Reviews

Resort Review: Gran Destino Tower

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

Location:  Animal Kingdom Resort Area

Rating:

Category:  Moderate Resort

What We Like: 

The Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort has the feel of a Deluxe Resort, but the price of a Moderate Resort. Everything felt very fresh and new compared to some of the other Disney properties, which tend to feel a little worn.

The room itself was beautifully decorated – it’s designed to feel like the rest of the resort with a simple, Spanish influenced style. We had a water view room (no balcony) that overlooked the property. Our room had a king bed and a nice sitting area, and it still felt very spacious. This was by far one of the nicest rooms we’ve ever stayed at on property.

 

The tower hosts one of our new favorite resorts on property, Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood. We absolutely loved our dinner here. It was one of the best meals we’ve had at Disney! The price point for this 16th floor dining spot is a little higher, but worth the price for the yummy food and awesome views of Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. The restaurant, like the majority of places at Disney, is incredibly family-friendly and has great options for the little ones. And don’t miss the outdoor terrace at Dahlia Lounge next door to the restaurant!

Coronado Springs has one of the coolest pools on property – everyone loves the Mayan temple here! It’s a great place to spend part of your vacation and enjoy the Florida weather. There are lots of easy options for dining around the property as well – including quick service spots and sit downs. Overall, a great option for your next trip!

 

Things to Note:

We don’t like taking the bus everywhere, so that really was our only complaint about this resort. We ended up taking a Lyft several times (worth it for our weekend getaways), but I would not recommend always going that route, especially with a family – it adds up quickly!

 

WDW Park Planners Tips:

We tried taking the bus home from Magic Kingdom after the fireworks on Saturday night, and the line for Coronado Springs was SO long. We wouldn’t have made it on the second bus and had an early morning the next day. We walked to The Contemporary Resort (5-10 minutes from Magic Kingdom) and had our Lyft driver pick us up there. It’s a little trick we frequently use since the ride share drivers can’t pick you up from Magic Kingdom – they are only able to pick you up from the Ticket and Transportation Center (a monorail ride away).

Planning Tips

Disney Rope Drop Tips

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How to get the most out of your Rope Drop experience at each of the parks.

For those of you who might not know, Rope Drop is the time at each of the Disney parks when it first opens, and the rope into the park literally “drops” to let you in! Okay so maybe there isn’t always an actual rope, but you get the idea of where the name comes from.

I think Rope Drop is the BEST time at the parks.

Not a morning person? Well, here are three reasons you should consider taking advantage of Rope Drop (at least for a few mornings of your trip!):

1.      Smallest crowds

2.      Shortest lines

3.      Best temperatures

It’s as simple as that.

With the right timing and selection of your Fast Passes mixed in with the “regular” standby lines, you can hit the most rides and attractions in the shortest amount of time. Not quite sure how to do this? That’s where I come in! I strategically make your Fast Pass+ selections and personalized itinerary to help your group get the most out of your time in the parks!

Without giving away all of my tricks, here are a few tips I always share with clients for Rope Drop at each of the parks. Two things to keep in mind before taking advantage of these tips:

  1. Be sure to check if the park has Extra Magic Hours, as this will affect your timing (depending on if you’re on or off property – I can help answer questions about this!).
  2. Study your maps! If you don’t know where you’re going, you will end up wasting so much time trying to figure out where to go next (I still struggle at Animal Kingdom, and I’ve been there a million times – it gets confusing!). I always provide park maps with my client’s custom itineraries – I even include corresponding numbers to show them where to go, each step of the way 😊

Magic Kingdom

  • Arrive at least 45 minutes before the scheduled open time.  
  • Head to the bridge towards the land you’re starting with and weave your way up to the front of the pack (as much as possible).
  • The Cast Members will hold you there until the park open time, but now you’ve positioned yourself for success!  
  •  I recommend waiting at the bridge towards Fantasyland and heading straight to the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (unless you have a Fast Pass+ for it!).
  • Then knock out a ton of the Fantasyland rides since the standby lines will be relatively short – except Peter Pen, which has the longest wait after Mine Train. I provide a recommended order for my clients so they optimize those first two hours 😊 

Hollywood Studios

 

  • Current Galaxy’s Edge Strategy: Arrive at least 45 minutes before the scheduled park open time if you want to ride Rise of the Resistance! Once your entire group has entered the park, join a boarding group through the app at the scheduled park open time. Want more tips? Contact me!
  • If you’re not there for Star Wars and do NOT have a Fast Pass+ for Slinky Dog Dash, then I always recommend heading there first at Rope Drop. Still arrive at the park 45 minutes before the scheduled open time, as the crowds as the busiest at this park!

Epcot

  • Arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled open time for Future World (don’t forget World Showcase doesn’t open until 11am!).
  • Epcot Rope Drop is the least stressful in my opinion, but it’s still good to get get there early.
  • Depending on whether you have a Fast Pass+ for Test Track or Soarin’ Around the World (or even if you don’t, pick one to ride first), we usually head to the opposite attraction first, and then use our Fast Pass+ afterwards.
  • If you don’t have a FastPass+ for Frozen Ever After, definitely go there first. Then you can meet Anna and Elsa right after (there aren’t any FastPasses for this, and the line gets so long!). 

Animal Kingdom

  • This one is SO important if you do NOT have a Fast Pass for Flight of Passage.
  • Arrive AT LEAST 60 minutes before the scheduled open time.
  •  On our most recent trip, the Cast Members were letting everyone through the turnstiles ONE HOUR before the park was scheduled to open, all the way to the line for Flight of Passage (not just on the bridge!). We had never seen it that early before, and we arrived at 7:10am for an 8am opening.
  • Unless you have a Fast Pass+ (or even if you do and want to do it twice), head straight to Flight of Passage with everybody else 😉
  • The line for Na’vi River Journey stays pretty short for the first hour, so take advantage and ride it as soon as you get off Flight of Passage.

Want more tips and help?! I’d love to share my expertise with you and plan your group’s trip!

Contact me today to learn more 😊

Contact me!
Reviews

Top 7 Ways to Bring the Disney Magic Home

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If you’ve been to Disney, you’ve likely experienced post-Disney depression. If you haven’t yet, just wait until that moment you’re leaving Main Street and take one last glimpse at Cinderella Castle.

The magic doesn’t have to end on the Magical Express ride back to the airport, though! There are so many ways to keep the sights, sounds and smells of Disney World with you even when you’re back to reality.

Here are my top 7 ways to bring the Disney magic home!

Sorcerer Radio

A few years ago I stumbled across Sorcerer Radio, and it was a complete game-changer for me. All Disney music, all day long?! Yes please. They play all of the park and resort music, full ride-throughs of every attraction, AND all of the parades, shows and fireworks soundtracks – from past and present! They also have some great shows with a variety of Disney experts (love the WDW Tiki Room!). It’s the perfect background music during the workday on your computer or app, and now you can play it on Alexa when you get home! Check them out here 🙂

WDW Today Channel App

This was a recent discovery for me but I knew this would quickly become an at-home Disney staple. There’s an app called WDW Today Channel that streams the same in-room channel when you’re staying at a Walt Disney World resort! It’s a new part of my morning routine and I love it – I pull it up on my iPad and have it propped up while I get ready for work. It’s so fun seeing the park times and hearing the music every morning 🙂 Download it here!

WDW Magazine

I just got my first print edition of WDW Magazine and couldn’t be happier! I love their online stuff, but getting the beautiful print version in the mail was even more magical. They do a great job of finding unique topics and angles, and the photography is unbelievable. They have different subscription options (I get it monthly), so be sure to check it out here!

Magic Candle Company

If you haven’t checked out my reviews, be sure to read all about my favorite scents at the Magic Candle Company (click here!). These Disney-inspired candles let you bring the scents of the parks, resorts and attractions into your home. My favorite is the Beach Club inspired scent 🙂

World Drive Cards

What goes around, comes around, so why not spread some magic with a Disney-inspired card?! Check out these magical cards designed by Ryan Pimental. His style is so unique and inspiring – it encompasses that pure Disney excitement when you’re heading down World Drive to the Happiest Place on Earth! Take a look at Ryan’s website here!

Disney Mugs

There’s nothing like starting your day with a cup of coffee in your favorite Disney mug. I’ve collected Disney mugs over the years and always look forward to picking out my next one at the parks or resorts. Helpful tip: make sure to pack your mug in a carry on – I had my last mug break in my checked suitcase (even though it was all bundled and packed up!).

PopSocket Decals

For most of us, our phones are never more than an arms distance away at all times. Why not add a little touch of magic to it so you get to see it every time you reach for your phone?! RSVP Custom Creations makes the cutest Disney-inspired PopSocket decals – I love the Spaceship Earth one! Check out Jackie’s designs here!