The Grand Floridian Hotel is, in the immortal words of Obi Wan Kenobi (slightly modified), “a more elegant hotel for a more elegant time”. This is the flagship hotel at Walt Disney World. It’s elegance with a capitol el. When you walk into the Grand Floridian, you’d expect to see men in white sweaters and knickers and women in white dresses.The resort is built in the style of the great railroad hotels in eastern Florida around the turn of the century when railroads were king. Disney’s description of the hotel uses words like opulent, Victorian-style, gleaming white, gorgeous and marvel. Judge for yourself. If you don’t stay in the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, at least take the resort monorail to the Magic Kingdom and jump off and see this world-class “architectural marvel”.
The Lobby
The lobby of the Grand Floridian Hotel is breathtaking. When you arrive on the monorail, you step off on the second of 5 floors. The first thing you notice is the size. This lobby is enormous. Take a few steps around to the right and descend the wide marble staircase onto the main floor.
Look up and see the two gigantic chandeliers. Listen to the live music playing from one of the upper floors. Walk around and check out the aviary. It really does take you back to a more elegant time. You might feel a little out of place in your shorts and t-shirt, but just look around; most guests are dressed just like you.
At Christmas time, the lobby really comes alive. Every year, the chefs at the restaurants build a 1,000-square-foot house made entirely of gingerbread (yes, there is some wood to give some structure).
Guest Rooms
Your guest room at the Grand Floridian Hotel will be much like the rest of the hotel, elegant. The rooms are large, though not as large as the other monorail hotels. Most rooms have 2 queen beds and a day bed and sleep 5. The rooms are not as Disneyfied as most of the other resorts. The rooms average around 440 square feet.
The 900 rooms are spread out over 6 buildings with names like Conch Key and Sago Cay (Key and Cay are pronounced the same, figure that one out).
The Buildings
Guests at the Grand Floridian Resort stay in one of 6 buildings. You have the main resort which has several suites and guestrooms. Then there are the outer buildings which are named for islands off the coast of Florida. The outer buildings are – Boca Chica, Big Pine Key, Sugar Loaf Key, Conch Key and Sago Cay (Key and Cay are pronounced the same).
The only difference in the rooms in each building is what you see out the windows.
The Rooms
Inside the rooms, you’ll find classic Disney elegance. Rooms, on average, are 440 square feet. They are decorated in Victorian style with light colors through out the room. Rooms are accessed through interior halls. There are elevators in each building.
Below is a list of the furnishings in the rooms:
- Two queen size beds and a day bed or a king-sized bed and a queen sleeper sofa
- A flat-panel TV (which shows mainly Disney-owned stations)
- One table and two chairs.
- Two telephones with data ports for internet access (there is an extra charge for internet access and phone calls. Wireless internet is available for an additional charge.)
- A nightstand between the full size beds.
- An alarm clock
- An in room wall safe
- Bathroom with a shower tub, or a walk in shower in the handicapped rooms
- A hair dryer
- Refrigerator and minibar
- Coffee Maker and setups
- Robes, Triple sheet bedding, USA Today (Mon-Fri)
All Disney World resort rooms include some nice extras, Disney soap, shampoo, and hand lotion. Sometimes Mousekeeping even makes towel animals to amuse children.
The Views
There are some great views at the Grand Floridian Resort. The Views break down to Garden View which can mean a view of anything green, Lagoon View – you can see water and the Theme Park View – the Theme Park being the Magic Kingdom. Some of the different buildings have special views that are priced separately. You have the outer building vs the lodge and such. It gets confusing, but it boils down to the better the view the more you pay.
The Villas
A few years ago, Disney added the Disney Vacation Club to the Grand Floridian. The Villas at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa are now available for rental and purchase.
Dining
The Grand Floridian has more dining options than any other Disney hotel. You can get everything from snacks at Gasparilla Grill and games to a full AAA Five Diamond Award winning dinner at Victoria & Albert’s. There’s also seafood, a buffet, a cafe and Mediterranean style American food.
- Victoria & Albert’s – the top restaurant at Disney World. This is truly a fine dining experience complete with the fine dining price tag. There is even a dress code which is unusual at most Disney World restaurants.
- Citricos is a dinner-only restaurant serving American food in Mediterranean style.
- Narcoossee’s – located right on Seven Seas Lagoon, this is an elegant seafood restaurant with an open kitchen right on the water.
- 1900 Park Fare – buffet dining with Mary Poppins.
- Grand Floridian Cafe – breakfast, lunch and dinner American style.
- Gasparilla Grill and Games – snack bar next to the arcade.
Activities and more
While not as busy as some of the other resorts, the Grand Floridian Hotel offers two beautiful pools, a marina, tennis, a health club, a one-mile jogging trail, an arcade,and a health spa. There is plenty to do around the resort.
The Marina
Disney has one of the largest navies in the world and several of the boats in Disney’s navy are based. The marina has a catchy name. It’s called the marina. Sea Raycers are the top sellers at the marina. These little boats are a blast when you take them out on Seven Seas Lagoon. (Check out Dad’s experience with Sea Raycers/Mouseboats) Sea Raycers are very affordable and are a great way to spend an hour.
Of course, being the Grand Floridian, there must be a special boating experience. You can rent the Grand 1 Sea Ray Yacht for a truly magnificent experience. The Yacht can accommodate up to 13 guests and is great for a special fireworks show or a special occasion like an engagement. The Yacht costs a whopping $400.00 plus dollars an hour.
For fishing during your Disney World vacation, check out fishing on Bay Lake. Fishing at Disney World? Yes, Disney World has some great fishing. Check out the guided tours.
The marina also has pontoon boats, canopy boats and even sailboats for rent so you can take a nice leisurely trip around the lagoon.
The Beach
The perfect Florida vacation. Sitting on a beach next to the deep blue ocean with a gently breeze wafting across your face as a nice young man brings you one of those drinks with an umbrella in it. It might not be a deep blue ocean, but you can sit out on the beach and imagine the sea breeze. The white sand beach is cleaner and whiter than any of the beaches on the coasts.
Each night, weather permitting, there is a campfire and movie held on the beach. Of course, it is a Disney movie. The campfire starts at 8:00 and the movie at 9:00. Running on the beach is discouraged as is swimming in Seven Seas Lagoon. This is for your health reasons.
Tennis Anyone
The Grand Floridian has two lighted CLAY tennis courts at the Tennis Center. Bring your own equipment or use the provided racquets. Guests can get private lessons by top instructors. In the afternoon, children ages 6-12 can join one of the Junior Tennis Clinics.
OK, I can’t resist; who plays tennis at Walt Disney World?
The Arcade
Gasparilla Grill and Games is the arcade in the resort. Like all the Disney arcades this one has some of the most popular arcade games that are a blast to play. You can grab a hamburger or hot dog while playing. It’s a kids paradise. (An adults paradise too.)
The Spa
The official title of this resort is Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & SPA. There is a World-Class health spa complete body treatments, therapies and massages for guests of all ages. Yep, even the younger folks have specially developed treatments designed to teach proper skin care.
Along with spa activities, there is a full health club with the latest in workout equipment. The Health Club is available to all resort guests at no additional charge. You can spend a day (and a fortune) rejuvenating yourself after a couple days in the park. Reservations are required.
Weddings
The Grand Floridian Resort is home to hundreds of weddings every year. Several years ago, Disney was getting lots of requests for weddings on property. So when the Grand Floridian was built, Disney included a wedding chapel. Now Walt Disney World has become one of the top “wedding” destinations around.
Disney has a whole division set up to service weddings. You can get characters, time in the theme parks, and even a ride in a pumpkin shaped carriage. (If your willing to pay for it.)
Wedding Pavilion
Disney’s Wedding Pavilion is one of the top wedding destinations in the world. Up to 6 weddings are held every day. The chapel sits on an island in Seven Seas Lagoon. It has a beautiful view of Cinderella Castle right over the bride and groom’s shoulders.
Transportation
It’s easy to get from the Grand Floridian Hotel to the Magic Kingdom and any of the monorail resorts. But, getting anywhere else can be a little problematic. To the Magic Kingdom, you can take a boat, you can take the monorail, you might even walk if you are a bit adventurous (Dad doesn’t advise this one).
Disney World Monorail
The resort is on the resort loop of the Magic Kingdom monorail. It’s the last stop before the Magic Kingdom. If you are going to the Magic Kingdom this is the way to go. If you are going to EPCOT, you can take the monorail to the Transportation and Ticket Center then change to the EPCOT monorail.
Address and Phone Number
Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
4401 Floridian Way
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
(407) 824-3000
Dad’s Bottom Line
The Grand Floridian Resort is the flagship resort for many reasons, not the least of which is it’s just overwhelming. This is an upscale resort with guests in shorts and flip-flops running around. It’s one of the things that makes Disney World special.
