Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa first opened in 1988 and was designated as Disney’s flagship resort for its world-class grandeur and classic Victorian charm. The location, features, and impeccable grounds certainly live up to their “grand” designation.
Resort Overview
Situated on Seven Seas Lagoon directly across from the Magic Kingdom, the location of this resort cannot be beat. The spectacular views, transportation options, and amenities of the Grand Floridian are unparalleled.
Several spots on the grounds offer breathtaking views of Cinderella Castle – in fact, the fireworks can be viewed from this resort! The patio directly outside of Gasparilla Island Grill (quick service restaurant) offers a beautiful view of the fireworks and the show music is even played for the enjoyment of the guests watching from this spot; or catch the Electrical Water Pageant as it passes across the Seven Seas Lagoon.
The Grand Floridian offers several convenient transportation options. The monorail station is located directly in the main building and whisks guests away to either the Magic Kingdom or Epcot (with a quick monorail transfer at the Ticket and Transportation Center).
There is also boat transportation available to and from the Magic Kingdom, and buses are available to transport you to Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom. And newly added in 2021, there is a walking path that runs between the Grand Floridian to Magic Kingdom and offers beautiful sights of the lagoon and resort.
As one would expect, the buildings of the Grand Floridian are opulent with a Victorian flair. There are several styles of DVC rooms to suit your needs, including studios, 1 bedrooms, and 2 bedrooms. DVC Shop offers a convenient preview of each floor plan. The classic decor and room amenities are sure to make your stay convenient and enjoyable.
Grab A Bite To Eat
There is no shortage of delectable options available to you right at the Grand Floridian, offering ambiance and cuisine to suit everyone’s palate.
Quick Service
The quick service restaurant at the Grand Floridian is Gasparilla Island Grill, and is a great place to refill your resort refillable mug (available for purchase) or grab a quick hot bite to eat throughout the day. I highly recommend placing a mobile order to conveniently pick up your food.
If you are spending some time lounging by one of the two pools at the Grand Floridian, you may want to grab a beverage or bite to eat at either Beaches Pool Bar and Grill or Courtyard Pool Bar.
Table Service
The Grand Floridian is home to Victoria & Albert’s, a AAA Five Diamond award-winning fine dining restaurant. This restaurant offers chef-designed menus and world-class service in an exquisite setting. It is worth noting that this upscale restaurant has a dress code and a minimum age of 10 requirement.
Citricos recently underwent a re-theming, and now features Mary Poppins-inspired decor and “Florida cuisine with a Mediterranean influence.” You will enjoy whimsical decor and creative dishes in either the restaurant or lounge.
At the time of writing, Narcoosee’s is currently undergoing refurbishment but will reopen in the future once refurbishment is complete. This restaurant sits right on the edge of Seven Seas Lagoon and offers some stunning views and tasty dishes featuring fare from the land and sea; and if you time your dining reservation right, you might be able to enjoy the fireworks from the restaurant!
Grand Floridian Cafe is a great place to grab breakfast, lunch or dinner in a casually elegant setting. I am a big fan of the breakfast offerings, in particular the delicious benedicts!
The Enchanted Rose Lounge is inspired by Beauty and the Beast, and you will notice the subtle tributes to this theme throughout the lounge. Signature cocktails and creative appetizers are sure to please as you take in the sights and sounds.
Although they have been closed since the initial start of the pandemic, hopefully we will soon see the reopening of 1900 Park Fare and the Garden View Tea Room. 1900 Park Fare is a character dining buffet restaurant featuring characters from Mary Poppins, Winnie the Pooh, Alice in Wonderland or Cinderella depending on the time of day; naturally this restaurant is a great pick for those traveling with little ones. The Garden View Tea Room offers a picturesque and elegant experience enjoying morning and afternoon tea – practically perfect for the Victorian ambiance of the Grand Floridian!
Pools
The Grand Floridian features two pools, the Courtyard Pool and the Beach Pool. The Courtyard Pool is a calm and relaxing zero-entry leisure pool, perfect for relaxing the afternoon away after a long day at the parks. The Beach Pool features a water slide, waterfall feature, and zero-entry depth; and pool activities, trivia, and games take place here intermittently throughout the day. Little ones will surely enjoy the Alice in Wonderland-themed splash pad near the Beach Pool.
You Won’t Want To Miss
There is much enjoyment to be had around the Grand Floridian resort with numerous entertainment and activities available. There is a health club and basketball court available, or if you enjoy water sports boat rentals are available from the on-site marina as well as guided bass fishing tours.
For more outdoor enjoyment, try roasting marshmallows over a campfire near the beach (offered on select nights) or playing lawn games on the beautiful grounds (schedule subject to change, see resort for specific times). My children love playing ladder golf and croquet here, or playing with the giant chess set adjacent to the Beach Pool. On select nights, you can also take in an outdoor movie – a family-friendly Disney film, of course!
Inside the Main Building of the Grand Floridian, take in the beautiful sights of the lobby and relax in a comfortable lounge chair while you listen to the lobby pianist.
Enjoy shopping at Basin White, Curiouser Clothiers, M. Mouse Mercantile, or Sandy Cove Gifts and Sundries to pick up some souvenirs or essentials.
And don’t forget that you can enjoy world-class service and relaxation at the Grand Floridian Spa, which offers a peaceful respite and signature services.
Did You Know?
Because of the convenient location of the Grand Floridian, it is also very easy to visit the neighboring resorts on Seven Seas Lagoon. The Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower are a monorail ride away, and the Polynesian Resort and Villas are within walking distance. When staying at the Grand Floridian, my family and I like to take some time to also enjoy these nearby resorts.
Guests staying at the Grand Floridian also get to enjoy Extended Evening Hours available only to deluxe resort guests! While all Disney resort guests get to enjoy early theme park entry, only guests of deluxe resorts and deluxe villas can experience extra time in the evening at either Magic Kingdom or Epcot. Details and schedule can be found here.
Whatever features or amenities entice you to book a stay at DVC’s Villas of the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, you are sure to enjoy your time at this signature resort.
Written by
Leia Cullen
Leia is a proud mom of two boys. She has been in love with Disneyland and Disney World since her first visit to the parks many years ago, and she continues to relive the magic now with her family. She is passionate about creating helpful content that shares news or information about all things Disney, in the hopes it helps others create their own magical moments.
