5 Reasons to Stay at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Written by Jerry Joyce in Florida Hotels & Resorts,Walt Disney World Hotels

 

Nestled on the picturesque shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa stands as a beacon of Victorian elegance and charm amidst the magical expanse of the Walt Disney World Resort.  This flagship destination is not just a hotel—it’s an experience steeped in luxury, comfort, and Disney enchantment. For those contemplating a stay within this regal retreat, there are countless reasons to choose the Grand Floridian as your home away from home.

In this post, we’ll explore the reasons why the Grand Floridian isn’t just a place to stay—it’s a place to be utterly swept away by the grandeur and whimsy of Disney’s most prestigious resort. From its world-class dining options to the impeccable service, every detail is meticulously crafted to ensure that your Disney vacation is nothing short of extraordinary. Join us as we unlock the grand doors to a vacation experience like no other, and discover why the Grand Floridian is the crown jewel of Disney resorts.

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Why stay at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa? 

The Endless Summer Florida family has stayed at almost every single on-site hotel at The Walt Disney World Resort and depending on our plans for the individual visit, we choose an individual hotel for specific reasons.  If the current hotel rates are within our budget, the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is also near the top of our list.

Here are the five reasons we like staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

  • Luxurious Amenities
  • Steps from the Magic Kingdom Park
  • Outstanding Resort Amenities
  • Stunning Views
  • The Best Hotel Dining Options

Luxurious Accommodations

There are very few theme park hotels that have the luxury accommodations as Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.  From the moment guests arrive at the property to entering the grand lobby, you know that this resort differs from the others.

The rooms and hotel common areas are nothing short of spectacular.   All rooms are very well themed and decorated in the Victorian style of the resort itself.  Features including premium linens, complimentary WiFi service, mini-refrigerators and coffee makers.  Select rooms have balconies with views of the Seven Seas Lagoon, the Magic Kingdom and the resort grounds / pools.

There is also a club level at the Grand Floridian which is a private lounge that offers a variety of services including a buffet breakfast, mid-day refreshments including tea & coffee, an evening reception including hot & cold appetizers as well as soft drinks, beer, wine and bottled cider and nightly desserts.  Additional services for club level guests include personalized check-in and concierge services.

In addition to the luxurious rooms, dining venues and common areas, guests can enjoy “Senses”, a world-class spa and salon.  Senses offers massages, body treatments, grooming services and hair styling in a serene environment.  

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Steps from the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World

The most significant reason to stay at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is it’s proximity to Disney’s Magic Kingdom theme park.  If you are planning to visit the Magic Kingdom and cost is not a major factor in your hotel selection decision, then the Grand Floridian should be your choice.

There are three different options that guests can choose to travel between the Magic Kingdom and the resort.  These three are as follows:

If you don’t find a 10 to 15 minute stroll (not that you do enough walking in the theme parks), the Walking Path from the Grand Floridian to the Magic Kingdom is a pleasant way to begin (or end) your day.

The pathway opened in late 2020 and starts near the resort’s convention center,  It travels along the Seven Season Lagoon where you will find great views of the lagoon itself as well as the Disney’s Contemporary Resort.  Guest will cross a bridge and, at times, opens to allow the barges from Disney’s Electric Water Pageant to travel in and out of the lagoon.

Outstanding Resort Amenities

Guests staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will enjoy some of the best amenities of any resort hotel at Walt Disney World,.

These amenities and recreational offerings include:

  • Two themed pools (the Beach Pool and the Courtyard Pool)
  • Poolside cabana rentals
  • Children’s splash pad with water play area
  • White sandy beach facing the Seven Seas Lagoon
  • Motorized boat rentals & specialty cruises
  • Fishing excursions
  • Basketball & tennis courts
  • On-site game room
  • Numerous organized activities

In addition to those items shown above, guests of the Grand Floridian can take advantage of a number of Disney benefits which include:

  • Early Theme Park Entry: 30 minute advance entry to the Disney theme parks.
  • Extended Evening Theme Park Hours: guests staying at the Grand Floridian and other select Disney resorts will enjoy extended hours at the end of the day on select nights at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot theme parks.
  • Complimentary resort wide transportation:  Free transportation to all four theme parks, two water parks and Disney Springs.

Stunning Views

The resort is situated along the shores of the Seven Season Lagoon and has stunning views of the lagoon itself along with the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

Guests can enjoy nightly fireworks from the Magic Kingdom right from the grounds of the Grand Floridian.  Select rooms facing the Magic Kingdom are the perfect vantage point to watch the nightly fireworks show.  

Endless Summer Tip:  the Electrical Water Pageant runs nightly in the Seven Seas Lagoon starting at 9:00 PM to around 10:30 PM.  Guests staying at the Grand Floridian have an excellent view from the shoreline.

The Best Hotel Dining Options

The dining options are Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa are second to none as compared to other theme park hotels in the greater Orlando area.  From resort casual to poolside as well as fine dining, this resort has it all.

  • Citricos
  • Narcoosee’s
  • Grand Floridian Café
  • Enchanted Rose
  • Gasparilla Island Grill
  • Beaches Pool Bar & Grill
  • Courtyard Pool Bar
  • Disney Family Dinner Night (3-course to go meal along with an activity game)
  • 1900 Park Fare
  • Citricos Lounge
  • Garden View Tea Room

The most exquisite dining option at the Grand Floridian is Victoria & Albert’s which is a AAA Five Diamond Aware winning restaurant since 2000.  This classic Victoria restaurant features elegant American cuisine in a contemporary setting.   In addition to the main dining room, guests can enjoy an exclusive 10-course tasting menu paired with fine wines at the “Chef’s Table” or  dine in the exclusive “Queen Victoria Room” for a more intimate setting.

Hotels Rates at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is the premium hotel at The World Disney World Resort and all this luxury does not come cheap.  

Hotel rates vary based on the room type and time of year but typically range from around $500.00 per night to more than $1,000.00 per night. Discounts are available for Annual Passholders as well as certain club memberships (AAA, Costco, etc.) and there are no resort fees at Disney’s Grand Floridian.  Guests should expect to pay a 6% resort tax on top of a 6.5% sales tax on top of the nightly rates.

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Jerry Joyce

Jerry Joyce has been a Florida resident since 1988 and has lived in a variety of places in the South Florida area. Jerry is an avid boater & water sports enthusiast, beach aficionado, a lover of great food, muscle car fan and a theme park annual passholder for many years. Some of his favorite places in Florida include the Florida Keys, Walt Disney World, Cedar Key, the Loxahatchee River, St. Augustine and Ten Thousand islands.

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