Six Reasons Your Family Needs to Stay at 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 Disney’s best.  This Disney resort stands out on the Seven Seas Lagoon with its signature red roofs and Victorian style beauty. Our family has enjoyed two stays here, and we certainly plan to be back!  Today, I want to share the Six Reasons Your Family Needs to Stay at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa!  

Location, location, location. As far as location and proximity to Magic Kingdom, the Grand Floridian is amazing.  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, then take the water taxi.  The Grand Floridian is the first stop via the water taxi from Magic Kingdom.  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!

Family friendly?  Yes, I believe it is!  Our stay here consisted of our family with preteen twin boys and a 3 year old.  Then most recently, my daughter and I enjoyed a night here on our first mommy and me Disney trip! I did not feel as if it wasn’t 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.  Plus, 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.

The guest rooms are very family friendly.  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 dining options are fantastic.  Even if we are not staying at the Grand Floridian, our family will often find ourselves with Mary Poppins or Cinderella and her stepfamily at a meal at 1900 Park Fare. Many of the popular dining options are at the Grand Floridian.  1900 Park Fare features Alice, the Mad Hatter, Mary Poppins, and friends for breakfast.  Then at dinner, you can enjoy Cinderella, Prince Charming, and the wicked step family.  Victoria and Albert’s is also located at the Grand Floridian.  Victoria and Albert’s is the top most dining experience at Walt Disney World.  You can also find Cirticos and Narcoossees, two Signature Dining experiences.  The Grand Floridian Cafe is a hidden gem amongst the Walt Disney World restaurants, and is located on the main floor of the Grand Floridian.  There is also the Gasparilla Island Grill for a Quick Service meal, and the Garden View Tea Room is traditional afternoon tea~ and is the home of the Perfectly Princess Tea Party.

The Grand Floridian has many family friendly, and FREE activities for guests.  At the Grand Floridian, there are so many great family friendly, and FREE activities for guests.  First, you can see the Happily Ever After 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.

Your family is surrounded by lush landscaping, high end decor, and amazing service.  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!  

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!  

Carrie

Carrie is the author and founder of A Princess and Her Pirates. She likes to share her Disney travel tips, crafts, recipes, and ways that she finds JOY everyday in her life! She believes that everyday brings new joy, and that everyone needs to have a little happiness in their life! She is the wife to a sweet pastor, and mom to three kiddos-twin boys and a princess girl. Carrie is a travel agent with Destinations in Florida, where she enjoys making MAGICAL vacation memories for everyone! Contact her today at carrie@destinationsinflorida.com to start YOUR vacation planning!