GRAND- /grand/ 1. Magnificent and imposing in appearance, size, or style. (Oxford Languages, 2023). On June 28, 1988, the Disney company decided to open a hotel in Orlando, Florida with that adjective in its title: The Grand Floridian.
Now, what makes the Grand Floridian so grand? In this article, I will provide both my personal experience and the high-quality offerings you can expect, while staying at this majestic DVC hotel. Let’s get started!
Architecture and Interior Design
The Grand Floridian resort is beautiful on the outside and the inside. The resort architects were inspired by elegant Victorian-era architecture. The red rooftops and white exterior give this resort a sophisticated vibe. It is adorned with gardens filled with flowers and trimmed hedges. Before you reach the lobby, you will find a 1929 white Cadillac, near the outside entrance, added for extra pizazz. As for the inside, the lobby contains an outstanding staircase, giant chandeliers, and marble floors with intricate Disney details. There is also a birdcage elevator- a rounded, antique-style elevator- that transports guests to the upper floor. A piano player sits in the middle of the lobby, playing Disney melodies that you can request. Evidently, the physical details and indoor beauty of the Grand Floridian, contribute to making this a distinguished resort.
High-End Dining
Another important quality of the Grand Floridian is its exclusive and high-quality restaurants, with mouth-watering, refined recipes. However, I will be mentioning the more expensive dining options that stand out. The first and most upscale is Victoria and Albert’s, an AAA Five Diamond award, Victorian-themed restaurant with two chef tasting menus and award-winning wines. (Prices start at $295). Another great restaurant on property is Narcoossee’s, a waterfront restaurant serving land and sea cuisine (Prices range from $35-$60). If you book an evening dinner reservation, you’ll have stunning views of fireworks and the Electrical Water Pageant (something other restaurants do not offer).
Citricos, another great option, serves delectable Mediterranean cuisine and mouthwatering specialties (Prices range from $35-$65). The last dining location to try is the Enchanted Rose, an enchanted lounge, as the name suggests, full of elegant appetizers e.g., caviar, truffle, and “grand” cocktails.
Deluxe Amenities
Senses Spa
The Grand Floridian Senses Spa is a deluxe and revitalizing full-service spa that leaves you rejuvenated. This is the only DVC resort on property that is currently using a spa. There are many services available: massages, facials, manicures & hair styling. I stayed at the Grand Floridian last summer, and I can wholeheartedly say the spa was the highlight of my trip. When I walked into the building, the greeters were extremely respectful. They checked me in and asked me to choose a stone (I chose the green stone). Each stone represents a sensory experience that you will receive during your treatment. I booked a Grand massage for 50 minutes and my masseuse was incredible! She was attentive and gave me an invigorating massage that relieved my muscle tension and stress. The location was also very clean, and I had a chance to enjoy the relaxation room (a room filled with tea, snacks, and dim lighting) after the massage. I also made use of the whirlpool and sauna. This spa experience was my favorite part of the trip. It is an important and refined addition to the Grand Floridian.
Pools and Jacuzzi
There are two pools available, the Courtyard Pool or Beach Pool. My favorite was the Courtyard pool as it was cool and quiet, and it had a warm, bubbly jacuzzi available. The Beach pool is the more popular option containing a slide and a cascading waterfall, a true picturesque sight. This is the preferred pool for families as it also has a child-friendly water play area nearby. Apart from their immensity, both pools give scenic views and provide great entertainment.
Proximity to MK
Another wonderful thing about this resort is the nearness to Magic Kingdom Park, as it has a monorail that takes you directly, yes, directly to the entrance of Magic Kingdom. There are boats that also take you to the entrance of the park and a walkway as well. This is a great perk for parents with small children who plan on visiting the park many times and want to avoid the hassle of driving.
For years, the Grand Floridian has changed the perspective of hotel hospitality and offered genuine exclusivity. The word grand is a brilliant adjective to describe DVC’S Grand Floridian resort and I hope this article proved it to you. After pointing out the many facets of this glorious hotel, I hope that you, dear reader, may experience its grandeur, in due time.
Featured Photo: Emily Murray.
Written by
Maria Mora
For as long as Maria can remember, there was always a Disney movie playing in her house. Whether it was The Little Mermaid, Dumbo, or Tarzan, she became enthralled with all things Disney. She has visited the Disney Parks over 100 times and on different continents! Her love of Disney goes hand in hand with her love of reading, which has motivated her through the years to become a zealous writer. She hopes that whatever she does helps her community. After all, with a little faith, trust, and pixie dust, anything is possible!
