Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is a luxurious resort at Walt Disney World inside monorail, boat, and strolling distance of Magic Kingdom. This WDW lodging evaluate options room photographs, pool & restaurant data, execs & cons, and way more. (Updated May 5, 2023.)
Let’s begin with the most recent replace for 2023, which is that the resort is at the moment within the midst of a large-scale refurbishment and reimagining challenge. You can take a look at Grand Floridian Resort Reimagining News & Construction Updates for 2023, which is up to date periodically with progress reviews and adjustments.
Officially, Walt Disney World has not shared many particulars about adjustments and building. If you go to the official web site, there’s merely an replace stating: “Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is currently undergoing refurbishment. Guests will be able to see and hear construction during daytime hours. Most Resort hotel amenities will remain available. Please allow for extra travel time.”
That positively understates the scope and scale of the work. In actuality, building crews are going building-by-building and utterly redoing each the interiors and exteriors. This challenge started over a yr in the past, and is now approaching its house stretch. Thus far, the Big Pine Key (now Disney Vacation Club), Boca Chica, Conch Key, and Sugar Loaf buildings are all totally reimagined and reopened.
Currently in progress is Sago Key buildings, which started work within the final couple of months. If previous precedent is any indication, Sago Key needs to be completed earlier than Summer 2023. As a results of the work on Sago Key, the superb Grand Floridian to Magic Kingdom walkway is closed. Our expectation is that it will reopen as quickly as that constructing is finished, though that’s not but sure. Officially, Walt Disney World lists the walkway closure as via “Late Spring 2023.”
On a associated notice, the walkway between the Grand Floridian and Polynesian has modified on a few events as a result of building of the Poly DVC Tower. A brand new route simply opened and is less complicated to navigate and feels safer. Given that that is open proper now with the diploma of structural building that’s occurring, we anticipate that pathway to stay open all through that challenge.
The solely constructing that isn’t completed and even began is the principle foyer. This signifies that when you e book any of the “Outer Bldg” room classes at this level, you’ll get a brand new room. The buildings which can be at the moment in progress are closed utterly; solely the reimagined rooms can be found for reserving. That’s the excellent news.
The unhealthy information is that the entire Main Bldg. rooms (together with Club Level and Suites) are nonetheless the previous, dated, and bland fashion. However, you received’t even have the choice to e book these relying upon your journey dates, because the Main Building is completely unavailable for Summer & Fall 2023, which ought to present perception into the timeline for that challenge.
The different unhealthy information is that the scope and scale of the principle foyer overhaul is unknown; building could possibly be majorly or minimally disruptive for stays between later this month and November 2023. Our expectation is that the work will happen in phases, that means sections of the foyer will probably be closed off at completely different occasions. We don’t anticipate your entire constructing to be walled off, however we do anticipate main areas unavailable and visual building all through the summer season and fall.
What’s additionally unknown is what occurs with Grand Floridian Cafe and 1900 Park Fare, the latter of which has nonetheless not reopened. Our expectation is that each obtain reimagined interiors, with the previous closing over the summer season to accommodate that overdue replace and the latter not reopening till the foyer challenge is finished. (So maybe someday between October and December 2023–that’s the most important stretch of the yr for Walt Disney World restaurant demand.) That’s merely hypothesis, although.
On a constructive notice with regard to eating, Narcoossee’s has now reopened after its reimagining, becoming a member of Citricos and Victoria & Albert’s. This trifecta of wonderful eating institutions have all been overhauled within the final couple of years at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.
Even extra constructive is the Grand New Rooms at Walt Disney World’s Flagship Resort. We’ve stayed within the reimagined rooms a number of occasions within the final yr (twice within the DVC model, as soon as on the resort facet) and completely love them.
The themed design, consideration to element, and sense of luxuriousness is off the charts. They have a lot extra character and magnificence, and are additionally appreciable enhancements by way of performance. Here’s a video tour of the brand new resort rooms on the Grand Floridian that showcases their high quality:
For years, we’ve been complaining that the visitor rooms on the Grand Floridian should not commensurate with the costs. I’d go so far as to say that the earlier common visitor rooms are among the many dullest at Walt Disney World. You’d be hard-pressed to tell apart them from a mid-range Hilton or Marriott. With these rooms being changed, our opinion of the Grand Floridian has improved tremendously.
As a results of the brand new rooms and different enhancements, the Grand Floridian has shot up our Rankings of ALL Walt Disney World Hotels from Worst to Best. Previously, the Grand Floridian carried out poorly, not dwelling as much as its flagship resort standing as a result of datedness and underwhelming rooms. Now, there are solely two the reason why it doesn’t rank greater.
The first is value, as rack charges on the Grand Floridian begin at over $700 per evening. Those are the most cost effective nights of the yr, with most dates being within the $800 to $900 vary for traditional rooms. (However, reductions are sometimes obtainable that cut back these costs considerably.)
The different is the straightforward indisputable fact that the development is just not but accomplished. During our stays at Grand Floridian previously yr, work has been minimally invasive. There has been a minor quantity of blight and noise, however going building-by-building has helped forestall the resort from feeling like a building zone. We wouldn’t hesitate to remain right here throughout the challenge–clearly, on condition that we’ve returned on a number of events throughout the work.
However, everybody’s tolerance for building impacts differs. There are partitions up round parts of the resort and you will notice building employees on carts, roof replacements being achieved, exterior stairways being rebuilt, and extra. Additionally, the development up till now has been on the outlying buildings of the resort. As that wraps up and impacts the grounds much less, work on the principle constructing and foyer will start, and nobody is aware of how disruptive that will probably be.
Accordingly, we hesitate to suggest Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort to first-timers for stays in Summer or Fall 2023. Perhaps we’ll revise this as soon as work begins and we see how impactful it’s, however for now, we’re erring on the facet of warning and advising in opposition to staying on the Grand Floridian within the subsequent few months when you’re an rare customer to Walt Disney World.
Conversely, when you’re already wanting forward past that, we extremely suggest Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa for Christmas 2023 or 2024 Walt Disney World holidays. The building will probably be fully full by then, and each constructing–together with the principle foyer–will probably be feeling as contemporary and looking out pretty much as good because the outlying buildings do now. Walt Disney World’s flagship resort will as soon as once more be actually deserving of its standing!
We all the time suggest reserving with an “Authorized Disney Vacation Planner” (Disney’s time period for a journey agent), however that’s doubly true when you’re fascinated with rolling the cube and staying on the Grand Floridian throughout building. That’s as a result of it’s attainable Walt Disney World will find yourself desirous to relocate you to a distinct resort–or you will wish to change inns after seeing the extent of building. Among many different issues, Authorized Disney Vacation Planners can advocate in your behalf and guarantee a good consequence.
They obtain fee from Disney, so most licensed planners won’t cost you for reserving the holiday bundle and planning companies. The fee-free Authorized Disney Vacation Planner that we suggest is Be Our Guest Vacations. Their companies don’t value additional, they’ll reserve your room, aid you with eating reservations and itineraries, and apply one of the best reductions to your reservation.
At that time, we’ll return to completely overhaul this evaluate. For now, a lot of what follows (specifically the tough criticism of the visitor rooms) not applies.
Even previous to the reimagining, the widespread areas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa are upscale. The resort is inarguably grandiose and complicated, and the execution of the Victorian theme is extremely nicely achieved.
Most areas supply super element and a way of luxurious, with a handful of areas being stuffy or overly harking back to grandma’s home. In our view, this comes throughout higher in particular person than it does through photographs, which could make the resort seem extra antiquated than it truly is.
In particular person, your entire resort is permeated with a way of opulence. There’s texture and high quality to each floor, making the resort really feel decidedly luxurious. Yes, it additionally feels a bit classical, however that’s true of lots of the world’s nicest inns. For now no less than, the Grand Floridian skews in the direction of stylish luxurious moderately than trendy luxurious.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa feels imbued with a way of sophistication. The foyer makes a powerful first impression, and the widespread areas are precisely what you’d anticipate of Walt Disney World’s flagship resort. It can really feel a tad stuffy or old fashioned, but it surely’s additionally stunning and well-appointed. Even when you’re not staying on the Grand Floridian, the foyer eating places are the right vacation spot for a flowery date evening or anniversary dinner.
Speaking of which, as a result of total fashion, slight sense of stuffiness, eating sophistication, and different options of the resort, we don’t view this as a terrific possibility when you’re doing Walt Disney World with Kids and are primarily involved with their response to the resort. It is a a lot better possibility for Honeymooning at Walt Disney World.
As for grownup facilities, the Grand Floridian is a fairly ‘loaded’ resort.
While they aren’t essentially the most thematically thrilling, it has good pool areas and a brand new Alice in Wonderland water play space that was added across the time of the Disney Vacation Club Villas on the Grand Floridian.
Another spotlight is the eating. Citricos was just lately overhauled with a brand new menu and decor (supposedly) impressed by Mary Poppins. As you may learn in our New Citricos Review, it’s improbable–a prime 10 restaurant at Walt Disney World. There’s additionally the recently-reimagined Enchanted Rose Beauty and the Beast Bar. We suppose it’s misplaced on the Grand Floridian and an inappropriate use of mental property…however it’s undeniably trendy.
Moreover, Victoria & Albert’s is much and away one of the best restaurant at Walt Disney World, and the right place for an important day. Our latest visits to Narcoossee’s have confirmed glorious–a lot better than the final meal there (our Narcoossee’s evaluate must be up to date–I’d now think about Narcoossee’s within the 8.5-9 vary).
Then there are the grounds, that are beautiful. The Grand Floridian sometimes has well-maintained gardens, good paths, and fairly fountains, all of which make for a pleasing post-meal stroll.
Another superior addition is the new-ish walkway to Magic Kingdom. We’ve already breathlessly lined this in “Photos & Video: Meandering the Magnificent Magic Kingdom to Grand Floridian Walkway.” In case you missed that, it’s now attainable to stroll all the best way from the Transportation and Ticket Center to Magic Kingdom. Our enthusiasm for the walkway is just not hyperbole. It’s an enormous win for the Grand Floridian.
The resort is just not too unfold out, and strolling across the Villas in the direction of the Wedding Pavilion and Polynesian Village Resort–or simply sitting in a quiet swing alongside the seaside, is an pleasant expertise.
If you wish to take benefit the Grand Floridian’s highlights whereas staying at a resort with a extra relaxed theme and environment, our suggestion could be Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. From there, you may stroll or take the monorail over for a date evening, after which having a peaceable nighttime stroll again to the Poly.
Another factor I admire in regards to the Grand Floridian is its magnificence at Christmas.
The tree within the foyer and the large gingerbread home are each beautiful, and highlights of my Free Self-Guided Yuletide Tour at Walt Disney Word. With that stated, the foyer might be packed presently of yr, so I’d not wish to keep in the principle constructing.
Finally, we come to the resort rooms on the Grand Floridian. Again, it is a take a look at the previous fashion of the rooms. Thankfully, these rooms have been retired within the outer buildings and are on their manner out in the principle constructing. Unless you’re staying on the Grand Floridian within the coming weeks, you’ll not be caught in certainly one of these.
That’s an excellent factor, as these have been on par with chained-brand inns like Hilton or Marriott. And not their high-end properties just like the JW or Conrad. (Also take into account the overwhelming majority of Grand Floridian’s rooms have commonplace ceilings—the photographs listed here are of dormer rooms and its vaulted ceiling—so that they’re even duller wanting than the one pictured right here.)
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is rarely going to compete with actual world luxurious inns, and even the close by Four Seasons Orlando at Walt Disney World. As with different Disney-owned inns, stripping the rooms of their theme to make them extra broadly interesting simply made them bland.
The rooms are completely passable. The furnishings is good sufficient and there are some high-end finishings. Just as an entire, it’s boring.
The loos are nicely appointed, with good counter tops, tiling, and wallpaper.
With that stated, these loos are beginning to present their age, and lack the trendy lighting, giant sinks, space for storing, and different options of most resort rooms at Walt Disney World.
The Grand Floridian rooms haven’t had a tough items refurbishment in a very long time, and thus really feel like outliers as in comparison with just about each different Deluxe Resort at Walt Disney World.
For the sake of comparability, take a look at the brand new Moana Rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort or Wilderness Lodge Reimagined Rooms, each of that are new. Likewise, Disney’s Contemporary Resort is at the moment receiving an Incredibles Overhaul. Our expectation is that Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is subsequent up, most likely sooner or later within the subsequent yr.
As famous above, these photographs are of a dormer room on the Grand Floridian. The upsides to this are the vaulted ceiling and the extra secluded high quality of the balcony.
The downsides are that the balcony is barely smaller and you’ll’t see something with out standing up. I’m unsure why Disney doesn’t furnish these with taller chairs.
Overall, the place you stand on the Grand Floridian might be a matter of non-public desire. Some individuals will wish to e book it regardless, as there’s a sure cachet in staying at the costliest Walt Disney World resort. Others won’t have expertise with actual world luxurious inns and suppose the Grand is completely sufficient. Others nonetheless may legitimately love the Grand Floridian and discover my qualms about its rooms and pricing over-blown.
Personally, for this amount of cash–even understanding that staying on property at Walt Disney World prices a premium–I anticipate perfection. The Grand Floridian is a far cry from perfection, and easily not definitely worth the exorbitant charges it fees, no less than in my view. If luxurious have been my utmost concern, I’d e book the Four Seasons at Walt Disney World. If I weren’t so frightened about luxurious or have been taking a visit extra geared in the direction of youngsters, I’d e book one of many different superior and cheaper Walt Disney World inns.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Do you like the Grand Floridian, or do you agree about its bland and boring rooms? Would you think about splurging on a keep right here, or is it too costly? If you’re a fan of the Grand, what do you think about its promoting factors? Planning on staying right here sometime? Any questions we may help you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!