If you consider probably the most opulent and iconic of Walt Disney World resorts, there is a good likelihood that photos of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa dance by means of your head.
This resort exudes a Disneyized model of turn-of-the-century Victorian attraction that leans into the usage of gentle colours, excessive ceilings, stained glass, chandeliers and marble. There’s even a cage elevator and occasional reside piano music within the towering foyer to assist additional set the scene.
But, regardless of the flamboyant setting, the vibe is definitely neither stuffy nor intimidating. You may see bathing suit-clad youngsters squealing by means of the sweeping foyer extra steadily than you may see fits and jackets strolling by — although you may doubtless catch a glimpse of these, too, primarily within the evenings as some fortunate diners head to the award-winning Victoria & Albert’s restaurant that calls this resort residence.
What’s Disney’s Grand Floridian?
Disney’s Grand Floridian just isn’t an authentic opening-day Disney World resort, however it’s situated on the well-known monorail loop and performed a significant function in transitioning Disney into an period of fast resort growth when it opened in 1988. A brand new resort hadn’t been added to Walt Disney World since its opening in 1971, however since Grand Floridian joined the roster, Disney World has welcomed properly over a dozen further resort resorts, many coming within the Nineteen Nineties, proper on the heels of the Grand Floridian.
When it comes to theme, whereas Disney’s Up to date Resort attracts inspiration from the glossy, white traces of Tomorrowland and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort enjoys unique and worldwide influences from Adventureland, the Grand Floridian is impressed by the upbeat theme of the Magic Kingdom’s Fundamental Avenue, U.S.A.
There is no denying that its spot on the Seven Seas Lagoon, only a stroll or quick monorail trip away from the Magic Kingdom, is among the greatest spots of actual property in all of Walt Disney World.
However earlier than you drop $700 or extra per night time to e-book a room at this deluxe Disney resort, there are some things you have to know so you may determine if the Grand Floridian is the fitting Disney resort for you.
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Easy methods to e-book the Grand Floridian Resort
It is common for comparatively customary rooms at Disney’s Grand Floridian to value $700-$1,000 per night time. You may e-book a keep straight with Disney World or by way of a Disney trip planner (at no additional cost) who could possibly enable you to benefit from your Disney trip and hold an eye fixed out for reductions.
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If you are going to spend 1000’s of {dollars} on a keep on the Grand Floridian, I extremely advocate incomes a bunch of journey rewards in return by utilizing one of the crucial rewarding bank cards for journey, such because the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which earns 3 factors per greenback spent on journey. You might additionally use that card’s $300 annual journey credit score towards the keep, too.
Alternatively, in case you have the Citi Status® Card (not out there to new candidates), you possibly can get the fourth night time of your free keep when booked by way of cititravel.com (as much as two free night time awards per yr). The data for the Citi Status has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
However I would argue that the easiest strategy to e-book a visit to the Grand Floridian, as it can save you as much as 50% on the keep, is with rented Disney Trip Membership factors. This is a real-world instance of how this may prevent a bunch of cash when staying at Grand Floridian:
For June 8-10, a studio at Grand Floridian is offered for a complete of 38 Disney Trip Membership factors. For those who hire these factors from David’s Trip Membership — a really respected firm I’ve advisable and personally used for years — you’d pay $23-$25 per rented level, relying on how far upfront you e-book. That is an all-in complete of $828-$900 for the two-night keep.
Conversely, when you e-book that very same precise stick with money straight with Disney, the value is at present $1,800, which is at the least double what you’d pay with rented DVC factors.
It is one of many closest resorts to the Magic Kingdom
Whereas the Grand Floridian is not technically the closest resort to the gates of the Magic Kingdom, it is nonetheless inside strolling distance.
Solely the Up to date Resort and Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Up to date Resort, that are each a few half-mile away from the park, are nearer — whereas the Grand Floridian is roughly 0.7 miles away by way of the walkway which you can enter from the identical space because the resort boat launches.
Relying in your strolling velocity, count on this stroll to take 10 to fifteen minutes. You will not take pleasure in a ton of shade and coverings when it is scorching, humid and/or wet, however you will not have to attend for any transportation to indicate up, and you will get an up-close view of the monorail zooming by overhead as you make your manner between the resort and the park.
For those who’d moderately keep cool and dry, you are in luck, as you may as well decide to take the monorail to the Magic Kingdom. Merely clear safety and board it from the second degree of the foyer within the Grand Floridian to succeed in the Magic Kingdom. Because the park is the following cease on the monorail loop after the Grand Floridian departure level, you may be within the park very quickly.
You may as well journey to and from the Magic Kingdom by way of a ship.
Professional tip: For those who take the monorail from Grand Floridian to Magic Kingdom, you may get off on the first cease. Then, when you take the boat from the Magic Kingdom again to Grand Floridian, that can be going to will let you get off on the first cease.
The resort is massive and unfold out
Though the Grand Floridian is not the largest resort at Disney World, as some properties occupy greater than 200 acres and have 2,000-plus rooms, it is nonetheless fairly massive by commonest requirements.
On the Grand Floridian’s 40 acres, you may discover greater than 800 rooms unfold all through the five-story foyer, plus the Sago Cay, Sugarloaf, Conch Key, Boca Chica and Large Pine Key buildings. Moreover, there are a number of Disney Trip Membership villas housed inside a separate constructing on the alternative facet of the primary Seaside Pool.
For sure, in case you are staying right here with a gaggle, you possibly can find yourself being fairly unfold aside when you aren’t cautious with room requests and choices. I like to recommend choosing rooms in both the primary foyer constructing or the Sago Cay and Sugarloaf buildings since they’re comparatively near the primary foyer, eating places and dock. These lodging are additionally on the tip closest to the Magic Kingdom, so you may have a shorter stroll to the park.
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Grand Floridian swimming pools
The Grand Floridian has two spectacular swimming pools.
The principle Seaside Pool, which holds greater than 100,000 gallons of water, has a 181-foot waterslide, waterfalls and a zero-entry space. Plus, you may seize meals and drinks from the poolside Seashores Pool Bar & Grill to take pleasure in from a chaise lounge or a rented cabana. Poolside actions like video games and humanities and crafts can be found, too, ought to your loved ones desire some selection when having a pool day.
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Moreover, there’s the massive Courtyard Pool behind the primary constructing. It does not have a waterslide, lifeguards or actions, which leads to a quieter environment than what you may discover on the Seaside Pool. Nonetheless, it does usually provide longer working hours, so you will get in an early-morning or late-night swim.
Little youngsters may also try the Mad Hatter-themed splash pad play space, which has a small waterslide, water sprays and an enormous water dump bucket that appears like a hat.
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Grand Floridian rooms and suites
The Grand Floridian’s customary rooms and studios, measuring round 440 sq. ft, function a light-weight “Mary Poppins” theme that emerged within the 2022 renovation. These are the most important customary resort rooms out there at Walt Disney World. Nonetheless, this additional house (and close-to-Magic Kingdom location) comes at a price, because the rooms are persistently among the many most costly choices at Disney World.
Outdoors of an enormous sale (or reserving by way of rented DVC factors, as beforehand talked about), it is fairly frequent to search out customary outer-building rooms on the Grand Floridian hovering between $700 and $800 per night time. For an upgraded theme park view, count on to pay anyplace from $800 to over $1,000 per night time.
If you would like club-level entry, put together for sticker shock, as club-level rooms within the Grand Floridian’s principal constructing are sometimes greater than $1,200 per night time.
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However when you do splurge on reserving a club-level room on the Grand Floridian, you are in for a deal with. Be certain and benefit from the membership because it does have glorious meals and beverage choices, particularly within the mornings and evenings. Professional tip: Do not miss the all-you-want Mickey bar ice cream freezer.
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Bigger suites, together with one, two or three bedrooms, are additionally out there, each when booked straight with Disney or by way of rented DVC factors. We rented factors to sleep as much as 5 folks in a one-bedroom DVC suite lately, and it labored out very properly with a full kitchen, washer, dryer and each a pull-down Murphy mattress and single mattress beneath the TV out there in the lounge.
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Personally, I discover the styling of those bigger DVC rooms to be a bit of extra old school than the Grand Floridian resort rooms and DVC studios, however that is a matter of private choice.
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Grand Floridian eating places and bars
Those that keep on the Grand Floridian have quick access to a few of the most upscale eating places and facilities at Disney World.
Victoria & Albert’s
Right here, you may dine at one in every of Disney’s most unique eating venues: Victoria & Albert’s. The Michelin-starred, AAA 5 Diamond Award-winning restaurant serves gourmand fare by way of a number of programs (the prix fixe menu begins at $295 per particular person) dished out for hours in a sublime house that completely matches the Victorian-era design of the property.
Consuming at Victoria & Albert’s is an expertise properly value having — in case your funds permits it and also you’re capable of snag a coveted reservation. Simply make sure you gown appropriately (dinner jackets are required) and go away the little ones behind, as youngsters 9 and youthful will not be permitted.
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Victoria & Albert’s. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Narcoossee’s
If you need an excellent meal that does not take three to 4 hours or require a swimsuit jacket, Narcoosee’s remains to be a really good eating choice at Grand Floridian. This restaurant is open for dinner, situated on the shore of the Seven Seas Lagoon (which implies some tables have views of fireworks) and serves quite a lot of largely seafood-focused gadgets resembling shrimp and grits ($19), gulf shrimp bucatini ($44), buttermilk-fried calamari ($18) and way more.
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1900 Park Fare
After a four-year closure, 1900 Park Fare reopened as one in every of Walt Disney World’s latest character meals. Inside, you may get an opportunity to take pleasure in some fan favorites resembling strawberry soup, cinnamon pull-apart bread and tacky potato casserole. Meals is served buffet-style (breakfast is $58 per grownup and $37 per youngster; dinner is $69 per grownup and $44 per youngster).
However whereas the meals is nice, it is the characters which might be the starring attraction. Because the reopening of this restaurant, the characters include Cinderella, Mirabel, Tiana and Aladdin, who’re there to assist your kiddos study to be “want makers” like they’re.
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Citricos
One more worthwhile restaurant at Grand Floridian open for dinner is Citricos, which has decor impressed by the backyard animated scene in “Mary Poppins.” This restaurant presents a mixture of Floridian and Mediterranean delicacies, with menu gadgets resembling candy corn bisque ($15), guava-barbecued quick ribs ($54) and smoked cauliflower ($12).
Grand Floridian Cafe
A extra informal table-service restaurant on the Grand Floridian is the Grand Floridian Cafe, open for 3 meals a day. Right here you can find an heirloom apple salad ($13), a signature burger with memorable toppings resembling brie, bacon-pepper jam, roasted garlic aioli and arugula ($26), and Cajun pasta with hen ($33).
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Enchanted Rose
One in all my favourite bars in all of Disney World must be the Grand Floridian’s Enchanted Rose.
This “Magnificence and the Beast”-inspired lounge is situated within the resort’s principal constructing and is open from late afternoon to the night. From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., you will get appetizers resembling seasonal flatbread ($18) and charcuterie ($22) to associate with the in depth listing of cocktails, wine, beer and extra.
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There may be additionally a decently sized lounge kind of space instantly adjoining to the Enchanted Rose the place you may as well order meals and drinks when you do not want to sit straight on the bar.
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The Grand Floridian additionally has meals and beverage service by the primary pool and a quick-service choice, Gasparilla Island Grill, that is usually open from 6 a.m. till late within the night and presents gadgets resembling pastries, burgers, flatbreads, sandwiches and kid-meal staples resembling hen fingers and fries which you can order in particular person or upfront for pick-up in your My Disney Expertise app.
Grand Floridian Spa and gymnasium
You may discover the one full-service spa at any Walt Disney World-owned and operated resort on the Grand Floridian. Right here, you may e-book massages, facials, nail and hair companies, and extra. When it comes to pricing, you may at present count on a 50-minute therapeutic massage to start out at $190 earlier than charges and gratuity.
In the identical space because the spa, there’s additionally a gymnasium that is open 24/7 to Grand Floridian visitors full with cardio machines, free weights and resistance machines.
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The property is additional magical (and standard) across the holidays
For me, the very best time to remain on the Grand Floridian is, with out query, in late November and December. This time of yr is when the resort shines the brightest due to its huge tree, life-size gingerbread home, poinsettias, garland and different festive decorations.
Not solely are you able to admire the vacation view, however you may as well buy a gingerbread shingle from the life-size home to take pleasure in as a snack. The truth is, this time of yr is so magical that some visitors plan annual holidays to keep up all night time watching the Christmas tree within the atrium go up.
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As an added bonus, the property’s proximity to the Magic Kingdom means it is one of many best to remain at when going to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Occasion.
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Accessibility
Disney World is usually an awesome vacation spot for these with accessibility wants. Disney’s web site signifies that each one Disney Resort motels embody an accessible path of journey from arrival to the foyer space, in addition to to accessible visitor rooms, eating places, outlets, assembly rooms, enterprise facilities, swimming pools, train services and laundry services.
There may be close-in parking for these with a incapacity parking allow, a pool carry on the swimming pools, and you’ll e-book each hearing- and wheelchair-accessible rooms on-line or over the cellphone.
Trying out
The Grand Floridian is the place Disney World feels fairly magical in a manner that is exhausting to copy elsewhere.
This is not only a cookie-cutter resort that occurs to be situated on Disney property however in any other case may very well be plopped down anyplace and slot in. It is themed from prime to backside, with reside piano music within the foyer and Victorian inspiration so far as the attention can see.
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The resort presents settings for a lot of elegant moments, be it grand staircases or opulent promenades the place you may really feel like a Disney prince or princess.
Being only a quick stroll or monorail trip from the Magic Kingdom actually provides to the resort’s attraction and recognition. Nonetheless, that, after all, comes at a steep value, so be sure to do your homework earlier than you e-book to make sure you’re getting probably the most bang on your buck by opting to remain right here.
If you cannot fairly swing a keep on the Grand Floridian, you may all the time pop by for a couple of hours to stroll round or seize a chunk to eat or a beverage on the property and hearken to music fill the atrium within the evenings.
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