Is the Disney World Grand Floridian Resort Hotel really worth the money? It is Disney World’s flagship hotel and is the most expensive of all the Disney World Deluxe Resort Hotel choices.
Read our guide to the Disney World Grand Floridian Resort Hotel to see if this is the best choice for you and your family for their Disney vacation.
Photo by expressmonorail
Disney’s Grand Floridian is a beautiful hotel. Its visually stunning both inside and out. Some may feel that it is too formal but don’t be concerned about that. Yes it is probably the most ‘grown up’ of all the Disney World hotels but you will not feel out of place in shorts, a Goofy shirt and some Mickey Ears.
The theme of the hotel is turn of the century Victorian sea side resort. Very opulent, but a relaxed atmosphere.
Disney World Grand Floridian Location
Photo by expressmonorail
It has one of the best locations in Disney World – right on the Seven Seas Lagoon and on the monorail loop which means very easy access to Magic Kingdom.
Access to Epcot from the resort is also by monorail. You do need to go via the Transport and Ticket Center but it is quick and easy to get to Epcot from the Disney World Grand Floridian Resort Hotel.
Disney World Grand Floridian Hotel Rooms
Disney’s Grand Floridian resort is one of the biggest on property. The hotel covers over 40 acres. It has a main building and five lodges with a large variety of room types.
The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa has 867 rooms including 25 suites. The main building which houses the lobby, restaurants, shops and guests rooms all of which are concierge rooms.
The Grand Floridian main building has 5 stories. Floors 3,4 and 5 are the concierge guest rooms and are only accessible by guests of those rooms. This building is very convenient for all of the main services of the hotel including the monorail stop.
The rest of the Grand Floridian rooms are location in 5 lodges. These buildings are Sago Cay, Conch Cay, Sugar Loaf Key Concierge, Boca Chica and Big Pine Key.
Rooms at the Grand Floridian Resort are a generous 440 square feet for a standard room. Most of the rooms have a balcony. On the high floors there are dormer rooms which are smaller but have vaulted ceilings. They also have smaller balconies.
A standard room has 2 Queen beds and accommodate 5 people. There is a day bed, desk and a reading chair. The dormer rooms only sleep 4 as they do not have the day bed.
Picture by davecobb
There are some stunning views from select rooms in 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 Magic Kingdom view rooms in Conch Key are 7231,7328 to 7331 and 7425 to 7431. These view rooms also come at a premium price.
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. There are a few rooms to avoid though. 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.
For a comprehensive guide on how to choose a room at the resort:
– Disney Grand Floridian Resort – Which Are The Best Rooms?
Disney World Grand Floridian Resort Hotel Swimming Pool
Photo by Jeffrey
There are two pools at the Grand Floridian Resort. The courtyard pool is at the center of the resort hotel buildings. It is a good size but really not very interesting – just a standard hotel pool with no particular 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.
The Grand Floridian has good recreational facilities too with tennis courts, a fitness facility and a jogging track. If you want more exercise you can even walk to Disney’s Magic Kingdom.
The full service spa offers all the services you would expect including massage, water therapy, hand and foot treatments, facials.
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
The Disney Grand Floridian is of course the flagship Disney resort so it offers some excellent dining choice.
Victoria and Albert’s
Victoria and Albert’s is Disney World’s ultimate fine dining experience. 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.
Victoria and Albert’s 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 comes at a price. The fixed price menu is currently $150 with wine pairings an additional $65 plus tax and gratuity.
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 $210 per person with wine pairings at $105 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.
Victoria and Albert’s does not disappoint and reviews are overwhelmingly excellent.
You must make 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.
Disney’s 1900 Park Fare.
This is an excellent character buffet for breakfast and dinner. 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 for breakfast is from $22.36 to $28.60 for adults and 12.77 to $15.88 for children aged 3 to 9 with tax and gratuity as extra. Pricing depends upon season (with Holiday seasons being more expensive of course).
Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare is one of my favorites. The food is good quality with all the breakfast items rangin from pastries to made to order omelettes, 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!
Prices for 1900 Park Fare dinner range from $38.33-$44.50 for adults and $19.16 to $21.29 for children depending upon season.
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.
Disney World Grand Floridian Resort Hotel 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 $35 to $45 range.
There is also a children’s menu for those 9 and under. The Citricos kids menu includes such child favorites as Mickey Pasta, Macaroni and Cheese, and even a Dalmation Chocolate Eclair.
The Grand Floridian Cafe
Photo by praline3001
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.
Dinner at The Grand Florian Cafe has entrees in the $20 to $30 range.
Disney World Grand Floridian Resort Hotel 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 $40 up to $75 for the Grilled Filet Mignon with Butter-poached or Steamed Canadian Waters Lobster Tail. Pricey but a wonderful dining option in the Grand Floridian.
Garden View Tea Room
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 Grand Tea is $29 but you can enjoy less pricey options such as freshly baked scones for $3.50.
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 $333.64 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.
Let’s face it the cost is huge but if you have the means then guests say it is worth it.
Weddings at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
What would be more magical than a Disney World Wedding? One of the most magical locations is at the wedding pavilion at the Grand Floridian Resort.
The beautiful wedding pavilion is located overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon with a perfect backdrop of the Magic Kingdom.
Disney Weddings at Disney World Grand Floridian Resort Hotel start at $2495 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 Resort Hotel is an amazing luxury experience. It isn’t my first choice of all the Disney Deluxe hotels – is it yours? Is the Disney Grand Floridian Resort your favorite Disney hotel?
Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando. In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 45 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 200,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.