Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Impeccably maintained and perfectly manicured grounds are strung with fragrant, blossom-filled lanes that meander among the gracious 4- and 5-story buildings fabricated with gleaming white clapboard siding, red shingled roofs, fairytale turrets, and intricate latticework; a favorite sight is the housekeepers in Victorian period costumes strolling the grounds twirling lacy parasols.
 

Aquatic enticements include a crescent white-sand beach dotted with brightly striped, canopied lounge chairs, a large sophisticated pool in the central courtyard, a new beachside Florida springs-style pool, and a classy marina sporting a wide assortment of watercraft. A full-service health club and spa, tennis courts, five restaurants, two lounges, and sophisticated shopping round out the list of exceptional offerings. Check-in 3 p.m., check-out 11 a.m. For reservations call 407-W-DISNEY.

 

Grand Floridian Beach	Courtyard Pool	Florida Springs Pool

Accommodations
 

Guestrooms - Guestrooms, at just over 400 square feet, are decorated in a cheery, Victorian floral motif, each with either one king or two queen beds (most are queens), full-size sofa, and easy chair and ottoman. Cream-colored marble baths have separate twin sinks, an extra phone, H2O bath products, full length and make-up mirrors, and hairdryer. The closet contains an electronic safe, iron and ironing board, robes, and all rooms have daily newspaper delivery, coffee maker, and nightly turndown service. Most accommodations come with generous balconies and vary only in the view of either the gardens or the lagoon.

Standard Guestroom Beds

Standard Guestroom Baths

Guestrooms are in the process of being renovated with new bedspreads, carpeting, drapes, wallpaper, and paint. The addition of plasma flat screen TVs and IHome clock radio with IPod docks are a big bonus along with a writing desk with computer port, and bureau. Public areas are beginning to look tired so let's hope that a redo soon in the works. Mini-refrigerators are standard in all rooms.  If you’re smart, you’ll book a Magic Kingdom view with vistas of Cinderella’s Castle. Lagoon-view rooms are also nice, facing the Seven Seas lagoon and the Polynesian Resort. Garden views overlook the flowering grounds, the sparkling courtyard pool, or the marina. The top-floor dormer guest rooms have vaulted ceilings along with very private balconies that require standing for a view; although their high ceilings give them a more open feel, most do not offer daybeds and are actually a bit smaller than a normal guest room.

Concierge rooms - Accommodations on the concierge level vary from standard guest rooms to larger deluxe rooms (rooms in the main building offering a spacious sitting area within the guest room with sofa, coffee table, entertainment center, wet bar, writing desk, two chairs and a table, two queen-size beds, but never a Magic Kingdom view) to one- and two-bedroom suites, all with a variety of views including marina, lagoon, and garden. Located in both the upper floors of the main building (the Royal Palm Club) and the Sugar Loaf building (the Lodge Concierge), they provide extra amenities such as DVD players, curbside check-in, private checkout, and the feel of being a special guest in a much smaller hotel.

King Deluxe Room

Two Queens Deluxe Room

Royal Palm Concierge Lounge

Royal Palm Evening Offerings

Suites - The Grand Floridian’s twenty-five suites can be had in all shapes and sizes. In the main building are four Signature Suites: the Grand Suite, Walt Disney Suite, Roy O. Disney Suite, and Victorian Suite.

Grand Suite Living Room

Grand Suite Master Bedroom

From its fifth-floor perch, the blue and cream-colored Grand Suite at 2,220 square feet features five balconies with sweeping views of the Seven Seas Lagoon, Cinderella’s Castle, Space Mountain, the Contemporary, the Polynesian, even Spaceship Earth in the distance. Its turreted living room has blond hardwood flooring and a somewhat strange wall of mirrors. Furnishings include two sofas, two coffee tables, two easy chairs, a dining table for four, a desk, Bose stereo system, 42” plasma TV, a corner marble wet bar with refrigerator and microwave, and an upright piano. Off one side of the large foyer is the master bedroom with a draped king-size bed, desk, and entertainment center; the master bathroom has double sinks in a marble vanity with mini LCD TV, whirlpool tub, shower, and a separate toilet and bidet. Off the other side of the foyer is a half bath as well as a second bedroom with two daybeds that will only accommodate small children, an entertainment center, and a single-sink bath with mini-LCD TV.

The 1,690-square-foot Walt Disney Suite is a favorite filled with Walt memorabilia including railroad models and family pictures; you almost feel you’re in Walt’s apartment, expecting him to return any minute. Enter through a lovely marble foyer with half bath to a cozy living room with wet bar, desk, entertainment center, chaise lounge, sofa, easy chairs, coffee table, and four-person dining table. The master bedroom has a delightful four-poster king-size bed, two desks, a sofa, an entertainment center, a huge walk-in closet with a bureau, and a marble bathroom with two sinks, whirlpool tub, and separate shower. The second bedroom has twin beds in a swan theme, two easy chairs, an entertainment center, and another bathroom. Balconies face the courtyard pool, the beach, and the lagoon with views of the Polynesian resort. Just below the Walt Disney Suite is the Roy O. Disney Suite, comparable in shape and size, with memorabilia representing Walt’s brother Roy, including a wall of family photographs.
 

Walt Disney Suite Master Bedroom	Walt Disney Suite Parlor
Victoria Suite Bedroom Victoria Suite Parlor

The intimate Victorian Suite at 1,083 square feet, on the top floor of the main building, is bedecked in soft green and rose hues with floral accents. The living area holds a small sofa, coffee table, entertainment center, wet bar with refrigerator, and four-person dining table. Overlooking the courtyard pool are three balconies with views of the top of Cinderella’s Castle and Space Mountain, the Polynesian, and the Seven Seas Lagoon. The bedroom comes with a four-poster king-size bed, desk, oversize easy chair and ottoman, and entertainment center. The master bath has a huge closet with a sitting area, double-sink bath with mini-TV, and oversize tub. Off the small foyer is a half bath.
 

Two-Bedroom Suite Parlor

Two bedroom suites throughout the resort are basically two standard size guestrooms (one with a king and the other two queens) on either side of a living room with sleeper sofa, coffee table, desk, small table and two chairs, and a half bath. Most have balconies off the living area but some don't.

The Cypress Suite, located on the second floor of the Conch Key building, has 1,048 square feet with two-bedrooms, three-baths, and a parlor with sleeper sofa, easy chair, coffee table, writing desk, small table and 2 chairs, entertainment center, full bath, and wet bar with a refrigerator and ice machine. The master bedroom comes with a king bed, entertainment center, writing desk, and small table and two chairs. The second bedroom is a regular guestroom with two queen beds. Views from the four balconies are of the lagoon and Cinderella’s Castle as well as the marina.

A nice getaway is the Cape Coral Suite located in the remote Sago Cay building at the edge of the property. Situated on the ground floor it boasts 1,792 square feet with two bedrooms, two baths, and a lovely waterfront patio with perfect views of Cinderella’s castle and the Magic Kingdom fireworks.

You'll find complete information on dining, recreation, services, and transportation at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa in The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World Resort.