First Look - Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs Resort

The Walt Disney World Resort has shared photos of the gorgeous interior of the brand new Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort including the magnificent two-story grand lobby, the beautifully appointed guest rooms, as well as the restaurants and lounges.

Celebrating the rich cultures and vibrant landscapes of Spain, Mexico, and the American Southwest through contemporary design and Old World traditions, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort shines with renewed luster. On July 9, 2019, the resort will complete a multiyear re-imagining focused on today’s travelers, marking the official debut of a new tower, new restaurants and a new arrival experience.

The new Gran Destino Tower rises dramatically on the southeastern shores of Lago Dorado (“Golden Lake”), the resort’s 22-acre lake. The tower – opening to the public July 9 – offers 545 modern guest rooms (including 50 suites and club-level services), a grand two-story lobby, new meeting venues, and a rooftop restaurant and lounge with spectacular views. The distinctive tower becomes the stylish new gateway to the 2,385-room resort.

Gran Destino Tower takes its name from the classic Disney film “Destino.” Drawing inspiration from the surrealist animated short, the tower is a whimsical, magnificent visual feast, diverse in its design and execution. The tower’s outdoor Destino Plaza are also ideal for weddings, business receptions or other special events.

Past its grand entrance and signature ribbon-patterned design that climbs up the side of Gran Destino Tower, guests step into a stunning lobby – an homage to the Catalan Modernism style. On their way to check in, new arrivals pass intricate wooden screens with rows of beautiful Moorish hanging lanterns, while decorative bronze screens inspired by Spanish tile patterns accent the rear wall of the lobby.

The warm colors and patterns of Barcelona inspire the sun-filled Barcelona Lounge on the lobby’s lower level, offering plenty of casual seating and lake views. Beneath a magnificent chandelier framed by sculpted plaster columns, guests can enjoy coffee in the morning and cocktails as the day progresses.

The Catalan theme extends to the tower’s stylish new guest rooms and suites. A wall covering in each room is inspired by Spanish tile medallions, adding an Old World touch to a contemporary design. The new tower also offers club-access rooms for guests who want to enjoy the benefits of the Chronos Club. The club boasts commanding views of Walt Disney World Resort and cast members who can assist with vacation planning. Light refreshments are available throughout the day.

Now let's take a look at the rooms ...

Each tower guest room also offers a new interactive television system that provides a more customized and Disney differentiated in-room experience. This new television system will enhance the guest experience with Disney-quality services, content and personalization. For example, guests can view their Disney PhotoPass images on the large screen and stream their entertainment services from their personal devices to the in-room television.

Gran Destino Tower is crowned by dramatic rooftop dining locations; Tolédo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood and Dahlia Lounge, offering breathtaking views of Walt Disney World from the tower’s 16th floor. Named for the storied Spanish city home to avant-garde writers and artists of the 1920s and ’30s, Tolédo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood is a table-service dining experience. The Spanish-inspired menu features entrees like chuletón, a 32-ounce, Spanish-style ribeye for two, as well as sustainable seafood and classic Spanish sides. It’s all served in a setting that features live olive trees, vibrant colors and an intricate vaulted ceiling with stained-glass accents. There’s also an onstage tapas kitchen inspired by the flavors of Spain, specializing in small plates, charcuteríá, and cheeses.

The adjacent Dahlia Lounge takes its mesmerizing shapes and swirling patterns from Spanish Modernism, inviting guests into an intimate, artful space where they can enjoy signature cocktails and panoramic views.

As part of the broader re-imagining of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, three new pedestrian bridges now extend across Lago Dorado, allowing for quick and convenient passage to and from all parts of the resort. In the middle of the lake at the nexus of these new pathways is Villa del Lago (“Lake Villa”), home to a new outdoor restaurant, Three Bridges Bar & Grill. The open-air, waterfront dining location offers delicious entrees and shareables, along with refreshing cocktails and signature sangria pitchers. Three Bridges Bar & Grill features a rustic, Old World charm anchored by a large stone hearth behind the central bar.

These new experiences complement the wide array of amenities and experiences at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, including floating gardens, scenic nature trails, and palm-shaped courtyards. All existing guest rooms at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort were updated with new fixtures, furnishings, and lighting. Guest feedback helped shape the room remodel that introduced an expansive desk space, hard-surface floors, platform beds and more. In addition, a fresh, sophisticated new color palette ties together the entire resort experience.

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is now a celebration of Spanish, Mexican and American Southwest cultures, infused with a profound respect for the natural world – most notably water. These design motifs span centuries to form a common thread that connects the new with the newly re-imagined.

Takumi-Tei Restaurant Now Open in Epcot

If you are looking for a new and unique place to dine at Walt Disney World, then we have some exciting news for you: Takumi-Tei is officially open at Epcot!

Located in World Showcase, the new signature table-service restaurant is the latest addition to the Japan pavilion. Here you will enjoy an upscale dining experience with exceptional and specialized service tailored to the unique atmosphere this restaurant provides.

The entire Takumi-Tei experience is focused on giving Guests a better understanding of Japanese culture, as explained by the Japanese cultural representatives. From the moment you walk into the restaurant to the moment you put down your chopsticks for the last time, you'll feel as if you've been transported to the island nation and will learn about Japanese traditions and their connection to the natural world.

In addition to an incredible prix fixe multi-course tasting menu and a chef’s table experience, the dinner menu highlights wagyu beef in a sublime setting along with sushi, sashimi, unique desserts, signature cocktails, premium sake and much more.

Guests can start their meal with appetizers like Teien (meaning “garden” and featuring compressed watermelon and tuna sashimi), Nikomi Wagyu (braised wagyu short rib with roasted bone marrow), or Hama no Kani (“Crab on the Beach” featuring crab tossed in a light ponzu sauce as well whole toasted crab). For a vegetarian option, you can dine on the Agedashi Tofu with fried silken tofu, brown butter black rice and shimeji mushroom.

Entrées include exquisite dishes like Kamo Rosu and Takumi Gyuniku. The Kamo Rosu features roasted marinated duck with kabocha squash, edamame beans, Japanese mizuna, cured duck egg yolk, and a grape reduction. The Takumi Gyuniku, or artisan beef, shines the spotlight on a Japanese A-5 wagyu beef tenderloin with leek sauce, warishita, short rib gyoza, roast cippolini onion, curried potato, and seasonal mushroom.

For the sushi and sashimi lovers, there are some delicious options. On the Maki Sushi menu, you'll find Mozaiku (featuring tuna, yellowtail and asparagus). You can also try the Temari Sushi featuring a chef-selected assortment of oceanic delicacies. Or if sashimi is more your style, the Takumi Sashimi entrée features tuna, toro, salmon, yellowtail, uni and ikura.

Of course, there’s always room for dessert! Two choice selections include Kumo (yuzu cheesecake, spiced kabocha, orange yuzu gel and blackberry sake) or Suiren Dani (Water Lilly Valley featuring Japanese water cake, rose, kuromitsu and kinako crumb).

You will also find an extensive beverage menu with premium sake, wine, beer and cocktails. Specialty cocktails are themed to each of the five dining rooms and include Kochi (Joto Yuzu citrus sake, rum, fresh mint, yuzu juice and orange), Raiju (Haku Japanese vodka, spiced ginger beer and lime), Sakurajima (Japanese whisky sour smoked with cherrywood), and Kami (Roku gin, Sayuri “White Lilly” Nigori sake, calipco and lychee).

Walk-ups are currently being accepted, and reservations will be available beginning July 16, 2019.

Best Walt Disney World Restaurants for Adults

I know that just being at Walt Disney World is quite a celebration itself, but if you're looking for a specific restaurant to celebrate a special day whether it's a birthday, anniversary or something else you want to celebrate, the following are my personal favourite locations to celebrate (keep in mind this list was made with adults in mind, so if you have a seven-year-old who wants to celebrate their birthday I would recommend Chef Mickey's or a different restaurant).


California Grill, Contemporary Resort
I personally recommend the brunch at California grill - it is fantastic with all-you-can-eat sushi. The dinner service is also fantastic - I've also had some amazing steak there and there's even a create your own Bloody Mary bar. Like most of the restaurants on this list it is a bit more expensive but it's for a special occasion so I feel like it's definitely worth it.

Victoria & Albert’s, Grand Floridian Resort
This is Disney’s best restaurant by a wide margin. The difference between Victoria & Albert’s and a restaurant that’s merely “very good” is that a “very good” restaurant is probably known for a few signature dishes it does well. At Victoria & Albert’s, every single menu item is exceptional. Each course — and there are 7 to 10 of them on the tasting menus — is prepared by accomplished chefs, using the best ingredients available regardless of cost, presented in innovative ways, by servers whose knowledge is frankly astounding. Also astounding is the price, which starts at $185 per person for the 7-course tasting menu, and goes to $235 per person for the 10-course menu. Add in a wine pairing ($65 to $150 per person), caviar, and gratuity, and dinner for two people will top $1,000. Formal attire is required to dine at Victoria & Albert's.

Boma – Flavors of Africa, Animal Kingdom Lodge
The Boma buffet has been one of our favourites since it opened more than fifteen years ago. The buffet is enormous — stretching down almost the entire length of the restaurant and continuing along one side. If the food at Jiko is a tempered introduction to African, Asian, and Indian cuisine, the food at Boma is even more so. For every pot of mulligatawny (a curry-flavored stew with meats and vegetables) there’s a tray of chicken nuggets and fries. My favorite here is the carving station with roasted meat and sauces. The dessert options are wonderful too. Both breakfast and dinner are buffet style.

Artist Point, Wilderness Lodge
Artist Point features food from the Pacific Northwest. Its house specialty for years has been salmon roasted on a cedar plank, which won’t steer you wrong. We've eaten at Artist Point many time and really enjoy the Braised Short Rib Bolognese, with thick egg noodles and mushrooms. If you’ve got a large group, the charcuterie board is stocked with boar, venison, and pork is a good option. Pair that with the cheese board of five samples, and you’re off to a good start. Another yummy entree is the buffalo strip loin, two perfect pieces of meat with just salt and pepper on top. The most popular side dish is a truffle macaroni and cheese.

Beaches & Cream Soda Shop, Beach Club Resort
Beaches & Cream serves old-fashioned hamburgers and fries, plus traditional American diner food, milkshakes, and sundaes. It’s not a fancy menu, but the burgers are cooked fresh and at $16 each are considerably better (and a few dollars cheaper) than many other table service places in Walt Disney World. Reservations are exceptionally difficult to get at Beaches & Cream because of its small size — it might hold a few dozen people, tops. If you can get your family in, try the Kitchen Sink sundae: scoop after scoop of ice cream served with every topping on the menu — it serves four people.

Monsieur Paul, France Pavilion, Epcot
Monsieur Paul is definitely one of the most grown-up of all Epcot restaurants. It’s a true fine-dining experience tucked away upstairs in the France Pavilion. It’s quite expensive, but is perfect for date night without kids. The menu is unique and the food is always excellent. Dinner is the only meal served at Monsieur Paul, so you can always expect a special experience. The prix fixe meal is the restaurant’s signature offering. The menu changes often, but always has a variety of top-notch choices. Appetizers range from fancy soups to crab legs. For entrees, you can always expect a good mix of beef, chicken, and fish. The Beef Tenderloin is my personal go-to. Also, the restaurant is known for commonly having a great Sea Bass dish on the menu. Dessert is a big highlight for Monsieur Paul, so don’t leave without it. There are a handful of the usual suspects- cake, ice cream, meringue, but I recommend the “La Sphere”. The La Sphere is a chocolate sphere filled with chocolate almond cake, chocolate cream, pralines, hazelnut biscuit, chocolate ice cream, and cognac sauce. The presentation is beautiful and the dessert itself is delicious.

Jiko - The Cooking Place, Animal Kingdom Lodge
Jiko is one of Disney World’s overall best restaurants. Jiko’s food is outstanding. It’s a mix of African and Mediterranean-inspired dishes that are unique, but not so out of the ordinary that a picky eater can’t enjoy a meal here. My personal favorite item on the menu is the Botswana Short Rib. You hear “fall-off-the-bone-tender” a lot at restaurants, but Jiko’s short rib is deserving of that claim. Lamb, steak, chicken, seafood- all of it is top quality and incorporates just enough African flair. Lots of imported wines to choose from too.


Did your favorite restaurant make the list? Are there any restaurants that you feel I missed? Let me know in the comments.