News Coronado Springs Expansion - Gran Destino Tower

[DisneyGigi]

Photo update as of Sunday, August 19, 2018. Since my last update on July 9th. The half-way points on the two wooden piers now have covers.

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A close-up of the restaurant on the lake. The kitchen (back of house) appears to be on the left, given all the piping and overhead structure for mechanical systems. The dining area appears to be on the right, which would face the larger part of the lake, the new tower, and original resort lobby area.

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The view from the resort lobby shore toward the restaurant's dining area.

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Over at the Maya Grill, a new patio area is being installed.

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The "lakeside" view of the new tower, and a view of the lobby on the center ground floor.

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The front of the new tower, facing the road entrance.

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A close-up of the top floor restaurant area, with future large windows for Hollywood Studios fireworks viewing.

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Finally, I found a place near the front entrance that wasn't painted with the updated paint scheme. Compare the old paint scheme on the right (Light beige, light blue, and the lime green at the end of the building), with the new one on the left.

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Question- does the Tower block the view of the fireworks from the rest of the resort? Trying to picture where they were best viewed in relation to where it is. Going in less than 2 weeks. We haven’t stayed there since 2016. It is going to be so crazy to see the changes.

 

[Biff215]

Thanks for the more balanced comment. Lots of judgment about a couple of half finished hotels at CSR and Riviera. I am willing to see how the whole experience comes together. The idea that a tower is inconsistent with the grounds for either area is just wrong - if you have ever visited the real resorts they are modeled on. If you look at how the new grounds come together in relation to the new tower and as you mention the new restaurant and the orientation around Lago Dorado - it will be better. They also just refurbed the rooms and they are far better looking than before and even have more Disney theming in them.

Heck - throw in a Skyliner expansion and this place might be perfect. Well, except for constantly running into people with name tags visiting for the tech expo or the American Association of HVAC Contractors or whatever.

I'm willing to give it a chance, but I can tell you that just driving around WDW last week, these towers sure do change a lot. What used to be distinct resorts tucked away in the trees is now quite different. In some ways it shrinks everything as you look one way and see Coronado and then just a little down the road you see Riviera. It's an adjustment we'll have to get used to, I just think I prefer the charm of the low rise resorts where you truly felt like you were in a different place.

 

[Nextinline]

Is it true that Pepper Market no longer serves tacos and empanadas? Do they still have churros?? What is going on with this resort?

 

[DisneyJeff]

Is it true that Pepper Market no longer serves tacos and empanadas? Do they still have churros?? What is going on with this resort?

Apparently, it is true. But you can get those all-time South West favorites: Philly Cheese Steak and Crab Cake Sandwiches!!!

 

[JenniferS]

Apparently, it is true. But you can get those all-time South West favorites: Philly Cheese Steak and Crab Cake Sandwiches!!!

I’ve had both. They are excellent.

 

[Nextinline]

Apparently, it is true. But you can get those all-time South West favorites: Philly Cheese Steak and Crab Cake Sandwiches!!!

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Disney continues to give us less reasons to stay at CSR. They're stripping away all the character!

 

[Mousey21]

Is it true that Pepper Market no longer serves tacos and empanadas? Do they still have churros?? What is going on with this resort?

They are doing work in the pepper market, so my assumption is that’s why they aren’t there because not all the counters are open, while we were there they changed things round while they worked on different areas, maybe..?

 

[peter11435]

They are doing work in the pepper market, so my assumption is that’s why they aren’t there because not all the counters are open, while we were there they changed things round while they worked on different areas, maybe..?

Correct

 

[Cesar R M]

Apparently, it is true. But you can get those all-time South West favorites: Philly Cheese Steak and Crab Cake Sandwiches!!!

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Cant.. see.. anything..

 

[DisneyJeff]

Cant.. see.. anything..

Yeah, my bad on that!

Here you go...

 

[LieutLaww]

I would eat pretty much all of what is on the menu lol

 

[MisterPenguin]

@bioreconstruct...

 

[BigThunderMatt]

Is it true that Pepper Market no longer serves tacos and empanadas? Do they still have churros?? What is going on with this resort?

Last I heard Pepper Market was getting a menu revamp because food quality scores on guest surveys were super low. Fun Fact: The food at Coronado is not Disney owned or operated. It's all done by a third party. With the exception of catering for events in the convention center. I think that still falls under Disney.

 

[Nextinline]

Saw a rumor that Pepper Market was getting a name change as well. Has anyone else seen anything about this?

 

[MisterPenguin]

Saw a rumor that Pepper Market was getting a name change as well. Has anyone else seen anything about this?

Ten bucks it's "Panchito's Market."

 

[Rteetz]

Saw a rumor that Pepper Market was getting a name change as well. Has anyone else seen anything about this?

The other site says it will be "El Mercado de Coronado"

 

[yaksplat]

Last I heard Pepper Market was getting a menu revamp because food quality scores on guest surveys were super low. Fun Fact: The food at Coronado is not Disney owned or operated. It's all done by a third party. With the exception of catering for events in the convention center. I think that still falls under Disney.

That's a shame. When I stayed there 7 years ago, the food was amazing. We had considered Pepper's market to be one of the best hotel QS. It was far better than what was offered at the floridian or polynesian.

 

[BigThunderMatt]

When I stayed there 7 years ago, the food was amazing. We had considered Pepper's market to be one of the best hotel QS. It was far better than what was offered at the floridian or polynesian.

Obvious decline in quality then because it's always been operated by the same outside company since the resort opened. Just like Disney it seems like corners are being cut and quality is being reduced to increase profit margins. This is why on the whole I prefer dining at Disneyland where the menus have a lot more diversity.

 

[TrojanUSC]

Obvious decline in quality then because it's always been operated by the same outside company since the resort opened. Just like Disney it seems like corners are being cut and quality is being reduced to increase profit margins. This is why on the whole I prefer dining at Disneyland where the menus have a lot more diversity.

When you don't have suckers prepaying for their food it makes it harder to cut corners. Also makes it harder when your average Disneyland guest might just as well eat on their way into/out of the park off-property. You have to make the food worth them seeking it out and paying for it.

 

[WDWtraveler]

Photo update as of Sunday, September 23, 2018. A view of the new tower from the Cabana rooms, which are closed for rehab.

A view of the boardwalk leading to the new lake restaurant, with the new tower in the background.

A view of the new lake restaurant from the walkway around the resort feature pool (which is currently closed for rehab). Most of the interior dining area appears to be on the left side, with a new deck being constructed on the right.

Updates to the Pepper Market food court have been completed. Now called El Mercado de Coronado, there are new tables and chairs, new paint. The new paint scheme is browns and dark blues.

El Mercado features standard and high top tables, as well as new chairs which are less cumbersome than the old wooden chairs. The three styles of new chairs are metal, with wooden seats.

In the center of the dining area, there is a row of cushioned bench seats.

Finally, the resort's retail store is still undergoing a makeover. The back one quarter of the store is behind a construction wall. The ceiling tiles are painted dark brown now. Gone is the "donkey cart" that was positioned at the front of the store. The original cashier stand on the left is behind a black curtain.