News Coronado Springs Expansion - Gran Destino Tower

[Missing20K]

I recommend it! Price wise, I can't imagine it would be too far off a WDW vacation these days and you can also swing past Disneyland Paris while you're in the neighbourhood.

To kind of keep this on topic, the Sequoia Lodge at DLP is a really nice example of themed architecture without over-the-top theming. A South-Western theme with a similar approach would work.

I've been pricing. It's darn close depending on level of accommodations one would like.

And I've been lucky enough to see DLP and from what I saw of the resorts (granted just strolled around, and didn't see them all) they are reallly well done, particularly Disneyland Hotel, Sequoia and Newport Beach, though heavy on the 'Murica theme.

Back to the topic, a knock off Hotel Santa Fe could have worked well here also.

 

[Kman101]

I like it, actually, in isolation. As part of the overall resort? (I know it's a "separate tower") I'd have to see it completed and in person. Sometimes that can change perspectives but I understand a lot of people want to make up their minds on things immediately. I do it too.

It would fit nicely in Vegas; I agree. It does scream Vegas. Hey, who knew Disney was building a DVC on the strip?

 

[Missing20K]

It's a tower. So, how is it going to be anything but modern? Can't exactly do 14 floors of adobe brick.

Ahh, all tall buildings must be "modern." Duly noted.

Also, Shibam built in the 16th century. All adobe bricks. Sorry, bit slow at work.

 

[Kman101]

Back to the topic, a knock off Hotel Santa Fe could have worked well here also.

That it would. But we wouldn't want value/moderate would we? They're trying to blur the lines between deluxe and moderate it seems.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

That it would. But we wouldn't want value/moderate would we? They're trying to blur the lines between deluxe and moderate it seems.

I stayed at quite a nice place in Santa Fe a few years back called the Hotel El Dorado: https://www.eldoradohotel.com/photovideo-gallery

That's the sort of place I would have sent the designers and architects from which to draw inspiration if I was commissioning this tower.

I've been pricing. It's darn close depending on level of accommodations one would like.

And I've been lucky enough to see DLP and from what I saw of the resorts (granted just strolled around, and didn't see them all) they are reallly well done, particularly Disneyland Hotel, Sequoia and Newport Beach, though heavy on the 'Murica theme.

I must admit that as I get older I am less likely to bother travelling if I can't stay somewhere reasonably nice!

The 'Murica theme is certainly strong, but I think it works everywhere except maybe Hotel New York. That is now become a Marvel Hotel, which I think is even less to my taste than either the current hotel or this new tower.

 

[HauntedPirate]

I've been pricing. It's darn close depending on level of accommodations one would like.

And I've been lucky enough to see DLP and from what I saw of the resorts (granted just strolled around, and didn't see them all) they are reallly well done, particularly Disneyland Hotel, Sequoia and Newport Beach, though heavy on the 'Murica theme.

Back to the topic, a knock off Hotel Santa Fe could have worked well here also.

Stayed at Newport Beach last month. A moderate-level room at a 4-star price. Not impressed by the look of New York. Saw lots of mildew and dirt and just general TLC that was needed on many buildings.

Back on-topic - Why not just stick with the "American Southwest" theme in the new tower? Must have been too difficult to do on such a small budget...

 

[Lensman]

Not to say that it doesn't look like a themed tower in Vegas, but if we're going to criticize it, we may as well criticize the concept art instead of the construction photos of the tower before the facade goes on.

 

[Missing20K]

Stayed at Newport Beach last month. A moderate-level room at a 4-star price. Not impressed by the look of New York. Saw lots of mildew and dirt and just general TLC that was needed on many buildings.

Back on-topic - Why not just stick with the "American Southwest" theme in the new tower? Must have been too difficult to do on such a small budget...

I didn't stay in a room and it was 2014 so can't speak to upkeep issues either. I tend to agree about New York (didn't know about the Marvel overlay) and Cheyenne is a bit cheesy. But they all have "heavier" theming than this. Whether "heavier" theming is what people want or not, well that's what the guest surveys are for, right?

Not to say that it doesn't look like a themed tower in Vegas, but if we're going to criticize it, we may as well criticize the concept art instead of the construction photos of the tower before the facade goes on.

Well, ok.

One of the first things I was taught when creating architectural renderings and concept art, is that one shouldn't hide the most important aspect of the design/building. This particular piece has foreground vegetation masking a good 1/3 to 1/2 of the building. Foreground elements should frame the image and provide a contrast of colors, depth and detail.

Also, has anyone else wondered if the different colors for the Art Nouveau "curvy weave" (no idea what to call that element) are LED lighting or an anodized aluminum or powder coated steel? Or both?

 

[Lensman]

One of the first things I was taught when creating architectural renderings and concept art, is that one shouldn't hide the most important aspect of the design/building. This particular piece has foreground vegetation masking a good 1/3 to 1/2 of the building. Foreground elements should frame the image and provide a contrast of colors, depth and detail.

If that's what you care about most, here's the other piece of concept art that I found. No offense intended. Sheesh. I'm just trying to help. I guess it is a thankless job!

 

[Missing20K]

I stayed at quite a nice place in Santa Fe a few years back called the Hotel El Dorado: https://www.eldoradohotel.com/photovideo-gallery

That's the sort of place I would have sent the designers and architects from which to draw inspiration if I was commissioning this tower.


I must admit that as I get older I am less likely to bother travelling if I can't stay somewhere reasonably nice!

The 'Murica theme is certainly strong, but I think it works everywhere except maybe Hotel New York. That is now become a Marvel Hotel, which I think is even less to my taste than either the current hotel or this new tower.

We stayed at the El Dorado too! They should have just sent a team to Santa Fe and walked around. Plenty of inspiration there.

And couldn't agree more about nice accommodations. In fact, we ended up at the El Dorado because the first place we booked was a total flea motel, despite good reviews. It was the last time I tried to save money on a hotel.

 

[Missing20K]

If that's what you care about most, here's the other piece of concept art that I found. No offense intended. Lol
View attachment 320356

Yep, I've seen that. You said criticize the one shown. So I did. No ill intent. Just fun forum banter.

 

[WDWTrojan]

The issue is that Coronado has great convention facilities but the fact it was essentially a glorified motel (outward facing rooms, multiple buildings) greatly impacted groups' desire to book there. This tower allows them to tap into the market even greater.

 

[Lensman]

Yep, I've seen that. You said criticize the one shown. So I did. No ill intent. Just fun forum banter.

I guess my point is that if it ends up looking like the concept art, it might meet our (lowered) minimum standards for theming of a convention hotel. Not that we'd be happy, but just that it wouldn't be entirely offensive like it seems now from the construction photos.

I worry that it won't end up as good as the "barely acceptable" concept photos.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

We stayed at the El Dorado too! They should have just sent a team to Santa Fe and walked around. Plenty of inspiration there.

And couldn't agree more about nice accommodations. In fact, we ended up at the El Dorado because the first place we booked was a total flea motel, despite good reviews. It was the last time I tried to save money on a hotel.

Really? It was a nice place, right?

As you say, it would be so easy to send a team there to draw inspiration for the interiors and perhaps some exterior design elements for the hotel. The fact that the hotel seems to have no Southwestern influence makes me think they more or less abandoned the theme altogether when designing the tower.

The issue is that Coronado has great convention facilities but the fact it was essentially a glorified motel (outward facing rooms, multiple buildings) greatly impacted groups' desire to book there. This tower allows them to tap into the market even greater.

This I do agree with. I have stayed there before and would stay there again mainly because it has facilities such as a gym that you don't get at most moderates. The rooms and the buildings didn't really feel that much above a standard motel to me, though. Part of the reason I don't mind the towers so much is that I kind of like the standard hotel set-up more than these big sprawling moderates.

 

[fngoofy]

Can Coronado really support 3-4 Table Services? The only other resorts with near that many (Grand Floridian and Contemporary) both struggle to keep some of their TS’s Afloat (Wave @Contemporary and Everything other than V&A’s at Grand Flo has been faltering lately). Let alone that thy have a vastly superior location with higher traffic. Heck, even Maya Grill, as the sole TS, struggles a bit.
I wonder if there is a plan to shutter Maya once the others open, and even then...

It is a convention spot, so yes.
Guests attending conventions are only in the parks after hours. That's not to say that a lot of eating will occur at catered events, but there are many more business dinners at the Resort than say at CBR.

 

[fngoofy]

Not to say that it doesn't look like a themed tower in Vegas, but if we're going to criticize it, we may as well criticize the concept art instead of the construction photos of the tower before the facade goes on.

It reminds me of the mural at the end of Gran Fiesta. So I would say they nailed the modern southwest look and feel.
Coupled with the existing structures around the lake representing ranches and low rise structures, I think they nailed it.

 

[GlacierGlacier]

If that's what you care about most, here's the other piece of concept art that I found. No offense intended. Sheesh. I'm just trying to help. I guess it is a thankless job!
View attachment 320356

I think it's beautiful. I can't wait to see it completed.

 

[eddie104]

I think it's beautiful. I can't wait to see it completed.

I agree and to be honest what do people consider "heavily themed"? Because looking at the concept art for a random tower it contains a lot more elements than a standard hotel would. Also the lobby looks really nice and contains far more detail than an average Marriott or other chain out there but I guess people have certain boxes they check in their head to determine what is good theming.

 

[USofA scott]

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).

This is just plain wrong. All Stars opened 3 years before Coronado Springs. All Stars was under construction when Port Orleans and Dixie Landings opened.

 

[surfsupdon]

Over 2400 rooms now??!

It was already hard enough to find a few chairs at the pool!

Maybe with the added Guests we can finally get some good competitive volleyball games.