Last June Jeff and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. I know, I can’t believe it either. We do look so young! We had planned to spend a week in Walt Disney World whooping it up, but things just got too busy so we decided to reschedule. So here we are, nearly a year later. This was just a four day jaunt this past February. We’ve covered Disney territory so many times that one might think “Really, again?”. Stay with me folks, everything we are doing on this trip was brand new. No repeats, *I promise.
Let’s start with the hotel. We stayed at the brand new Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs.
A grand entrance.
Gorgeous embellishments in the foyer.
Beautiful and comfy areas in the lobby.
We will take a more detailed took at the hotel later. We just dropped our bags and headed right to the parks.
First stop: Hollywood Studios.
Premier on the agenda was beer and food. We’ve been up since four o’clock in the morning for Pete’s sake!
This is Baseline Taphouse, a new craft beer joint .
The theme is something about type setting? Seems to be a nod to the old Writer’s Stop, maybe?
We got this cheese and charcuterie board. This was a good value with a fair amount of meats and cheeses for ten bucks. They just didn’t do themselves any favors putting it on a board that was three times bigger than necessary.
We also got this brobdingnagian pretzel for $9. Yes, I learned a new word.
Beer and nosh on board, we headed over to see a brand new land. Whether you are a Star Wars nerd or not (like me) chances are you are aware of Galaxy’s Edge.
Filing in.
Just like entering the tunnel that leads to the Magic Kingdom, the Imagineers give you a moment to leave the real world behind before you enter Star Wars Land.
Coming ’round the bend.
Here we are on Tatooine or Alderaan or Hoth! I really have no idea.
This land is all about theming.
Some of the locals.
A glamour shot.
Ooh Ooh! I know what this is. It’s a Tie Fighter! I don’t know what they have against ties though.
There are characters milling about at all times instead of planned meet ups. This is Rey. She’s somebody.
Security here is pretty intense.
Guess who feels 9 years old again?
The world building here is really quite impressive.
This building houses one of the two restaurants here at Galaxy’s edge. They are both quick service.
This guy is working himself to the bone tending the grill.
A little jet fuel for flavor,.
This area is fashioned after Moroccan markets.
Some model vehicles.
Details
Upon details.
So, my take away from Galaxy’s Edge is this. The theming is astounding, however it is example of an emerging trend for Disney imagineering which is to create a huge land with barely anything to do. (We will be visiting the new Pandora: Land of Avatar later in the week which is another example.) This Star Wars project has just TWO attractions! Why did I not cover them, you ask? Because it is nearly impossible to get into either one, even for a vet like me. That leaves very little, if nothing left to do. We spent a total of maybe thirty minutes experiencing this one billion dollar land!
To put this in perspective, let’s compare Galaxy’s Edge to Fantasyland in California. While Fantasyland is one third bigger in square acres than Star Wars, it also houses THIRTEEN attractions! (Alice in Wonderland, Casey Jr. Circus Train, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, It’s a Small World, King Arthur Carousel, Mad Tea Party, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Peter Pan’s Flight, Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, Pixie Hollow, Fantasy Faire, Royal Hall, Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through, Snow White’s Scary Adventures and the Storybook Land Canal Boats) as well as restaurants and shops. A family could easily spend a good part of the day enjoying this one small area of Disneyland. I’m guessing that this new way of approaching lands makes sense in terms of profit margins or they wouldn’t do it, but it seems like a waste of all that space. Onward to another new land!
Howdy Partner!
Toy story land has been up and running since June of 2018. It is a small off shoot with three attractions and a lot of character meet and greets. This land is uber cute as it makes you feel as if you’ve shrunk down to toy-size. The down side is that there is absolutely no shade to be found.
Slinky Dog Dash Coaster, we didn’t get to ride.
I really wanted to get back at night when it’s cooler and there’s some nice lighting, but it didn’t happen. Next time!.
Palm trees, that’s all.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen this ice cream stand open!
I know, I know, I said *no repeats, but this one is my favorite!
They still haven’t dusted the joint.
We were pretty well pooped, so we bussed it back to the hotel.
This lobby is just stunning!
This is also a convention hotel, so this back wall had work stations and charging capabilities.
The layout and use of the lobby space was so well thought out. Down the stairs is Barcelona Lounge tucked under the mezzanine.
Once seated at the bar, it felt like we were in utero.
Sure, I’ll have a glass of wine.
We got a quick bite before heading up to the room: Lentil Hummus: Arbequina Oil and Pumpkin Seeds served with Sourdough. This was phenomenal and a very generous portion.
This art piece behind Bell Services tickled my fancy. It was bolted on. Oh well, let’s check out the room.
You guys! Look at this view!!!!!
I asked for an upper floor with a lake view. Boy did we score!
The room was surprisingly large fore a new build. The tend has been to shrink the square footage. Not here.
King sized!
This sofa also serves and a fold out bed.
Bathroom was well appointed.
Love the tiles.
Why, thank you!
After a luxurious nap, we headed four floors up for our dinner reservation at Toledo, the signature restaurant at the Gran Destino.
But first, drinks.
Dahlia lounge is directly across from the restaurant. Just gorgeous.
Their version of a Manhattan. Very nice.
The entire theme of the Gran Destino Resort is based on an animated short film of the same name. Destino is unique in that its production began in 1945, fifty-eight years before its eventual completion in 2003. The project was originally a collaboration between Walt Disney and Spanish surrealist painter Salvador Dalí, and features music written by Mexican songwriter Armando Domínguez and performed by Mexican singer Dora Luz.
The surrealist sensibility is throughout the hotel, but at the Dahlia bar, the actual short runs on a loop. I don’t recommend having too many drinks while watching this because it is bizarre!
It’s actually quite stunning if you want to check it out. It’s only six minutes.
Time for dinner next door at Toledo.
Gorgeous ceiling art.
The menu was this all-in-one situation. Awkward.
We decided to split our meal so this is a half portion: Manhattan Steak ,olive oil-potato purée, forest mushrooms, date jam, sherry vinaigrette. Just lovely.
They brought us some anniversary truffles! We already ordered dessert…
Café con Leche’ Choux: dark chocolate, vanilla whipped cream
Classic Crema Catalana Valencia orange, chocolate tuile
This meal was delightful and made even better by being just a few steps from our room. We took our stuffed selves back to the room to get some good rest, because we would be up and at ’em early in the morning! Yup, I said early- on vacation. Crazy!
Up Next: We receive the Keys to the Kingdom!