Walt Disney World’s Coronado Springs Resort – New Upgrades Create an Even Better Experience!
If you like to stay in the know all on things Disney World, then you’re probably aware of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort receiving an upgrade a few years back, in 2019.
Now that WDW has been through the pandemic, resorts have reopened, allowing guests to enjoy their accommodations in full grandeur once again. With that in mind, we wanted to circle back and assess how the Coronado Springs refurbishments changed the resort – and decide for ourselves if it’s been for the better!
So, without further ado… Let’s do a little walk-through of what’s new!
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
With the announcement of the Coronado Springs upgrade came a larger-than-life promise of over 500 rooms that were sure to be the crown jewel of Coronado Springs Resort. But this wasn’t referring to a fabulous refurbishment of current accommodations. It was the birth of a brand new addition: Gran Destino Tower!
Coronado Springs Gran Destino Tower is a 15-floor tower filled with new rooms, meeting spaces, and fitness equipment (to name a few things). The aesthetic of the whole building is meant to be business-minded and conference ready. Gran Destino Tower is also the new check-in spot for any Coronado Springs Resort guests, regardless of the building your room is in! So this means that everyone gets to see the upgrades upon arrival.
The design of the whole 2-story lobby exudes Spanish and Mexican influence, with several American Southwestern-inspired touches to the décor. This helps prevent the “business vibe” from being too dull or featureless.
That being said, folks booking a reservation at Coronado Springs and expecting classic Disney, family-fun visuals may be disappointed. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort doesn’t have much character-décor or even many Mickey-inspired accents. You might catch a glimpse of The Three Caballeros here and there, though, so be on the lookout!
The Gran Destino Tower Expansion
Within the new tower, you’ll find several large meeting rooms. One is so expansive it can even be separated into smaller rooms! The layout of these meeting rooms and business event spaces was clearly designed with corporate conferences in mind. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort has always been a spot for hosting conferences, after all! The careful consideration behind the design of the Coronado Springs rooms is a standard we’ve come to expect from Disney.
Three Bridges Bar & Grill at Villa Del Lago
What could be better than a meal on the water?
One of the most talked about additions to Coronado Springs is the Three Bridges Bar & Grill at Villa Del Lago. During the construction stage, guests wondered what the “building on the water” would become. While the building of three bridges didn’t seem to provide any answers, they were actually the namesake of the new eatery!
The meeting point of these three bridges is the bar and grill. Celebrated for its delightful atmosphere and top-notch cuisine, Three Bridges will certainly wow you! Try going later in the evening for an excellent view of the fireworks. And don’t forget to try the churros! (We highly recommend them!)
Food, Drinks, and Snacks
Dahlia Lounge:
Located on Gran Destino Tower’s rooftop, the Dahlia Lounge is a romantic, spectacular experience. The cocktails will impress you just as much as the beautiful chandeliers!
As part of the new renovation, the décor inside has a significant Spanish influence, as does the menu. Order the Spanish Charcuterie, some Smoked Paprika Chips with Smoked Tomato Aioli, and a Zero Proof Ponche de Frutas, or some fabulous Marqués de Cáceres Excellens Rosé, Rioja. Delicioso!
Barcelona Lounge:
Barcelona Lounge has a reputation for being the best of both worlds. This is to say it has both an excellent wine, beer, and cocktail list, but it’s also an espresso bar!
You’ll find the Barcelona Lounge in the lobby of the Gran Destino Tower. The wall behind the bartenders and baristas has dramatic, Barcelonian-inspired stained-glass artwork.
Enjoy a pastry or an egg and cheese croissant with your morning Cortado or Café Con Leche! The specialty coffee beverages they offer are magnificent!
You can also swing by later in the day to pick from the large selection of beer. Try a Bitter Lemon Tonic, Cafesito Conquistador, or a Sangria-Tini.
Toledo:
What does Toledo have to offer inside the Gran Destino Tower?
Here, you’ll enjoy fine dining with a Spanish flair. Your meal will begin with tapas as you look out over the rooftop of Gran Destino Tower and take in the gorgeous view.
Afterward, you’ll choose from the entreés with options such as Filet of Beef, Braised Lamb Shank, Rioja-braised Chicken, or even Chuletón Bone-In Rib-Eye for two.
If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can also select the “Chef’s Signature Dinner for Two.” Expect some exquisite and oh-so-tasty, Chef-approved options if you go this route.
End your impressive culinary experience with your choice of dessert. Choose between a special 50th Anniversary Dessert option (leaving very soon!) or an unbelievable Café con Leche, among several other options on the menu. No matter what you pick, we don’t think you’ll have any regrets.
Pro Tip: We highly recommend making a reservation in advance for Toledo, as it can be tough to get a table!
Chronos Club – Club Level
Along with the new Gran Destino Tower, which guests unanimously agree feels deluxe in both appearance and atmosphere, the 9th floor is home to WDW’s first-ever Moderate Resort Club-Level!
Until this renovation, club levels were exclusive to Disney’s Deluxe Resorts. Not only is Chronos Club-Level the cheapest club-level available for purchase, but the quality of food and the spaciousness of the lounge are astounding! (Not to mention the views from the palatial windows!)
Open from 6:30 am-10:00 pm (hours could vary), club-level guests at Coronado Springs can enjoy excellent coffee, flavorful, fresh fruit, breakfast, and pastries, as well as snacks, desserts, hot tea, as well as alcoholic beverages later in the day.
Because it’s club-level access, guests will also receive access to the concierge services if needed. The flavors and the aesthetic of the club level really stay true to Coronado Springs’ overall theme.
Final Thoughts
The renovation of Coronado Springs Resort and the splendor that Gran Destino Tower and Three Bridges Bar & Grill at Villa Del Lago bring seems to be a fantastic upgrade to the resort, resulting in positive feedback from guests.
Of course, if you’re hoping to stay in a Mickey-centric resort with classic Disney characters gracing the walls, Coronado Springs may not be your top choice. But if you’re visiting Orlando for a conference, business trip, or simply going to the Disney Parks as an adult who’s not big on characters, Coronado might be perfect for you. It’s a truly pleasant place to stay with excellent amenities, so we highly recommend Coronado Springs to anyone unconcerned with characters!
What we love most are the upgraded rooms, the high-style dining at Toledo, and the atmosphere and flavors at Three Bridges Bar & Grill.
Thanks to the pandemic-related pause, it’s taken longer for the excitement of Coronado’s “facelift” to receive the applause it deserves. But, with a few years of distance, we can confirm Coronado’s expansion is quite impressive, which seems to be the consensus of most guests.
So, whether or not you’re staying club-level, we hope your stay at the upgraded Coronado Springs Resort is absolutely incredible!
What are you waiting for? Go grab an espresso from Barcelona Lounge and kick back!
It’s an A++ from us!
Cover photo: Unsplash
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