The flagship resort of Walt Disney World is the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. This 40 acre, 900 room resort opened in 1988 and sits on the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon in the Magic Kingdom area. The beautiful red and white buildings have a combination of classic Victorian elegance and modern sophistication. While you may think that it is too formal or stuffy that is definitely not the case! As the flagship resort, celebrities and public figures of all kinds tend to stay here right along side a family with little kids or a couple on their honeymoon. Here you can find that ultra-luxury feeling but still have the whimsical Disney touches that everyone enjoys.
The resort is made up of the two main buildings connected to the lobby, plus five outer buildings. There are three different view categories in the outer buildings which are: Theme Park View (looking at the Magic Kingdom), Lagoon View (looking out over Seven Seas Lagoon), and the Garden View (looking at anything that isn't Magic Kingdom or the lagoon). The outer buildings also have suites for ultimate luxury. Club Level rooms are located in both the outer and main buildings.
The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is also home to a Disney Vacation Club resort. This building is located closer to Disney's Wedding Pavilion and has both studios and villas available to rent for both DVC and non-DVC members.
The Grand Floridian Resort's lobby is elegantly decorated and makes for a great place to sit and relax, wait for friends, or enjoy the live piano music. Of course, there are Disney touches too!
There are two pools at the resort plus a splash pad for the kids. Pool side cabanas are also available for a fee. For more information about cabanas check out this blog post here.
Several dining locations are available from quick service (pool bars, Gaspirilla Island Grill), casual sit down (Grand Floridian Café), character meals (1900 Park Fare), fine/signature dining (Citricos and Narcoossee’s) and the 5-star Victoria & Albert’s (no children under the age of 10 allowed at this high end restaurant).
Being a Disney resort means there is also plenty of shopping. Sandy Cove Gifts & Sundries sells apparel, gifts, food, and resort merchandise. Curiouser Clothiers sells men’s and women’s designer clothing. M. Mouse Mercantile sells Disney souvenir items and children’s clothing. Basin White sells beauty and bath products and also has a store in Disney Springs.
The fireworks from Magic Kingdom can be viewed from the Theme Park View rooms and from the beach. The music from the show is played through speakers on the beach and through the resort's TVs so you can enjoy the full show.
One of the locations for Senses Spa is at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. They offer a wide variety of services including a 24-hour fitness center.
The entire resort is perfectly manicured and decorated. From walking paths to flower beds it is always a pleasant stroll through the resort.
The resort also has the Garden View Tea room that offers English Tea every day. It is a wonderful experience and you should definitely go hungry! You can read about it here.
Christmas is a wonderful time to visit Disney World and this resort is famous for having their giant Gingerbread House in the lobby. It is well worth the visit and you can read about it here.
Whether you choose to stay at this resort or just stop by and visit during your next Disney vacation, you will not be disappointed.