If you consider essentially 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 by way of your head.
This resort exudes a Disneyized model of turn-of-the-century Victorian attraction that leans into the usage of mild colours, excessive ceilings, stained glass, chandeliers and marble. There’s even a cage elevator and occasional stay 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 way of the sweeping foyer extra incessantly than you will see fits and jackets strolling by — although you will 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 residence.
What’s Disney’s Grand Floridian?
Disney’s Grand Floridian shouldn’t be an unique opening-day Disney World resort, however it’s positioned on the well-known monorail loop and performed a serious 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 properly over a dozen further lodge resorts, many coming within the Nineteen Nineties, proper on the heels of the Grand Floridian.
When it comes to theme, whereas Disney’s Contemporary Resort attracts inspiration from the glossy, white strains 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 Most important Avenue, 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 finest 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 want to know so you possibly can determine if the Grand Floridian is the suitable Disney resort for you.
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How one can e book the Grand Floridian Resort
It is common for comparatively commonplace rooms at Disney’s Grand Floridian to value $700-$1,000 per night time. You possibly can e book a keep immediately with Disney World or through a Disney vacation planner (at no additional cost) who could possibly assist you take advantage of your Disney trip and maintain 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 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 travel credit towards the keep, too.
Alternatively, when you’ve got the Citi Prestige® Card (now not accessible to new candidates), you might 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 easiest option 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 Vacation Club points. This is a real-world instance of how this will prevent a bunch of cash when staying at Grand Floridian:
For June 8-10, a studio at Grand Floridian is obtainable for a complete of 38 Disney Trip Membership factors. In case you rent those points from David’s Vacation Club — a really respected firm I’ve really useful and personally used for years — you’d pay $23-$25 per rented level, relying on how far prematurely you e book. That is an all-in whole of $828-$900 for the two-night keep.
Conversely, if you happen to e book that very same precise stick with money immediately with Disney, the value is at present $1,800, which is not less than 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 Modern Resort and Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Modern 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 that you may enter from the identical space because the resort boat launches.
Relying in your strolling pace, count on this stroll to take 10 to fifteen minutes. You will not get pleasure from 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 point out 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.
In case you’d reasonably keep cool and dry, you are in luck, as it’s also possible to choose 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 achieve the Magic Kingdom. Because the park is the subsequent cease on the monorail loop after the Grand Floridian departure level, you will be within the park very quickly.
You can even journey to and from the Magic Kingdom through a ship.
Professional tip: In case you take the monorail from Grand Floridian to Magic Kingdom, you will get off on the first cease. Then, if you happen to take the boat from the Magic Kingdom again to Grand Floridian, that can be going to assist you to get off on the first cease.
The resort is giant 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 giant by commonest requirements.
On the Grand Floridian’s 40 acres, you will 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 Vacation Club villas housed inside a separate constructing on the alternative facet of the principle Seaside Pool.
Evidently, if you’re staying right here with a bunch, you might find yourself being fairly unfold aside if you happen to aren’t cautious with room requests and choices. I like to recommend choosing rooms in both the principle foyer constructing or the Sago Cay and Sugarloaf buildings since they’re comparatively near the principle foyer, eating places and dock. These lodging are additionally on the tip closest to the Magic Kingdom, so you will have a shorter stroll to the park.
Associated: How to save a lot of money by renting Disney Vacation Club points
Grand Floridian swimming pools
The Grand Floridian has two spectacular swimming pools.
The primary Seaside Pool, which holds greater than 100,000 gallons of water, has a 181-foot waterslide, waterfalls and a zero-entry space. Plus, you possibly can 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 principle constructing. It does not have a waterslide, lifeguards or actions, which leads to a quieter ambiance than what you will discover on the Seaside Pool. Nonetheless, it does sometimes provide longer working hours, so you may 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 a giant water dump bucket that appears like a hat.
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Grand Floridian rooms and suites
The Grand Floridian’s commonplace rooms and studios, measuring round 440 sq. toes, characteristic a light-weight “Mary Poppins” theme that emerged within the 2022 renovation. These are the most important commonplace lodge rooms accessible at Walt Disney World. Nonetheless, this additional area (and close-to-Magic Kingdom location) comes at a value, because the rooms are constantly among the many costliest choices at Disney World.
Outdoors of a giant sale (or reserving through rented DVC factors, as beforehand talked about), it is fairly frequent to seek out commonplace 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 wherever from $800 to over $1,000 per night time.
If you would like club-level access, put together for sticker shock, as club-level rooms within the Grand Floridian’s predominant constructing are sometimes greater than $1,200 per night time.
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However if you happen to do splurge on reserving a club-level room on the Grand Floridian, you are in for a deal with. Be certain 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 accessible, each when booked immediately 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 properly with a full kitchen, washer, dryer and each a pull-down Murphy mattress and single mattress underneath the TV accessible in the lounge.
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Personally, I discover the styling of those bigger DVC rooms to be a bit extra old style than the Grand Floridian resort rooms and DVC studios, however that is a matter of non-public 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 possibly can 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 connoisseur fare through a number of programs (the prix fixe menu begins at $295 per particular person) dished out for hours in a sublime area that completely matches the Victorian-era design of the property.
Consuming at Victoria & Albert’s is an expertise properly value having — in case your price range permits it and also you’re capable of snag a coveted reservation. Simply make sure to 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
In order for you a great meal that does not take three to 4 hours or require a go well with jacket, Narcoosee’s continues to be a really good eating possibility at Grand Floridian. This restaurant is open for dinner, positioned on the shore of the Seven Seas Lagoon (which suggests some tables have views of fireworks) and serves a wide range of largely seafood-focused objects reminiscent of shrimp and grits ($19), gulf shrimp bucatini ($44), buttermilk-fried calamari ($18) and rather 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 will get an opportunity to take pleasure in some fan favorites reminiscent of 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 sweet, it is the characters which might be the starring attraction. Because the reopening of this restaurant, the characters encompass 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
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 objects reminiscent of 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 you can see an heirloom apple salad ($13), a signature burger with memorable toppings reminiscent of brie, bacon-pepper jam, roasted garlic aioli and arugula ($26), and Cajun pasta with rooster ($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 positioned within the resort’s predominant constructing and is open from late afternoon to the night. From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., you may get appetizers reminiscent of seasonal flatbread ($18) and charcuterie ($22) to go together with the intensive checklist of cocktails, wine, beer and extra.
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There may be additionally a decently sized lounge sort of space instantly adjoining to the Enchanted Rose the place it’s also possible to order meals and drinks if you happen to do not want to sit immediately on the bar.
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The Grand Floridian additionally has meals and beverage service by the principle pool and a quick-service possibility, Gasparilla Island Grill, that is sometimes open from 6 a.m. till late within the night and gives objects reminiscent of pastries, burgers, flatbreads, sandwiches and kid-meal staples reminiscent of rooster fingers and fries that you may order in particular person or prematurely for pick-up in your My Disney Expertise app.
Grand Floridian Spa and fitness center
You may discover the one full-service spa at any Walt Disney World-owned and operated lodge on the Grand Floridian. Right here, you possibly can book massages, facials, nail and hair providers, and extra. When it comes to pricing, you possibly can at present count on a 50-minute therapeutic massage to begin at $190 earlier than charges and gratuity.
In the identical space because the spa, there’s additionally a fitness center that is open 24/7 to Grand Floridian friends 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, the most effective 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 because of its large tree, life-size gingerbread home, poinsettias, garland and different festive decorations.
Not solely are you able to admire the vacation view, however it’s also possible to buy a gingerbread shingle from the life-size home to take pleasure in as a snack. In truth, this time of yr is so magical that some friends plan annual holidays to stay up all night watching the Christmas tree in 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 Party.
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Accessibility
Disney World is usually an incredible vacation spot for these with accessibility wants. Disney’s web site signifies that every one Disney Resort lodges 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 elevate on the swimming pools, and you may 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 laborious to copy elsewhere.
This is not only a cookie-cutter lodge that occurs to be positioned on Disney property however in any other case might be plopped down wherever and slot in. It is themed from high to backside, with stay 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 possibly can 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 enchantment and recognition. Nonetheless, that, in fact, comes at a steep value, so be sure you do your homework earlier than you e book to make sure you’re getting essentially the most bang in your buck by opting to remain right here.
If you cannot fairly swing a keep on the Grand Floridian, you possibly can all the time pop by for a number of hours to stroll round or seize a chew to eat or a beverage on the property and take heed to music fill the atrium within the evenings.
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