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The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

• Replay The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

• 40in (102cm) or taller
• Thrill Ride
• Attraction Photography

Next Stop: The 5th Dimension

Step uneasily inside the infamous Hollywood Tower Hotel and find a dusty lobby frozen in time. Even the subdued hotel staff seems strangely out of another era. 

Suddenly a television set springs to life and Rod Serling welcomes you on a journey into the Twilight Zone. He reveals that on a gloomy Halloween night in 1939, some hotel patrons were riding the elevator when a violent storm struck the building… and they were never seen again. The hotel closed down and has stood empty ever since. 

Going Up? 

Enter the rickety, elevator-style lift, strap yourself in and prepare to discover what lies beyond the darkest corner of your imagination. 

Shriek in terror as you’re suddenly propelled up and down the abandoned shaft—unexpectedly dropping and rising—as you hear the sound of cables snapping and metal clanging overhead. 

Will you make it back to the real world… or will you become a permanent resident of the Twilight Zone?

Based on the Television Series

This attraction is based on the popular television series which originally aired from 1959 to 1964. Created, hosted and written by Rod Serling, the award-winning show—with its imaginative storylines and unexpected twist endings—was wildly successful.

The Twilight Zone® is a registered trademark of CBS, Inc. and used with permission pursuant to a license with CBS, Inc.

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Tower of Terror at Disney World: From Haunting Tales to Thrilling Heights

Are you ready to descend into the world of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney World?

You unlock this article with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension.

A dimension of sound. Dimension of sight. Dimension of mind.

You’re moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas.

You’ve just crossed over into… The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror!

Tonight, you are the stars of one of the most amazing shows to have ever grace a television set.

Not to mention, it gave inspiration for one of the best attractions at Walt Disney World and one of the best TV movies.

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Why We Love the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney World

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is a true marvel to match the show. It continues to be beloved as it beckons those who walk down Sunset Boulevard to find out its secrets within.

Tonight’s story on The Twilight Zone is somewhat unique and calls for a different kind of introduction.

I invite you, if you dare, to step aboard because in tonight’s episode, you are the star. And this elevator travels directly to… The Twilight Zone.

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Let’s Begin with the Twilight Zone Television Show

Regarded as one of the greatest television shows of all time, Rod Serling, Creator/Host of the Twilight Zone, gave audiences a standalone story weekly with a surprise ending or moral lesson at the end for five seasons.

The show ranged from Science Fiction to Fantasy to Horror, running from fall 1959 to the summer of 1964.

• REGION 1 CODED DVD (US & CANADA)
• Rod Serling (Actor)
• English (Subtitle)

Rod Sterling co-wrote 92 of the total 156 episodes as well as completed the beginning and ending monologues for every episode.

He was known for creating the show to be able to subliminally showcase issues of racism, censorship and more that he clashed with studio executives about it.

The Twilight Zone was praised for giving many stars that we know today their big breaks such as:

• William Shatner
• Mickey Rooney
• Elizabeth Montgomery
• George Takei
• Robert Redford
• Dennis Hopper

During its run, the show was nominated for four primetime Emmy awards, winning two.

• Steve Guttenberg, Kirsten Dunst, Nia Peeples (Actors)
• D.J. MacHale (Director) – D.J. MacHale (Writer) – D.J. MacHale (Producer)
• Audience Rating: Unrated (Not Rated)

The Fall and Rise of The Twilight Zone TV Show

After the show’s cancellation, Serling sold the rights to CBS and the show is currently in syndication to this day.

The show has been rebooted 3 times, the most recent being 2019 by Jordan Peele.

• Charles Aidman (Actor)
• English (Publication Language)
• Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)

Serling’s legacy was continued on by his widow , who passed in January 2020. The show has ingrained Serling into our culture for years to come.

• Jenna Elfman, Tony Hale, Tracy Morgan (Actors)

It was also inducted in the television hall of fame in 1985 and the show being referenced in various mediums over the years, including.. . The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

The History of Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney World

The tale begins on a night just like this….in the second development phase for Disneyland Paris.

It was originally envisioned as a free fall ride which would be part roller coaster, having guests flying quickly up a shaft.

This Disney attraction was also going to be in Frontierland and would be called “Geyser Mountain.”

This was dreamed up in the late 1980’s but it was scrapped. Luckily, work on Disney’s MGM Studios was being done with the park set to open in May of 1989.

MGM Studios, the third park expansion for Walt Disney World, was in need of an E-ticket attraction.

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Tower of Terror starring Eddie Murphy

At first, several ideas for attractions were proposed but then the drop shaft idea came up. Several haunted ideas were given including:

• One based on a Stephen King’s novel
• A ride based on an actual hotel lore
• One based on an awards show type deal honoring classic movie monsters hosted by Eddie Murphy and Elvira and a Vincent Price ghost tour

Personally, while I love the concept of the Stephen King and Vincent Price ideas , I am very glad the awards show idea did not progress beyond the blue sky phase.

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What Does Twilight Zone Have to Do with Tower of Terror?

Eventually, inspiration came in the form of Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone television show.

Imagineers thought it would be a great idea to use the show as a base for the attraction’s backstory.

They pictured an attraction that would unlock the fifth dimension that Serling often told viewers about in his anthology series and the project was green-lit.

After Disney was able to gather the licensing rights from CBS to use “The Twilight Zone,” it was time to settle on the story.

Imagineers decided on a 1930s era Hollywood hotel combined with the Twilight Zone theme.

At one point, it was rumored that Disney even considered the idea of making it a real hotel.

However, most guests would not like to hear screaming from riders on the attraction so that idea was quickly shelved.

Upon being announced in Fall of 1991, it was described as a friendlier version of “ The Haunted Mansion .”

Preparation went full speed ahead in 1992 but was paused due a sinkhole forming, leaving the Imagineers to move the location slightly.

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Casting a New Host for Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney World

Disney felt that Rod Serling had to be included in the attraction, as it was his creation and there is no Twilight Zone without Serling. They are synonymous.

The issue was that Serling had passed away 20 years prior.

With Serling’s widow, Carol on board as a consultant, Disney held auditions for the man who would voice Serling in the attraction.

In the end, Mark Silverman was chosen by Carol to provide the voice. He would later add to the Disney California Adventure version and even to the 2019 season finale revival by CBS.

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Is the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror a Real Episode?

Contrary to popular belief, the Tower of Terror ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is NOT based on a particular episode of the Twilight Zone.

Instead it a melting pot of a few plot points and Easter Eggs from the original episodes.

As far as seeing Rod visually, archival footage from the famous episode “It’s a Good Life” was utilized.

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Where is Twilight Zone in Disney World?

Once you head inside of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you’ll make your way down the main welcome path of the park. You’ll then turn right onto the famous Sunset Boulevard.

As you began to make your way back, you’ll see the mysterious Hollywood Tower Hotel standing tall in the Florida sky!

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Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney World: A New Kind of Ride Vehicle

Now the work really began and that was with the ride vehicle itself. The hotel elevator.

The Imagineering team worked with the Otis to create the vertical ride system while Eaton-Kenway created a vehicle that could bring itself forward.

Together, with Imagineering, they managed to create the specialized system.

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Is Twilight Zone Tower of Terror a Roller Coaster?

Disney’s Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is not a roller coaster. The vehicles are self guiding, with the ability to move in and out of the elevators, through the fifth dimension scene in into the drop shaft.

The attraction has a dual system installed for a unique loop system.

There are four shafts total that merge into two after the fifth dimension sequence then go into the single drop shaft.

After the vehicles are brought into the basement and unloaded , they are sent back up to do it all over again.

More Drops Added to the Disney’s Tower of Terror Ride

The attraction originally opened with one drop but since 2003, the attraction was installed with a randomized multi-drop sequence selected by the computer.

My personal favorite is when it drops and then the vehicle shakes a bit.

Believe it or not, you are not actually free falling on the attraction either.

Cables attached to the bottom of the vehicle allow it to pull it down at a slightly faster rate than what a free fall actually would!

With the assistance of two huge motors with the ability to generate 275 times the torque of a Corvette engine, it allows for fifteen times the speed of normal elevators.

The goal for Imagineers was to give riders the motion beyond the thrill of a free fall while managing safety and the structural management of the tower.

At 199 feet , it can reach speeds of 39 MPH (miles per hour).

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The Eerie Architecture of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney World

The interior and exterior of the attraction gained its inspiration from actual landmarks like the Biltmore Hotel and features Spanish Colonial Revival architecture.

This was purposely chosen due to its color and to blend in with the color scheme of the Morocco Pavilion in EPCOT’s World Showcase in the distance.

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When Did The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?

It was originally going to have a holiday opening of July 4th, 1994, but it was decided that it would open with the Sunset Boulevard expansion of MGM Studios on July 22, 1994.

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Now for the Fun Part… The Backstory of the Tower of Terror at Disney World

Let’s start backwards a bit! One stormy night in 1939, five guests entered an elevator in the Hollywood Tower Hotel.

The hotel itself was full of glitz, glamour and as Serling states, a star in its own right.

The guests who enter the elevator are a child star and her nanny, a celebrity couple and a bellhop helping with bags to the rooms.

Suddenly, a lightning bolt strikes the tower of the hotel causing all five people, the elevator and an entire wing of the hotel to disappear seemingly into the Twilight Zone!

Since the incident, the hotel was promptly abandoned and has sat dilapidated ever since.

As guests go through the overgrown gardens , you will find yourself at the front of the hotel being ushered through the hotel lobby and into the quaint library.

Shortly after, it suddenly thunders loudly and lightning strikes causing the power to go out.

The TV set then comes on, showing Rod Serling telling the tale I just shared and letting you know that you will be boarding a service elevator to become the next stars of…the Twilight Zone.

I won’t give too much away but trust that what I have shared will not take away from the immense detail that Imagineering put into the attraction.

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Disney Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Ride Stats

To start, you must be at least 40 inches to ride. The tower itself tops off at 199 feet and has a drop of 130 feet.

Riders will plummet at 39 MPH (miles per hour) while hitting 1.3 G forces. The ride experience is a total of a little over 3 and a half minutes.

Disney Twilight Zone Tower of Terror ride vehicle can seat 21 people at a time and has a total of 8 vehicles.

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7 Fun Facts About Disney Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Now let’s look at some fun facts about the amazing and mysterious attraction!

• Imagineers reportedly watched every single episode TWICE .
• If you are seated on the right-hand side of the elevator when being seated in the first or second row, you can see a nod to one of the Twilight Zone episodes. The elevator inspection license states that it was inspected on Halloween 1939 and by a person named Cadwadaller, who was discovered to be the devil in “The Escape Clause” episode of the show.
• There’s a Mystic Seer machine from the episode “Nick of Time” can be seen sitting on the high shelf in the libraries, nearby the television.
• The book titled “To Serve Man”, from the episode of the same name, can be found in both libraries.
• Chalk marks can be seen on one of walls of the waiting area that leads from the elevator unload, a reference to the episode “Little Girl Lost”.
• In the pre-show, the child star is holding an old Mickey Mouse Doll.
• The lobby is decorated with authentic antiques found at various Los Angeles auctions to truly sell the realism of the story.

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My Final Thoughts on the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney World

There is so much more to the story behind one of Disney’s most audacious and continuously beloved attractions.

And while the Disney California Adventure version has been lost to make way for the epic Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout, you can visit the other versions at Tokyo Disney Sea and Disneyland Paris.

With there being various versions, it is a credit to how popular the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is to fans of both the Twilight Zone and the Disney magic.

Turning onto Sunset Boulevard, you are immediately drawn to that mysterious towering hotel, curious to see what lies inside.

I recommend watching the “Behind the Attractions” series on Disney+ .

It will give you a feel for the work that goes into one of the best attractions Disney ever created. And to think that it almost ended up in Disneyland Paris’s Frontierland!

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Until next time, Happy Hopping Hipsters!

If you loved this article, then you’ll love these:

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About the Author

Victoria is a professional solo traveler here to make your solo trips as stress free AND enjoyable as possible for you.

She has over 5 years of Disney and Non-Disney travel experience and was featured by POPSUGAR as one of the Top 50 Black Disney Creators you should follow.

She is a Proud Native to Baltimore, Md but always will call Disney World home. You can find her at Disney Tea with V.

(Original Article Date: October 10, 2022/Updated by Editor on January 18, 2024)

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Why the Tower of Terror Is One of Disney's Best Rides

The Walt Disney Company

The Tower of Terror is a classic Disney theme park attraction. Combining a thrilling freefall ride, dazzling effects, and an inspired and fiendishly clever storyline based on the seminal "The Twilight Zone" television series, Disney Imagineers have created a ride that, like a select few E-Ticket attractions , is so much greater than the sum of its parts.

• Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. This is one of Disney's best rides and among the best rides at any theme park .
• Multiple freefall drops and launches, sensations of weightlessness, psychological thrills
• Ride type: Freefall tower with dark ride elements
• Height restriction: 40 inches
• Locations: Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World in Florida and Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris

For those old enough to remember the original "The Twilight Zone" show (or those young'uns savvy enough to seek it out more recently), merely the sound of Rod Serling's voice intoning, "You've just entered...the Twilight Zone," is enough to give you a bad case of the shivers. A master storyteller, Serling created black and white mini-dramas that, through subtle plot twists and deft presentation, were deeply spine-tingling and engaging.

The Tower of Terror reproduces the Zone zeitgeist and invokes the same sense of off-kilter foreboding as the show. Instead of passively watching a television program, however, guests become active participants in a "lost episode."

Serling Sets the Stage

The fun begins in the queue. The walkways are in disrepair and the gardens are overgrown. The massive Hollywood Tower Hotel is at once elegant, evocative of its Art Deco origins, and menacing. Its crumbling, charred facade sets the story in motion; something terrible obviously befell the stately building. And the screams emanating every minute or so from the upper floors indicate something terrible is going on within the building.

Inside the lobby, dusty luggage sits ignored, a wine glass remains half finished, and other clues reveal that the hotel's guests and employees beat a hasty retreat many years ago. At the front of the line, riders can see the mangled doors of the elevators. Non-emoting bellhops send small groups past the elevators and into an ominous library.

The lights dim, a vintage TV flickers on, and Rod Serling sets the stage. Seamlessly weaving actual Twilight Zone footage with scenes created for the attraction (hey, how'd they do that? Serling had been dead for years before the ride was built), the host explains that in 1939, a massive bolt of lightning struck the hotel during a storm. Among the many small touches that make the ride a classic, a thunderbolt crackles outside the "window" of the library in sync with the lightning on the television screen. Serling explains that at the moment of impact, hotel guests and a bellhop aboard the elevators inexplicably vanished. So, of course we're sent off to the elevators—and into The Twilight Zone.

A door in the rear of the library opens, and riders shuffle off to the service elevators in the hotel's basement. Another line forms as guests wind past old electrical panels, creaky elevator motors, and other weird, wonderful set pieces. Cast members help riders board the elevator and secure their seat belts before bidding them adieu.

Going Down (and Up and Down and...)

Some wild effects take place before the big drops. It's a shame that, for the sake of a few nerve-rattling moments, some thrill-averse guests might never get to experience attractions like the Tower of Terror or Splash Mountain. If you're on the line, try to work up the courage at least once so that you can enjoy everything that precedes the freefalls. It's truly astonishing.

The following is a description of the ride experience at the original Tower of terror at Disney‘s Hollywood Studios in Florida. Later in the article, we will outline the differences among the versions of the attraction.

Among the highlights of the Disney World ride, the ghosts of the vanished hotel guests and bellhop appear at the end of a hallway beckoning riders to join them. They disappear following a flash of lightning. Then the hallway vanishes and changes into an inky black star field.

The elevator cars move horizontally through what Disney calls the "Fifth Dimension" into a second elevator shaft where they plummet and soar a number of gut-wrenching times. It's mind boggling to hang on as the elevator moves in a forward direction towards impending doom.

The freefall experience itself is essentially the same as any number of tower rides found at many theme parks and amusement parks. The difference is that the Imagineers' judicious use of sounds, pitch darkness, visual effects like star fields, and other tricks adds a cogent storyline and psychological veneer to the attraction that significantly ratchets up the thrills, screams, and sheer enjoyment.

Riders plummet and shoot back up the tower a number of times. The motor-assisted drops actually force the elevators down faster than freefall. Amid the groaning cables and creaking cars, windows at the top of the tower spring open a few times to give riders a bird's eye 13th-story view before dropping. The screams emanating from the windows echo throughout the park.

Different Versions of the Tower of Terror

Disney built a second Tower of Terror at Disney California Adventure. It was essentially the same as the Florida version, except that it did not include the horizontal "Fifth Dimension" element. The park has since re-themed the ride to the (wonderful) Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT.

The Disneyland Paris version of the attraction, like the one on California, does not include the "Fifth Dimension" sequence either. It is still themed to the Twilight Zone, however. At Tokyo DisneySea, the Tower of Terror is not themed to the Twilight Zone. Instead, it is based on a fictional haunted Hotel Hightower.

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Grand Destino Tower – A Walk Through and Review at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

In July 2019, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort celebrated the Grand Opening of the Gran Destino Tower. The opening completed a multi-year re-imagining focused on today’s travelers and offers new restaurants and new arrival experience. Celebrating the rich cultures and vibrant landscapes of Spain, Mexico, and the American Southwest through contemporary design and Old-World traditions, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort shines with renewed luster. Catch all the details below!

1 – Gran Destino Tower

The Gran Destino Tower rises dramatically on the southeastern shores of Lago Dorado (“Golden Lake”), the resort’s 22-acre lake. The tower offers 545 modern guest rooms (including 50 suites and club-level services), a grand two-story lobby, new meeting venues, and a rooftop restaurant and lounge with spectacular views. The distinctive tower becomes the stylish new gateway to the 2,385-room resort. All guests visiting Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort will now check-in at the Gran Destino Tower.

2 – A Rich Inspiration & Design

Gran Destino Tower takes its name from the classic Disney film “Destino.” The film was a collaboration between Walt Disney and Salvador Dali. Like the film, Gran Destino Tower is whimsical and beautifully designed. Look out for Dahlia as she transforms into a bell. The architecture, art, and storytelling are beautifully done.

Past its grand entrance and signature ribbon-patterned design that climbs up the side of Gran Destino Tower, guests step into a stunning lobby – a homage to the Catalan Modernism style. On their way to check-in, new arrivals pass intricate wooden screens with rows of beautiful Moorish hanging lanterns, while decorative bronze screens inspired by Spanish tile patterns accent the rear wall of the lobby.

The warm colors and patterns of Barcelona inspire the sun-filled Barcelona Lounge on the lobby’s lower level, offering plenty of casual seating and lake views. Beneath a magnificent chandelier framed by sculpted plaster columns, guests can enjoy coffee in the morning and cocktails as the day progresses.

We were blown away by the beauty of the lobby and the resort itself. It’s modern and fresh, yet there are touches of Disney throughout, including many Hidden Mickeys.

Click here for a video tour of the beautiful lobby at Gran Destino Tower.

Click here for a video and hear from two Walt Disney World Imagineers discuss the look and feel of the Tower.

3 – Guest Rooms & Suites

The Catalan theme extends to the tower’s stylish new guest rooms and suites. A wall covering in each room is inspired by Spanish tile medallions, adding an Old-World touch to a contemporary design. The new tower also offers club-access rooms for guests who want to enjoy the benefits of the Chronos Club. The club boasts commanding views of Walt Disney World Resort and cast members who can assist with vacation planning. Light refreshments are available throughout the day.

Each tower guest room also offers a new interactive television system that provides a more customized and Disney in-room experience. This new television system will enhance the guest experience with Disney-quality services, content, and personalization. For example, guests can view their Disney PhotoPass images on the large screen and stream their entertainment services from their personal devices to the in-room television.

Click here for a video tour of a 10 th Floor, Water View, and King Bed Room in the Tower.

Click here for a video tour of a Suite with Club Level Access.

We really enjoyed our room. It was certainly designed with the modern traveler in mind. There were six USB charging ports alone in our room, along with plenty of plugs. Our king bed, and water view room was spacious and functional. The view is also amazing! We enjoyed sweeping views of the rest of Coronado Springs and Animal Kingdom in the distance. Guests on the other side of the Tower enjoy views of Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot. There really isn’t a bad view in the Tower!

4 – Toledo-Tapas, Steak & Seafood and Dahlia Lounge

Gran Destino Tower is crowned by dramatic rooftop dining locations, Toledo– Tapas, Steak & Seafood , and Dahlia Lounge, offering breathtaking views of Walt Disney World from the tower’s 16th floor. Named for the storied Spanish city home to avant-garde writers and artists of the 1920s and ’30s, Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood is a table-service dining experience. The Spanish-inspired menu features entrees like chuletón, a 32- ounce, Spanish-style ribeye for two, as well as sustainable seafood and classic Spanish sides. It’s all served in a setting that features live olive trees, vibrant colors, and an intricate vaulted ceiling with stained-glass accents. There’s also an onstage tapas kitchen inspired by the flavors of Spain, specializing in small plates, charcuteríá, and cheeses.

The adjacent Dahlia Lounge takes its mesmerizing shapes and swirling patterns from Spanish Modernism, inviting guests into an intimate, artful space where they can enjoy signature cocktails and panoramic views.

Click here for a video showcasing the amazing food at Toledo-Tapas, Steak & Seafood.

Click here for a video of amazing views from the outdoor seating area of Dahlia Lounge.

5 – A Re-imagining of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

As part of the broad reimagining of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, three new pedestrian bridges now extend across Lago Dorado, allowing for quick and convenient passage to and from all parts of the resort. In the middle of the lake, at the nexus of these new pathways, is Villa del Lago (“Lake Villa”), home to a new outdoor restaurant, Three Bridges Bar & Grill. The open-air, waterfront dining location offers delicious entrees and shareables, along with refreshing cocktails and signature sangria pitchers. Three Bridges Bar & Grill features a rustic, Old World charm anchored by a large stone hearth behind the central bar. This is definitely a favorite lounge to visit. The design and views are terrific, and the hummus is amazing!

These new experiences complement the wide array of amenities and experiences at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, including floating gardens, scenic nature trails, and palm-shaped courtyards. Throughout the resort, guests can enjoy a diverse collection of dining options, including:

• Maya Grill – A grand Mexican dining room featuring ancient-modern styling and Nuevo Latino cuisines.
• Rix Sports Bar & Grill – A stylish establishment with a unique spin on classic bar food.
• El Mercado de Coronado – A food court filled with kitchens serving made-to-order breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a wide array of options, so there’s something for everyone.
• CafeRix – A charming grab-and-go location is offering pastries, coffee, and tasty snacks. Laguna Bar – A breezy lakeside lounge boasting signature cocktails.
• Siestas Cantina – A poolside hideaway to unwind with refreshing beverages and snacks.
• Shoppers can delight in an updated Panchito’s merchandise location. Named after one of the main characters from the Disney film “The Three Caballeros,” Panchito’s resembles an open-air Mexican market.
• The Dig Site – a sprawling pool complex with a Mayan-ruins theme – is fed by water cascading dramatically down a Mayan pyramid and features a water slide that evokes the spirit animal of a jaguar. The Dig Site can be accessed via the new bridges over Lago Dorado.

In 2019, all existing guest rooms at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort were updated with new fixtures, furnishings, and lighting. Guest feedback helped shape the room remodel, introducing an expansive deck space, hard-surface floors, platform beds, and more. In addition, a fresh, sophisticated new color palette ties together the entire resort experience.

6 – A Fantastic Moderate Resort

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is a celebration of Spanish, Mexican, and American Southwest cultures infused with a profound respect for the natural world – most notably water. These design motifs span centuries to form a common thread that connects the new with the newly reimagined. We absolutely enjoyed our time at Gran Destino Tower. It’s a fantastic addition to the resort and gives guests a deluxe stay at moderate resort prices!

For a no obligation, FREE Quote on a Disney vacation package, please contact our travel partner Magical Vacation Planner at 407-442-0227 (407-442-0215 for Spanish). You can also request a FREE quote online by Clicking HERE.

Chad & Cindy Nykamp

Full Room Tour and Walkthrough of Disney’s Gran Destino Tower

Disney’s Gran Destino Tower is one of the newest Disney Resort Hotels in Walt Disney World. Part of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort , Gran Destino tower opened in July of 2019 and features 545 guest rooms, including 50 suites.

Gran Destino Tower takes its name and resort theming from Salvador Dali’s collaboration short film “Destino.” In this full room tour and walkthrough video of Disney’s Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, we’ll show you both king and queen size rooms at Gran Destino, as well as the Gran Destino lobby, Gran Destino fitness center, and the Dahlia Lounge of Gran Destino Tower.

We’ll also show other common areas of Disney’s Gran Destino/Coronado Springs resort such as the Dig Site Pool, Maya Grill, Las Ventanas, and more.

======= Gran Destino Tower Room Tour & Walkthrough Index ======= 00:00 ​ – Grand Destino Tower Intro.

01:21 ​ – Grand Destion Tower Lobby/Check-In

03:07 ​ – Barcelona Lounge (Regular & Christmas)

04:46 ​ – Gran Destino Tower King Room Tour

08:13 ​ – Gran Destino Tower Queen Room Tour

08:44 ​ – Outside Grand Destino Tower

09:20 ​ – Old Coronado Springs Lobby

09:59 ​ – Panchito’s

11:02 ​ – Cafe Rex

11:33 ​ – RX Sports Bar & Grill

11:53 ​ – Coronado Springs Penny Press

12:17 ​ – Las Ventanas

12:32 ​ – El Mercardo de Coronado

13:08 ​ – Maya Grill

13:43 ​ – Lago Dorado

14:15 ​ – Dig Site Pool

15:17 ​ – Villa Del Largo

15:35 ​ – Gran Destino Tower Fitness Center

17:35 ​ – Magic Transformation

18:08 ​ – Dahlia Lounge & Toledo

19:09 ​ – Happily Ever After Fireworks

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Riviera Resort Tower Studio Review: Terrible or Terrific?

With the new Riviera Resort at Walt Disney World, DVC has debuted the new Tower Studio room category. We’ll offer a video & photo tour of the 2-person hotel room, share our experience spending the night here, comparisons to other accommodations in terms of value for money, and more.

Our full Disney’s Riviera Resort Review can be found here , but we thought it worthwhile to address the Tower Studio separately. Suffice to say, the resort as a whole is a mixed bag, and pretty much conformed with all of my expectations. A lot of other people seem to love it (which is great– different strokes for different folks! ), but it’s not for me.

While I wasn’t exactly bursting with excitement and anticipation for Disney’s Riviera Resort before it debuted, there was one exception to that: the Tower Studio. For a number of reasons, I think this is a really intriguing room category, and a trend that I selfishly hope Walt Disney World continues. So, did it live up to our expectations? Let’s take a look…

At only 255 square feet in size, Tower Studios at Disney’s Riviera Resort are intended for couples or solo travelers. These rooms feature a kitchenette (with mini-fridge and microwave), shelving, drawers, two ottoman, closets, and hidden pull-down queen-size bed behind the love seat.

Tower Studios also have a modestly-sized balcony, spacious bathroom, and large flat-panel television with on-demand programming. All this, plus up-scale and modern design. (In case you missed it in the laundry-list above, the bed pulls down from the sofa, making this a mixed-use or convertible room.)

In judging social media reactions, the Tower Studio is a lot of WDW fans’ least favorite thing about Disney’s Riviera Resort. I won’t even say they’re divisive. Aside from a handful of people who will praise anything Walt Disney World does, the bashing is nearly unanimous. It’s also mostly coming from people who have only seen photos or had a quick tour.

It’s easy to see why the Tower Studio is a lightning rod for criticism–this is the smallest hotel room category at Walt Disney World–significantly smaller than any Value Resort rooms–and it’s priced at up to $631 per night. However, those headline-grabbing tidbits don’t tell the whole story.

Given that we’re a couple who have actually spent the night in a Tower Studio at Disney’s Riviera Resort, hopefully we can tell more of the story here, offering credible insight into our experience and the pros & cons of these rooms. From our perspective, there truly are both downsides and upsides!

Before we offer our perspective, here’s a video so you can see the entire room and form your own first impressions:

We each ended up spending a decent amount of time on the balcony as both of us in the room was a tad claustrophobic after a while. Keep in mind here that we’re smaller people used to smaller accommodations.

Another issue in this regard is that the design isn’t particularly efficient with its limited square footage. There are some befuddling design decisions that really exacerbate this. The size of the living area isn’t maximized and several other areas are larger than necessary.

The most obvious example of this is with the bathroom being disproportionately oversized relative to the living area (we’d gladly take a bathroom half its current size with all of that space reallocated to the living area). Closets and storage could be condensed a bit to provide more (non-flex) seating room, as well.

Given how much space-maximizing designs have been emphasized with recent room overhauls, we expected this room to be maximize every inch, but the normal DVC units are better at that. Hopefully some tweaks can be made to improve the Tower Studio’s use of space in the future.

The lighting also leaves a lot to be desired, both in the main living area and in the bathroom. The first few photos in this post were shot before sunset–the ones that follow were shot at dusk and are how the room looked to the eye.

The dark lighting is especially disappointing because the other rooms at Disney’s Riviera Resort (and recent refurbishments, for that matter) are doing a better job. After the sun goes down, the room is dark even with all of the lighting on. Perhaps others will find this moody and romantic, but we found it lacking. At least the texture from the ceiling lamp is nice–maybe more recessed lighting will be added to the cabinets and headboard down the road.

We’d actually go a step further and say that the design in general is a bit dreary and dull. The Tower Studio is very plain, with scant artwork and darker woods. It’s quite the departure from other recent hotel room designs at Walt Disney World, which are overwhelmingly white and sterile.

The Tower Studio is also a sharp contrast to the Deluxe Studio at Riviera, which feature significantly better design. We’ll circle back to the other big downside at the end of the post…

Next, the good. The design of the room is upscale, the finishings and details are relatively nice, and the pull-down bed is comfortable. (I would say “surprisingly” comfortable, but we’ve had pretty good success with all of these new-ish pull-down beds at Walt Disney World.)

The bathroom, and shower in particular, is definitely a standout. The combination of rainfall shower head coupled with a wand is nice, as is the marble and tile detailing. There’s more than enough space in the shower, which is unquestionably the key feature that will set this room apart from lower tier rooms.

The balcony is also very nice, and another big advantage that the Tower Studio will have over Value or Moderate Resort rooms. We had the middle room on the 5th floor (there are three Tower Studios on each floor), and that offered a nice view of the Skyliner route to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and obstructed view of Spaceship Earth.

We haven’t seen much discussion of the balcony, but this is arguably the main selling point and what differentiates the Tower Studio from alternatives. I think the best Tower Studio rooms would be the highest floors, and left room. That should offer a pretty sweet view of Caribbean Beach, DHS, plus unobstructed views of Spaceship Earth (and no parking lot). The lower floor rooms on the far right are going to be the worst option, with views of nothing but the parking lot.

The final upside is that it’s the most economical way to stay at Walt Disney World’s newest resort, with direct access to the Skyliner. If you take the nearby stairwell instead of going down the hall to the elevator ( heresy, I know ), you can be on the Skyliner to Epcot or Disney’s Hollywood Studios (via Caribbean Beach) within 5 minutes.

We know a lot of Disney Vacation Club members are frugal ( we see you stocking up and taking home those free refreshments at Moonlight Magic! ). No shade or shame there, as we’re also frugal. Hence this stay.

Cost seems like a good point to segue into the downsides of the Tower Studios at Disney’s Riviera Resort, as this is truly a double-edged sword.

We’ve seen a lot of criticism about the cash rates for these rooms being absurd, with prices starting at $377 per night and going up to $631. No question, those prices are absurd. So too are almost all Deluxe Villa Resort prices, especially pre-discount. We’ve already seen discounted rates of under $250 per night in the Tower Studio, though.

All pointing to the highest rack rate prices does is reinforce the notion that full price at most Walt Disney World hotel prices are astronomical. But we already knew that. We also know that, like Kohl’s, only suckers are paying full price for these rooms. (Disney’s Value Resorts can cost $246 per night…but there are also deals for as little as $59/night rooms at those same motel s.)

The question thus becomes whether Tower Studios are worth the discounted cash rate, which should typically be in the $250-400/night range. For around that price, you could do Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge, or pretty much any resort not on the monorail loop or in the Crescent Lake area.

For less money, you could do Caribbean Beach Resort or Gran Destino Tower (or potentially Chronos Club Level for about the same cost), which I think are interesting comparisons. At Gran Destino, you’ll have a larger room with slightly lower quality but no balcony and, critically, only bus transportation to the parks.

At Caribbean Beach, you’ll have a larger room, albeit lower quality finishings and no balcony. You’ll also have convenient access to two Skyliner stations, and you can walk over to Disney’s Riviera Resort to take advantage of the dining there. (Caribbean Beach guests are the biggest winners from Riviera’s opening.)

However, once sales pick up and more inventory is declared, most guests staying in Tower Studios at Disney’s Riviera Resort are going to be Disney Vacation Club members, not cash-paying guests. The real question here is whether the Tower Studio is worth the points.

The nightly per point cost of the Tower Studios range from 11 points on weeknights in Adventure Season to 26 points on a weekend in Premier Season. If you’re a Disney Vacation Club member, your actual cost is going to vary depending on myriad factors, including home resort, whether you purchased directly or via resale, and what year you purchased your membership.

We bought over a decade ago at Saratoga Springs via resale. Accounting for our initial purchase price (prorated for the duration of our contract) plus annual dues, we are paying a yearly cost of ~$8 per DVC point that we own. That would put the cost of a Tower Studio at $88 to $208 for us. It’s easily and unquestionably worth these costs.

In reality, these are nearly impossible to book (for now) if you don’t have home resort priority at Riviera, so that number is also deceiving, though. For the vast majority of DVC members staying here, it’ll be significantly higher.

What really matters here is probably less the dollar cost/value of the Tower Studio when converting points, but rather, the opportunity cost. Here, it’s worth noting that both BoardWalk Villas and Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas both have rooms that require less points, and are full-sized studios.

In comparing other full-sized options, the Tower Studio typically comes in slightly more expensive than Saratoga Springs or Old Key West (the latter having some of the largest rooms DVC offers), and is typically cheaper than everything else. In some cases–like with Bay Lake Tower, Grand Floridian, and Polynesian–the Tower Studio is significantly cheaper.

Actual amounts vary by season, but the Tower Studio tends to be about 4 points cheaper than a standard Deluxe Studio at Disney’s Riviera Resort. It’s worth noting that the Deluxe Studio sleeps 5 and is ~200 square feet larger than the Tower Studio. (Deluxe Studio pictured below.)

Whether the Tower Studio is worth the savings is a value judgment up to the individual couple. Personally, I don’t think so. If cost is an issue, I’d rather do Caribbean Beach (I could probably rent out my points and come out ahead paying cash at CBR) or even Gran Destino.

If cost/points is no issue, I’d stay elsewhere or upgrade to a Deluxe Studio and have a bit more breathing room. As noted above, I think Disney’s Riviera Resort is a mixed bag, but one of the positives is the design and layout of the Deluxe Studio and 1-Bedroom units. To me, the normal studio is absolutely worth the added cost in points.

However, I think there are enough frugal DVC members who will want (or need) to conserve points to keep the occupancy rate pretty high at these Tower Studios. That temptation coupled with low supply (only 24 units, by my count) is too much to resist. I’d hazard a guess that they’ll be a one and done for most guests, who find the same issues with them as we experienced.

Ultimately, the Tower Studios are neither terrible nor terrific in our view. We’d recommend the vast majority of DVC members or regular guests spend more for a Deluxe Studio or simply book a full-sized room at a different resort. It’s tough to convey how these rooms feel until you spend a decent amount of time in them. There are probably some use-cases where the Tower Studio as it presently exists makes the most sense (a couple wanting the cheapest Skyliner room with a balcony is what springs to mind), but we think almost every scenario has more pragmatic alternatives.

Even as ‘pilot rooms’ for this concept, the Tower Studio leaves a decent amount to be desired and has some questionable design decisions. Nevertheless, we hope these are reasonably popular, as we’d love to see Disney Vacation Club iterate on this idea and offer rooms at future resorts that take the same approach. With better effort and success in maximizing the limited square footage to make these rooms feel a bit less cramped, they’d be a smash hit. Couples are a growing market for DVC and Walt Disney World, so here’s hoping we see this trend continue at future resorts!

If you’re thinking about joining DVC, be sure to read our Ultimate Guide to Disney Vacation Club . This covers the pros & cons, resale v. direct, how much money you’ll save, and other important things to know before taking the plunge.   If you still can’t decide whether membership is right for you, “try before you buy” with the recommendations in How to Save BIG on Deluxe Disney Accommodations Renting DVC Points .

YOUR THOUGHTS

What do you think of the Tower Studio at Disney’s Riviera Resort? Will you be taking advantage of the savings these offer and booking, or would you rather have a full-sized room? What do you view as the ideal use-case for the Tower Studio? Any questions about Disney’s Riviera Resort? Hearing from you is half the fun, so please share your thoughts in the comments below!

Written by Tom Bricker

It would be nice to see an updated cost value analysis of this room for 2024, as the prices are wildly off now I’m considering booking this just bc I need a one night pre-cruise, and want to go to Epcot that day. There are basically no studios left except the tower studio and OKW. And moderates are ridiculous at rack rate right now. $450 a night for POFQ??? Ew

We really liked the tower room — but we are a couple who *really* does not mind being “in each other’s space.” (We’ve discovered over time that we are unusual in this regard.) A couple that likes a little breathing room would indeed likely find this restricting. We loved the balcony and loved the Primo Piato (Piatto?). Topolinos was a fantastic dinner but OUR experience with the breakfast there was TERRIBLE — odd because we’ve heard raves. We love the Boardwalk, EPCOT, and the skyliner so this was a perfect location for us. The point value for the tower works for us, too, because we are usually here in January. Found the bed very comfortable but definitely remember the cheap blanket another commenter mentioned! I think the people who may enjoy the Tower Rooms are ppl who spend A LOT of time in the parks and not much at the resort, or couples like us who like small spaces.

We have been to Disney several times. We rented a Airbnb house for a week. It was so much cheaper and worked out perfect. We were less than 10 minutes from the park. The last time we stayed inside Disney at one of the lower priced motels. I think it was $115 a night. We stayed a week. This was nice not having to drive to the park. I would never buy a time share. This is throwing your money away. $18K plus almost a thousand a year upkeep? Plus we gave up on Disney when they started this woke nonsense, The new Sleeping Beauty movie was the final straw.

The bed doesn’t fold. It’s a Murphy bed, so it’s a normal flat mattress. In fact, the tower studio beds have a pillow top.

Stood there May 7 and 8th. 1. Room door did not close correctly, could see light from hallway, either door bad or door fram bad. 2. TV electrical outlet not behind TV, hanging down exposed. 3. Have slept on other Murphy beds in Disney but this one was weird, maybe because there was so little room to move.

Took pictures of door and TV if required, but also sent them to disney in a survey but they probably did not care.

Um, like no way! Way to expensive for a tiny room. Bathroom is very nice though. Thanks for the review! Now we know to avoid this room type.

We stayed 5 nights in one of these units for our trip the week after MLK Day weekend on an upper floor in a middle room. Once all our luggage was unpacked and put away we didn’t find the small size of the room to be much of an issue, although we were mostly there to sleep and occasionally take a short mid-day break. If it hadn’t been so cold that week the balcony would have been perfect to use as a dining area. As it was, I “had” to eat my late-night sandwich from Primo Piatto in bed while watching free Disney movies on the in-room smart-TV. We really loved the dining options, transportation, quality of the interior finishes, and overall the relaxed-yet-refined feeling of the hotel.

One thing I haven’t seen mentioned in any reviews is the weird bedding situation. While the mattress and pillows were very comfortable, we only had one thin polyester fleece blanket and a top sheet on the bed. There was no comforter in a white duvet cover like what we’ve experienced in other Disney resorts (we had just come from 2 nights in a renovated Riverside room). We got extra blankets because we were FREEZING the first night, but the front desk assured me that the single blanket was on purpose since normally Florida is much warmer. I got used to it and stayed cozy the rest of the week, but the blanket did “feel” cheap to the touch. Not what I wanted out of a room that goes for almost $400 a night rack rate. Also, the room felt kind of stuffy with no ceiling fan. Overall, while I’m glad we tried it out and we got a great deal, I’m in no hurry to go back to Riviera for the price they want and am now hoping to stay at Caribbean Beach for our next trip.

Would have to be a king-size bed to even consider it. A room at WDW with only one queen, really? Americans are big people and we like our space. I’m 5’2″ and under 150 pounds and I don’t like to share a queen bed. Would be more comfortable and happier value-wise at All Stars with a king or two doubles, in spite of balconies, buses, etc. Just me, just sayin’.

I love the idea of a cozy room for two people but it has to be functional and the cost has to make sense. The cost for these rooms would need to be reduced quite a bit to compel me to choose it over a standard sized studio at Boulder Ridge, Boardwalk, Beach Club, Animal Kingdom and even Saratoga Springs or Old Key West. For 5 to 6 more points, I could upgrade to the Grand Floridian or Polynesian. When you also consider the cost and advantages of other studios at Gran Destino, Swan and Dolphin (which I view as a similar design category), it really is hard to make a case for staying in a tower studio given its size. As it stands now, the only reason I would stay in this room is if it was a short trip and every studio on property is sold out, and this includes All Star Music.

I like the thought of some rooms for solo travellers or couples, but would want a non folding bed. The folding beds we had (AoA Cars family suite once and Pop Century renovated room once) were both horrifically hard and I can’t see us trying one again. If the room were just small with one normal bed and a chair at the realistic price point, we’d be heavy contenders as a couple.

I am excited about the Tower Studios. I often travel alone, so I like a lower point option for a solo trip. I think they are perfect for solo travelers, though I do think it could be tight for a couple.

I didn’t realize the ottomans were support for the bed. In the pictures I’ve seen, the ottomans were tucked under the table below the TV when the bed is down.

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Tour the Wish Tower Suite on the Disney Wish

Guests wishing to upgrade their sailing on the new Disney Wish can book a stay in the Wish Tower Suite. This is a first-of-its-kind accommodation, perched high in the funnel above the upper decks.

Related – First look at the Disney Wish

This suite features decor inspired by the movie Moana. The double-height living room features a spectacular chandelier and floor-to-ceiling glass windows—ideal for taking in sweeping ocean views.

Related – First Look at The Walt Disney Company 1923 Restaurant on the Disney Wish

The suite is located on decks 14 and 15 and has a private elevator from decks 10 and 12. It can accommodate up to 8 guests with 2 main bedrooms, a library/bedroom and a children’s room, along with 4.5 bathrooms.

There are 2 main bathrooms with double sinks, stand-alone bathtubs and walk-in rain showers. The children’s room has its own bathroom with a shower. The library/bedroom area on Deck 14 has a full bathroom with double sinks and a shower. There is also a guest bathroom at the entry.

Take a look at our video tour of the Wish Tower Suite below:

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The unmissable addition to Disneyland’s Star Tours ride? Space whales

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Disneyland’s Star Tours: The Adventures Continue has proved to be one of the theme park’s most versatile attractions.

Though perhaps no longer the groundbreaking technological marvel that it was when it debuted in 1987, the flight simulator ride has shifted with the franchise, withstanding cultural trends and aligning with whichever version of “Star Wars” is popular at the moment — or in need of a marketing boost.

The latest update to Star Tours brings the ride into the Disney+ era, with nods to series such as “The Mandalorian,” “Ahsoka” and “Andor.” More noteworthy, at least for Disneyland guests, is that the centerpiece of the latest upgrades is a scene that provides a slight tonal shift for the attraction, one focused, albeit briefly, on slowing down and giving so-called starspeeder riders a look at one of “Star Wars’” more majestic creatures. Star Tours will now rocket guests straight to a moment that boasts a close-up with the purrgil, essentially large, mysterious space whales that move with a galactic grace.

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For the 3-D attraction, its a moment that provides a breather. The motion simulator lingers for a few seconds, and our makeshift animatronic captain, the golden droid C-3PO, turns to face riders. C-3PO shifts into tour guide mode, appearing in awe of the purrgil and commenting on how serene the animals are.

“This will be different from other sequences, to have a moment,” said Tom Fitzgerald, a senior creative executive with Walt Disney Imagineering, the company’s secretive arm devoted to theme park attractions, when asked about taking a patient approach to the scene. “You don’t get many moments. It’s so compact. But it’s a moment to let people look at the beauty of this, and the 3-D gives you the scale of those creatures.”

The additions to Star Tours are arguably the centerpiece of Disneyland’s all-things-”Star Wars” promotion Season of the Force , which debuted this past weekend and runs through June 2. The “Star Wars” festival also sees new droids making their way to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge through the duration of the event, as well as the return of Space Mountain overlay Hyperspace Mountain and a new free scavenger hunt that aims to get players to pay close attention to the minute details of Galaxy’s Edge.

Fitzgerald has been with Star Tours since the ride’s beginning, and oversaw the latest Star Tours additions, which further deviate the attraction from any strict “Star Wars” timeline and instead focus it on being a sort of “greatest hits” for the brand. The purrgil scene also features Rosario Dawson’s Ahsoka Tano and the character’s svelte, fast-rotating starship above the planet of Seatos. Tano’s ship inspired Imagineers to see if they could add some new tricks to the attraction, mainly in the way the simulator can move. When Tano’s vessel twists and spins, for instance, the starspeeder attempts to mimic it, endeavoring to create the feeling of a 360-barrel roll. At other times, the starspeeder glides among the purrgil.

Key to Star Tours’ longevity, and what makes it the rare motion simulator that doesn’t feel rooted in the 1980s, is its ability to create new sensations via its movements. The ride now has more than 250 storyline variations, and when adding to the attraction, Imagineers are looking for ways to heighten the contrast among its various scenes, both tonally and in its maneuvers. Though Star Tours is typically randomized — for the foreseeable future, and definitely throughout Disneyland’s spring Season of the Force promotion — all riders are guaranteed to visit the new location and receive an early-flight transmission from one of the recently added characters.

“How do we make each of the places we go have a different color palette?” says Fitzgerald, who then recalls different “Star Wars” planets that can be featured in the attraction’s random programming. “Mustafar is all lava. Kashyyyk is all green jungle. So they feel very different when you get the combos. And then motion-based. Could we do a barrel roll? That’s the fun of doing it, and programming it and trying it. And we needed something else. What have we not done? So with the purrgils, what if we do skiing through the tentacles? We had never done that. So those are the two big motion changes.”

The attraction is also livened up by appearances from Dawnson’s Tano, Diego Luna’s Cassian Andor and a masked Din Djarin from “The Mandalorian.” While the latter is played and portrayed by Pedro Pascal on the Disney+ series, many have noted that the Djarin on “Star Tours” features a slightly different vocal cadence than Pascal, and an Imagineering spokesperson says the company is not revealing its voice actors for the attraction. Nevertheless, “The Mandalorian” moment features some comic relief — and clever 3-D usage — courtesy of Grogu, colloquially refered to as “baby Yoda,” and his penchant to use Force powers to toy with and eat frogs.

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The three appear as transmissions that help define the suddenly urgent narrative of Star Tours. “Each one is different,” Fitzgerald says. “Mando and Grogu we played for comedy. And Andor is mysterious. You don’t see his face. You see this thing coming toward you. Is that a friend or foe? And then he pulls his hood and the music changes.” Tano, meanwhile, arrives like an old friend who knows C-3PO and fellow droid R2D2. Riders are advised to pay close attention to the opening cinematic in a ship’s hangar, as there is a new randomized opening that features Tano in a lightsaber battle with Stormtroopers.

As for why the new additions perhaps lean a bit more heavily on “Ahsoka,” as it is that series that features the planet of Seatos and the purrgil, Fitzgerald had a simple answer: yes, it’s the space whales.

With access to early scripts from Lucasfilm, Fitzgerald says he singled out the purrgil scenes. “Reading about that, not knowing what they looked like initially, I was going, that’s going to be really cool.” And, at least for a few seconds, relatively calming.

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Disney’s Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs Resort Review 2024

The Gran Destino Tower at the Coronado Resort is the modern hotel tower addition to the previously existing Coronado Resort. The tower delivers an upscale experience and is frequently home to conference goers. The Gran Destino Tower at the Coronado Resort is a great option for an adults only trip with Deluxe Resort level amenities at Moderate Resort level prices.

While the Gran Destino Tower exists at the Coronado Resort and the tower shares amenities like the pools and dining locations with the rest of the resort, the hotel tower is distinctly different than the rooms in the low rise buildings across the rest of the the resort .

The Gran Destino tower was added after the fact as a space to service conference goers and business people. The rooms are more modern and sleek than rooms at other properties and the lobby itself feels much more like a hotel lobby in a major city rather than at Walt Disney World. With all of that said, this might be a great hotel option for your vacation.

We'll dive into a full resort tour and review of the Gran Destino tower and discuss the pros and cons of a resort stay here. These are all based on my recent multiple stays at the Gran Destino tower.

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Gran Destino Tower Review

The Gran Destino tower is designed in a style to honor Salvador Dalí, the notable Spanish artist. Artwork and colors based on his styles are carried throughout the hotel in the lobby, hallways, and rooms. The lobby of this hotel is particularly impressive with massive columns and a soaring decorated roof. The lobby bar is a great place to relax and begin the morning.

Walt Disney actually worked on a short film with Salvador Dalí starting in 1945. This film, called Destino – thus the name for the hotel tower, was not completed in their of their lifetimes but it did connect the two great artists. Disney and Dali maintained a friendship throughout their lives and leaned into each other's creative inspirations. Disney used this small connection to bring this impressive Dalí style into Walt Disney World.

Booking Disney's Gran Destino Tower

The Gran Destino Tower is considered part of the Coronado Springs resort so when you are booking you'll specifically look for one of the room types within the Coronado Springs resort booking page. We recommend booking your Walt Disney World hotel through Get Away Today . They have worked with Disney for over 30 years and now have a direct booking engine that actually makes it even easier to compare discounts and prices for hotels than the Disney site. On their site they refer to the Gran Destino as “tower rooms”. Check hotel prices for your dates here >

There are two room types within the Gran Destino Tower listed . You can either book a standard room which looks at the parking lot and out towards Hollywood Studios and Epcot or you can book a water view room that looks into the resort. I actually like the view out towards Epcot and Hollywood Studios more. That will just depend on how high up you are to look out. From my recent room we had a direct view to both of those parks. I recommend booking a standard room and requesting a room higher in the tower. The first photo below is from a standard view room and the second photo is from a water view room.

Consider that this hotel is a rated moderate Walt Disney World resort but has most of the same offerings as a deluxe Walt Disney World resort . Keep in mind that though amenities and upscale feel are similar there are certain offerings that might make it better to stay at one of the lowest priced deluxe resorts like the Animal Kingdom Lodge to get access to Extended Evening Hours .

Coronado Springs Resort Overview

The Coronado Springs Resort (see map here) is one of a number of resort hotels that does not connect to the Disney theme parks in any way besides the Walt Disney World bus system. No monorails, Skyliner , or boat access here. It's one reason that Disney has leaned into this property as a conference hotel. Those transportation amenities are not nearly as important for conference goers who are often shuttled on buses related to their event or who remain at the hotel utilizing the conference center at the resort.

The resort is home to a large cafeteria and a couple of sit down restaurants. Three Bridges, located in the middle of the lake behind the hotel, is a personal favorite and one of the few restaurants that still serves food between 10 pm and 11 pm. See our Coronado Springs restaurants discussion below.

Also on the resort grounds are four large pool areas and areas with games. Most notable featured pool at Coronado Springs is the “Dig Site” pool and recreation area which features a water slide coming out of a crumbling temple. The area also has outdoor games, a playground, and indoor arcade. As you can see on the map linked above, the grounds of the resort are sprawling. If you are staying in the Gran Destino tower you could avoid ever leaving the tower besides a walk to the closest hotel. You could also use the grounds for a morning run as I did one day before using the fitness center in the tower.

Gran Destino Tower Room Review

To get to the hotel rooms you'll take the elevator from the tower lobby. The elevators are very corporate feeling. You push the floor button on a screen outside the elevators and then the screen indicates which elevator to board. I don't love these as they just feel too much like a high rise rather than a nice hotel. After going up the funky conference elevator, you'll be up in the beautifully designed hallways that lead to the hotel rooms. The pops of color here are really super impressive!

The rooms inside the Gran Destino tower are pretty standard modern-age Disney Parks hotel rooms with far lighter Disney theming. You won't find nods to classic Disney films like the recent renovation of Disney's Grand Floridian introduced . The only real Disney touches are the Mickey Mouse heads, or “hidden Mickeys” behind the television.

The beds are elevated for additional storage space. The modern conveniences are available with plenty of USB chargers, a coffee maker, and lots of counter space.

The Dali theme is used consistently in the hotel room also. The rooms have a modern style that feels in keeping with the welcoming lobby. You can see a room tour and the view out from our hotel room in the video below.

Generally this style fits well with the modern look and feel of the hotel. Again, you wouldn't be surprised to see these hotel rooms in a standard hotel Marriott – guests staying here might also consider the JW Marriott or Swan Reserve hotels . That's kind of the point because these rooms are built for a clientele that expects this style of offering.

The bathrooms are very nice but note that the space is not really setup for families getting ready in the morning. The sink and shower are within one sliding door and then the toilet is within another room set off within that. There is no tub here and only the shower. Again, great for couples.

Not really any privacy for multiple people to get ready in the restroom. There is a mirror in the outer room against the wall so theoretically someone could sit between the bet and wall doing makeup while another person is getting ready in the bathroom.

Dining at the Coronado Resort

There are a various dining offerings at the Coronado Resort. We'll run through the most notable for your stay.

We enjoyed the Three Bridges restaurant where they serve a great burger and shrimp salad. I like this lively outdoor restaurant and bar that is situated in the middle of the lake in front of the hotel. The restaurant gets crowded between 10 pm and 11 pm as the restaurant is the only one still open at the hotel.

The Mercado De Coronado is home to standard breakfast fare and lunch fare. The main cafeteria offers suitable meal options. During my stay I had the breakfast sandwich and lunch. The lunch burrito bowl, a la Chipotle, was particularly good and quite filling. If you can, skip the breakfast sandwich which came on a boring hamburger bun.

Just outside of the cafeteria is a coffee shop which has self-pour coffee but also a great breakfast empanada which were surprisingly good. The pastry was flaky, very filling, and warm. Highly recommend! This was the biggest food surprise of my most recent Walt Disney World trip. I am still thinking about how good that pastry is.

The main lobby bar, the Barcelona Lounge, inside the Gran Destino tower also serves breakfast and coffee. This is another one where I would skip the food favor of the empanada if you are looking for a hearty breakfast. If you are just looking for coffee, this is an easy option that had minimal waits to order.

The main notable restaurants at the Gran Destino tower are on the 16th and top floor of the hotel. The Dahlia Lounge offers drinks, foods, and sweeping views across property. This is a nice place to recover at the end of a long parks day.

The Toledo Restaurant is the notable sit down restaurant here. This restaurant is known as one of the hidden gem sit down restaurants on property because it is secluded and not accessible from other parts of the resort.

Fitness Center at Gran Destino Tower

The Fitness Center at the Gran Destino tower is located just off of the lobby and features a variety of equipment and aerobic machines. It was busy in the mornings during my trip but empty when I used it one afternoon around 2 pm to stretch during a hotel break.

Transportation From Gran Destino Tower to Theme Parks

One of the biggest downsides of the hotel for those focused on visiting the theme parks it the need to drive to all theme park destinations. Though Hollywood Studios and Epcot are both in clear view as you can see in our Gran Destino hotel room photos above, the hotel is not connected into Disney’s Skyliner system. The parks are also not accessible by path or boat. The Swan Reserve hotel which is just across the road wins big in this category as you can easily walk to Epcot or walk into the Boardwalk hotel area.

The Gran Destino tower shares the bus pickup and drop-off with the rest of the Coronado Resort. The bus stop at the Gran Destino tower is the final or four stops within the Coronado Resort so when headed to the theme parks it is a direct drive from that stop to the park. However, on the way back in it means that guests staying in the tower are on the bus longer than those going to any other stop. I ended up getting off at the first hotel stop most times when the shuttle was returning and then walking the 5 or so minutes from that stop back to the tower.

You may want to consider using Uber/Lyft or the Disney Minnie Vans to get to the theme parks rather than waiting for transportation.

Gran Destino Review Conclusion

Generally the Gran Destino tower is a great option for adults only trips to Walt Disney World who are budget conscious but are still looking for hotel tower-style resort amenities. This is one of the nicest hotels of the moderate resort offerings at Walt Disney World.

Beyond the transportation issues which I do think are worthy of high consideration because this is a theme park vacation, this is a great hotel to consider for a trip to Walt Disney World. Even those with families can find a great vacation here. The Coronado Springs amenities like the Dig Site recreation area are just a short walk away.

I've stayed at the Gran Destino tower multiple times. The most recent trip was part of a hosted stay to attend a Disney event.

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Frequently Asked Gran Destino Tower Questions

No, the Gran Destino Tower rooms at Disney World do not have balconies. They do have other unique amenities to consider that many of the Moderate hotels do not have though.

Yes, you can see Disney World fireworks from rooms at the Gran Destino Tower. Depending on where you are in the tower – in your room or in the upper lounge – you can see fireworks from Epcot, Magic Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios.

Gran Destino Tower is a Moderate resort at Walt Disney World but has many Deluxe-type offerings as we detail in our article above.

The Gran Destino Tower is 16 floors and features a restaurant and lounge on the top floor that we detail above.

Yes, the Gran Destino tower has a self-service laundry room on the fourth floor of the hotel.

The Gran Destino tower opened in July 2019.

Rooms are 375 square feet. This is larger than any other Moderate room type. The tower has 545 guest rooms.

Self parking is complimentary and valet parking is $33 per night.

Disclosure: We have used all the products recommended on Mickey Visit. We may receive compensation when you click on links to some products featured.

About Gavin Doyle

Gavin Doyle is a best-selling author and founder of Mickey Visit. He is an expert on helping families save money and experience more at Disney, Universal, and beyond. He has been featured in Forbes, ABC7, Travel+Leisure, the OC Register, Orange County Register, LA Times, Yahoo! News, and more.

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• Associated Press

PARIS -- The Olympic rings will be displayed on the Eiffel Tower, organizers said in a statement Tuesday, as the French capital prepares to mark 100 days until the start of the Paris Games.

A 95-foot-long and 49-foot-high structure of five Olympic rings, made entirely of recycled French steel, will be displayed on the south side of the 135-year-old historic landmark in central Paris, overlooking the Seine River.

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Work on the Eiffel Tower to install the rings is set to begin at the end of the month, the organizers said.