NEWS: Disney Announces Another New Restaurant Opening This Summer

We love food and we love Disney World. We especially love food at Disney World! So, we were very excited to hear the latest dining related news from Orlando. As the new Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is set to open this July and Disney has announced a new restaurant and two new lounges that will be open to guests. These are in addition to the already announced Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood restaurant that will open as well. Catch all the details below.

Here are all the details from Disney Cast Member Alex Dunlap:

As the transformation of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort continues and we get ready for the opening of the new Gran Destino Tower this July, it’s time to share exciting info on the all-new dining venues set to open this July. In addition to Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood atop the new tower, three more locations will join the resort’s delicious array of restaurants.

Sitting at Villa del Lago in the center of the lake, Three Bridges Bar & Grill will introduce a new table service dining experience. Delight in sandwiches, shared plates, and more at this relaxing lakefront restaurant. Sharable plates include yummy dishes like Curry-Lentil Hummus, Szechuan Peppercorn Wings and Stuffed Mushrooms. The entrée menu includes the Villa del Lago Salad with arugula, frisée, warm Yukon potatoes, white beans, and asparagus tossed in a bright sherry vinaigrette. Also featured are Braised Pork Tacos, Grilled Skirt Steak, Harissa Lamb Chops, Crispy Chicken Sliders and the Three Bridges Signature Burger. This mouthwatering burger comes with crispy potato, Manchego cheese, roasted garlic-lemon aïoli, arugula and tomato.

And for dessert? Indulge in warm churros with Espelette pepper sugar and chocolate sauce or a vanilla custard Mickey tart with compressed pineapple and tropical sorbet.

Of course, what would a bar and grill be without a few refreshing beverages? While you and your friends are dining on the fab food, you can unwind with a vibrant cocktail or share a pitcher of one of the restaurant’s signature house-made sangrias. You’ll also find craft beers from around the world along with a variety of wine styles from Spain and California. Family-friendly non-alcoholic beverage options will also be available.

Speaking of appetizers and cocktails, the new Gran Destino Tower will be home to the Dahlia Lounge. Located next to Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood, this rooftop lounge will feature whimsical forms, colors, unique lights, and especially unique libations and dishes. Here you’ll find an array of wines hand-selected by one of our resident master sommeliers, including Spanish cavas. Cocktails are made with exceptional spirits and ingredients hand-crafted by talented mixologists.

On the menu are several delicious tapas and plates. Tapas options include Chilled Marinated Mussels ‘Escabèche,’ Olive Oil-poached Tuna with Lemon, Valdeón Blue Cheese, or Traditional Tortilla Española’ Spanish Potato Omelet. Plates include Savory Churros, Roasted Beets, Head on Prawns, Espelette-dusted Marcona Almonds and more.

Finally, in the lower lobby of the tower, Barcelona Lounge will feature eclectic patterns and colors inspired by the beautiful aesthetic of Barcelona, Spain. This lounge will offer a European coffee experience as well as Spanish and classic American pastries and breakfast items. Healthful breakfast items include blueberry-lavender honey yogurt with flaxseed granola and fresh-squeezed orange juice.

While the coffee experience will be available throughout the day, as the afternoon rolls around, the Barcelona Lounge transitions into an artisanal cocktail bar featuring a variety of tonics to complement an international gin collection. The collection includes a house-crafted signature Gran Destino Gin Tonic infused with orange saffron. A premium sampling of select wines will also be poured in addition to Spanish and American craft beers. There will also be a menu featuring small plates with savory options like Spanish charcutería and artisanal cheeses, Lentil Hummus ‘Aceitunas’ Marinated Olives and more.

All of these locations will open in July when Gran Destino Tower opens at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. For more information, full menus, or to make reservations for Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood, visit the Walt Disney World Resort website or call 407 WDW-DINE (407 939-3463). Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more information on the exciting additions to Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.

RELATED ARTICLE: 8 Reasons to Stay at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

by Mike and Jamie Sylvester

Are you due for a siesta? Of course you are! Treat yourself (and your family) and book a resort reservation at Disney World’s Coronado Springs Resort for that well deserved and much needed rest and relaxation. Need further persuasion? Check out these 8 reasons to stay at Coronado Springs!

Editor’s Note: Coronado Springs is currently undergoing construction to add additional rooms and expand convention facilities. 

1 – Southwestern Haven

Once stepping foot on Coronado Springs property, be prepared to be transformed to a Spanish Colonial Mexico themed resort. The vibrant colors and the southwestern inspired architecture provides a peaceful and inviting feel. We especially love the way the romantic side of the resort glimmers into the evening off of the large lake in the heart of the resort. From bending palm trees to hanging lights that light the paths to Spanish instrumental music, we found ourselves getting lost in the essence of the resort.

2 – Rooms with Flair

While we expected the resort lobby area to match the exterior southwestern décor (which it did beautifully), we were thrilled with the resort room as well. With a chance to stay in the casitas, rustic ranchos, or beachfront cabanas – we didn’t have to worry about being disappointed in our location as all of these buildings and rooms are beautifully decorated inside and out. We especially loved the Hidden Mickey’s inside the Mayan themed patterns on the bed and wonderfully carved mirror frames and headboards.

3 – White Sand Beaches

What drew us to it faster than just about anything else, were the hammocks that we swaying in the breeze on the white sand beach, under the beautiful palm trees. Snuggle up with your loved one or relax solo in one of these hammocks as the cool air from the lake gives the sense of having the beach just steps away. We feel as if we have adventured off to a tropical destination – not the outskirts of Orlando!

4 – Who Wants Tacos?

Yes, please! Coronado Springs serves delicious Mexican food along with great American cuisine selections. We were thrilled at the dining variety as well as the menu items. Everyone in our family found it easy to select something to eat while dining at the quick service location, Pepper Market. The tacos were tremendous, the bacon burger was perfect, and the kid’s macaroni and cheese hit the spot for the kiddos! Don’t forget about the enticing Maya Grill restaurant. This is a majestic, Mexico themed restaurant that celebrates the Mayan motifs of fire, sun, and water. Other dining options include Las Ventanas, Café Rix, and Siestas Cantina. Try the gelato and/or sorbet at Café Rix – they are yummy!

5 – Margaritas and More

What would a good siesta be without a refreshing drink in your hand? Laguna Bar is beautifully located next to the lake which makes for an excellent place to relax and enjoy a drink as the lights glimmer off the water. The Rix Lounge is elegant in design and has some wonderful appetizer style snacks that go perfectly with their full-service bar selections. Siestas Cantina which we mentioned above also has some great drink selections poolside!

6 – Play Time

There is plenty of recreation available at Coronado Springs Resort. Our favorite is, of course, the pools! We especially loved The Lost City of Cibola Pool at the Dig Site, but there were also three other pools located throughout the resort. The Dig Site looks like Mayan ruins and the pool there has a 123-foot waterslide. Watch out however for the water spitting jaguar as you slide down! The largest hot tub at Disney is also located at the Dig Site! Plus, the kids can enjoy the playground as a break from the pool, or step into the awesome Iguana Arcade for some fun gaming. Beach volleyball, running/walking trails, campfires, and nightly Movies Under the Stars can really allow a family to spend the day at Coronado with plenty to do.

7 – Massages, and Facials, and Nails… Oh My!

We’d be crazy if we didn’t mention one of the best reasons to stay at Coronado Springs is for the La Vida Health Club and Casa De Belleza Salon! Of course, you can lift weights and work out at La Vida Health Club, but let’s be honest – we were mostly excited about the spa portion! Massages (even in-room massages) and facials are available. Plus, right next door, stop by the Casa De Belleza Salon to get your hair, makeup, and/or nails done. Go ahead, spoil yourself!

8 – It’s All About Convenience

Easy access! Jump aboard Disney’s bus transportation or drive your car to reach the parks – either way, we were pleased with the convenience Coronado Spring’s location provided. We especially enjoy the short trips to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. Plus, if you are looking for a day to cool off at Disney’s Blizzard Beach, you don’t have to go far. Saving time to get to some of our favorite places on Disney property makes for another great reason to stay at Coronado Springs.

We hope you enjoy your siesta at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. We’re sure you’ll find yourself relaxing in a hammock with a drink in your hand soon enough after your arrival!