The Disney World Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is Disney’s flagship hotel. If you are looking for elegance and luxury then you will certainly find it in this most luxurious of Disney World’s deluxe hotel resorts. But is it the right choice for you and your family’s Disney World vacation?
The location factor is of course a big attraction. Located on the shores of Disney World’s Seven Seas Lagoon this imposing 900 room hotel could not be more convenient for a visit to Magic Kingdom. The Grand Floridian is part of the Disney monorail system so you are just a couple of minutes away from the Most Magical Place on Earth. You can even walk there if you want to! Epcot is also within easy reach on the monorail system – although you do have to change trains at the Transport and Ticket Center. All the other Walt Disney World parks and Downtown Disney are a bus ride away.
Built in the style of a turn of the century Victorian sea side resort the Grand Floridian is still distinctively Disney. The touches may be subtle but they are still there. On first sight it may seem to be a very ‘grown up’ resort but don’t let that concern you if you have kids. Families will feel very welcome here. It is a luxurious and elegant hotel with luxurious rooms, fine dining restaurants, beautiful grounds and resort facilities. But you will not feel out of place in Mickey Mouse Ears and a Goofy shirt.
Disney Grand Floridian Resort Lobby
As soon as you step into the lobby at the Disney World Grand Floridian you know that you are in a very special place. The huge and imposing lobby is 5 stories high and just magnificent. A place of calm outside of the hustle and bustle of the theme parks.
Disney’s Grand Floridian resort covers over 40 acres and has a main building and five lodges with a large variety of room types. There is of course a price on luxury. Room rates at start at $410 and go upwards of $2000 a night depending on season and room type. Is the Grand Floridian worth the money? That of course depends upon many things and only you can decide that! . Most people do seem to agree that if you are looking for a very special Disney hotel experience and your budget will stretch that far then the Floridian is an excellent choice.
Disney World Grand Floridian Resort Room Choices
The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa has 867 rooms including 25 suites. There is a main building which houses the lobby, restaurants, shops and guests rooms all of which are concierge rooms. This main building has 5 stories. Floors 3,4 and 5 are the concierge guest rooms and are only accessible by guests of those rooms.
In addition there are 5 lodges namely, Sago Cay, Conch Cay, Sugar Loaf Key Concierge, Boca Chica and Big Pine Key.
The standard guest room is 440 square feet so a good size and most have a balcony. The dormer rooms are smaller but seem to make up for this with the vaulted ceilings, but unfortunately have smaller balconies. Many of the Grand Floridian rooms have a balcony. The standard furnishings are 2 Queen Beds. a day bed, desk and reading chair. Most accommodate 5 guests comfortably but dormer rooms only sleep up to 4.
The thing which most guests are interested in of course are the best views of Magic Kingdom from the Grand Floridian. Conch Key, Boca Chica and Big Pine Key have one side facing the lagoon and the other the resort pool. The best view rooms in Conch Key are 7231,7328 to 7331 and 7425 to 7431 – here you will have a great view of Magic Kingdom.
Ask for a first, second or third floor room in Boca Chica and Big Pine Key if you want a Magic Kingdom View. Sago Cay has some rooms namely 5139,5144, 5145,5142 to 5245,5342 to 5345 have a view of Cinderella’s Castle.
Other views at The Grand Floridian are pool views and garden views. Rooms to avoid?
Most are great with the exception of some garden view rooms in Big Pine Key and some in Boca Chica. which have an obstructed view.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Swimming Pool
There are two pools at the Grand Floridian Resort. The courtyard pool is at the center of the resort hotel buildings and is somewhat disappointingly lacking in theme or special features.
Disney’s Grand Floridian’s best pool is located on the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon and has a water slide, water fall and zero entry access.
There is a beach at the side of the lagoon which is a great place to chill out and relax and also a wonderful, peaceful location to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks at night.
If you want something a little more energetic than lying on the beach then the resort has tennis courts, a fitness facility and a jogging track. You can even walk to Disney’s Magic Kingdom.
The full service spa offers a vast array of excellent spa services including massage, water therapy, hand and foot treatments, facials. Whatever pampering you need you will find it at this world class spa.
If you would like a break from the kids then the Mouseketeer Club offers supervised activities for 4 to 12 year olds.
Disney World Grand Floridian Restaurants
Even if you are not staying in the Grand Floridian you may want to dine at one of it’s excellent restaurants.
Victoria and Albert’s
If you are looking for one of the ultimate fine dining experiences in Walt Disney World then you have to dine at Victoria and Alberts. It has exceptional standards of food and service and is certainly one of the best restaurants not only in Disney World but is known as one of the best in the United States If you want to splurge on a romantic dinner then Victoria and Albert’s is the perfect place. The style of cuisine is described as Modern American.
This is the only restaurant in Walt Disney World which does not allow children under 10 to dine there. The dress code is a dinner jacket for men (tie optional). Perfection of course does not come cheap! The fixed price menu is currently $125 with wine pairings an additional $60.
If you are looking for the ultimate dining experience then the Chefs Table at the Grand Floridian is an amazing experience. Dine in an alcove in the kitchen where Chef Scott Hummel will create a personal menu for you consisting of up to 13 courses paired. The cost is $200 per person with wine pairings at $90 per person.
Or choose the private dining room Queen Victoria’s Room with just 4 tables and up to 10 courses the prices are the same as for Chef’s Table.
Tax at 6.5% and a Gratuity of 20% are additional.
Reviews are overwhelmingly positive with many diners saying that it is the best dining experience they have ever had. This is a popular restaurant so make sure that you have your Advance Dining Reservations as soon as possible – they are available up to 180 days ahead by calling 407 939 3862. This is a different number than the usual one for reservations for Disney dining.
1900 Park Fare.
This is an excellent character buffet for breakfast and dinner. 1900 Park Fare is At breakfast you will find Mary Poppins, The Mad Hatter and Alice in Wonderland. Winnie the Pooh and Tigger also make an appearance. Breakfast is served from 8.30 until 11.00. The price is $22.36 for adults and $12.77 for children aged 3 to 9 with tax and gratuity as extra. The food is good quality breakfast items with plenty of choice, from pastries to made to order omeletes, peach and white chocolate break and butter pudding to Mickey Waffles.
For dinner it is time for Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner. Of course Cinderella and Prince Charming will be there with Anastasia, Drizella, Lady Tremaine, and Lucifer As will all character dining check to see which characters will be appearing that day to save disappointment! There are many choices in this buffet including pasta, prime rib, salmon,mussels, or chicken nuggets, cheese pizza and corn dogs from the children’s corner. If you have room for dessert then there is a huge selection including apple cobbler, lemon cheesecake tart and bread pudding. This is not the place to start your calorie counting!
Citricos
This is an often forgotten Walt Disney World restaurant – and it really is a hidden gem. The style of the decor is light colors with a Mediterranean feel. The cuisine is American favorites with a European influence. Seafood and steak entrees are priced in the $30 to $40 range. There is also a children’s menu for those 9 and under. It includes such child pleasing options as Mickey Pasta, Macaroni and Cheese, and even a Dalmation Chocolate Eclair.
The Grand Floridian Cafe
If you are looking for a less formal restaurant The Grand Floridian Cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a very pleasant dining room overlooking the resort pool. It serves traditional American favorites with entrees from $9.99 and upwards. If you want a real treat then try the Lobster Eggs Benedict.
Narcoossee’s
This is a real treat particularly if you like lobster. Another often overlooked fine dining option Narcoossee’s is located in a separate building overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon which means you get a view of Disney’s Magic Kingdom. This restaurant is worth the splurge particularly if you love seafood. Entrees range from $33 up to $59.
Garden View Lounge
If you have always wanted to enjoy a traditional British tea then the Garden View Lounge is a rare treat.
From 2pm until 4.30 pm each day you can take tea. Here you can enjoy the true tradition of High Tea. Choose from the a la carte menu or from a selection of set offerings which include tea, sandwiches, scones and pastries. The children can enjoy Mrs Potts Tea which includes sandwiches,scones and pastries served with a drink of chocolate milk.
The Garden View Lounge also plays host to My Disney Girl’s Perfectly Princess Tea Party each Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday from 10:30am – Noon. If you wallet can stretch to the $250 charge for one adult and one child this is a truly magical experience. Princess Aurora attends and Rose Petal is your hostess for this very special tea party. Your child will receive a special My Disney Girl collectible doll, bracelet, tiara, Princess scrapbook page and certificate.
Weddings at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
You can even get married or renew your vows at the Grand Floridian Resort. The beautiful wedding pavilion is located overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon with a perfect backdrop of the Magic Kingdom. A Disney wedding planner will help you plan your dream wedding. it can range from an intimate gathering of a few friends to a huge celebration putting together as many luxury one of a kind experience as you want. Disney Weddings start at $5750 and upwards (yes of course you can pay a fortune for your dreams to come true but there is no where else in the world where you can arrive in Cinderella’s Carriage)! You can even make your wedding choices in Franck’s Studio – named and modeled after the wedding planner in the movie Father of the Bride.
Photos used under Creative Commons from Kathika and Title Photo from ExpressMonorail
[...] The Disney World Grand Floridian is Disney’s flagship resort. Located on the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon, the Magic Kingdom is just a short walk, boat or monorail ride away. The perfect location. The rooms are beautiful and well appointed. But of course you pay for the luxury and this is the most expensive hotel on Disney property. [...]