If you wanted to get an overall idea of the general scope of the Gran Destino project over at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, all you really have to do is drive by the entrance. Really. There’s no missing this behemoth:
And if you think it looks massive just off the road, it’s even more impressive as you drive in to the newly-opened, freshly-asphalted parking lot just off to the side.
While we were just here earlier this month, so much has happened since then. Of course, with rooms already available for booking and an opening date of July 9th, 2019, they’re working against the clock. The lower half of the building appears to have been finished and painted a cheery yellow to match with the newly painted main building.
Christmas has arrived at Coronado and it’s ¡Espectacular! However, the entire porte-cochère is now… a holding place for luggage. Which means you have to walk all the way around…
… and I mean all the way around. Like, convention center around. Like the convention center is the new bus stop around.
At least you get these nice arched hallways lined with pretty succulents and agave plants. (Yes, those are agave plants, for you norteños. Those lil guys make tequila!)
“Christmas, but make it Mayan.”
The walkway is almost finished, as most railings are already up and in place.
A closer look at Lago Dorado and the Three Bridges Bar & Grill restaurant.
A view of Gran Destino from just outside the lobby.
Okay, not all railings are up… but there’s progress!
Back in the lobby, there’s a little poster display with artist renderings of the resort expansion.
Navidad game strong.
Heading towards the tower from the lobby, you pass by these #DisneyWalls, also featuring the same artist renderings. You walk past the dejected recreation gazebo/marina and over to your first makeshift construction bridge.
You can see that the giant vaulted entrance is coming together quite nicely.
One night in a King Junior Suite later, and the front facade was actually more or less completed!
Construction extends out to the other side as well.
Things over by the Dig Site feature pool aren’t all that exciting… but we were told by a CM that it should be opening back up in about a week or two.
The flowers surrounding the lake (and the entire resort, really) are truly breathtaking.
One of the walkways originates over by the pool area, making it easy to cross over for a bite or a drink when hunger strikes.
Keep walking past the pool (gotta burn off those beignets) and you’ll get another perspective of the lake restaurant, with Gran Destino looming behind.
All this construction comes at a cost to guests of the resort. Starting from where Casitas 4 begins to where the Dig Site pool is, the lakeside walkway has been taken over by construction fences that are really an eyesore, plus annoying to have to walk around, especially after seeing how pretty the lakeside walk is.
What do you think about the Coronado Springs Resort’s expansion? Have you booked your suite at Gran Destino yet? To book this or any other resort for your Disney vacation, contact WDWNT’s exclusive travel agent, Small World Big Fun, at http://smallworldbigfun.com/disneyfans.
More on Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and Gran Destino Tower:
BREAKING: New Coronado Springs Addition Named Gran Destino Tower
PHOTOS: Newly Remodeled Panchito’s Gift Shop Now Complete at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Villa del Lago Lakeside Lounge/Restaurant Announced for Coronado Springs
PHOTOS: Coronado Springs Expansion Concept Art Shows New Concierge Lounge, Meeting Space
Gran Destino is going to look beautiful, but it just looks weird sitting inches next to Coronado Springs. I wish they offset to the right a little like they in at the Caribbean Beach. I think they are going to have to rethink this setup in the future to make it work.
Have to say, I’m really liking this remodel so far.
Where exactly is the tower located? How far will the walk be from the new tower to the dig site pool?