Once you consider probably the most opulent and iconic of Walt Disney World resorts, there is a good likelihood that pictures of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa dance via your head.
This resort exudes a Disneyized model of turn-of-the-century Victorian appeal that leans into using gentle colours, excessive ceilings, stained glass, chandeliers and marble. There’s even a cage elevator and occasional dwell piano music within the towering foyer to assist additional set the scene.
But, regardless of the flowery setting, the vibe is definitely neither stuffy nor intimidating. You may see bathing suit-clad youngsters squealing via the sweeping foyer extra continuously than you may see fits and jackets strolling by — although you may probably 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 dwelling.
What’s Disney’s Grand Floridian?
Disney’s Grand Floridian isn’t an unique opening-day Disney World resort, however it’s situated on the well-known monorail loop and performed a significant position in transitioning Disney into an period of speedy 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 nicely over a dozen further lodge resorts, many coming within the Nineties, proper on the heels of the Grand Floridian.
By way of 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 Road, U.S.A.
There isn’t any denying that its spot on the Seven Seas Lagoon, only a stroll or brief monorail trip away from the Magic Kingdom, is without doubt one of the greatest spots of actual property in all of Walt Disney World.
However earlier than you drop $700 or extra per night time to guide a room at this deluxe Disney resort, there are some things it is advisable know so you’ll be able to resolve if the Grand Floridian is the fitting Disney resort for you.
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Tips on how to guide the Grand Floridian Resort
It’s normal for comparatively customary rooms at Disney’s Grand Floridian to value $700-$1,000 per night time. You’ll be able to guide a keep straight with Disney World or through a Disney trip planner (at no additional cost) who might be able to make it easier to take advantage of your Disney trip and hold a watch 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 suggest incomes a bunch of journey rewards in return through the use of 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 possibly can additionally use that card’s $300 annual journey credit score towards the keep, too.
Alternatively, you probably have the Citi Status® Card (not out there to new candidates), you may get the fourth night time of your free keep when booked through 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 perfect solution to guide 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 lease these factors from David’s Trip Membership — a really respected firm I’ve really helpful and personally used for years — you’d pay $23-$25 per rented level, relying on how far upfront you guide. That is an all-in complete of $828-$900 for the two-night keep.
Conversely, should you guide that very same actual stick with money straight with Disney, the value is presently $1,800, which is a minimum of 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 couple of half-mile away from the park, are nearer — whereas the Grand Floridian is roughly 0.7 miles away through the walkway which you could enter from the identical space because the resort boat launches.
Relying in your strolling velocity, anticipate this stroll to take 10 to fifteen minutes. You will not benefit from a ton of shade and coverings when it is sizzling, 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 fairly keep cool and dry, you are in luck, as you may also 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 subsequent cease on the monorail loop after the Grand Floridian departure level, you may be within the park very quickly.
You may also journey to and from the Magic Kingdom through 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, should you take the boat from the Magic Kingdom again to Grand Floridian, that can also be going to can help you get off on the first cease.
The resort is massive and unfold out
Though the Grand Floridian is not the most important resort at Disney World, as some properties occupy greater than 200 acres and have 2,000-plus rooms, it is nonetheless fairly massive by most common 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 other facet of the primary Seashore Pool.
For sure, if you’re staying right here with a gaggle, you may find yourself being fairly unfold aside should 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.
Associated: Tips on how to save some huge cash by renting Disney Trip Membership factors
Grand Floridian swimming pools
The Grand Floridian has two spectacular swimming pools.
The principle Seashore Pool, which holds greater than 100,000 gallons of water, has a 181-foot waterslide, waterfalls and a zero-entry space. Plus, you’ll be able to 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 big 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 Seashore Pool. Nonetheless, it does sometimes supply longer working hours, so you may get in an early-morning or late-night swim.
Little youngsters may take a look at 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, characteristic a light-weight “Mary Poppins” theme that emerged within the 2022 renovation. These are the most important customary lodge rooms out there at Walt Disney World. Nonetheless, this additional house (and close-to-Magic Kingdom location) comes at a value, because the rooms are persistently among the many most costly choices at Disney World.
Outdoors of an enormous sale (or reserving through 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, anticipate to pay wherever 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 primary constructing are sometimes greater than $1,200 per night time.
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However should you do splurge on reserving a club-level room on the Grand Floridian, you are in for a deal with. Ensure and take advantage of the membership because it does have wonderful 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 through rented DVC factors. We rented factors to sleep as much as 5 folks in a one-bedroom DVC suite just lately, and it labored out very nicely with a full kitchen, washer, dryer and each a pull-down Murphy mattress and single mattress underneath the TV out there in the lounge.
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Personally, I discover the styling of those bigger DVC rooms to be somewhat extra old school than the Grand Floridian resort rooms and DVC studios, however that is a matter of private desire.
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Grand Floridian eating places and bars
Those that keep on the Grand Floridian have easy accessibility to a number of the most upscale eating places and facilities at Disney World.
Victoria & Albert’s
Right here, you’ll be able to dine at one in all Disney’s most unique eating venues: Victoria & Albert’s. The Michelin-starred, AAA 5 Diamond Award-winning restaurant serves gourmand fare through a number of programs (the prix fixe menu begins at $295 per individual) 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 nicely value having — in case your price range permits it and also you’re capable of snag a coveted reservation. Simply remember to costume appropriately (dinner jackets are required) and go away the little ones behind, as youngsters 9 and youthful are usually not permitted.
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Victoria & Albert’s. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Narcoossee’s
In order for you meal that does not take three to 4 hours or require a swimsuit jacket, Narcoosee’s continues to be a really good eating possibility 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 comparable to 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 all Walt Disney World’s latest character meals. Inside, you may get an opportunity to take pleasure in some fan favorites comparable to strawberry soup, cinnamon pull-apart bread and tacky potato casserole. Meals is served buffet-style (breakfast is $58 per grownup and $37 per little one; dinner is $69 per grownup and $44 per little one).
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 be taught to be “want makers” like they’re.
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Citricos
Yet 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 gives a mixture of Floridian and Mediterranean delicacies, with menu gadgets comparable to candy corn bisque ($15), guava-barbecued brief 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 one can find an heirloom apple salad ($13), a signature burger with memorable toppings comparable to brie, bacon-pepper jam, roasted garlic aioli and arugula ($26), and Cajun pasta with rooster ($33).
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Enchanted Rose
One in every of my favourite bars in all of Disney World needs to be the Grand Floridian’s Enchanted Rose.
This “Magnificence and the Beast”-inspired lounge is situated within the resort’s primary constructing and is open from late afternoon to the night. From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., you may get appetizers comparable to seasonal flatbread ($18) and charcuterie ($22) to go together with the in depth listing of cocktails, wine, beer and extra.
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There’s additionally a decently sized lounge kind of space instantly adjoining to the Enchanted Rose the place you may also order meals and drinks should 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 possibility, Gasparilla Island Grill, that is sometimes open from 6 a.m. till late within the night and gives gadgets comparable to pastries, burgers, flatbreads, sandwiches and kid-meal staples comparable to rooster fingers and fries which you could order in individual or upfront for pick-up in your My Disney Expertise app.
Grand Floridian Spa and health club
You may discover the one full-service spa at any Walt Disney World-owned and operated lodge on the Grand Floridian. Right here, you’ll be able to guide massages, facials, nail and hair companies, and extra. By way of pricing, you’ll be able to presently anticipate 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 health club 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 well-liked) across the holidays
For me, one of the 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 also buy a gingerbread shingle from the life-size home to take pleasure in as a snack. In reality, 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 Get together.
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Accessibility
Disney World is mostly an incredible vacation spot for these with accessibility wants. Disney’s web site signifies that every one Disney Resort accommodations embrace an accessible path of journey from arrival to the foyer space, in addition to to accessible visitor rooms, eating places, retailers, assembly rooms, enterprise facilities, swimming pools, train services and laundry services.
There’s close-in parking for these with a incapacity parking allow, a pool carry on the swimming pools, and you’ll guide 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 laborious to copy elsewhere.
This is not only a cookie-cutter lodge that occurs to be situated on Disney property however in any other case may very well be plopped down wherever and slot in. It is themed from high to backside, with dwell piano music within the foyer and Victorian inspiration so far as the attention can see.
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The resort gives settings for a lot of elegant moments, be it grand staircases or opulent promenades the place you’ll be able to really feel like a Disney prince or princess.
Being only a brief 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 ensure you do your homework earlier than you guide to make sure you’re getting probably the most bang to your buck by opting to remain right here.
If you cannot fairly swing a keep on the Grand Floridian, you’ll be able to all the time pop by for just a few hours to stroll round or seize a chunk to eat or a beverage on the property and take heed to music fill the atrium within the evenings.
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