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If you’re looking for luxury on your Disney vacation, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is it.
Since its inception, Grand Floridian Resort has been the pinnacle of sophistication and refinement at Walt Disney World.
With incredible high-end restaurants, world-class spa, and classic Victorian atmosphere, you can’t help but be wowed by this resort. There’s a reason Disney uses it in so much of the promotional material.
We’re going to break down this amazing Disney resort for you, explaining all the perks and amenities, as well as some special attributes only seen at the Grand Floridian Resort.
If you’re ready, we’re going to head into the finer things in life. You won’t believe what this resort has in store!
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Grand Floridian Resort Snapshot
- History of the Grand Floridian
- Disney Vacation Club Accommodations
- Resort Amenities
- Sports and Recreation
- Transportation
- Resort Location
- Contact Information
Introducing Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Even as you pull up to this resort, you already know you’re in for a treat. One of the Seven Seas Lagoon resorts, the Grand Floridian is on the Magic Kingdom monorail loop.
From the start, you know you’re going to have the royal treatment. On the outside, the classic Victorian look of the buildings strikes guests, as does the contrast between the bold red of the roofs and the creamy white of the exterior.
The architecture also reflects historical manors in Florida, thus the Grand Floridian.
First Impressions
As you enter, the open nature of the lobby shows off the multiple floors of the main building, as well as the fantastic chandeliers.
All of the furniture, carpeting, and even the glass cage elevators show off the vintage styles of a finer era.
Looking at the floors, you’ll see intricately decorated marble…and a few of your favorite characters besides.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is the perfect representation of Disney’s ability to mix elegance with Disney charm. Characters are present, both in décor and in life, but none of it detracts from your high-end hotel experience.
Out on the grounds, small gardens and topiaries dot the landscape.
Coupled with the crossed white fences, the whole area has the feeling of an English county garden.
There are bits of beach and sand here and there, but even this reminds us of trips to the seaside at the turn of the century.
The European and Victorian vibes continue with the character emphasis – Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Mary Poppins serving for most of the inspiration.
History of the Grand Floridian Resort
Opened in 1988, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort was part of the company’s initiative to be the primary vacation destination in Central Florida. Only the third resort on Disney property at the time, the Grand Floridian completed the Seven Seas Lagoon trifecta along with its sister resorts of Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Resort. Developed by Los Angeles interior designers James Isola and Jennifer Burton, along with their team at Intradesign, they worked tirelessly to create a resort that was historically accurate in its look while meeting the needs of modern vacationers.
While the final look of the resort is more fantasy than historical realism, there are touches of nostalgic history throughout the original 900 rooms of the Grand Floridian. These same ideas and inspirations continue into the rest of the resort as it grows and develops. In 1997, the resort gained its title as a spa, and in 2011 it was announced that an expansion would include 147 new Disney Vacation Club (DVC) accommodations. The most recent of these updates just occurred in the past year, with the new Mary Poppins inspired studios in one of the DVC buildings.
Disney Vacation Club Accommodations
With the 1997 reimagining, Grand Floridian resort received new Disney Vacation Club (DVC) spaces. This included the studios and multi-bedroom villas with which we are familiar, spaced throughout the DVC buildings. In the last couple years, some standard resort rooms converted into the new Resort Studios. These amazing new rooms have many of the amenities you would expect from a DVC studio, along with spectacular Mary Poppins theming.
Resort Studios
The newest of the DVC rooms at the Grand Floridian, Resort Studios are the size of a standard resort room. However, they have added features like a pulldown twin bed, enhanced closet space, larger and more efficient bathroom, and other modern upgrades. Beyond that, one of the major draws of the Resort Studios are the fun new Mary Poppins elements.
In typical Disney fashion, the Mary Poppins fun is tasteful but clearly present. Using Victorian style décor and artwork, the characters of Mary Poppins come through in the wallpaper, paintings, and soft furnishings of the room. My favorite feature is the penguin hidden among the birds in the chandelier – again showing that you can have Disney characters without too much kitsch.
The layout of the room is simple. There is a small entry way with a large vanity and bench opposite the bathroom. In the bathroom you’ll find a large backlit mirror over two sinks, and a sliding barn door into the shower and toilet area. In the “transition” part of the room is a small beverage station with a coffee maker. The main sleeping space includes two queen beds, lifted in the new Disney style to allow for more storage. Your closet is in this space as well, which is deceptively deep and spacious. Finally, a small balcony or patio completes the room space, views vary depend on the booking.
These rooms start between 19 and 24 points per night, based on your view and the time of year for your reservation.
Deluxe Studios
Deluxe Studios are like their Resort Studio counterparts but have just a few key differences. While both studio types sleep five, Deluxe Studios have one queen bed, one queen pull-down bed, and one single pull-down bed. This varies from the two queen beds in the Resort Studio. Deluxe Studios also lack the Mary Poppins theme, as this is particular to the new rooms. However, the theming of the Grand Floridian resort overall is beautiful, so you won’t be disappointed.
The major difference to the Deluxe Studio is the addition of a kitchenette. In this space you have a microwave, small fridge, sink, and disposable plate and cutlery. This is also the location of your coffee maker and other beverage supplies. If you’re planning a longer stay, we recommend going with the Deluxe rather than the Resort Studio for this feature alone. Having that extra kitchenette means you can make small meals in your room, particularly breakfast, and save meals from other Disney dining experiences. Since both studios run the same number of points, you’re getting more bang for your buck in the Deluxe. There are also more of these available, meaning you’re more likely to get one when booking.
Check out this tour of the Deluxe Studios!
Grand Floridian Resort Villas
Like other DVC resorts, the Grand Floridian has one, two, and three-bedroom villas. What sets the villas apart is the addition of a full kitchen, in-room laundry, and separate sleeping space, which can be well worth the increased points. With a full kitchen, you can prepare entire meals in your room. While we love Disney food, this is an ideal spot to save money if you’re trying to do Disney on a budget. Laundry is also a game changer, as it can mean cleaning clothes before headed home or dealing with an accidental stain during the trip. We even just used the dryer during a long weekend to thoroughly dry our bathing suits before flying out.
One & Two Bedroom Villas
One-bedroom villas have a single king bed in the bedroom space, with a pull-down queen and single in the living room. Especially if you’re sharing the room with kids or another pair, having two sleeping spaces is amazing. You also get privacy and literal space from one another, which can’t be overstated when you’re living in close quarters. Two-bedroom villas are as if you stuck a standard hotel room to a one-bedroom villa; the standard room with its accompanying bathroom becomes the second bedroom. A two-bedroom lock-off is similar, just with the second bedroom being a Deluxe Studio. With two bedrooms, you gain a second full bath, which is ideal if you’re putting eight to ten people all in one room.
Three Bedroom Grand Villa
The three-bedroom Grand Villa is just as glorious as it sounds. You walk through a spacious entryway into a huge living space, which connects to a dining area with a ten-person table. Next to these spaces is the massive full kitchen, complete with eat-at breakfast bar and plenty of food storage. The first bedroom has two queen beds and storage, and this bedroom uses the hallway bathroom. The second bedroom also has two queen beds, but it has its own ensuite bathroom rather than sharing the hall bath. There’s also another entrance at this side of the suite, meaning that people can come and go from this end without disturbing anyone.
Grand Floridian Grand Villas also have a separate media room with a couch that folds down into another bed, essentially providing a fourth bedroom. For the master bedroom, you’ll find a king bed, private balcony, and ensuite master bathroom. This is the biggest bathroom in the villa, with a huge soaker tub, double vanity, massive walk-in shower, and a separate toilet space. If that weren’t enough, you can watch TV in the mirror. Now that’s some Disney magic!
Grand Floridian Resort Amenities
Grand Floridian Resort Rooms
Aside from the DVC rooms, Grand Floridian resort has some incredible standard rooms as well. The rooms split into standard and Club Level, with the Club Level guests receiving special benefits. One of these benefits includes access to the Royal Palm Club, the Club Level lounge that serves as another quick dining location for these guests. Your key card or Magic Band has to be linked to a Club Level reservation to even get to these spaces, which provides privacy and exclusivity.
Views
Like other Disney resorts, the different rooms are split into types and views. For the views at the Grand Floridian, you’ll have Theme Park View, Garden View, or Lagoon/Lake View. Any room not marked with a particular view would be considered Standard View, which usually means the parking lot or another less glamourous area.
Grand Floridian resort also adds the building location as part of the booking process, so you can choose your location in the resort. Some buildings can be more expensive, or more popular, than others. With that in mind, consider how important building choice might be when you’re booking.
Layouts
Standard rooms, regardless of location or level, have either one king bed or two queen beds. Some have two full queens; others have one standalone queen bed and a pull-down queen sleeper. These rooms have an attached bath, but the sleeping and living spaces are all in one.
There are also one- and two-bedroom suite options, with separate sleeping spaces from the living area. The larger suites sleep up to eight people if you use the sleepers in the living room. Grand Floridian resort has three specialty suites as well – the Grand Suite, Disney Suite, and Victorian Suite. All these suites provide additional space and separate sleeping areas, although most only sleep four or five people. What sets the suites apart from the DVC villas are the amenities – DVC has the kitchen and laundry, while the standard rooms do not. When you pay for a suite, you’re paying for the extra space.
Pools
Beach Pool
The main pool at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the Beach Pool is right outside the main building and overlooks the Seven Seas Lagoon. This pool includes a water slide, rentable cabanas for increased privacy, and access to the sand play area. Right down the path is the Alice in Wonderland kids play area with their own water slides, splash play, and dump bucket shaped like the Hatter’s hat. This is a great spot for families, as there’s plenty to keep your kids entertained. There’s also the Beach Pool Bar…which will keep the grown-ups entertained.
Courtyard Pool
Typically the quieter of the two pools, the Courtyard Pool is central to the resort. This pool has a zero-degree entry, great for smaller kids or lounging adults. You can also find a hot tub for extra leisure, while enjoying a cocktail from the Courtyard Pool Bar. If you’re travelling as adults only, or have small children that you’re worried about amongst the bigger kids, this is a great pool option.
Spa & Fitness
The Grand Floridian Spa
With the word “spa” in the name of the resort, you would expect good things from the Grand Floridian in terms of treatments. We’re here to tell you that you won’t be disappointed! Continuing the beautiful Victorian theme, the Grand Floridian Spa offers a variety of massage treatments and salon services. Enjoy a romantic couples massage, treat your little one to a prince or princess makeover, or just take some time for yourself.
You can book your service online, with free cancellation available up to 24 hours before the service. Spa treatments are for adults 18 and older, however teens 14 to 17 can enjoy them as well if accompanied by a parent or guardian throughout the entire service. There are select salon services for kids five and over, so be sure to check out all the offerings.
With the Wedding Pavilion just next store, it makes sense that you might want to book a wedding or group package to prep for the big day. If you want to reserve a wedding package, please call (407) 824-3039 to work out all the details.
Here’s a full review of the Grand Floridian Spa:
Grand Floridian Resort Health Club
There is a 24-hour fitness center on site and available for all guests. This includes exercise machines, free weights, and strength training equipment. We highly recommend wearing your Magic Band to the health center, as you may have to scan it to enter.
Parking
Standard parking at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa costs $25 per night, and $33 per night for valet. This amount is applied at the end of your stay, so you don’t have to worry about paying it daily. You also don’t have to pay the parking fee at the theme parks, since you’re already paying to park at the resort. If you are a DVC member, you do not have to pay the parking fee.
For those just planning to visit or have a dining reservation, complimentary parking is available during the day. Parking fees only apply to those keeping their cars at the resort overnight.
Sports and Recreation
Water Sports
As Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is right on the Seven Seas Lagoon, it makes sense that there would be several water sports activities available. One of my personal favorites is the boat rental, specifically the smaller two-person boats. Right now, Disney is only renting the larger pontoon boats. These boats seat up to ten people and are $45 per hour.
You can also book a fishing excursion out on the lagoon, a catch-and-release bass fishing experience perfect for the fishermen (or women!) in your life. You can do a two- or four-hour experience for up to five people in the pontoons, or three in the smaller bass fishing boats. If you’re flying solo, you can ask about a reduced rate single trip at the marina. These excursions usually happen in the afternoon.
Finally, you can book a specialty fireworks cruise for your party for one of the best viewing areas outside the park. The boats seat up to ten people, and includes snacks and soft drinks during your viewing party. If you’re interested in booking, call (407) WDW-PLAY.
Traditional Sports
Outside the health club, you’ll find the basketball courts, a great way to exercise or just burn some of that kid-energy. This is a great activity for a day off from the parks, or just a way to have fun as a family.
If you’re someone who enjoys running, jogging, or walking, there are several paths throughout the resort. A path even connects the Polynesian resort to the Grand Floridian, giving you the option of extending your run. For those that enjoy beach running, you’re more than welcome to run along the sand of the Seven Seas Lagoon – just remember that the water is off limits for swimming.
Evening Activities
Like many other resorts, the Grand Floridian has family fun in the evenings. Roast marshmallows together on the Grand Floridian Beach at 6:15-7:15pm on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday evenings. On those same evenings, head to the Summerhouse at 8:15 for a movie under the stars. These are always family-friendly Disney favorites, so you never need to worry about the content.
Every evening (weather permitting) you can spot the Electrical Water Pageant – a special water parade complete with its own music. This is one of my personal favorites, and it occasionally lines up with the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. While that typically happens for special events or holidays, there’s just that extra bit of magic!
Check out the Electrical Water Pageant in this video!
Grand Floridian Resort Transportation Choices
Disney Transportation
There are three Disney-run transportation options: the monorail, bus transportation, and boat transportation. Heading to the Magic Kingdom? The Grand Floridian resort monorail is certainly the most direct, as the Grand Floridian is the last stop before the Magic Kingdom. There is a bus that will also take you there if the line for the monorail is too long. The same goes for the boat transportation – we like this option when we’re headed back from the Magic Kingdom in the evening, as it often has a shorter wait than the resort monorail.
When you’re headed to the other three parks, it’s going to be the Disney busses. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time when you’re headed out in the morning or leaving the parks in the evening.
Other Transportation Options
Minnie Vans are back! Paused during the pandemic, there was talk that the Lyft-sponsored Minnie Vans would never return. However, we never say never, and they are indeed running once more. However, Minnie Vans cost between $20 and $50 per ride.
You could choose just to do a Lyft or Uber for more than half the cost, it just doesn’t have the Disney seal of approval the same way the Minnie Vans do. Minnie Vans also are prepped with car seats, anticipating families, while standard ride shares don’t always have this luxury. If you’re going ride share, it’s important to weigh your priorities.
Last option – your own two feet! Disney has finally completed the walking path that connects the Polynesian to the Grand Floridian, and then on to the Magic Kingdom. While this might not seem the fastest option, it can be if you’re going to be waiting thirty or forty minutes for the monorail or bus.
Grand Floridian Resort Location
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is located in the northwest corner of Disney property, as a Magic Kingdom Resort. If you’re coming from the north on Florida I-4, we recommend getting off at the Route 535 exit. From there, you’ll go left on Winter Garden Vineland Road and then left again on Vista Road. You’ll pass Fort Wilderness before getting onto World Drive. Another left, then a right, and you’ll be on Floridian Way. Just drive past the Polynesian and you’ll be there!
Grand Floridian Resort Address
4401 Floridian Way
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830-8451
Contact Information
If you need to contact the resort directly, call (407) 824-3000. However, if you need help with tickets or your vacation package, you should call (407) 939-5277. For dining reservations, use the online reservation system or go through the My Disney Experience app.
Prepare to live in the lap of luxury at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa!
Grace Hoyos, Staff Writer
Grace is a life-long lover of all things Disney, particularly the parks at Walt Disney World. She is also an avid Disney Cruise Line enthusiast who regularly dreams of the white sands of Castaway Cay. Grace loves the fact that her Disney trips give her time to spend with her family, enjoy incredible food, and try new experiences.