Resort Review: The Grand Floridian

Hello again! It's Gabe here and I'm back with a resort review of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa at Walt Disney World in Florida!

Resort Overview

Left: The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Top Right: The fountain inside the lobby of the Villas
Bottom Right: A picture from a guest room

The Grand Floridian resort is themed to the Victorian style resorts of the late 19th and early 20th century built along Florida's East Coast. The Grand Floridian resort is analogous with Magic Kingdom's Main Street, just as the Contemporary is analogous with Tomorrowland, and the Polynesian is analogous with Adventureland. Many aspects of the resort reflect the names of geographic locations in Florida, with several guest room buildings named after islands in the Florida Keys, and one of the resort's signature restaurants Narcoossee's being named after a town in Florida. The Grand Floridian is known as being one of the most luxurious resorts at Walt Disney World, and thus charges quite the premium for a stay, however we hear would agree that the Grand Floridian is worth it!

Guest Rooms

The Grand Floridian's standard rooms are located in outer buildings, many feature lake views, and some even a view of Magic Kingdom park! The Grand Floridian also has a variety of suite options, including four very exclusive suites, the Walt Disney, the Roy O. Disney, the Victorian, and the Grand Suites. These rooms are all appointed with the comforts of a Victorian hotel in the modern era, with decor and color palate hearkening back to a bygone era, with modern day hotel luxuries. In 2013, the Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa opened to Disney Vacation Club guests, the Grand Floridian has the usual spectrum of Disney Vacation Club villas, including studios, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom villa accommodations fitted with the usual Disney Vacation Club amenities, and decor featuring subtle nods to Mary Poppins and Dumbo. 

Resort Amenities

The Grand Floridian does not skimp when it comes to resort amenities, so let's dive right in! In terms of pools the Grand Floridian has three pool type water areas, a pool just outside the back of the main lobby nearest to most guest rooms, a more lively pool near the Villas, and a whimsical Alice in Wonderland water playground. In terms of dining, the Grand Floridian features several table service locations, these include 1900 Park Fare, a buffet style character dining experience, Grand Floridian Cafe, a casual table service experience, Narcoossee's, a lakeside upscale dining experience, Citrico's, an upscale Mediterranean dining experience, Victoria & Albert's, an extremely upscale dining location. In terms of quick service locations there is Gasparilla Island Grill, which is the most comprehensive quick service location, it is located in the main building, there is also Beaches Pool Bar & Grill which is located at the pool by the Villas. In terms of shopping, the main lobby has quite a few unique options! The Grand Floridian, being a lakefront resort also has a boat marina where one can rent boats, or even charter a cruise out onto Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. The Grand Floridian is also unique in the fact that it is home to Senses Spa, a Disney Spa located by the Villas. The Grand Floridian is also home to a Convention Center, and the one and only Disney Wedding Pavilion, which has a picturesque location right on Seven Seas Lagoon, with a view of Cinderella's Castle.

Resort Transportation

In terms of transportation, the options from Grand Floridian are quite varied. There is the standard bus transportation to Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs. To get to the Magic Kingdom, there are two options, including the Resort Monorail line and a ferryboat option. To get to Epcot one must take a monorail (or walk via the Polynesian I guess 😉) to the Transportation/Ticket Center, then transfer to the Epcot monorail line. 

Thanks for reading along, I hope you enjoyed out look at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, as always, leave a comment below if you have stayed at the Grand Floridian, or if you now want to!