest part of Walt Disney World’s Coronado Springs Resort. The tower is the new front entrance of the hotel and feels much more like a deluxe resort than a moderate resort. We had previously stayed at the Coronado Springs Resort about six years ago and I swore it off, it was by far my least liked option. However, we had seen some pictures of the renovated resort online and decided to try it. I am so glad we did!

The outside of the hotel amazed the kids with my eight-year-old commenting, “It looks so fancy!”

Disney did a fantastic job of blending the modern, contemporary design and old-world traditions as they tell stories of adventurous world travelers, innovative artist, and enchanting storytellers. There are incredible details throughout the hotel. The Gran Destino is actually inspired by a short film that was created by Walt and famed artist Salvador Dali, “Destino” which they show in the lobby. It’s very abstract artsy and makes more sense once you’ve seen the hotel.

For our stay, we decided to try out the resort’s Club Level which until now was exclusive to Disney Deluxe Resorts. The tower’s club is called ‘Chronos Club’. It’s staffed by cast members who assist with planning and includes a continental breakfast, snacks, appetizers at night and desserts.

Upon check-in, a cast member walked us over to the elevators and up to the Chronos Club so that they could show us the lounge. The cast member that assisted us was Charmin, he was very helpful and kind! I love that cast members take the time to engage the kids too and then listen to them as they sometimes ramble on.

Elevator Gran Destino Tower — You select your floor on the elevator screen and it will tell you which elevator you’ll be on.

We received our Magic Bands once we arrived

The club level had a chest of games and toys that kids could play with while in the lounge. It was a rainy weekend so they came in very handy! Charmin had suggested the “Disney Meme” game as a fun one to play so when we went back later that night we decided to give it a try- and he was so right! It was hilarious! It’s even more fun with little kids who can’t read yet because sometimes it winds up being perfect.

Buzz Lightyear Disney Meme — Get it from Amazon

Club Level Goodies

When you stay club level there is a continental breakfast, snacks during the day, small bites for lunch, appetizers around dinner and then desserts afterward. There is also drinks available in a cooler all through the day.

Breakfast Club Level Lounge — Bacon fans. Can you tell?

Club Level Gran Destino Breakfast Offerings — Breakfast foods

All of the cast members we came in contact with at the Chronos Club were amazing. One of our favorites was Susan, who so graciously listened to and interacted with the kids as they shared their favorite Disney movies as well as tales of school starting soon. She even remembered us the next day to ask how our time at the pool had been. I can honestly say before we left the kids had definitely made friends with her and hopefully we’ll see her the next time too.

The hotel grounds are beautiful and of course, Disney manicured. The pool has one of the longest Disney resort slides; “The Jaguar” which includes a Jaguar over top of you as you go down was a lot of fun. It feels like you are on vacation in a far-away place, not just Florida.

Beside the pool, there is also a playground, some outdoor games, and an arcade. The kids enjoyed running around the playground. One night after a pool visit, we decided to go into the arcade and check it out. The kids had a blast playing the various games.

Three Bridges- Villa del Lago

Sitting at Villa del Lago in the center of the lake, Three Bridges is a restaurant where the storytellers meet and share meals and stories. It is a casual, outdoor, open-air lounge serving Spanish inspired meals. It is said to have been inspired by the dreamers, adventurers, and explorers. It’s definitely a cool atmosphere, although I’ll be honest that the kids weren’t totally impressed with the food itself. As with the resort itself though, the restaurant has special details woven throughout of the storytelling of these dreamers, adventurers, and explorers.

A Fun Stay at Disney’s Coronado Springs Gran Destino Tower

It was a fantastic, fun stay at Gran Destino Tower. We had previously stayed at Coronado Springs about six years ago and I swore it off, but with the updates I have to say, I’m pretty confident we’ll be back again!