While you consider probably the most opulent and iconic of Walt Disney World resorts, there is a good probability that pictures 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 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 flowery setting, the vibe is definitely neither stuffy nor intimidating. You will see bathing suit-clad youngsters squealing by means of the sweeping foyer extra regularly than you will see fits and jackets strolling by — although you will seemingly 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 shouldn’t be an authentic opening-day Disney World resort, however it’s situated on the well-known monorail loop and performed a serious function in transitioning Disney into an period of fast resort enlargement 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 extra resort resorts, many coming within the Nineteen Nineties, proper on the heels of the Grand Floridian.
When it comes to theme, whereas Disney’s Modern 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 not any denying that its spot on the Seven Seas Lagoon, only a stroll or brief 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 evening to ebook a room at this deluxe Disney resort, there are some things it’s worthwhile to know so you possibly can resolve if the Grand Floridian is the correct Disney resort for you.
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The best way to ebook the Grand Floridian Resort
It is common for comparatively commonplace rooms at Disney’s Grand Floridian to value $700-$1,000 per evening. You’ll be able to ebook a keep straight with Disney World or by way of a Disney trip planner (at no further cost) who might be able to show you how to take advantage of your Disney trip and hold an eye fixed out for reductions.
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If you are going to spend hundreds 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 vital rewarding bank cards for journey, such because the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which earns 3 factors per greenback spent on journey. You may 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 would get the fourth evening of your free keep when booked by way of cititravel.com (as much as two free evening awards per 12 months). The knowledge for the Citi Status has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
However I might argue that the easiest method to ebook 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. Here 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 on the market for a complete of 38 Disney Trip Membership factors. Should you lease these factors from David’s Trip Membership — a really respected firm I’ve beneficial and personally used for years — you’d pay $23-$25 per rented level, relying on how far prematurely you ebook. That is an all-in complete of $828-$900 for the two-night keep.
Conversely, should you ebook that very same actual stick with money straight with Disney, the worth 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 Modern Resort and Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Modern 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 you can enter from the identical space because the resort boat launches.
Relying in your strolling pace, anticipate 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 indicate up, and you will get an up-close view of the monorail zooming by overhead as you make your means between the resort and the park.
Should you’d reasonably keep cool and dry, you are in luck, as you can too decide to take the monorail to the Magic Kingdom. Merely clear safety and board it from the second stage of the foyer within the Grand Floridian to achieve the Magic Kingdom. For the reason that park is the subsequent cease on the monorail loop after the Grand Floridian departure level, you will be within the park very quickly.
You too can journey to and from the Magic Kingdom by way of a ship.
Professional tip: Should you take the monorail from Grand Floridian to Magic Kingdom, you will get off on the first cease. Then, should you take the boat from the Magic Kingdom again to Grand Floridian, that can be going to 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 most common 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 Trip Membership villas housed inside a separate constructing on the alternative aspect of the principle Seaside Pool.
For sure, if you’re staying right here with a gaggle, you would 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 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 top closest to the Magic Kingdom, so you will 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 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 big Courtyard Pool behind the principle constructing. It would not have a waterslide, lifeguards or actions, which leads to a quieter ambiance than what you will discover on the Seaside Pool. Nevertheless, it does usually supply longer working hours, so you may get in an early-morning or late-night swim.
Little youngsters can even take a look at 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. ft, function a lightweight “Mary Poppins” theme that emerged within the 2022 renovation. These are the biggest commonplace resort rooms out there at Walt Disney World. Nevertheless, this further 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.
Exterior of a giant sale (or reserving by way of rented DVC factors, as beforehand talked about), it is fairly widespread to seek out commonplace outer-building rooms on the Grand Floridian hovering between $700 and $800 per evening. For an upgraded theme park view, anticipate to pay wherever from $800 to over $1,000 per evening.
If you would like club-level entry, put together for sticker shock, as club-level rooms within the Grand Floridian’s important constructing are sometimes greater than $1,200 per evening.
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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. Make sure and take advantage of 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 just lately, and it labored out very nicely with a full kitchen, washer, dryer and each a pull-down Murphy mattress and single mattress below the TV out there in the lounge.
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Personally, I discover the styling of those bigger DVC rooms to be a little bit extra old school than the Grand Floridian resort rooms and DVC studios, however that is a matter of non-public desire.
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Grand Floridian eating places and bars
Those that keep on the Grand Floridian have quick access to a number 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 by way of 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 funds permits it and also you’re capable of snag a coveted reservation. Simply remember to gown appropriately (dinner jackets are required) and depart 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 go well with jacket, Narcoosee’s continues 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 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. For the reason that 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 presents 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 will discover 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 hen ($33).
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Enchanted Rose
One among 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 important 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 associate with the intensive 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 can too 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 principle pool and a quick-service choice, Gasparilla Island Grill, that is usually open from 6 a.m. till late within the night and presents objects reminiscent of pastries, burgers, flatbreads, sandwiches and kid-meal staples reminiscent of hen fingers and fries you can order in individual or prematurely for pick-up in your My Disney Expertise app.
Grand Floridian Spa and gymnasium
You will discover the one full-service spa at any Walt Disney World-owned and operated resort on the Grand Floridian. Right here, you possibly can ebook massages, facials, nail and hair companies, and extra. When it comes to pricing, you possibly can at present anticipate a 50-minute therapeutic massage to start out at $190 earlier than charges and gratuity.
In the identical space because the spa, there may be 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 further magical (and in style) 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 12 months 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 you can too buy a gingerbread shingle from the life-size home to take pleasure in as a snack. Actually, this time of 12 months is so magical that some visitors plan annual holidays to keep up all evening 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 usually an awesome vacation spot for these with accessibility wants. Disney’s web site signifies that each one Disney Resort resorts 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 amenities and laundry amenities.
There’s close-in parking for these with a incapacity parking allow, a pool elevate on the swimming pools, and you’ll ebook each hearing- and wheelchair-accessible rooms on-line or over the cellphone.
Testing
The Grand Floridian is the place Disney World feels fairly magical in a means that is arduous to copy elsewhere.
This is not only a cookie-cutter resort that occurs to be situated on Disney property however in any other case could possibly be plopped down wherever and slot in. It is themed from prime 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 presents 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 definitely provides to the resort’s enchantment and recognition. Nevertheless, that, in fact, comes at a steep value, so be sure to do your homework earlier than you ebook to make sure you’re getting probably 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 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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