Disney Park and Resort Photo Updates

Gran Destino Tower Opens at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort (Photos, Video)

Denise

Hi everyone!

The Gran Destino Tower officially opened at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort yesterday. Disney hosted us for the night prior to opening and we were there to cover the ceremony in the morning. The tower with 545 guest rooms (including suites) is gorgeous and creates a deluxe experience at what has already been an upgraded moderate resort. I will write more about that this week. What I hadn’t realized before the tower opened is that the “Destino” in the name was for the short film that Salvador Dali and Walt Disney (with Disney Legend John Hench) collaborated on – Disney and Dali were friends and the Destino inspiration is seen throughout the building.

Here is a look at the ceremony in photos and video!

Follow Mousesteps on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube!

The ceremony began with two flamenco dancers and Spanish musicians.

Here is our video and then more photos of the ceremony.

The short program was presented by former Walt Disney World Ambassador Vanessa Rosas. She said the Gran Destino Tower was the “crowning glory of this beautiful resort”.

Thomas Mazloumis, Senior Vice President, Resorts at the Walt Disney Company said that the tower would serve “leisure and business guests alike”. He also noted the Destino inspiration.

Mazloumis also talked about how all rooms at the resort were re-imagined and a little about the new restaurants.

Mickey arrived for the celebratory moment.

Confetti was shot in the air.

Mickey posed with a group that included Walt Disney World Chief Operating Officer Jim MacPhee, Walt Disney World Resort President George Kalogridis, and General Manager at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Vincent Mercurio.

Cast Members from Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort also took part in photos, including our server from when the Three Bridges Bar & Grill opened.

I will write up my impressions on the Gran Destino Tower this week and we have several videos posted already and many more to come. But suffice to say, I believe the Gran Destino Tower is a fantastic value for a Walt Disney World vacation and I will tell why in an article this week (along with more articles on this stunning new addition). Thank you to Disney for hosting us, all views are mine – and as a former seven year travel planner, I would definitely recommend booking the Gran Destino Tower. Jeff and I plan to go on our own soon to experience the Chronos Club.