Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is the stellar, flagship resort of Walt Disney World.  With its elegant charm, Victorian style decor, and fantastic location it is a great option for many families who want to enjoy one of Disney’s best resorts. 

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort stands out on the Seven Seas Lagoon, with its signature red roofs and Victorian style beauty. Our family has enjoyed three stays here, and we certainly plan to be back!  Today, I want to share all the reasons your family needs to stay at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa!

Convenience to Two Disney Parks & Nearby Resorts

Location, location, location. As far as location and proximity to Magic Kingdom, the Grand Floridian is amazing.  While it is not THE closest, it is very close! The nice aspect of the monorail, is all guests who board clear security BEFORE boarding. Saves you so much time at the park!

When the monorail leaves the Grand Floridian, the first stop is Magic Kingdom!  Returning from Magic Kingdom in the evening or for an afternoon break, take the water taxi.  The Grand Floridian is the first stop via the water taxi from Magic Kingdom.  Also, guests from the Grand Floridian can now WALK to Magic Kingdom via a new walkway. We have used this when the monorail was down for a short moment, or when the wait for the morning monorail was longer than we had planned.

Not only is the Grand Floridian close to the Magic Kingdom, it is also in great proximity to the surrounding resorts.  With this, your dining options are practically endless, and it makes it easy to check out other Magic Kingdom area resorts! It’s easy to access Chef Mickey’s, or even the Polynesian for some meals or to explore.

With access to the monorail, guests can also hop aboard from the Grand Floridian to EPCOT. With a quick change at the Transportation and Ticket Center, you will be on your way to EPCOT in no time.

The Grand Floridian is Family Friendly

The Grand Floridian can appear as “stuffy” and “grown up”, but it really is family friendly! Yes, I believe it is!  Our first stay here consisted of our family with preteen twin boys and a 3 year old.  My daughter and I enjoyed a night here on our first mommy and me Disney trip, and returned for two more nights on our most recent stay! I did not feel as if it was stuffy or non kid friendly at all. The Beach Pool has recently been refurbished, and there is a new Alice in Wonderland splash play area for little ones.  

And, as I mentioned, the location to Magic Kingdom can’t be beat!  I also appreciate that the rooms are spacious and the resort is “small” so walking to and from your room and the main areas is not long at all.  Your family certainly does not need to have a fancy taste to feel like you belong at the Grand Floridian! It does not feel like a stuffy museum, even though it is VERY grand and decorated as soon as you walk into the lobby. It is a fun, yet sophisticated resort. I think that setting your expectations and appreciating the Victorian theming is important, too.

Guests who book Club Level amenity rooms will be housed in the main building. Those who do not will be in an “Outer Building”, as the resort is comprised of outer buildings, not one big building. The rooms here are the largest, in terms of square footage, than any other Disney Resort.

The guest rooms are also great for families. One thing I really like is that a family of 5 can stay comfortably in one of these rooms.  They have two queen beds and then a day bed that pulls out from the sofa.  Another huge advantage to these is the bathroom set up. We love that the entire bathroom, including the sink area, can be closed off from the room. This layout is helpful if adults are getting ready before the kids wake up, or after they have gone to sleep.  Also, the pocket sliding door that closes off the sink area as well as another internal door closing off the shower/toilet area is excellent as well!

The Grand Floridian has Great Dining Options.

Please note all dining experiences have not returned to the Grand Floridian as of March of 2022.

Under “normal” Disney circumstances, the Grand Floridian is home to 1900 Park Fare for breakfast and dinner. Breakfast has Mary Poppins, The Mad Hatter, Alice in Wonderland, and the White Rabbit. This is one of our FAVORITE character meals, and I hope it returns soon!! Dinner is Cinderella, Prince Charming, and her wicked step family. The Strawberry Soup is divine, and it is a great opportunity to have a princess dining experience without going to Cinderella’s Royal Table.

Victoria and Albert’s is also located at the Grand Floridian. It is the most elegant and one of the most sought after dining experiences on property. Citricos has undergone a refurbishment to reflect touches of Mary Poppins, and Narcoossees is the third of the Signature Dining experiences. The Grand Floridian Cafe is a hidden gem amongst the Walt Disney World restaurants. It is located on the main floor of the Grand Floridian, and has AMAZING breakfast and lunch menus.

Gasparilla Island Grill is the quick service location. The view of Cinderella’s Castle are great. They also have a large porch with outdoor seating if you prefer. The menu is typical quick service, and they serve all meals and snacks.

The Grand Floridian is also home to The Enchanted Rose, a “new” lounge option at the Grand Floridian. When compared to value and even moderates, there are WAY more unique and exciting food options at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.

The Grand Floridian Offers Fun, FREE Activities.

At the Grand Floridian, there are so many great family friendly, and FREE activities for guests.  First, you can see Disney’s Enchantment evening fireworks show from the resort.  Also, they offer campfires and s’mores at this resort, as well as movies under the stars.  You can also see the Electric Water Pageant from here, which is a fun way to end your evening.  Another fun activity is riding the monorail to the neighboring resorts.  These are so fun to check out and explore, even get a meal or drink while you ride the monorail around.

The Service is Outstanding.

Of all the resorts we have enjoyed, the service at the Grand Floridian we have received really stands out to me.  We have encountered the friendliest staff, great Mousekeeping experiences, and thoroughly enjoy the turndown service and chocolates at night!

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is up next for a refurbishment, and I think that will really offer guests more value for their money. The resort is not one of the least expensive, and the rooms could use a refresh. However, that would not deter me from recommending it! There is nothing better than feeling like a princess as you ascend and descend the grand staircases in the lobby! The resort is one of the most popular over the holidays, and for good reason! The life size gingerbread house, gorgeous trees, and cozy atmosphere make it perfect for a holiday trip!

I am a firm believer that Disney resorts aren’t just a place to sleep~they are part of your vacation experience. And staying at the Grand Floridian, you won’t be disappointed! I hope your family can enjoy a stay at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa!