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There's a good chance that you'll think of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa when you think of a Disney World resort. The resort has a Disneyized version of turn-of-the-century Victorian charm with light colors, high ceilings, stained glass, chandeliers and marble. The scene is set by a cage elevator and live piano music.
The vibe is not intimidating. You will see bathing suit-clad kids going through the lobby more frequently than you will see suits and jackets walking by, as some lucky diners head to the award-winning Victoria and Albert's.
There could be some debate about whether or not the Grand Floridian is the largest Disney resort hotel, but one thing is certain: It played a major role in transitioning Disney into an era of rapid resort expansion. A new resort was added to Disney World in 1971.
It's safe to say that the property is very similar to Disney's Contemporary Resort's Main Street U.S.A. theme.
The bones of the Grand Floridian have held up remarkably well almost 35 years after the resort's opening. The white paint and red roof look just as timeless as the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego and other beachfront resorts.
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There are a few things you need to know before booking a room at this resort. If you know eight key details, you can decide if the Grand Floridian is the right place for you.
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The nearest resort to the Magic Kingdom is the Grand Floridian. Only the Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort are less than a mile from the park.
The walk will take 10 to 15 minutes depending on how fast you stroll. When it's hot, humid and/or rainy, you won't have a lot of shade and coverings, but you will get an up- close view of the monorail zooming by overhead as you travel between the resort and the park.
You can also take the Monorail to the Magic Kingdom if you prefer cooler weather. To get to the Magic Kingdom, board it from the lobby of the Grand Floridian. You will be in the park in no time since the park is the next stop on the loop.
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The Grand Floridian isn't the biggest resort at Disney World, but it's still quite large by most standards.
There are more than 800 rooms on the 40 acres of the Grand Floridian. There are several Disney Vacation Club villas located on the opposite side of the main beach pool.
If you aren't careful with room requests, types and selections, you could end up being spread apart in this hotel. The Sago Cay and Sugarloaf buildings are close to the main lobby and restaurants. You will have a shorter walk to the park if you stay at these accommodations.
It is possible to save a lot of money by renting Disney vacation club points.
There are two pools at the Grand Floridian.
There are waterfalls and a zero-entry area at the main Beach Pool. You can get food and drinks at the Beaches Pool Bar & Grill, and you can also rent a cabana to relax in. There are games and arts and crafts available on the pool side.
The Point's Gully is named after Summer HULL.
There is a large pool behind the main building. It isn't like the Beach Pool in that it doesn't have anything going on.
The Point's Gully is named after Summer HULL.
There is a small waterslide, water sprays, and a big water dump bucket by the main pool for little kids to play in.
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Standard rooms at the Grand Floridian are the largest in the park. The rooms are one of the most expensive options at Disney and this extra space comes at a cost.
The standard outer building rooms at the Grand Floridian are usually between $600 and $700 a night. You can expect to pay between $800 and $1,000 per night. The main building's club-level rooms are usually more than $1,000 per night.
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Some of the most upscale restaurants and amenities at Disney World are accessible to those who stay at the Grand Floridian.
One of Disney's most exclusive dining places is Victoria & Albert's. In an elegant space that perfectly matches the Victorian-era design of the property, the restaurant serves multiple courses for hours.
If you can afford it, you can get a coveted reservation at Victoria & Albert's. Kids 9 and younger are not allowed as they are not required to wear dinner jackets.
The Point's Gully is named after Summer HULL.
If you're visiting with some extra cash, you can enjoy a treatment at The Grand Floridian Spa and sip a cocktail at the Enchanted Rose lounge.
The Point's Gully is named after Summer HULL.
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After many years of welcoming guests, the old-world look of the Grand Floridian was starting to show its age. The resort is currently undergoing renovations.
The rooms lack the modern look of other on-property resorts because they were last refreshed in 2015. The accommodations are going to be updated to make them more eye-catching and have modern conveniences.
The Big Pine Key building was the first structure to be renovated. In the summer of 2022, it reopened as a Disney Vacation Club outpost with gorgeous studio rooms.
The rooms are modern and functional, and can sleep up to five people. The use of jewel tones and garden-inspired patterns are included in the decor details.
The Point's Gully is named after Summer HULL.
The larger DVC rooms at the Grand Floridian were refreshed recently, but they are not as dramatic as the 200 new studios.
The Point's Gully is named after Summer HULL.
The Disney Vacation Club rooms at the Grand Floridian may be cheaper than the retail price. David's Vacation Club Rentals can be used to rent points from an owner on a one-to-one basis.
The studio rooms at the Grand Floridian start at 16 points per night, and it's not uncommon for DVC points to rent for $21 per point. The studios start at $336 all in, which is a bargain compared to the cash rates. It is likely that you will need to book many months in advance.
You can stay in the new Grand Floridian resort studios if you don't own or rent a DVC point. The trick is to make sure you book the exact resort studio room type you want and to reserve as far in advance as possible to get the lowest rates. The standard hotel rooms at this resort can be had for about the same price.
Since there are many details involved with booking a Disney vacation, it's a good idea to use a free Disney vacation planner, such as Mouse Counselors, if you want to pay with cash. They can help you save money by giving you discounts and modifying your reservations if prices go down.
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The best time to stay at the Grand Floridian is in November and December. The resort has a massive tree, life-size gingerbread house, poinsettias, and other festive decorations.
You can buy a gingerbread shingle from the life-size house and enjoy it as a snack.
The Point's Gully is named after Summer HULL.
It's one of the easiest places to stay when you go to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party because it's close to the Magic Kingdom.
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The renovated sections of the Grand Floridian feel like they are still magical.
The amenities, service and offerings are still worth seeing in person. The resort has many moments where you can feel like a Disney prince or princess, whether you're walking up its main staircase, sitting on the sofa or listening to live piano music.
The appeal of the resort is due to being a short walk from the Magic Kingdom. The Grand Floridian is a top-notch Disney resort because it is so close to the parks.
Make sure you do your homework before you book to make sure you get the most bang for your buck by staying here. If you can't swing a stay, you can always go for a walk or grab a bite to eat.
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