Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort unveiled its Gran Destino Tower on July 9, 2019. Along with 545 guest rooms, this new tower boasts one-of-a-kind meeting and event venues, adding to the property’s existing 220,000 square feet of meeting and event space.
“Before we expanded, we had 220,000 square feet of meeting space on the one floor of the convention center, which is great meeting space and very convenient for attendees,” explained Amy Pfeiffer, director of convention sales and services for Walt Disney World Resorts in a Meetings Today Podcast interview with Lead Destinations Content Strategist Danielle LeBreck.
“However, we felt we might have had a gap in that more intimate, private setting, such as a VIP meeting, a meeting within a meeting,” Pfeiffer added.
Listen to Danielle LeBreck's full interview with Amy Pfeiffer and Alan Bruun:
Gran Destino Tower Meeting Space
The new meeting spaces inside Gran Destino Tower include:
- A 24-seat boardroom with a permanent conference table
- The 2,859-square-foot Lantana room that divides into three smaller spaces, as well as an adjoining 1,674-square-foot prefunction space that includes show kitchen.
“When you walk in there is a beautiful prefunction area with casual furniture and the show kitchen at the other end,” Pfeiffer said, speaking to the Lantana Room's prefunction space.
“[The Lantana Room main and prefunction spaces] are really meant to be used together to provide a unique space where attendees can feel both relaxed and somewhat casual, but also add some different energy and a different vibe to their meeting,” she added.
Inside the Lantana Room in Gran Destino Tower at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Groups can also use one of the three private dining rooms, or buy out the entire Tolédo – Tapas, Steaks & Seafood restaurant and/or adjacent Dahlia Lounge. These two venues are located atop the 16-story tower and offer panoramic views of the surrounding Disney Parks.
Dahlia Lounge on Gran Destino Tower's Top Floor at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
For outdoor events, groups can utilize the 12,000-square-foot Destino Plaza off the lower lobby level. According to Pfeiffer, this space would be ideal for evening receptions or breakfast.
The meeting and event spaces at the Gran Destino Tower have a casual, residential feel with a touch of sophistication. In the Meetings Today Podcast interview, Pfeiffer explained that this allows attendees to feel relaxed and comfortable while onsite for functions.
Chronos Club Room in Gran Destino Tower at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
“It’s an organic approach to what we think of as meetings and conventions,” shared Alan Bruun, show director for Disney Event Group. “Rather than simply the 'big box' approach of general session, breakout and event.”
“We are seeing trends that people want a more flexible approach,” he added. “They [meeting planners] want to have a small meeting room, or a special function room.”
Coronado Springs Convention Center Highlights
The Convention Center at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort boasts 220,000 square feet of meeting space, including:
- Two ballrooms
- An exhibit hall
- 45 breakout rooms
The facilities at the convention center can hold over 6,500 people and are equipped with state-of-the-art lighting, audio and projection systems.
Combined with the new spaces, Disney’s Coronado Springs is primed to host any type of event.
[Read This Next: First Look Inside Gran Destino's New Rooftop Restaurant]
