An inside look at Gran Destino, the Disney moderate resort that resembles a deluxe option

Opened in 2019, the Gran Destino Tower at Disney's Coronado Springs provides a premium hotel experience at a relatively competitive price by Disney standards. While it's not within walking distance to the theme parks, it offers a great mix of other features.

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While it may not be the flashiest or most expensive hotel at Disney World, it stands out as the only Disney moderate-tier property featuring a club-level lounge. Plus, it's among the newest options available.

Pricing details

To book a room at Disney's Gran Destino, search for Disney's Coronado Resort, then select the Gran Destino Tower within the resort. The new tower offers standard rooms, rooms with views, standard rooms with club access, and suites.

Not every room includes club-level access, so be sure to book carefully—and expect to pay extra for that privilege. If your aim is to allow your kids to visit the club lounge alone, keep in mind that many rooms with club access are not located on the club floor.

Standard rooms with lounge access are limited and haven't been frequently featured in sales or passholder discounts. When they are available, expect prices to start around $300 per night. Gran Destino Tower Suites with club access are more commonly found, though these usually begin at about $500 per night. For our travel dates, we needed to book a suite to gain access to the club lounge—however, securing a true suite at Disney for roughly $500 isn’t too bad, especially when standard rooms at Deluxe Resorts like Disney's Yacht Club can match that price without lounge access.

Location details

Disney's Coronado Springs and the Gran Destino Tower are situated closest to the Animal Kingdom theme park and Blizzard Beach waterpark, also placing them near the three All-Star value resorts.

It's conveniently located about 10 minutes from each of the Disney World theme parks, though none are within walking distance. The resort is linked to the rest of Walt Disney World via a complimentary bus network and the paid, on-demand Minnie Vans.

Room accommodations

While Disney's Coronado Springs Resort features over 2,300 rooms, the Gran Destino Tower houses "only" 545 rooms, including 50 suites. The tower exudes a bright, modern, and somewhat Las Vegas-inspired atmosphere that flows from the lobby through the hallways and into the rooms.

We were particularly surprised by the check-in process. With the opening of the Gran Destino Tower, check-in for all 2,300 Coronado Springs guests has relocated to the front desk of that building (except for some large conferences). This results in a longer walk for guests in some of the outer buildings. While it might suggest longer lines at check-in, we found the lines to be surprisingly short.

There was also a roaming agent chatting with guests in line. The agent would occasionally pull a group aside and check them in using a mobile tablet while the family relaxed comfortably. This is easily one of the most laid-back check-in experiences at a Disney World resort.

Our room was located on the seventh floor.

The living area featured a vibrant rug, a pull-out sofa, a chair, storage options, and a coffee nook.

There was also a cozy table for two offering a lovely view of Lago Dorado.

If you want to use the living area as an additional sleeping space, the couch converts to a bed in just seconds. Disney World boasts some of the finest pull-out sofa beds available, featuring a design that's almost as comfortable as a real mattress, thanks to its hinged mechanism instead of the usual thin fold-over pad.

Isolated from the living area by a proper door, the king bedroom featured a sleek design complemented by modern amenities, including bedside lamps equipped with USB and charging ports—a feature often missing in older Disney resort hotels. We were pleasantly surprised by the abundance of electrical outlets.

Instead of a traditional closet, the bedroom is fitted with a sliding glass door adorned with a mirror. One side contains a safe and some shelving for storage. When you slide the door the other way, you'll find hangers, robes, and other essentials. While the sliding door suits the decor, it does seem unusual for a higher-end hotel to showcase storage that is typically concealed.

The bathroom was contemporary and inviting, featuring a selection of single-use Disney H2O bath amenities or dispensers mounted in the shower. Consistent with the suite's upscale ambiance, it also included enhanced amenities that you wouldn't typically encounter.

Families with young children should be aware that this suite lacks a bathtub, which might be a deal breaker at bath time.

Club lounge

Now, here’s the highlight for lounge enthusiasts. Situated on the 15th floor, the Chronus Club lounge rivals what you would expect at a Disney Deluxe Resort. The lounge is filled with delightful touches and goes beyond just snacks and drinks — they excel at providing ample food options as well.

Available for breakfast, afternoon snacks, and evening hors d'oeuvres (let’s be honest, that’s dinner), the lounge ensures that appetites are satisfied and thirsts quenched.

The evening food offerings, featuring shrimp "paella style," Serrano ham, crab cakes, hummus, and fire-roasted vegetables, far surpassed our (adult) expectations. With over a dozen choices, there’s likely something for everyone. However, if your kids prefer simpler foods, they might find it challenging. We mistakenly thought a platter of battered fried fish was just lumpy chicken nuggets. Our kids love fish, but we know many who do not.

We discovered bite-sized Ghirardelli chocolate squares, fresh apples, and Kind bars that make for convenient snacks on the go. Plus, you'll spot Mickey cleverly disguised as sugar cubes and butter.

True to the theme, there's a variety of Spanish beers and wines. None of the selections are overly pricey, but anyone familiar with Spanish wine knows you can find quality without breaking the bank. The addition of Spanish beer and strawberry cider complements the adult beverage choices perfectly.

For little ones with extra energy, there's a treasure chest filled with toys to keep them entertained, along with a lending library featuring beloved Disney books and even some adult titles. Plus, you can trade pins with the welcoming staff at the Chronos Club.

You can kick back on a couch or tackle some work on your laptop, though that might be a missed opportunity with the delicious food and stunning view available.

Throughout the space, you'll find various board games, along with charming details that reflect the Spanish theme and nearby theme parks.

The price difference between a room with and without club access is typically around $70 per night, though we found some club rooms available for just $15 more. If your family of four plans to enjoy at least one full meal daily along with snacks and drinks, this can definitely tip the scales in your favor. Availability of standard rooms with club access was limited during our search, often showing no options for many nights.

However, Disney World boasts some fantastic dining options, so you’ll need to weigh whether the convenience of heavy appetizers and chilled drinks is a plus for your family.

Amenities

The most disappointing aspect of our brief stay at Gran Destino Tower was not having enough time to explore all the new dining and drinking options. The lobby is an impressive two-story space featuring high ceilings and large windows, providing a stunning backdrop for the vibrant Barcelona Lounge, where you can savor a Spanish coffee or a regional glass of wine.

For a drink with a view, the Dahlia Lounge on the 16th floor is the perfect choice. We're also excited about Toledo, a tapas restaurant located on the same floor. Late-night tapas while watching the fireworks? Yes, please!

The fitness center at Gran Destino Tower feels more like an upscale conference hotel than a traditional Disney resort.

We were pleasantly surprised by the Wi-Fi speeds at Gran Destino. Many Disney World resorts struggle with sluggish connections, but here, uploading photos was effortless and download speeds were impressively fast.

Overall impression

Honestly, Disney won us over with "new moderate hotel with a club lounge." Staying in a brand-new property is always exciting. However, for guests wanting to be within walking distance of a park or those who prefer a full-on Disney experience, Gran Destino may fall short. That said, this might not matter to the NBA crowd visiting for professional sports rather than theme park thrills.

Generally, this property caters to those who appreciate the benefits of Disney Resort living while enjoying a more subdued atmosphere at their hotel in the evenings. If you're accustomed to luxury accommodations and haven't fully embraced the "Disney bubble," this new tower is an excellent option. The Disney touches in the décor are subtle, yet the outstanding service found throughout Disney World remains prominent. Think of it as a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks.

Planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Here are some resources:

• The ultimate guide to Walt Disney World Resort by TPG
• Enjoying Disney World as an adult: A guide for kid-free trips
• The top restaurants at Disney World in 2019
• What to do during rainy days at Disney World
• How to have groceries delivered while at Disney World
• 6 important facts about Disney World's Minnie Vans
• 10 money-saving tips for your Disney World visit