Kamikaze
Well-Known Member
The guests allow this more than at WDW. Most people just want familiar foods, unfortunately.
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News Coronado Springs Expansion - Gran Destino Tower
- Thread starter P_Radden
- Start date
The guests allow this more than at WDW. Most people just want familiar foods, unfortunately.
Cesar R M
Well-Known Member
That hotel looks your typical Las Vegas style now..
The restaurant now looks your typical city cafeteria..
And the store.. cant comment.
JenniferS
When you're the leader, you don't have to follow.
In pictures - maybe, but not at all in real life.
The tower is a long way off from being finished. I will reserve judgement until we see it in person next year. During our trip earlier this month, Mike commented numerous times that I need to make a couple of throw away ADR’s for next year so that we can snag some for the rooftop dining here as soon as they open up.
Cesar R M
Well-Known Member
take photos! and share!
JenniferS
When you're the leader, you don't have to follow.
@WDWtraveler ’s pics are more than two weeks more recent than mine. We left CSR on 9/15, and these photos are from 9/6. Things weren’t even close to done by that date.
Sorry, I never really did go back for more pics.
I was never a fan of the over the top decorations anyway. I prefer my decor to be more classy and understated.
We loved the new rooms too. In pictures, they scream IKEA; in person, not at all. Mike especially loved the new rooms - the abundance of storage, the hard surface floors, the storage under the bed for luggage ... and the ginormous tv.
prberk
Well-Known Member
So far I seem to agree. The archetypal Mexico and Coronado exploration theming is gone, it seems. Replaced with something not that much more themed than Applebee's. Perhaps updated to match the Hilton tower going in across the lake.
Sorry, I just ache about the loss of detail theming that Disney used to emphasize... even enough on these "moderate" resorts (that were built at the time to be "value" resorts before the All-Stars came along and lowered the bar).
Cesar R M
Well-Known Member
Well, the restaurant still looks like an average fast food restaurant. Not like it was before. Modernized? maybe.. themed? nope.
Looks like they standardized for the sake of the convention center.
JenniferS
When you're the leader, you don't have to follow.
To each their own. Having experienced the area both ways, I like it way better.
prberk
Well-Known Member
To each their own. Having experienced the area both ways, I like it way better.
Then why not just stay at Bonnet Creek or the Swan or Dolphin, or one of the Hotel Plaza Blvd. properties, for cheaper? Why pay for the theming that is not there?
I stayed at the Coronado and enjoyed the Pepper Market's Mexican theming while having delicious food with modern kitchen equipment that I could see.
It is possible to renovate and keep function modern and even improved but with a high degree of theming. That used to be what made Disney different than the convention hotels down the street.
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JenniferS
When you're the leader, you don't have to follow.
Because I like the rooms, the layout of the resort, the beds/pillows, the pools, the walkways, the food, the atmosphere, the CM’s, John Mancini, the vibe, the location.
When I pull up and they say Welcome Home, I feel like I am “home”.
I didn’t actually care for the kitschy theming. I like the new streamlined, cleaner, less cluttered look better. To each their own.
Ah, the modern industrial look continues to invade WDW. Soul-less, uninspired, bland. Totally fits the personalities of current "leadership" who approve such things.
HwdStudio
Well-Known Member
Actually it doesn’t look anything like Las Vegas
prberk
Well-Known Member
Do you consider Main Street, USA, as kitschy theming? By your evaluation, shouldn't we just make it look like a modern shopping center? The Main Street Bakery could just be a nice, clean, simple Starbucks. And Casey's could be a Moe's -- where they say, "Welcome to Moe's," when you come in!
I guess my point is that the theming and attention to detail are what made WDW distinctive.
I recently stayed a the Williamsburg Lodge in Colonial Williamsburg for a conference, and they had advertised completely renovated rooms. I knew that they had done this about five years ago, and so I had thought that was what they meant, or at least the same style maybe with a few new touches. But instead I found the room to look essentially like something I would find in the Contemporary Resort or perhaps a "W" hotel: the room had blacks and whites and ultra-modern stylings. And I couldn't help but think that the room was clean and modern before (four years ago, the last time I stayed), but now it is "renovated" to not just be modern in amenities but modern in style... at Colonial Williamsburg! I thought, "Why am I bothering to stay at an official Colonial Williamsburg hotel at the premium price, if my room is like less expensive Hilton down the street?"
The hallways were nice and clean with some classic features, and the lobby was still elegant and classy Colonial in style (hardwoods, brass) -- but the rooms were straight out of the Contemporary (or a W hotel). It made no sense, when they had been so good before at being completely modern in function while being decorated with the special knowledge of the Colonial period that you come there for.
So, that is what I expect from WDW: attention to detail and theme in addition to the expected conveniences of modernity. And they used to be great at that.
Can they do the Mexican theme effectively other than how they did it with the Pepper Market? I am sure they can. Did they accomplish that with this renovation? It doesn't seem so.
Just my thoughts.
HwdStudio
Well-Known Member
So many things wrong with your post I won’t even go into it all. The resort is still beautifully themed. So much more than any of the other hotels you’ve listed. It was time for an update. It was stuck in the 1990’s. This hotel caters to modern day business clientele not the typical Mickey Mouse hugging tourist.
ETA - haven’t even seen it in person have you?
Nextinline
Well-Known Member
The notion that business clientele can't appreciate theming is flawed. If they didn't want theming, they wouldn't conduct the business at WDW. There are plenty of places in the country that can serve the same function with no theme for a lot cheaper. Not to mention, assuming the people on business trips are average humans, they enjoy vacationing at WDW and are happy to be there on business- theme included as part of the charm.
I personally don't think the business or convention aspect has anything to do with it. I think it is poor decision making from on-high. They don't trust the theme and would prefer trendy aesthetics.
bhg469
Well-Known Member
There may be some truth to that.. The world of Disney store seems to have suffered the same lack of trust.
JenniferS
When you're the leader, you don't have to follow.
I’m out.
I like it. You don’t. Clearly I’m a rube.
And yes, I’ve stayed there multiple times. Very recently in fact.
flyerjab
Well-Known Member
Don't worry...you are not the only rube. I also like the changes, here and at CBR.
eddie104
Well-Known Member
I'm in the camp between modernizing the amenities and things like bed sheets, vanities and new electronic systems. I feel like people get too caught up on it being Disney so it has to be themed to the high heavens however as we can see not everyone enjoyed the old 1990s look. If they are able to keep it a fine line between up to date and some modest Dis flair they could please everybody.