A look inside Gran Destino, the Disney moderate resort that looks like a deluxe
First opened in 2019, the Gran Destino Tower at Disney's Coronado Springs offers a higher-end hotel experience for a price that is relatively competitive by Disney standards. While the hotel isn't within walking distance of any of the theme parks, it does strike a nice balance of many other features.
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While it's not the flashieist or priciest hotel at Disney World, it's the only Disney property in the moderate (middle) tier that also has a club-level lounge. It's also one of the newest.
What it costs
Booking a room at Disney's Gran Destino requires searching for Disney's Coronado Resort. Within the Coronado, you then select the Gran Destino Tower. The new tower has standard rooms, standard rooms with a view, standard rooms with club access and suites.
Not all rooms automatically get club-level access, so book carefully -- and, of course, expect to pay more for club access. If your goal is to let your kids go to the club lounge without you, be aware that many of the rooms with club access are not on the club floor.
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Standard rooms with access to the lounge exist, but are scarce and so far haven't been included in many sales or passholder discounts. When available, expect those rooms to start around $300 per night. Gran Destino Tower Suites with club access are more readily available, though those rooms often start around $500 per night. For our dates, we had to book a suite in order to have access to the club lounge -- but having a true suite at Disney for around $500 isn't a horrible thing, considering that standard rooms at Deluxe Resorts like Disney's Yacht Club can cost that same amount without lounge access.
Location
Disney's Coronado Springs, and the Gran Destino Tower within it, are located nearest to the Animal Kingdom theme park and Blizzard Beach waterpark. This also places them near the three All-Star value resorts.
It's a centrally located spot about 10 minutes from each of the Disney World theme parks, though none are within walking distance. The resort is connected to the rest of the Walt Disney World destinations by an included bus network and the pay-to-ride, on-demand Minnie Vans.
The rooms
Although Disney's Coronado Springs Resort has more than 2,300 rooms, the Gran Destino Tower has "just" 545 rooms, of which 50 are suites. The tower has a bright, modern and almost Las Vegas-y vibe that carries from the lobby to the hallways and into the rooms.
We were most surprised by the check-in process. With the opening of the Gran Destino tower, check in for all 2,300 Coronado Springs guests moved to the front desk of that building (with the exception of some large conferences). That means an even longer walk to some of the outlying buildings. And it should mean longer lines at check in, yet we found the lines quite short.
There was also a floating agent speaking with people in line. The agent periodically pulled a group out of line and checked them in with a mobile tablet while the family sat comfortably. This is by far one of the most relaxed check-in experiences at a Disney World resort.
Our room was on the seventh floor.
The living room was equipped with a bright rug, pull-out sofa, chair, storage space and a coffee nook.
There was also a small table for two with a nice view of Lago Dorado.
Should you wish to use the living space as a sleeping space in addition to the bedroom, the couch turns into a bed in seconds. Disney World has some of the best pull-out sofa beds in the industry. They're as close to a real mattress as you can get, with a hinged design as opposed to the typical thin fold-over pad.
Separated from the living space with a real door, the king bedroom had a streamlined aesthetic with modern conveniences, such as bedside lamps with USB and charging outlets — something lacking in the older Disney resort hotels. We were impressed with the number of electrical outlets.
In lieu of an actual closet, the bedroom has a sliding glass door with a mirror. On one side, you'll find a safe and some shelves for storage. Slide the door the other way and you'll see hangers, robes and other necessities. The sliding door fits the décor but it does seem odd for a higher-end hotel to show off storage spaces that are normally hidden.
The bathroom was fresh and modern, with a choice of single-use Disney H2O bath amenities or bottles mounted in the shower. In keeping with the upgraded surroundings of the suite, there were also upgraded amenities you wouldn't normally find.
Families with young kids should note there was no bathtub in this suite, which could be a deal breaker come bath time.
Club lounge
OK, here's the coolest part for those who enjoy lounges. Located on the 15th floor, the Chronus Club lounge was absolutely on par with what you would find at a Disney Deluxe Resort. There are so many little touches in the lounge. And it's much more than snacks and drinks — they do a great job feeding you as well.
Open for breakfast, midday snacks and evening appetizers (let's be real and call that dinner), you can rely on the lounge to keep bellies filled and thirst under control.
The evening food selection, including shrimp "paella style," Serrano ham, crab cakes, hummus and fire-roasted vegetables exceeded our (adult) expectations. With more than a dozen options, the variety of food meant most folks should be able to find something to eat. If you have kids who prefer plain food, you may struggle to find something they like. We mistakenly thought a tray of battered and fried fish were lumpy chicken nuggets. Our kids are all-in for fish, but we know many kids who aren't.
We found small Ghirardelli chocolate squares, apples and Kind bars that were easy takeaway snacks. And you'll also find Mickey hiding in plain sight in the form of sugar cubes and butter.
In keeping with the theme, you'll find a selection of Spanish beers and wines. None of the choices are over-the-top expensive, but if you've tried Spanish wine, you'll know you don't need to spend a lot to find a good bottle. Spanish beer and strawberry cider round out the collection of parental beverages quite nicely.
If you have antsy little ones, you'll find a treasure chest packed with toys to pass the time as well as a lending library of books, including some Disney favorites and even a few titles for adults. You can also trade pins with the friendly staff in the Chronos Club.
For seating, you can relax on a couch or get some work done on your laptop (which would be a sin with the food and the view).
There are a number of board games strategically placed throughout, and the club also has small touches that tie in the Spanish theme and the theme parks nearby.
The price differential for a room without club access and one with club access seems to hover around $70 per night, but we did find club rooms for as little as $15 more per night. Assuming your family of four enjoyed at least one full meal here per day plus snacks and drinks, the math can absolutely work in your favor. There aren't many standard rooms with club access, something that clearly showed up in our search results. On many nights, there wasn't any availability.
On the other hand, there are some excellent restaurants at Disney World, so you'll have to decide if accessible heavy appetizers and cold beverages is a plus for your family.
Amenities
The saddest part of our short stay at Gran Destino Tower was not having enough time for all the new food and beverage choices. The lobby of the Gran Destino is a sweeping two-story space with high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. That makes a great backdrop for the colorful Barcelona Lounge, where you can enjoy a Spanish coffee or a glass of wine from the region.
If you're looking for a view with your drink, the Dahlia Lounge on the 16th floor is the right spot. And we definitely have our eye on Toledo, a tapas restaurant located on the 16th floor. Late-night tapas with a view of the fireworks? Count us in.
The fitness center at Gran Destino Tower is much more reminiscent of a high-end conference hotel than a Disney resort.
We were also pleasantly surprised by Wi-Fi speeds at Gran Destino. This has been a challenge for many Disney World resorts, with some glacially slow Wi-Fi connections. We had no problem uploading these photos from the resort and download speeds were zippy.
Overall impression
Frankly, Disney had us at "new moderate hotel with a club lounge." Staying in a fresh, debut property is always a treat. However, for those who want to be within walking distance of a park or who want to go all-in on Disney theming, the Gran Destino comes up short. However, that's probably not a drawback for the NBA crowd who is there to play professional sports games -- not go round and round on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
But generally speaking, this property is for those who want all of the Disney Resort perks but are OK with a toned-down version of Disney when they retreat to their hotel at night. If you're used to luxury hotels and haven't bought into the "Disney bubble," this new tower is a great choice. The Disney influences in the décor are subtle, yet the excellent service you find elsewhere at Disney World is front and center. Call it a quiet retreat from the craziness of theme parks.
Planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Here are some resources:
- TPG’s ultimate guide to Walt Disney World Resort
- Disney World without kids: How to enjoy an adult trip to Disney
- The best restaurants in Disney World in 2019
- What to do when it rains at Disney World
- How to get groceries delivered at Disney World
- 6 things to know about Disney World’s Minnie Vans
- 10 ways to save money at Disney World
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.