Disney's Grand Floridian

While Disney’s Contemporary Resort opened with Disney’s The Magic Kingdom in 1971, it is Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa that is considered to be Disney World’s flagship resort. Opened in 1988, the Grand Floridian is located just across the Seven Seas Lagoon from Magic Kingdom. The inherent luxury of the design and the beauty of its Victorian theming make staying in its DVC section, The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, a dream for many.

The Villas showcase all the elegance of the Victorian age, with its Mary Poppins-themed lobby five-tiered chandeliers. There are several room size options: Deluxe Studios, One-Bedroom Villas, Two-Bedroom Villas, Two-Bedroom Lock-Off Villas, and Three-Bedroom Grand Villas. Guests can choose between Standard View (a view of the resort’s beautiful grounds) and Lake View, with brilliant views of the Seven Seas Lagoon. The rooms themselves sleep anywhere from five to twelve guests, depending on the room’s size. The Villas are the epitome of a luxurious vacation, with their turn-of-the-century splendor and impeccable service.

Guests staying in the Villas have access to all of the resort’s dining options. In addition to In-Room Dining, the Grand Floridian has Fine/Signature Dining, Character Dining, Unique/Themed Dining, Casual Dining, Lounges, and Quick-Service, giving guests a large array of dining options.

The Grand, as the resort is fondly nicknamed, has three Fine/Signature Dining experiences, all of which have dress codes. Victoria & Albert’s is famously the most expensive, and classiest, restaurant on Disney World property, offering a ten-course meal prepared by exceptional chefs, who craft the meal with ingredients from around the world. Citricos offers Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and theming, with Old World furnishings, mosaic-tiled floors, and wrought-iron railings resembling vineyard grapevines. Narcoossee’s is located on the Seven Seas Lagoon and not only has delicious coastal cuisine, but also offers a fantastic view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks.

Under Character Dining, guests have 1900 Park Fare, and for Unique/Themed Dining, the Garden View Tea Room. For their breakfast buffet, guests at 1900 Park Fare are able to meet Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter, Tigger, and Winnie the Pooh. For their dinner buffet, guests have the opportunity to meet Cinderella, Prince Charming, Cinderella’s stepsisters, and Lady Tremaine. At the Garden View Team Room, guests are able to experience a proper tea party, complete with tea sandwiches, pastries, other treats, and a large selection of teas. It also hosts events such as Afternoon Tea and the Disney Perfectly Princess Tea, which is a special experience that mothers and daughters will want to try.

While there is only one Casual Dining experience, there are also three lounges and several quick-service locations. The Grand Floridian Café treats guests to a casual but elegant table-service dining experience with views of the rose gardens and courtyard pool. Guests also have access to the resort’s two lounges, including the Enchanted Rose Bar & Lounge, which is a new addition to the resort, replacing Mizner’s Lounge, and is Beauty and the Beast-themed, with its design including a formal library with baroque and French furnishings, a garden room representing the forest near the castle, as well as an outdoor patio that reminds one of the Beast’s garden terrace. There is also the Citricos Lounge, where guests can enjoy its Mediterranean ambiances with international wines, beers, and cocktails. Gasparilla Island Grill is the main quick-service location at the resort, with customizable artisan burgers, sandwiches, flatbreads, and salads, all prepared by culinary and quick-service Cast Members. Its outdoor patio also has one of the best views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks. And, of course, there are the two pool bars, Beaches Pool Bar & Grill, where guests can grab a snack or meal from this gazebo-inspired location, and Courtyard Pool Bar, right next to the resort’s largest pool, and featuring two TVs and a ping-pong table in addition to their snacks and cocktails.

At such a large and luxurious resort as the Grand Floridian is, there are a large number of amenities that all DVC members can access. There are two pools, Beach Pool, located on the Seven Seas Lagoon and with both a 181ft waterslide and a kiddie pool, and the larger Courtyard Pool, which is calmer and offers beautiful views of the resort and surrounding gardens. The resort also has an arcade, speciality cruises and watersports, jogging paths and basketball courts, movies under the stars, the Senses Spa, yoga, and campfires. It’s also super convenient, as it is located a short ride by Monorail away from Magic Kingdom and Ticket and Transportation Center, as well as the Polynesian Resort and the Contemporary Resort. The resort is also home to the Wedding Chapel and the Grand Floridian Convention Center, which are popular wedding and reception areas on property. 

While the Villas at the Grand Floridian are some of the most expensive on property, and booking can be difficult due to the resort’s popularity, guests will find the experience to be completely worth it. As not only a Deluxe resort but Disney World’s flagship resort, the Grand Floridian only has the highest level of standards, with exceptional service in its rooms, dining, activities, and Cast Members. The location is one of the most convenient on property, and one of the most beautiful, even without factoring in its amazing view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks. A stay at the Grand Floridian will be one of the most luxurious and gorgeous experiences guests could possibly find.