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News Coronado Springs Expansion - Gran Destino Tower
- Thread starter P_Radden
- Start date
WDWtraveler
Well-Known Member
Photo update as of Saturday, April 20, 2019.
Additional architectural details on the exterior of the building. Note the new ironwork above the arches, and the "eye" in the center of the arches.
Ironwork added to the large arched windows on the ground floor. The enclosed passage from the original lobby to the new tower building is filling out.
Low concrete walls now outline the water front courtyard for the tower building. The area in the foreground is already paved very close to the water's edge.
The Villa Del Lago restaurant is nearing completion. Several wind sculptures have been installed on this side of the building.
The backside of Villa Del Lago.
All three of the boardwalks to the restaurant have the scrims removed, with only this chain link fence barring entry. With the blue sandwich sign posted at each boardwalk, perhaps the Villa Del Lago will open sooner rather than later.
This last photo shows the connection between the new tower and the original lobby building. At the end of the sidewalk, the scrim has been removed showing the elevation difference to the new tower porte cochere. Workers were preparing the ground for the sidewalk extension to the new bus transportation shelters behind the tree trunk on the right.
Additional architectural details on the exterior of the building. Note the new ironwork above the arches, and the "eye" in the center of the arches.
Ironwork added to the large arched windows on the ground floor. The enclosed passage from the original lobby to the new tower building is filling out.
Low concrete walls now outline the water front courtyard for the tower building. The area in the foreground is already paved very close to the water's edge.
The Villa Del Lago restaurant is nearing completion. Several wind sculptures have been installed on this side of the building.
The backside of Villa Del Lago.
All three of the boardwalks to the restaurant have the scrims removed, with only this chain link fence barring entry. With the blue sandwich sign posted at each boardwalk, perhaps the Villa Del Lago will open sooner rather than later.
This last photo shows the connection between the new tower and the original lobby building. At the end of the sidewalk, the scrim has been removed showing the elevation difference to the new tower porte cochere. Workers were preparing the ground for the sidewalk extension to the new bus transportation shelters behind the tree trunk on the right.
etc98
Well-Known Member
I honestly don't mind it too much, but I think two things would have made the building much more aesthetically pleasing: more color and window trim. The current lobby building has reds and teals in addition to the main beige color, and it works great. The tower needs a pop of color too. And the windows are just big glass voids, trim around them would make them into architectural features.
Sir_Cliff
Well-Known Member
I feel pretty much the same. Overall, it doesn't look too bad and, honestly, I don't think the existing buildings at Coronado were architectural works of art. The new restaurant looks nice and, honestly, I'd probably try to stay in the tower if I were booking at Coronado Springs again in the future.
They really aren't trying to make these new towers works of great architecture or theming, though. To me, the tower has a very blocky and kind of ungainly look with minimal theming applied on top rather than appearing as organic to the building itself. It would be much improved by just having that central section with the restaurant and dome rise a storey or two above those big flat, featureless walls at the top. That would give it more of a cascading feel rather than such a monolithic one. Oh well, it is what it is.
JenniferS
When you're the leader, you don't have to follow.
I thought about switching, but the upgrade from 10 nights in a Preferred King to the tower was almost $800 USD. In Canadian Monopoly money, that’s almost $1100.
Nope.
jmuboy
Well-Known Member
So I agree with a lot of the comments ......
the tower is bland for sure but not an eyesore
My question - what becomes of the original lobby? A giant seating and lounging area between the new lobby and convention center ? The old lobby was actually pretty
JenniferS
When you're the leader, you don't have to follow.
I’m not sure. I’ve heard the pineapple fountain is a goner. No more iconic John Mancini pics in front of it.
cosmicgirl
Well-Known Member
I’m not sure. I’ve heard the pineapple fountain is a goner. No more iconic John Mancini pics in front of it.
I've read/heard before that they'll use the original lobby for group check in and overflow. I don't remember where I read it, though. Maybe it was from Passport to the Parks? I think he tries to speak to someone a little higher up to get info whenever he does a construction tour and apparently they've been very accommodating.
Why would they remove the fountain, though?
cosmicgirl
Well-Known Member
Haven't they been taking reservations since February or so?
cosmicgirl
Well-Known Member
Reservations Now Open for Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Gran Destino Tower opens this summer, and sitting atop this grand new expansion to Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood. The unique restaurant will offer a menu featuring dishes and small plates inspired by the
disneyparks.disney.go.com
January 23rd.
The Events crowd are a bit slow...
DisneyGigi
Well-Known Member
Pics from a few days ago. Meant to take more.
castlecake2.0
Well-Known Member
Looking pretty good, hopefully once landscaping is installed it’ll help the the tower look a little more connected to the overall resort. I’m stsying first week of June and hoping the new restaurant is open. I’ve asjed before, does anyone know if the new dining will be Disney or third party?
JenniferS
When you're the leader, you don't have to follow.
I’ve had one for months.