Disney’s Coronado Springs club level at Gran Destino Tower

All about staying at Coronado Springs club level:

2025 has been a bit of a year for me, so getting away to Disney for a few days was something I really needed to look forward to. I was very excited when my friend Jenn, from Fairest Run of All, decided to join me for a holiday trip! Doing Jollywood Nights was our priority, but other than that we were just planning some downtime to relax.

I wanted to make this a bit of a “treat yo self” trip, so we did a split stay with the second half of our trip at Coronado Springs club level. Since Jenn didn’t have park tickets, and I wasn’t planning a ton of park time, it was a good trip to try club level. We’d have time to enjoy the lounge and some of the extra perks.

I’ve stayed at Coronado Springs a few times before. The last time I stayed there, two years ago, I stayed one night in the tower and fell in love with it. It is really beautiful!

Contents hide

What is club level at Disney?

Arrival at Gran Destino Tower

Club level rooms at Coronado Springs

Chronos Club

Complimentary food and drink offerings

Breakfast

Refreshments

Hor D’oeuvres

Cordials & Desserts

The Concierge team & service

Is it worth the price?

How Chronos club compares to other Disney club levels

Related Posts

What is club level at Disney?

If you haven’t heard the term before, Club Level is a special room category that you can book at certain deluxe resorts (and Coronado Springs, the only non-deluxe to offer it). It’s a premium option that provides some extra benefits and perks.

These include:

• A lounge with complimentary food and beverage offerings throughout the day
• Fireworks views at select resorts from the lounge and/or rooms
• Planning help before your trip from Disney Signature Services
• Concierge cast members on site to help with any questions or issues

The rooms themselves are typically very similar (or identical) to a standard room at the resort. The rooms at Gran Destino Tower are quite roomy and have plenty of space. They are bigger than the standard rooms at other moderate resorts, and feel more on par with the deluxe resort rooms.

When you’re paying for Club Level, you’re really paying for the lounge with food and drink, and the concierge cast members. There may also be a few special touches, but like all things Disney this is not to be expected – just an added bonus if it does happen!

Arrival at Gran Destino Tower

We did a split stay during our trip, so we were transferring from the Riviera Resort. We left there around 11am, and our room at Coronado wasn’t ready yet. I went into Epcot for a few hours, and Jenn hit Disney Springs. We planned to meet back at Coronado later.

We got a text around 3:15pm that the room was ready. Jenn beat me there and called to have our luggage sent up, and I met her there around 5pm.

There are a few different room types that you can get here which are club level. You can book:

• Tower – Resort View – Club Access
• Tower – Deluxe Suite – Club Access
• Tower – One Bedroom Suite – Club Access
• Tower – Presidential Suite – Club Access

We had the “Resort View” room, which I also refer to as “standard.” Although it is classified as a resort view, we actually did technically have a theme park view. The parks are a bit far away, but you can absolutely see Hollywood Studios and Epcot (especially Tower of Terror and Spaceship Earth). We could also see the Epcot fireworks from our room.

The club level rooms are very nice and comfortable just like all of the rooms in Gran Destino Tower. Most of them are located on higher floors, so you will at least have some pretty nice views.

There’s a desk to your right when you walk in the lounge, where at least one concierge cast member is waiting to greet you. The first day we arrived we introduced ourselves and got a little tour. After that, they were just there if you had questions or needed anything.

The lounge is a long room with large windows facing the theme parks – you can see Epcot and Hollywood Studios from here. This space mostly consists of plenty of seating options, plus the food area. Bathrooms are available in the lounge itself, so you don’t need to go back to your room if you’re spending time there.

They have a variety of seating options, too. There were some cushioned benches with small tables, couches, big comfy chairs with a table in between by the windows, and a more traditional restaurant-style booth/chair set-up. Above one section of seating is a television that was showing kids stuff (mostly Bluey while we were there).

On the far end is where you’ll find the food setup. There are three buffet-style serving locations where you can help yourself. You’ll also find a water cooler, coffee machine, and fridge with cold beverages.

The lounge had a selection of books and games you could use while you were there, too. The board games were very nice “deluxe” editions – it’s a small thing, but it helped me feel like club level was extra fancy! There was a cute little nook with two chairs next to the bookshelves.

The atmosphere of Chronos Club feels very much like the rest of Gran Destino tower. It feels very bright and modern, with hints of the southwest theme of Coronado Springs. The color palette is mainly blues and tan, and there are some nice decorative touches. Things like mosaic tiles, small art pieces, etc. While not overly Disney-themed, there are at least some Disney touches.

We visited in December, so there were also some Christmas decorations up at the time. They had a nice tree and a few wreaths. In addition, the music playing in the lounge was all Spanish Christmas music. I enjoyed it, but I do think they could use a longer soundtrack – we heard a lot of Feliz Navidad. I believe this was the same soundtrack being played throughout all of Coronado Springs, as we also heard it by the pool.

You can get fireworks views at the Chronos Club, but they are not that great. They dim the lights and everything, but they don’t dim them by the food areas, which meant there were still huge glares. You are definitely off at an angle for Epcot fireworks (I found the best view was to get as low to the floor as possible, so yes, I did sit on the floor one night). If Hollywood Studios ever brought back regular fireworks, I wonder if it would be a better view for that.

They also don’t pipe the music in, which I don’t understand. The reason they gave had something to do “not wanting to disrupt the vibe of the lounge.” But Wilderness Lodge and Contemporary both had the fireworks music piped in, and those vibes were pretty good! It’s a bit of a shame, since for me the music is a highlight of the fireworks (especially when you can only see them at a distance).

Typically for the hot dishes you would have 1 egg dish, 1 breakfast meat, and 1 warm “carb” dish (the days we were there they had french toast, spanish potatoes, and crepes). In this area you could also get oatmeal, with a number of different toppings.

I appreciated the fact that you had your basic breakfast foods, but there was still some variety to keep things interesting. While we had regular scrambled eggs both mornings, the day we checked in they had a Spanish frittata on the menu for breakfast (we didn’t get there early enough). I did really enjoy the Spanish potatoes we had one morning!

There were also plenty of cold offerings for breakfast too. Each morning you could find hard boiled eggs, deli meat (we had either smoked turkey or smoked ham), and a few different kinds of fruits. We usually had a bowl of mixed fruits and pre-packaged apple slices and grapes.

Cereal was also available – you could choose from cinnamon toast crunch, raisin bran, or fruit loops.

If you like pastries and breads for breakfast, you’re in luck! They had plenty to choose from. Each morning there were probably 3-4 different specialty pastries:

• Mini muffin (blueberry oat / lemon poppy)
• Loaf bread (banana chocolate chip / double chocolate chip)
• Mini scone (blueberry orange / pumpkin chocolate)
• Other pastry (Cinnamon buns / guava pockets)
• Croissants
• Bagels & Toast

One morning they had both traditional butter croissants and multigrain croissants, though the second day it was only the traditional croissants. Bagels and toast were out next to a toaster and they had cream cheese, butter, jam, peanut butter, and more for spreads.

And don’t forget about breakfast beverages! They had a machine that could do coffee and hot water, but also espresso drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. A variety of teas were available as well as hot cocoa packets. You could also add a number of different flavor pumps to your drink.

A sign advertised a specialty coffee beverage that you could ask a cast member for. During our visit it was a peppermint mocha sweet cream cold brew. I had this one morning and it was very tasty!

The cooler had water, sparkling water, iced tea, lemonade, milk, and apple juice.

If you wanted orange juice or cranberry juice that was also available (either to pour yourself or by asking a cast member). You could get a mimosa, too!

The “featured item” each day was probably the highlight. The first day we were there it was guacamole and chips. The second day, when we actually spent some time in the lunch during the snacking hours, they had Bocadillos (mini sandwiches filled with chorizo and cheese). Our final day there featured sweet stuffed peppers filled with goat cheese and pepper relish. And for the kids (or kids at heart!), they had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, uncrustables style.

There was also a crudite area, which had crackers, vegetables, and dip (both hummus and ranch were available during our stay). The pre-bagged apple slices and grapes from breakfast were still available at this time.

There were some small “dessert” type items available too – both days we were there we saw cheesecake truffles. A few different types of cookies and Mickey rice krispie treats were there too!

You also had items that definitely fell more into the snack category, such as pretzel rods, trail mix, goldfish, and banana chips. I appreciated that they had small bags you could fill, so if you wanted to take a snack on the go that was possible.

Beverages in the cooler were all still available, and you could ask a cast member if you wanted any alcoholic drinks.

This was one area where I thought Coronado was actually a step up from Wilderness Lodge. At Wilderness Lodge they had the snacks and crudite, but there was never anything like the small sandwiches or stuffed peppers.

The set-up typically included 3-4 hot dishes, charcuterie and crudite, salad, and soup. It was definitely a more seafood-inspired menu most days. But if you aren’t a fan, they had plenty of other options too.

The hot dishes seemed to fall into these categories: kid-friendly, more adult-oriented, side dish, and vegetable. The three days we were here we had the following:

• Chicken tenders / Mini corn dog nuggets / popcorn chicken
• Salmon cakes with garlic aioli / Fideua with Shrimp / tuna poke with pickled vegetables & coconut rice
• Olive oil potato puree / Beef marinara pasta / Macaroni & cheese
• Agave glazed carrots / Vegetable stir fry / Patatas bravas

The foods for the more adult palates were certainly my favorite, but I also won’t say no to some chicken tenders or beef marinara! The highlights for me were the salmon cakes, potato puree, beef marinara pasta, and vegetable stir-fry. And the mini corn dog nuggets were surprisingly good.

We also had plenty of cold food options too, and don’t sleep on these! Even without the hot dishes you could have a pretty satisfying meal here. A featured salad was available each night. During our stay it included a fresh tomato salad, a blue cheese and almond salad, and gigante beans escabeche with mixed greens.

A small “shooter size” gazpacho was available each night. First we had the tomato gazpacho, which was listed as a “featured dish from Toledo: Tapas, Steak and Seafood.” The second night was a red pepper gazpacho. Both had cucumbers to garnish. The gazpacho was really good, and the tomato one in particular had a pretty spicy kick to it!

A few items were the same each night, so you could always count on those. The best of these was the Pan con Tomate (also featured from Toledo). It came with a nice crusty bread and was just delicious.

You also had a spread of meats and cheeses, as well as some bread (plus fig jam if desired). The crudite spread that was available during “refreshments” was also out for dinner. This usually included carrots, cucumber, hummus, and ranch.

For beverages, they had several different kinds of wine and beer available. You just needed to let a cast member know what you wanted. You could also get any of the specialty mimosas.

I will be honest, this was probably my biggest disappointment of the meals – but probably only because I had really high expectations due to the amazing options at Wilderness Lodge. What we did have here was pretty good, there just wasn’t as much variety.

Another thing I noticed was a severe lack of chocolate. I guess Spanish desserts don’t tend to be as chocolate-focused as we are here. There were some interesting flavors and tasty items, but rarely did they involve chocolate.

In addition to a few items that remained the same night to night, each evening typically saw about 3-4 different mini desserts:

• Horchata cheesecake
• Pecan blondie (plant-based)
• Marquesa cake with lime Chantilly and basil sugar
• Lemon olive oil cake with rosemary infused whipped cream (plant-based)
• Key lime tart
• Apple pie tart

The highlights for me were the marquesa cake and the lemon olive oil cake. Both were pretty unique.

Your “standards” that were available each night included a celebration cupcake (vanilla & vanilla), mixed fruit, cookies, rice kirspie treats, goldfish, and M&Ms.

In addition to the alcohol that was available at dinner, they also brought out cordials such as baileys and kahlua. You could sip these or add some to a hot drink, like coffee or hot cocoa.

If you needed something during your stay, you could either stop by the desk or give them a call. They gave you the direct number on your welcome letter, so you could call from the parks or somewhere else outside of the hotel if needed.

I thought the club level cast members at Coronado Springs were fantastic, and truly went above and beyond. Disney cast members are so great in general, but they were truly at an even higher level here. We were greeted each time we arrived, and they were always ready to help if needed. It was the perfect balance of having someone available if you needed something and making it clear they were there, but also not being in your face about it.

For instance, the first night we were there I had overheard people at dinner talking about ice cream with a cast member. When we got to dessert I didn’t see any ice cream. Ice cream had been out at Wilderness Lodge, but I thought maybe here it was in a freezer or something and you had to ask for it. I inquired with a CM if there was any ice cream, and he was very apologetic that they didn’t have any.

No big deal, I just figured I’d ask in case I was missing something. But no, he insisted I must have ice cream! He disappeared, and about 5 minutes later he was back and handed me a bag (the kind that the merchandise comes in). I opened it up only to find two Mickey bars!

I got the feeling that if they can make it happen for you, they will.

We also were able to drop our bags off with them the day we were leaving for storage. It was convenient to just drop them off immediately at the lounge instead of having to wait for bell services. Later that day we could pick them up downstairs.

One other thing about someone who was not a cast member, but still amazing to interact with – I actually met a celebrity when I was in Chronos Lounge! Richard Kind (voice of Bing Bong, amongst many other roles) happened to be there and was gracious enough to take a photo with me when I asked. He even laughed at the story I told him, which was probably kinder than necessary.

Of course, don’t expect to see Richard Kind (or any celebrity) during your stay. But you never know! It turns out he was in Disney at the time to film a new Disney Hallmark Christmas movie.

The first thing to look at, of course, is the actual cost of staying Coronado Springs club level. Looking at a similar timeframe for next year, if you wanted to book a standard room at Gran Destino Tower (no discounts, just rack rate), it’s $436 a night, pre-tax.

For a Gran Destino Tower room with Club Level access the same dates, you’re looking at $725 per night.

That’s an almost $300 upcharge, so it’s quite a large amount. Keep in mind that discounts are often available depending on when you travel, and that can include Club Level. I got a fantastic annual pass discount for our stay that was 35% off. This discount was not available at the time for non-club level rooms.

It’s a lot of money, and not the sort of thing I’d do all the time.

With one of the main “perks” being the food, it’s interesting that you don’t have a per person charge but a room charge. So as a solo traveler, it would never really make sense for me to stay Club Level.

I could see the most “value” for a family or group of 4 who will be around the resort a lot. Let’s say a hot breakfast will be around $15 per person, that’s $60 there. Come back in the early evening and you’ve got a nice dinner (if you did table service, even a cheap one for 4 people, that’s over $100). Get mom and dad a few alcoholic beverages, stock up on bottled water and pre-packaged snacks, and I think you can make back your $300 in food & drink if that’s what you want to do.

But if you’re doing full days in the theme parks, you’ll lose most of the lounge perks since you won’t be there for them.

There’s also the atmosphere, the service, and just something to make the trip feel a little more magical. I can add up how many pieces of shrimp I ate and glasses of wine I had. But there’s also something really valuable for me to be able to sip a glass of wine while enjoying my time with one of my best friends – and actually relax a little on vacation rather than running around non-stop.

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How Chronos club compares to other Disney club levels

This Coronado Springs club level stay was my third time staying Club Level at Disney. I’d previously been to Wilderness Lodge and Contemporary Resort. However, when I did the Contemporary I was not on my blogging game and never got around to writing a post about it, so my memories are not as clear. I did take lots of photos I can reference though!

I’ll do my best to compare these experiences:

• Rooms – All are really nice, spacious rooms. The downside at Gran Destino Tower is that the rooms don’t have balconies. Wilderness Lodge’s balcony kind of cut off the view though. Contemporary had the best view, but their decor, with Edna Mode’s face plastered everywhere, was not my favorite. I think all these factors average out to be a tie, though I might still give a slight edge to the Contemporary.
• Lounges – the physical structure of the lounge felt similar at Chronos Club and Contemporary, where it’s one large, dedicated room. Wilderness Lodge has a more unique setup. Personally, I loved them all, so I’d call it another three-way tie.
• Fireworks views – All three had fireworks views, but some were better than others. Chronos Club was very off center, and they didn’t have the music piped in. Wilderness Lodge had a very nice view from the lounge, but not from the rooms. Contemporary had the best views and would absolutely win the fireworks category.
• Breakfast – All three had robust and delicious breakfast, with similar items available. There were a few more unique items at the Contemporary, so I might give that one a slight edge.
• Refreshments – This is the most lackluster food period. Wilderness Lodge and Contemporary both had standard snacks and that was about it. Chronos Club stepped it up a little with an actual food item available each day, so Coronado Springs wins this one.
• Hor D’oeuvres – all three locations had great choices here, so some of this might come down to personal preference. Wilderness Lodge had more “homestyle” type dishes (BBQ chicken, mac and cheese). Coronado had Spanish cuisine, and Contemporary had an Asian-influence, including sushi available. For my personal palate I’d pick the Contemporary.
• Desserts – Chronos Club was pretty lacking here overall, at least comparatively. Contemporary had some nice options, but Wilderness Lodge hands-down had the best desserts. There was a large variety, great cupcakes, and a special cobbler with ice cream every night.
• Drinks – all three lounges offered typical beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. At Contemporary and Coronado we had to ask a cast member for alcoholic drinks, whereas at Wilderness Lodge we were able to pour them ourselves. Chronos Club had some specialty mimosas that weren’t available (at least at the time we stayed) elsewhere. But Wilderness Lodge also had a few beers actually on tap. So I’ll pick Wilderness Lodge for the drinks category.
• Service – the cast members are wonderful at all three locations, though we barely interacted with anyone at the Contemporary. Wilderness Lodge was nice and they gave us a few special things for our anniversary. But the Chronos Club seemed to truly go above and beyond, so I’d give the service award to Coronado Springs.
• Price – Coronado Springs is quite a bit cheaper than the others due to being a moderate resort, so you’ll probably get a lot more bang for your buck that way. I picked a random week in August to compare, and you’d be paying $967/night for club level at the Contemporary, $738/night at Wilderness Lodge, and $615/night at Coronado Springs. Budget-wise, Coronado Springs is your best bet.

If I could choose to stay at one again I’d probably pick the Contemporary, but honestly would be thrilled to be at any of them! I really think you can’t go wrong.

I’m very fortunate that I can do Club Level once in awhile, and I hope to do so again in the future – but it’s definitely not an “all the time” thing! I would hope to stay club level again if my trip included one or more of the following:

• It was a special occasion trip
• I’m with people who don’t have park tickets or we’re planning a lot of downtime
• There were 2-3 other adults I liked well enough to share a standard room with, and we were splitting the cost
• It’s a time when I know I will enjoy the open bar (so probably not during a race weekend)
• I really need to relax and just enjoy some downtime