I have stayed at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa on several occasions. It is the flagship resort at the Walt Disney World Resort. Walt Disney World, which I will refer to as WDW…has over 20 resorts on property! The resorts come in 4 different categories, value,moderate,deluxe and home away from home which is the Disney vacation club. We always stay on property when we visit the world! In our opinion you can not get the same experience staying off property as you can staying in one of their resorts. Granted some people claim “HAPPINESS” overload, but if you are a Disney nut, as I am , there is no overload involved! As a matter a fact, if I didn’t stay on property I would have some kind of a overload alright! But it wouldn’t be happiness!
The Grand is a beautiful resort. If you like turn of the century theming you will adore the Grand!
The beaches, the rooms, the lobby, the café and the band in the lobby at night all lend to that turn of the century theme! I worked at the Grand Floridian for about 4 months in 2007! One of my favorite times of day was when the band started playing. It was almost certain if you looked out in the lobby you would see a mom and son or dad and daughter or maybe a newly wed couple, dancing a slow, sometimes clumsy but always adorable ballroom waltz ! Oh how magical that resort is!
When the sun goes down on this resort the fun really begins! If it is fireworks that you want, please walk out to the boat dock and you will have a first class seat to watch them! The night air will explode with the bright lights and loud booms of the fireworks! If you want to have an even better view without going to the park, you can opt for a fireworks cruise.
If you want a fantastic dinner AND want to see the fireworks, by the way, the fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom is called Wishes. So if you would like the dinner and fireworks, you have two options, at least 2 fantastic options! One is Narcoossee’s, this restaurant is located at the Grand and is one of my favorites, (To read a more detailed review of this restaurant, visit the review in the appropriate section) if you arrange a ADR ( Advanced Dining reservation- disneyspeake for a call ahead) and make a reservation for a late dinner around 7:30 - 8pm you should be at desert by the time the fireworks roll around. Ask for a window seat. You get a great view of the fireworks and the restaurant pipes the music in and dims the lights.
Your second option is The California Grill atop the Contemporary Resort right across the bay from the Grand Floridian. I have eaten here also and love the sushi! There is nothing like sitting on the 15th floor of a resort looking down on the Magic Kingdom and viewing the fireworks ! Once again they will pipe in the music and dim the lights!! It is magnificent! Now keep in mind that you have to have a reservation to even get on the elevator to get to the floor where this restaurant is located. But it is worth the time to make that reservation. You will not regret it.
Now that I have gushed over the fireworks and food at the Grand, let me tell you about the service. It can be phenomenal! I say “can be” and it is most of the time. There have been the occasional time that I have run into some cast members that were less then “happy”. When I worked there we saw this on occasion but I will tell you that for the most part these people are special, they are there for YOU and your families happiness NOT for the money! Really, I mean come on they barely make minimum wage. What do you think?
Check in can be a challenge at times. It can get very crowded, and the resort seems to be always training someone new, which can slow things down. If you come armed and ready it will be alot smoother. Have your ID and a credit card for charging privileges ready also any papers you have pertaining to your vacation. If you need ADR’s go over to the concierge desk and they can help you with all adr’s as well as any shows you might want to see.
The rooms at the resort are all very nice and recently remodeled. They are not the smallest on property but they are not the biggest either. They are well appointed and luxurious- you will not find any mickey soap in these bathrooms! Not unless you want it and then I am sure one call to the desk and they will get some for you. It will be their pleasure to help make your day a magical one! Really.
If you can splurge then go concierge, it is worth it and so much fun! You can either stay in the main building or BLDG #5, Sugar Loaf, the entire building is concierge. The only way you can stay in the main building is to stay concierge and these rooms book up fast, it is called the Royal Palm Club.
We have always had a great stay at this resort and feel it may be priced a bit high but it is worth it. We like the escape of running off to a turn of the century luxury resort and being pampered for a week or a weekend…whatever! Do IT!
