Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

4401 Floridian Way Lake Buena Vista, 32830 Phone: (407) 824-1000 Fax: (407) 824-3539

Refurbishment | Rooms | Dining | Recreation | Shopping | Transportation
Childcare | Resort Rate | Resort Map | Reviews | Activities

Deluxe Resort Classification
Located in the Magic Kingdom resort area
Check In: 4:00 p.m. / Check Out: 11:00 a.m.

This is it. You’ve arrived. The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is Disney’s flagship hotel, and it shows. It’s elegant, it’s refined- and it’s also fun! Outside, the resort is all turrets and gabled roofs. Inside, its Grand Lobby is five levels high, with sunlit domes built into the ceiling- wow! An open-cage elevator takes you in style to shopping and dining venues. The on-site full service spa pampers guests with a wide range of services. The Grand Floridian Orchestra entertains in the Grand Lobby, or maybe there’s a pianist, in the tux, playing the grand piano. This may sound stuffy, but in fact, the musicians, as well as all the cast members at the Grand Floridian, make this resort a perfect place for kids (of all ages) to have a luxurious and memorable vacation.

The Grand Floridian, like all Disney resorts, is smoke-free. Designated outdoor smoking areas are indicated on the Resort Map.

Resort Refurbishment: Check our Rehabs and Closures schedule for any refurbishments or work taking place at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa during your visit.

Beginning September 19, 2011, the spa at the Grand Floridian hotel will close and remain closed for 18 months as part of a larger expansion taking place at the resort. During this construction, the fitness center at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will remain open. Guest reservations for Disney’s Grand Floridian Spa scheduled for after the closure will be moved to The Spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort in coordination with Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Front Office and Niki Bryan employees. Transportation will be provided to and from Saratoga Springs Resort free of charge. While unconfirmed by Disney, speculation is that the expansion of the resort will involve the construction of new Disney Vacation Club time-share units.

Resort Theme:

Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is a Victorian-inspired ‘seaside’ resort, modeled after San Diego’s Hotel del Coronado. It is considered the premier hotel on property.

Grand Floridian Parasol Parade

Early rising guests at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa can enjoy a cheery parade of over fifty parasol-toting housekeepers on Mondays and Fridays. The tradition began when the Resort first opened in 1988. The Housekeeping Team members gather at 8 a.m. at the marina and slowly stroll through the Victorian courtyard around the pool. What a charming way to start the day!

Resort Rooms:

This resort has 842 guest rooms and 25 suites.
Accommodations are located in the Grand Lobby building or in one of five lodge buildings of the resort.
Standard rooms measure 448 square feet.
Views include: garden, pool/marina, lagoon, Magic Kingdom.
Rooms include two queens and a daybed or one king bed with queen sleeper.
Standard room occupancy is usually up to five occupants; dormer rooms sleep four.
Club concierge-level rooms are available.
Suites are available, ranging from one-bedroom suites to the Grand and Disney Suites.
All rooms have either a balcony or a patio.
Disabled accessible rooms available.

Each room has:
DVD player or DVD/VCR combo player (available in club level rooms or by request at the front desk)
Alarm clock with CD player
Ceiling fan
Coffeemaker & setup, tea setup
DVD player (in suites)
Evening Turndown Service
Hair dryer
In-room wall safe
Iron and ironing board
Mini-refrigerator
Minibar
Robes
Whirlpool tub
Triple Sheet Bedding
Telephone with voice mail
Cable TV with Disney programming
  - ABC, Disney Channel, ESPN & more
USA Today delivery (Mon-Fri)
High-speed Internet access (complimentary for select Suite accommodations; fee for all other accommodations)
Complimentary wireless Internet (Wi-Fi) (click link for specific details)

Resort amenities include:
Coin Operated Laundry facilities
Valet laundry service
Salon/barber services
Valet parking
Express Check-out
Bell Services
Shoeshine Facilities (available from Housekeeping)
Business Center

Available upon request, subject to availability:
Bed Boards/Rails
Crib: full size or Pack 'n Play
Microwave

Available to Resort hotel Guests 7 days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Located in the main lobby, the concierge can help you purchase Park tickets, make dining reservations and secure show seats, among other services.

Resort Dining:

1900 Park Fare character dining for breakfast and dinner
Citricos with cuisine from Southern France, Italy and the Mediterranean
Grand Floridian Café serves casual breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Garden View Tea Room for afternoon tea
Narcoossee's serves fresh seafood, steak and chicken entrees, with Seven Seas Lagoon views.
Victoria & Albert's, Walt Disney World’s ultimate fine dining experience
Gasparilla Grill and Games 24-hour Quick Service location

Children's dining activities
  Perfectly Princess Tea Party
  Wonderland Tea Party

Two pool bars
Three lounges
In-Room Dining: 24 hours

Refillable mugs are available for purchase at Gasparilla Grill and Games for $14.49 plus tax.

Resort Recreation:

Beach Pool with a beach, zero-depth entry, a water slide, water falls and cabana rentals
Courtyard Pool ‘quiet’ pool, with a toddler pool and two whirlpool spas nearby
Children's playground
Gasparilla Grill and Games Arcade
Tennis
The Captain’s Shipyard Marina/boat rental
Water cruises
Fishing excursions: call 407-WDW-PLAY for reservations
Beach area
Volleyball
Jogging trail
Health club
Parasailing
Full service spa
Nightly Disney movies under the stars by the Courtyard Pool.
Electric Water Pageant nightly around 9:15 p.m.
Disney’s Pirate Adventure for children 4 to 12
Spa Services: call 407-824-2332 for reservations
Ivey Trellis Salon for hair and nail treatments
Portrait Artist (located near Sandy Cove)

Resort Shopping:

Basin sells beauty and bath products.
Commander Porters has men’s casual wear, golf wear & fine clothing.
M. Mouse Mercantile sells Disney apparel and souvenirs.
Pool Side Cabana stocks swimwear and swimming accessories.
Sandy Cove carries a wide variety of items: Grand Floridian logo items, gifts, snacks, as well as collectibles.
Summer Lace sells women’s wear, plus fine gifts, jewelry, scarves, handbags and fragrances.
Disney's PhotoPass Kiosk for viewing and ordering Disney's PhotoPass photos.

Resort Transportation:

The Monorail is available for transportation to the Magic Kingdom as well as Epcot (transfer required). There is also a water launch to the Magic Kingdom. There is Disney bus transportation to Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom as well as the water parks and Downtown Disney.

The monorail stop is located off the Grand Lobby second floor, at the front of the resort. The bus stop is located in front of the resort, to the right as you exit the Grand Lobby on the first floor. The boat launch is located on the Seven Seas Lagoon side of the resort, near Narcoossee’s.

Transportation Times Between Grand Floridian Resort and Disney Destinations
These times are approximate, provided to give you an idea of average travel times. Please plan on up to a 15 minute wait for Disney transportation.

Magic Kingdom – 5 minutes by monorail, 15 minutes by boat
Epcot – 17 minutes by bus, 30 minutes by monorail
Disney's Hollywood Studios – 16 minutes by bus, 19 minutes by car
Disney’s Animal Kingdom – 20 minutes by bus, 18 minutes by car
Downtown Disney – 22 minutes by bus, 19 minutes by car
Blizzard Beach water park – 20 minutes by bus, 16 minutes by car
Typhoon Lagoon water park – 20 minutes by bus, 18 minutes by car

Resort Childcare:

Mouseketeer Club
Hours: 4:30 pm to 12 midnight
Reservations: (407) WDW-DINE
Activities include arts and crafts, Disney movie time, free video games and more. Charge is $11.50 USD per hour per child, with a two-hour minimum, four-hour maximum.

The Mouseketeer Club provides a complimentary dinner for children that is available between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. The menu includes chicken nuggets, mini hot dogs, mini hamburgers, mac & cheese and PB&J, and fruit- parent’s pick their child’s meal during check in.

In-room child care is available at all resorts.

Resort Rates:

See 2012 Resort Rates

From Our MouseForLess Members:

MouseForLess Interesting Facts about the resort:

This resort was opened with a special concert from the Beach Boys with the song Kokomo in 1988. It has the only 5 Diamond Restaurant in Florida. At Holiday time they build a Gingerbread Store (made out of real gingerbread) and sell homemade cookies from their kitchen in it. – Marie Lemmon

The hotel's design is based on the Hotel del Coronado in California, where the movie "Some Like it Hot" was filmed. There are hidden Mickeys on the back of the piano in the main lobby, on the weather vanes on top of the roof, in the woodwork around the storage area on the trolleys used to transport luggage, and on the lute in Victoria & Albert's. – Beth McMeekin

The orchestra that plays in the main lobby is called the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra which is a jazz orchestra playing mainly themes from Disney movies. – Jackie Psarianos

MouseForLess Room Request Tips:

I stayed in Boca Chica with a view of the pool from our balcony. – Marie Lemmon

"Garden View" rooms overlook the gardens at the Grand Floridian, while the "Lagoon View" rooms have a view of (what else) the Seven Seas Lagoon (Some, not all, lagoon view rooms offer views of the Magic Kingdom, its nightly fireworks shows, and the electric water parade that takes place in the Seven Seas Lagoon. The Boca Chica building has the best Magic Kingdom views). There are also rooms with a view of the pool/marina and courtyard. Concierge rooms are available both in the main building and in Sugar Loaf Key. – Beth McMeekin

For a view of the Seven Seas Lagoon with a view of Cinderella's Castle request a lagoon view in Sago Cay and Conch Key. Boca Chico and Big Pine Key do also have lagoon views but you have to look sideways to your left to view the castle. If you want quicker access to the Grand Lobby then Sugar Loaf is for you. If you want quick access to the beach and the zero depth entry pool then Big Pine Key is best. We loved our corner room in Sugar Loaf because it had two verandah's and we had an awesome view of the castle and the Monorail. – Jackie Psarianos

We stayed in a beautiful room overlooking MK and the view was spectacular. We stayed up until about 3:00 am just watching the lights change color as they lit up the castle. – Mary Mahnke

MouseForLess Hidden Treasures:

The piano player in the lobby and the birdcage as well as the glass elevator. We took a cruise off the pier at GF in a pontoon boat and watched Wishes from the lake. – Marie Lemmon

The Grand Floridian Cafe' is definitely a hidden gem. Most people know the character breakfast at the 1900 Park Fare, but the Grand Floridian Cafe is a great spot for an excellent breakfast as well. Sandy Cove gift shop on the lower level of the main building is a great spot for magazines, books, newspapers and artwork featuring the Grand Floridian. You can buy prints framed or unframed. A jazz band plays nightly in the main building of the hotel, and there is a pianist playing in the lobby during the day. – Beth McMeekin

You can arrange for private dining either in your room (balcony), or on the beach or on a boat rented from the Marina. Strolling on the beach at night allows for really pretty views of the fireworks from Cinderella's Castle as well as the Electrical Water Pageant. You can also see these from the outdoor patio outside Gasparilla's Grill and Games while eating some ice cream. Don't miss the change rooms near the zero depth entry pool.....bathrobes and hair dryers and even body lotions. You feel as if you are at the spa. You will probably catch a wedding in progress complete with Glass Carriage and Footmen, we did and it was amazing. – Jackie Psarianos

The walk from the GF hotel to the Wedding Chapel is a nice walk and you could very well see a wedding in progress on the way! We saw a bride and her father leaving the hotel in horse and carriage with "footmen" etc. Talk about a Disney fairy tale wedding! nother hidden gem - the Mai Tai at the pool bar!? I am a big Mai Tai fan and had one of the best Mai Tai's ever at the GF pool bar. – Mary Mahnke

MouseForLess Tips for Romance:

In my opinion, romance is what this hotel specializes in. Walks along the property to the weddubg chapel, along the beach, massages for two at the spa, dinner at Narcoosee's, firework spectacular from the deck by Narcoosee's with the music piped in, great view of the water parade from the beach, drinks on your balcony overlooking the MK fireworks or just sitting on your deck at night, admiring the castle changing colors in silence, this hotel to me, is the epitome of romance. – Mary Mahnke

Book a couples massage at the Grand Floridian Spa. The Grand 1 yacht is also available for rent by the hour. – Beth McMeekin

MouseForLess Tips for Families:

If you have little girls let them go to Alice's Tea Party. – Marie Lemmon

Don't be fooled, lots of families stay here and there is a great pool for kids. It has zero depth entry, a huge water slide, cabanas where you can rent televisions to keep Dad happy as well as a poolside bar, and really fun splash pads. – Jackie Psarianos

Gasparilla Grill & Games is the Grand Floridian's food court/arcade. There are tables inside and a few outside that overlook the marina (watch out for those seagulls!) and it's open 24 hours a day! Book an outing on a pontoon boat and take the family for a sail around the Seven Seas Lagoon. Sea Raycer boats are available for rent as well. Take an afternoon off from the parks and go swimming at one of the Grand Floridian's 2 pools. – Beth McMeekin

MouseForLess Tips for Large Travel Groups:

Book a fishing trip by calling 407-WDW-BASS up to 90 days in advance (reservations have to be made at least 24 hours before your trip). Take a pontoon out on Seven Seas Lagoon (pontoons accommodate up to 10 people). – Beth McMeekin

Transportation is awesome. Large travel groups don't need any additional transportation other than that provided by Disney. With all of the restaurants located on GF property or those on the monorail line, you are conveniently located to many restaurant options in every price range. – Mary Mahnke

MouseForLess Tips for Guests with Special needs:

I was in a wheelchair at the time of my stay and had no problem being on the second floor there was plenty of room for 5 of us to stay with a wheelchair in the room. – Marie Lemmon

There are handicapped-accessible rooms with roll-in showers at the Grand Floridian. – Beth McMeekin

We always stay here at the beginning of our trip because we visit Magic Kingdom the most and my son is autistic. It's very convenient being right on the Monorail because I can take him back for a swim or a break from the park. Also at night, we ride the Monorail to see the fireworks because its quieter that way, or we sit on the balcony of our room and watch them. – Jackie Psarianos

MouseForLess Tips for WDW Newbies:

The monorail is the fastest way to get to the Magic Kingdom from the Grand Floridian. To reach EPCOT, board the monorail and get off at the Transportation & Ticket Center, where you can board another monorail bound for EPCOT. To get to MGM and Animal Kingdom, the bus is the fastest mode of transportation. The bus stop is outside of the main building on the first floor, near check-in. – Beth McMeekin

Take time to enjoy breakfast at Gasparilla's and take your food out to the tables outside which over look the water. – Mary Mahnke

Beware of credit card scammers! Several scams have been perpetrated on unsuspecting tourists staying at hotels or resorts in the Orlando area in recent years, including Disney resorts. The first involves a phone call to your resort room in which you are informed that there is a problem with the credit card info you provided the hotel; you are then asked to give your card information again, including name and address. If you receive such a call, inform the caller that you will talk to the front desk personally about the problem and hang up. If you are convinced the call may be legitimate, call the front desk from your resort phone or visit the front desk to inquire. The second scam involves flyers left on your resort room door advertising cheap pizza for delivery. Those who call the number and give the requested credit card info with their order soon find that not only does no pizza arrive, but a huge string of unauthorized purchases show up on their credit card.

MouseForLess Tips for Budget Travelers:

This resort is not for budget travelers, but you're looking for ways to cut cost, eat in either 1900 Park Fare or The Floridian Cafe. Prices at both of these restaurants are reasonable. – Marie Lemmon

Consider becoming an Annual Passholder for possible room discounts (no discounts are guaranteed, so make sure you weigh the costs of the Annual Pass vs. regular tickets). – Beth McMeekin

They offer good meals at Gasparilla's Grill and Games and there is ample seating inside and out on the patio where you have a clear view of Cinderella's Castle. – Jackie Psarianos

MouseForLess Tips for Luxury Travelers:

Eat dinner at Victoria & Alberts for an unforgettable meal and evening. – Marie Lemmon

You can't beat a suite or a room on the concierge level of the main building. For ultra privacy, try a honeymoon suite or a jacuzzi suite, which are located in the main building on the concierge levels. There is food available throughout the day and the concierges can handle all of your needs, including booking dining reservations for you. – Beth McMeekin

Stay in any room in the lodge tower such as Concierge, turret rooms or honeymoon suites...real pampering there. Go to the Ivy Trellis Salon for hair and nail pampering and to the Grand Floridian Spa and Health Club. A lot of nice upscale shopping at Summer Lace, Bally's, Commander Porter's. – Jackie Psarianos