Honest Review: Disney’s Gran Destino Tower

Fanatic Ambiance and Style Rating: 9/10
Fanatic Cast Member Rating: 10/10
Fanatic Food/Beverage Rating: 9/10
Fanatic Room Rating: 10/10
Overall Fanatic Rating: 9.5/10

The weekend of June 10 awarded me the opportunity to stay at Disney’s Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort for the first time, and I cannot believe it took me so long to stay there.

Disney’s Gran Destino Tower is a Resort within a Resort. I have stayed at Coronado Springs multiple times and attended conferences at its convention center, and while I always appreciated it, I always found it to be on the same level as a moderate Resort. Gran Destino, on the other hand, offers a higher quality experience that puts it on par with Deluxe Resorts like Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

While the animated short was a collaboration between Disney and Dali, this tower appeared to be a collaboration between Disney and Gaudi. Catalan Modernism’s fluid curves and vibrant colors are married beautifully to today’s more-minimalist contemporary style, emoting a warm, vibrant ambiance from the lower lobby to the rooftop bar and restaurant.

We were taken to our floor via what I can only refer to as “valet elevators.” Press the button for your floor on a touch screen, and the system directs you to the elevator primed to take you there. The room was clean and elegant, featuring one of the most comfortable beds I have slept in on property. We had a “standard” view, but the standard was surprisingly an almost perfect view of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as well as a small view of EPCOT. We could watch the fireworks from our room, but I would recommend doing so from Dahlia’s–which brings me to my next point.

On the 16th floor sits a bar/lounge known as Dahlia’s and a Tapas restaurant called Toledo’s. After checking in for our reservation, intentionally early, we passed the time at the walk-in bar/lounge, which features an open-air rooftop terrace. We watched the second half of EPCOT’s Harmonious and Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Wonderful World of Animation over an Alla Prima Manhattan and a Sangría Tinta with our fellow Guests before being called to our table for a wonderful Spanish Tapas dining experience. I will go into further detail about Dahlia’s and Toledo’s in a separate review.

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Deciding to walk off dinner, we went down to the lower lobby, where we discovered another bar, the Barcelona Lounge, just in time for last call. Once again, we were surrounded by Gaudi splendor as we sat at one of the most beautiful watering holes on Disney World property. Guests can find this bar tucked underneath the lobby.

The authentic elegance of this tower cannot be understated. As someone who has visited Spain several times, I can say that Disney’s re-creation is the most authentic experience I have seen Stateside. A lakeside walkway provides access to the rest of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, and it offers a peaceful stroll with spectacular views of the tower.

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Every Cast Member we encountered went above and beyond to make our stay as magical as it could be, from the bartenders to the valets.

Perhaps the only downside to this hotel is its location. After my short time there, I am convinced that it should be treated as its own Resort Hotel, separated from Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Due to it being a part of Coronado Springs, Disney’s Gran Destino Tower is located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort Area, and the only ways to access the Theme Parks is via Bus Transportation or Minnie Vans and driving yourselves to and from.

But beyond that, the overall quality and value that this Resort within a Resort offers are hard to beat.