Where to Book Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa:
Booking.com
What’s Special About This Resort
It’s not easy to choose a favorite of the Walt Disney World resorts, and it really depends on what you’re looking for – but if we had to choose one, it would be the Grand Floridian.
It’s Disney’s flagship resort and takes on a grand Victorian-era theme. The Grand Floridian is located on the Monorail loop, providing guests with quick, easy, and free transportation to the other Disney resorts around the lagoon, Epcot, and Magic Kingdom; a new walking path to the latter has proved very popular recently.
The golf courses of Disney are just across the main road for adults who may want to play a round, while the Grand Floridian Spa is on-site and provides a relaxing alternative. As you can imagine, there are endless activities for kids of all ages.
Best of all, the Grand Floridian has finished many phases of a major renovation, which has rejuvenated its position as a top resort in Disney.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is not an all-inclusive resort in the traditional sense, but with proper planning, you can make your stay ultra-all-inclusive. Disney Dining Plans are back and provide a way to prepay meals that are loaded onto your band or card. You simply touch it to the magic point when you dine, which can be just about anywhere around Disney, and go back to having fun. Plus, you can bundle park tickets into your Disney reservations.
Things we like:
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As with all things Disney, everything at the Grand Floridian is meticulously curated to be magical
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Rooms here are luxurious and spa-like, especially after the renovation
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Location is great: on the monorail loop (which is free), walking path to Magic Kingdom, golf across the street, dozens of dining options nearby…
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Countless activities for kids and the whole family, including swimming, sports, boat rentals, fishing, and more
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Options to add on a meal plan and park tickets to make your stay very all-inclusive
Things we don't like:
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The renovation isn’t quite finished, and guests may continue to see closures and interruptions
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Like many Disney resorts, it can get very busy here with families and small kids
Where to Book Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa:
Booking.com
➞ What to Do
We’ll be brief about the obvious – you’re probably going to Walt Disney World when you stay at the Grand Floridian Resort.
Cinderella’s Castle, Main Street USA, and It’s A Small World are all one stop away on the free Monorail or via a short walk on the new walking path to the Magic Kingdom. You can also ride the Monorail to Epcot and tour the world. Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios are reachable by the Disney bus.
There’s plenty to do aside from the parks, though. The Grand Floridian has two pools, one of which is a bit more peaceful and calm and another with waterslides and waterfalls. Every day, you’ll find poolside activities like games, relays, trivia, and parties.
One of the main draws of this particular resort for adults is the Grand Floridian Spa, which is probably the best in Disney. Here, you can take a break from the lively atmosphere and indulge in body treatments, massages, manicures, and more, accompanied by peaceful music and relaxing surroundings.
Other super-fun daytime activities around the Grand Floridian include fishing trips on the lagoon, motorboat rentals, basketball courts, and golf across the street. In the evening, attend a campfire on the beach to roast marshmallows or watch a movie under the stars; there’s also an electric light parade on the lagoon! That’s not to mention all the great dining and things to do at the other Disney resorts in this area.
➞ What to Eat & Drink
There are a ton of dining and drinking options at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and we’ll just highlight some of the top choices. It’s important to note that the major renovation in progress may disrupt some of these for certain periods, so be sure to check what’s happening during your stay in that sense.
One of the most popular places for buffet breakfast is 1900 Park Fare, thanks to Mickey waffles accompanied by Mickey and his friends in person. This character buffet also returns in the evenings for dinner.
The Grand Floridian Café is another option for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with American food served à-la-carte style instead. Gasparilla Island Grill is another all-day dining spot with casual burgers and flatbreads after breakfast.
Specialty dinner restaurants include Narcoossee’s, which is a waterfront fine dining experience, and Cítricos, which offers Florida-Mediterranean cuisine in a whimsical, Mary Poppins garden-themed dining room. Victoria & Albert’s is, perhaps, the most Victorian of the dinner restaurants, with fine dining under the grand rotunda dome and a carefully curated tasting menu.
➞ Room Guide
There are all kinds of rooms available at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa that are suitable for any group. You can choose between different views, room sizes, and service options based on your budget, number of people, and needs.
Standard Rooms: These can be configured with several types of bedding – one king and one double-size sofa bed, two queens, or two queens plus a day bed, allowing up to five guests to stay. Views may be of Magic Kingdom, the lagoon, or the resort areas. You can select a Club Level room for access to free continental breakfast, snacks, and evening drinks.
Suites: There are many suites available ranging in size from Studio to Two-Bedroom. Larger suites include Club Level access as well, and upgraded view options such as Cinderella’s Castle and the resort beach are available.
Villas: These deluxe, residential-style accommodations are perfect for smaller families who seek exclusivity and privacy or large families on the ultimate trip to Disney. They range in size from one to three bedrooms and can accommodate up to 12 guests. Lake views, in-unit laundry, and full kitchen, living, and dining areas set the Villas apart.
➞ Special Experiences
There are all kinds of ways to make a Disney trip and a stay at the Grand Floridian extra special. For one, don’t miss a character breakfast, lunch, or dinner, especially if you have kids. For something more formal, reserve the Chef’s Table at Victoria & Albert’s, where you’ll watch as a tasting journey is prepared just for your group.
Families can also reserve a private cabana in between the lagoon beach and the whimsical pool in order to have a special spot to retreat to throughout the day. In between, try fun activities like boating across the lagoon and even fishing for bass along the way.
Things we like:
-
As with all things Disney, everything at the Grand Floridian is meticulously curated to be magical
-
Rooms here are luxurious and spa-like, especially after the renovation
-
Location is great: on the monorail loop (which is free), walking path to Magic Kingdom, golf across the street, dozens of dining options nearby…
-
Countless activities for kids and the whole family, including swimming, sports, boat rentals, fishing, and more
-
Options to add on a meal plan and park tickets to make your stay very all-inclusive
Things we don't like:
-
The renovation isn’t quite finished, and guests may continue to see closures and interruptions
-
Like many Disney resorts, it can get very busy here with families and small kids
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