Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Review

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Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.2/5

Fodor's Review:

On the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon, this red, gable-roof Victorian is all delicate gingerbread, rambling verandas, and brick chimneys. It's Disney's flagship resort, with everything from its best-appointed guest rooms to the high-quality hotel amenities, like a dock from which you can rent a boat or take the ferry across the adjoining lake. The place isn't bad to just look at, either, with faux Victorian architecture that makes it look like some of the grand old wooden hotels built in Florida in the 19th century. Add a dinner at one of the two on-site restaurants, Victoria & Albert's or Cítricos and you may spend more in a weekend here than on your mortgage payment—but you'll have great memories. Although you won't look out of place walking through the lobby in flip-flops, afternoon high tea and a pianist playing nightly in the lobby are among the high-scale touches. The Mouseketeer Clubhouse on the ground floor offers children's programs until midnight daily. Pros: on the monorail; Victoria & Albert's, one of the state's best restaurants is located here; if you're a couple with no kids, this can be among the least noisy of the on-property Disney hotels. Cons: some say it's not ritzy enough to match the room rates; conference center and convention clientele lend to the stuffiness; Victoria & Albert's no longer seats kids 10 and under.

  • Hotel Details: 900 rooms, 90 suites
  • In-room: safe, Internet, Wi-Fi.
  • In-hotel: 5 restaurants, room service, tennis courts, children's programs (ages 4-12), pools, gym, laundry facilities, spa, laundry service, beachfront.
  • Credit Cards: AE, D, DC, MC, V
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Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by Robbo12345 from London,England on 2/25/09
Splendid Hotel.The nicely decorated rooms were comfortable and spacious, the staff friendly and accommodating. The winning ticket at the Grand Floridian, though, is it's marvellous Victorian ambience and convenient location.
From the moment you arrive you are transported to an opulent and elegant world that simply makes you feel good.The restaurants are excellent,we particularly like Citricos, and Mizner's Lounge provides a relaxing respite from an otherwise hectic day at the Parks. However none of this comes cheap.The GF is expensive but, all in all, a treat you should afford yourself at least once if your budget allows.
If I had one nit to pick it would be that the self parking is 100 yds away over the road from the Hotel whilst the valet parking is nearby. It would be more customer friendly to reverse that arrangement.

Member Rating: 4.2
Ratings details: Room: 4.0 Atmosphere: 5.0 Service: 4.0 Value: 4.0

Reviewed by Angelo721 from Ft Lauderdale, Florida on 7/31/08
My current count of days spent at Disney World in Orlando is 220. So having spent three quarters of a year of my life visiting the house of Mouse in Orlando, you could imagine the excitement at the chance I got to visit the Grand Floridian one trip. I mean this is the best hotel in Orlando, the best hotel at my favorite place in the entire world.

I have to say that the rooms were decorated very well and had ample space and a really great balcony. But the rooms really did not have that wow factor I was looking for. It was good, maybe great but not WOW!

Look outside of the rooms and you will find the true reason that this is the flagship hotel in the Reedy Creek Improvement District. From the pools to the restaurants to the amazing lobby to the very help full staff. You really feel like you have stepped back in time to turn of the century Florida. Plus being on the monorail line is something everyone has to do one time in their lives when visiting Disney World. Being 10 minutes from the gates to the Magic Kingdom is magical.

Miss Wishes, the night time fireworks? Just go down by the lake where you can sit on a chair and watch from the hotel, complete with all of the music you would hear while in the park.

Some advice, from a True Disney Fanatic. Spend the extra money and go to the Grand Floridian, you will not be disappointed.

Member Rating: 4.2
Ratings details: Room: 4.0 Atmosphere: 5.0 Service: 5.0 Value: 3.0
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