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Top Pros & Cons for Staying at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in Walt Disney World

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The most “deluxe” of the Deluxe Resorts! Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is a picture perfect resort destination at Walt Disney World. As with anything however, with the pros come the cons. Check out our list of top pros and cons for staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

 

Cons:

1. Expensive

It seems that every article I write about deluxe resorts, “expensive” is on the con list. Unfortunately, it’s just true. Disney is expensive, there’s just no getting around that. Deluxe resorts at Disney? Way expensive. The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa at Disney? Way, WAY expensive. The Floridian has some of the highest standard room rates on property. Don’t get me wrong, these prices are a direct result of the quality of the Resort and the amenities you get with a stay. But still. It’s a good chunk.

2. Formal

I had a very difficult time coming up with a cons list for the Grand Floridian. So this one is a bit of a mix. It could be a con for some, pro for others. Either way, it’s something to be aware of. The Grand Floridian is an incredibly formal resort. You do not need to be formal to stay here, but it’s important to understand that the resort is going to be.

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Pros:

1. On Monorail Loop

Ah, the coveted monorail loop. The Grand Floridian is one of the three resorts that sit directly on the wonderful line. Honestly this just makes your stay that much nicer and easier. This means that you can get to Magic Kingdom so quickly right from the hotel, and to Epcot relatively easily thanks to the Transportation and Ticket Center. You can transfer easily to Hollywood Studios from here too. Being on the Monorail Loop is an added bonus to staying at one of these deluxe resorts. This is another example of the high-quality care you get when staying here.

2. Extra Magical Opportunities

The best part of staying at Disney is the magic that comes along with it. At the Grand Floridian, there are some extra recreational activities that can be pure magic! From poolside cabanas to specialty cruises, there are lots of options! Kids ages 4-12 can embark one a one-of-a-kind pirate adventure cruise! This cruise is a scavenger hunt around the Seven Seas Lagoon and is fun for everyone! As for special amenities, there’s the Senses Spa, an absolute haven for adults located right in the resort. And every night, guests can enjoy the Electrical Water Pageant right on the Floridian beach!

3. Music

I love the live music in the Grand Floridian lobby! There’s almost always some melody wafting through the elegant entryway. In the center of the lobby sits a regal, sleek black Baby Grand Piano. Every so often throughout the day, a man in a stately tuxedo comes out to serenade resort guests with classic tunes of Disney, theatre, jazz, and more. The stars of the Grand Floridian music scene are the men in the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra. This big band takes the stage most afternoons and evenings and gives a swinging show! There’s something so magical and graceful about the music in the Grand Floridian.

4. Dining

There are SO many amazing dining experiences at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, it’s hard to describe them all in a simple article. There are your typical hotel choices, like room and bar service, quick serve and that kind of thing. But the Grand Floridian also has some of the best restaurants on Disney property. The Grand Floridian Café is the perfect place for a quick bite for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Gasparilla Island Grill is where to go for late night bites. 1900 Park Fare is one of the best character breakfasts out there! The Garden View Tea Room is the sweetest, most lovely specialty dining option in Disney. Here you can have a full English tea, complete with finger sandwiches. It makes everyone feel like posh royalty. Next is Citricos, a high-quality, high-class Mediterranean inspired restaurant. It’s very similar to Narcoossee’s, a seafood lover’s haven with beautiful waterfront views. The crème de la crème, however, is Victoria and Albert’s. This restaurant is ridiculously elegant, with award-winning cuisine. Victoria and Albert’s is a culinary experience, with world-class wine, multiple dining rooms, many courses, and an atmosphere fit for a Queen and her beloved.

5. Seasonal Specialties

One of my favorite things about Christmastime in Disney World is how the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa comes to life. The decorating team goes all out! As if the normal swags and wreaths and the tree weren’t enough, Disney also puts up a massive, actual gingerbread house right in the middle of the lobby. The thing is huge and smells amazing. It’s ornate and detailed with hidden Mickey’s! Inside they even sell gingerbread! The Grand Floridian has even been known to roast chestnuts for guests in the lobby too. The smells in this place over the holidays are incredible.

6. Beauty

This resort is gorgeous. There’s no way around it. It’s ornate, elegant, regal, spotless, and organized. Guests feel like royalty here. The Grand Floridian knows how to ensure guests feel completely at ease and rested after a long day in the parks. The outside is beautiful, the inside is beautiful, and the resort helps guests to feel beautiful too.

About Molly Elias

Molly Elias has been a dedicated Disney fan since she was 18-months old. She has grown up with and learned from Disney her whole life. As her family's main vacation spot, Disney World is a place of love and laughter and magic for her. Her family also prides themselves on their Disney Cruise Line knowledge and would rather be on the high seas with Mickey than anywhere else in the world. Molly plans to keep Disney in her life forever, while also pursuing a writing career. She recently completed a master's program in creative writing in the hopes that someday she will be able to be a writer for the Happiest Company on Earth. Molly keeps Walt's famous quote at the forefront of her life: "Around here, however, we don't look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we're curious...and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths."