Images of Disney Grand Floridian Resort & Spa would most likely come to mind when considering the most luxurious and famous of Walt Disney World hotels.
Using light hues, lofty ceilings, stained glass, chandeliers and marble, this resort radiates a Disneyized vision of turn-of-the-century Victorian beauty. To further create the ambiance, there is even a cage elevator and sporadic live piano music.
Still, the atmosphere is neither stuffy nor intimidating in spite of the elegant location. Though you’ll probably see those, too, especially in the evenings as some fortunate diners head to the award-winning Victoria & Albert’s restaurant that calls this resort home.
You’ll see bathing suit-clad children squealing through the sweeping lobby more often than you’ll see suits and jackets walk by.
Though there could be some fair discussion about whether the Grand Floridian is really the greatest of Disney resort hotels, one thing is clear: it was absolutely crucial in helping Disney enter a period of fast resort development upon opening in 1988. Prior to its opening, Walt Disney World has not established a new resort since 1971.
Now that it is getting its turn at some renovations, it is safe to say that the property — which seems to reflect the straightlaced and upbeat theme of the Magic Kingdom’s Main Street U.S.A., similar to how Disney’s Contemporary Resort draws inspiration from Tomorrowland and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort enjoys influences from Adventureland — is becoming an even stronger contender for that top resort slot.
The Grand Floridian bones have held rather well some 35 years after the resort first opened. The white paint and red roof exterior of the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego and other coastal resorts most certainly inspired the property. They seem to be as ageless.
Unquestionably, its location on the Seven Seas Lagoon, just a stroll or short monorail ride from the Magic Kingdom, is among the best real estate available in Walt Disney World.
Before you pay $700 or more a night to reserve a hotel at this luxurious Disney resort, though, there are several things you should know. These eight key details should help you choose whether the Grand Floridian is the appropriate Disney resort for you.
8 Things To Know About Disney Grand Floridian Resort
It’s One of the Closest Resorts to the Magic Kingdom
Although technically, the Grand Floridian isn’t the closest resort to the Magic Kingdom’s gates, it is really close. The Grand Floridian is around 0.7 miles away via the recently finished walkway; only the Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort are closer, roughly half a mile away from the park.
Your walking speed will determine how long this walk takes—10 to 15 minutes. When it’s hot, humid and/or wet, you won’t have the advantage of a lot of shadow and coverings, but as you travel between the resort and the park, you will enjoy an up-close view of the monorail whizzing past overhead.
You’re lucky if you would rather keep cool and dry since you may also choose to ride the monorail to the Magic Kingdom. From the Grand Floridian lobby, just clear security and board it to get to the Magic Kingdom. You will be in the park in no time since the monorail loop stops there following the Grand Floridian departure point.
The Resort Is Large and Spread Out
By most measures, the Grand Floridian is rather huge, even if it is not the largest resort at Disney World, as several buildings occupy more than 200 acres and feature 2,000-plus rooms.
There are more than 800 rooms scattered over the five-story lobby on the forty acres of Grand Floridian, plus the Sago Cay, Sugarloaf, Conch Key, Boca Chichi and Big Pine Key buildings. A smaller structure on the other side of the main Beach Pool houses several Disney Vacation Club villas.
Obviously, if you are staying here with a group and aren’t careful with room requests, types, and selections, it could cause you to be somewhat far away. Since the Sago Cay and Sugarloaf buildings are somewhat close to the main lobby, restaurants, and port, I advise choosing rooms there. You will also have less of a walk to the park since these lodgings are likewise on the end nearest to the Magic Kingdom.
There’s a Water Play Area and Two Pools
The Grand Floridian boasts two quite magnificent pools. Comprising around 100,000 gallons of water, the main Beach Pool features a zero-entry section, waterfalls, and a 181-foot waterslide.
Additionally, the poolside Beaches Pool Bar & Grill offers food and beverages to enjoy from a chaise lounge or rented cabana. Should your family enjoy some variation during a pool day, poolside activities, including games and arts & crafts, are also offered.
Behind the main structure is also a sizable Courtyard Pool. Unlike the Beach Pool, it lacks a waterslide or activities, fostering a more subdued environment.
By the main pool, little children can also visit the Mad Hatter-themed play area, which features a tiny waterslide, water sprays and a large water dump bucket that looks like a hat.
Rooms Are Rather Large and Expensive
Standard rooms at the Grand Floridian span 440 square feet, the biggest standard hotel rooms at Walt Disney World. The accommodations are regularly among the most expensive choices available at Disney; thus, this additional size comes at a price.
Outside of a promotion (or booking via rental DVC points), standard outer building rooms at the Grand Floridian average between $600 and $700 per night. Expect to pay anything from $800 to $1,000 per night for a better theme park view.
Prepare for sticker shock if you would rather have club access, as main building club-level accommodations often run more than $1,000 per night.
Related Article: Planning your stay at Disney Grand Floridian Resort? Enhance your experience by exploring the latest Disney World ticket prices to plan your visit efficiently.
You’ll Find Several High-End Restaurants and Amenities
Those who pay the big wallet fees to stay at the Grand Floridian have easy access to some of the most elegant restaurants and conveniences at Disney World.
Here, you can eat at Victoria & Albert’s, one of Disney’s most exclusive restaurants. The AAA Five Diamond Award-winning restaurant presents gourmet cuisine over several courses spread out in a sophisticated venue that wonderfully complements the Victorian-era architecture of the property.
Eating at Victoria & Albert’s is an event well worth having if your budget allows it, and you can acquire a highly sought-after reservation. Just be sure you dress suitably (dinner coats are required) and leave the small ones behind; children nine years of age and younger are not allowed.
Enjoying a massage at The Grand Floridian Spa and drinking a cocktail or two at Enchanted Rose, a nighttime lounge inspired by “Beauty and the Beast,” are other must-do activities for anyone visiting with some extra cash.
Renovations Are Underway
Although the Grand Floridian’s old-world aesthetic was a deliberate design decision for the Victorian-era-inspired property, it’s beginning to show some wear and tear after years of welcoming guests. As a result, the resort is now under renovation.
The accommodations lack the more modern appearance of other on-property resorts even though they were recently renovated in 2015, which doesn’t sound all that long ago. The resort is thus working on modernizing its interior to provide the guests with contemporary comforts and increase the attractiveness of the lodging.
Among the buildings on the property, the Big Pine Key building underwent the first thorough renovation. It reopened in the summer of 2022 as a Disney Vacation Club outpost with absolutely gorgeous studio spaces.
Every one of these rooms is as modern and functional as they are beautiful; they sleep up to five visitors. With subdued “Mary Poppins” references strewn throughout, decor accents jewel tones and garden-inspired designs.
Though those improvements are not as striking as the 200 new DVC studios, the Grand Floridian’s larger DVC rooms have also benefited from renovations lately.
You Can Save Money if You Book the Right Way
Disney Vacation Club rooms at the Grand Floridian may allow you to pay less than the retail cost. Renting points from an owner—either personally or through a larger business like David’s Vacation Club Rentals—allows one to accomplish this either 1:1 or otherwise.
The Grand Floridian’s studio rooms run at 16 points per night, and DVC typically pays about $21 per point these days for rent. Starting at $336 all-in, the new studios would start at a discount relative to the cash prices. Know, though, that for optimal availability, you will probably have to book many months ahead.
If you neither possess nor wish to rent DVC points, don’t worry; you can also book straight into the new Grand Floridian resort buildings. To guarantee reduced pricing, make sure you are booking this particular resort studio room type and reserve as far in advance as you can. Usually roughly the same as the regular hotel rooms at this resort, prices start around $700 per night.
The Property Is Extra Magical (and Popular) Around the Holidays
The ideal times to visit the Grand Floridian, in my opinion, are late November and December without doubt. Thanks in large part to its gigantic tree, life-sized gingerbread house, poinsettias, garland and other festive decorations, the resort shines most during this time of year.
Apart from appreciating the holiday perspective, you may buy a gingerbread shingle from a life-sized house to eat on. Being close to the Magic Kingdom also makes the property among the easiest to visit when heading to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Bottom Line
Disney World still feels fairly wonderful at The Grand Floridian, especially in the renovated areas. Even if some places seem a little more antiquated than others, the facilities, services, and offerings are still worth personally seeing.
Whether you’re walking up its main staircase, getting pampered in the spa, or just lounging on the sofa and listening as live piano music fills the lobby, the resort provides numerous times when you might feel like a Disney prince or princess.
The Magic Kingdom’s attractiveness is enhanced by being only a short monorail ride or walk from here. Disney World’s Grand Floridian cemented its reputation as a top-notch Disney resort, as no other property there offers quite as peaceful of a setting so close to the parks.
All of this comes at a great expense, however, so make sure you do your research before you reserve to make sure you’re choosing to stay here will maximize your value. Should you find it difficult to swing a stay, you may always visit for a few hours to stroll about or have a meal on the premises.