Ever wonder what was behind those elegant white walls and burgundy roof at that massive complex next to the Magic Kingdom? Enter Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Known as the Flagship Resort of Walt Disney World, the Grand Floridian is known for its “deluxe” look. The resort opened in 1988 and has since become a premier destination for visitors to Disney. Keep reading to learn more about this beautiful resort.

Location

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is located on Seven Seas Lagoon, next to Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Due to its close proximity to the MK, there is a multitude of options to get to the resort. It is accessible via boat, monorail or bus. These options will be discussed later in this post. 

Theme

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is inspired by the Victorian Era of Florida. Boasting high ceilings, ornate floral displays and marble floors, the resort exudes Victorian elegance at its best. This is seen through the live band that plays in the lobby and the tea room.

Rooms

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is comprised of 5 buildings that house guest rooms in addition to the main building. Rooms in the main building are club level rooms that are pricier and feature a special club lounge for guests staying in these rooms. The other 5 buildings are Sago Cay, Sugar Loaf, Conch Key, Boca Chica and Big Pine Key. These buildings feature guests rooms with different views based on what type of room you paid for.

My favorite building mentioned is Sago Cay. It is very close to the main building, has great views of the marina and yet still retains its own identity with a separate lobby. If your looking to stay in a building as close to the main one as possible, without paying a steep price, definitely request Sago Cay. Also, Sago Cay has rooms that face the Marina, which is beautiful. 

The rooms at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa are spacious and follow the theme of Victorian Elegance. Most of the rooms feature a balcony. Depending on which building and where the room is located, you can have views of Seven Seas Lagoon or the Magic Kingdom. These views often cost slightly more than your basic room. Like all Disney resorts, the Grand Floridian features H2O Beauty products and fun resort themed touches. And don’t forget a Disney lovers favorite thing to see when they walk in the room- the resort channel info set to a soundtrack of Disney song favorites.

Dining

One thing that is not lacking at this resort is dining options. Usually deluxe resorts have a reputation for not always having a quick service option, but not at the Grand Floridian! Home to Gasparilla Island Grille, this quick service location features delicious treats, breakfast, lunch, dinner and a coffee bar. If your looking for something a bit more fancy than a quick service location, head to the Grand Floridian Cafe. This table service restaurant features delicious meals in a casual setting. If you’re celebrating a special occasion or just looking to have a night out, there are options abound. The Grand Floridian is home to 3 signature restaurants: Citrico’s, Narcoose’s and the ever famous, Victoria & Albert’s. These require you to adhere to a business casual dress code and also use an additional credit on the Dining Plan. And they didn’t forget the kids! If you want to have a character dining experience, head to 1900 Park Fare, located next to the Grand Floridian Cafe in the main building. In addition to these dining options, the Grand Floridian also boasts many bars and lounges for you to enjoy. Plus, if you’re interested in having some afternoon tea, head to the Garden View Tea Room, located on the far end of the lobby, for a unique, British style tea experience. No matter where you head to have your next meal, it will definitely be delicious.

Transportation

The Grand Floridian is located on the monorail loop on Seven Seas Lagoon. Picking up the monorail is easy in the main building and stops at the Magic Kingdom, the Contemporary Resort, the Ticket and Transportation Center and the Polynesian Resort. The MK is only 1 stop away which means getting to the park is easy! In addition, guests at the Grand Floridian can take a boat to the MK and from there, one of the other resorts or the TTC. And just like the other on-property resorts, there are Disney buses to take you to Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach and Disney Springs.

Amenities & Activities

Amenities & Activities are plentiful at the Grand Floridian. In addition to some classic Disney resort benefits such as having access to the Magical Express, free WiFi for resort guests and transportation within the Disney World Resort, there are some also some other fun perks staying here. For more information about these activities, tune into the resort info channel on your hotel room TV.

• Pools: The Grand Floridian has not 1 but 2 beautiful pools for guests to enjoy on property. One pool is larger while the other pool is a bit smaller and quiet, located further from the crowds.
• Arcade: Located right next to Gasparilla Island Grille is the Arcade at the Grand Floridian. Here kids and kids at heart can enjoy classic arcade games.
• Outdoor Movies: A perk seen at many Disney resorts on property, guests can watch movies outside under the stars. At the Grand Floridian, this experience is stepped up a bit, with a viewing location on the beach.
• Marina: If your an ocean lover, than head to the marina. Here you can rent boats and spend a day on Seven Seas Lagoon.
• Electrical Water Parade: An exclusive perk to guests staying on Seven Seas Lagoon is the Electrical Water Parade. This pageant is a water parade that lights up Seven Seas Lagoon with sea creatures, sparkling flags and Disney tunes. It makes its way around the lagoon stopping at each resort for approximately 10-15 minutes. Following this, you can stay in your spot and view Happily Ever After.
• Prime Viewing of the Fireworks: As I just mentioned, once the Electrical Water Parade is over, stay outside and watch the fireworks. The Grand Floridian plays the music of the fireworks show around the resort so you get to see essentially the same show, without the rush of the crowd.

Shopping

Whether you are looking to get some classic Disney souvenirs or something unique, the Grand Floridian is a great place to start shopping. Boasting 6 different types of stores, there is something for everyone. Stores include Basin White, Commander Porter’s, M. Mouse Mercantile, Sandy Cove Gifts & Sundries, Summer Lace and Senses Spa. A personal favorite of mine is the Basin White store. Here you can purchase handmade soaps, bath bombs and more. These make great souvenirs, especially the soaps that feature Mickey and Disney designs.

Other Property Photos

There you have it, a quick look at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. If it sounds amazing on paper, then you have to go experience just how wonderful it is!

Have you ever stayed at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa? If so, did you like it? Let me know in the comments below!