Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Lovely

Our first night was noisy in the early morning due to deliveries being made to the kitchen located right next to our room. But they were gracious enough to move us to a new room and although we had to take two beds vs. one, it was much quieter. The grounds were beautiful, and everyone was so nice and helpful. I hope to go back someday.

Very loud maintenance a bummer

We’ve stayed at the Grand Floridian before and it was "magical"! This trip however was daunted with major tile work in the main lobby, extremely loud power washing everywhere outside, painting, construction and tons of construction workers. The pool in front of the hotel was closed for 1 of the 4 days we were there. Too bad, because the service and the room were spectacular. I would try it again, but I would call first to see what kind of maintenance is going on.

Perfect for our family of five

We stayed in the Grand Floridian in October of 2009. There was something to keep us busy all day long. The amenities at the hotel are great, there was something to do for everybody in our family. Our elementary aged children loved the water slide and pool area. We all watched the nightly fireworks from the lagoon. My daughter and I would highly recommend attending the breakfast with several Disney character favorites at the restaurant called 1900 Park Fair. Our teen loved the ability to hop on the monorail and discover what some of the other Disney hotels and parks had to offer. He also liked going to Downtown Disney and Epcot by taking the buses that stop regularly at the Grand Floridian. I was overjoyed with our family’s accommodations, and would 100% recommend the Grand Floridian to others. I was glad to find out for myself after reading some of the negative reviews about this resort that people just like to complain. We had an incredibly magical week and wouldn’t change a thing about our stay at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa!

This is not luxury

It used to be good 20 years ago... You can´t even have breakfast if you don’t have a reservation. The only option at the hotel where you don’t need reservation serves only junk food.

FLORIDA AT IT’S BEST!!!!!

We’ve been going to the Gran Floridian Hotel for 19 years. It’s our most favorite hotel in the world. Everything is 1st class and they strive to meet our every need. We would recommend it to anyone!!!

Just because its expensive doesn’t mean LUXURY!

The Grand Floridian is considered THE flagship Disney luxury resort, and has a price tag to match. However, there is very little "luxury" to be found. The service was lacking, food was terrible and the hotel itself could use some updating. Bottom line... Not worth the price!

Wonderful Hotel

All of us loved this hotel. The hotel itself was beautiful I would difinetly recommend this hotel to anyone. We are hoping to return next summer. My grandkids loved the pools!!!

Traveler's tip on local attractions

Everything is right by this hotel. The buses are wonderful. It was great not to have to drive anywhere but to be shuttled instead.

Great time

The hotel was great. We were upgraded to a lagoon view room. It couldn’t have been better. We were also surprised with Birthday cookies on our return from the park.

not impressed

We had high hopes given how others have raved about the hotel so we were expecting to be delighted. We were wrong. We thought the front staff was rather indifferent to guests’ needs. When Valet Coordinator misplaced our luggage, I had to insist on somebody finding the luggage before anybody did. Monorail ride to parks was nice but given we spent 3 times as much as some of the other 4-star hotels it just wasn’t worth the extra.

Traveler's tip on saving a few bucks

Stay at other 4 star hotels around Lake Buena Vista and save a bundle.

Too Noisy

The ambiance is significantly diminished by the noise level. Although you expect to be surrounded by young families with childern, the crying, screaming, door slamming and running in the halls goes on through the night. Ear plugs are very helpful in getting some sleep. The hotel and the grounds are superbly maintained. The staff is five-star. In general, the hotel’s restaurants lack the capacity to seat walk-ins during peak meal hours, so reservations are helpful unless you’re willing to wait 30-40 minutes.

Traveler's tip

No hotel can soundproof effectively against crying infants in adjacent rooms. Good ear plugs are a must!

Cost lots

all the amenities. expensive

A bit expensive but it might be worth for some

The Grand is really a nice hotel, it’s got many amenities you will struggle to find in other hotels. The artificial beach is incredible. It’s powder like white sand is a pleasure to step on. Lake Buenavista serves as a great background, with the sporadic ferry going up and down to deliver visitors to Magic Kingdom. It is a bit of a bummer that there are too many underwater algaes in the Lake. Two pools make up for this defect, and even though they are not very big, they were never crowded during our stay. Close proximity to Magic Kingdom make the Grand Floridian unique in its class. Monorail, boat or bus will zip you to the entrance of the park. Regarding the monorail: The Disneyland monorail is an actual ride within the park with the hotel being just a stop in the line. This is not the case of the Florida’s monorail, which is really more like a train which will drop you off in front of the park. The staff is very courteous and helpful. The beds were very comfortable and will become a vital part of your vacation after long hours of standing on lines and walking through the parks. One of the downsides of the Grand has to be the size of the rooms. Our closet was way too small for a family of three who was there to stay through out a week. Also, even the maintenance folks in the hotel have the place sparkling, I had the misfortune to find a couple of cigarette butts in the beach.

Traveler's tip

Local attractions: * If you are returning from Magic Kingdom it might be faster to take the boat, since the monorail makes three stops before reaching the Grand Floridian again. * We had the most fun out of Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Animal Kingdom. Saving bucks: * Inquire about the food plan before you checkin, if you are planning on dining frequently in the Hotel / Disney Parks.

99% good

We got an upgrade to concierge service. Had free food the whole day from breakfast at 7am to morning and afternoon snacks, wine and cheeses before dinner and deserts until 10pm. Dinner at the hotel restaurants require advance reservations or it would be hard to get in. You can watch the fire works from the hotel grounds and even while relaxing at the pool. As in any organization, there are those couple of employees that should not be working in such a first class establishment. A front desk clerk that is unfriendly and a housekeeper that would need a supervisor’s scolding to get her out of your room. Other than those couple of irrelevant irritants, most of the employees are great and very attentive to your needs. The hotel couryard and grounds are well kept. The spa treatments are great.

You don’t really have to get the rooms with magic kingdom view that would cost you more than a regular room. You can see the fireworks from the beautiful grounds of the hotel. If you can avoid it, don’t get the rooms on the roof top because it is like living in the attic of a house. The room is narrow and has a very narrow balcony and this is the instance where higher is not better.

It’s not worth the money!

The room had a theme park view and we paid very high price there. I was so disappointed when we arrived. With the price we paid for, the room was too small to have enough space to place our two big luggage cases. We requested two queen beds when we booked our room but was told they had only one king bed room. Further more, the room was blocked by a tree in front of the balcony so we had little view. It’s not worth the money. Next time, we will definitely choose another hotel outside Disney World.

great place to stay.

If and when I go back to Florida would definately stay at the Grand Floridian. The staff was friendly. The views were beautiful. And the hotel itself was like a fairy tale.

Second stay. Can’t wait for the third.

Perfect place to stay for quite and closeness to M.K. We have stayed at others, but being on the monarail system and the quality makes this my favorite. We took our three year old grandson and he could see the castle when he was on the balcony of the room. WOW

Location, location, location

The Grand Floridian has the perfect location in Disneyworld. You can get to the Magic Kingdom on charming launches from their dock, or the monorail. The pools are beautiful, the beach is lovely, the views of the fireworks are spectacular! It’s setting is serene and quiet after the sounds and sights of the Disneyworld attractions. The Grand Floridian restaurants were fine, We most enjoyed having breakfast outside the serve-yourself cafe on the patio overlooking the marina.

Pace yourself! Get to the park of your choice early and return to the hotel after lunch. Rest and enjoy the hotel facilities. Then return to a park for dinner (make reservations) and the evening fireworks!

Wonderful experience if you can get past the Mickey Mouse reservations system

Getting through Disney’s reservation ordeal is a nightmare. Otherwise, it is a great hotel. The Grand Floridian is the only luxury hotel I have ever encountered that flatly refuses to make reservations directly. If you ask for one, they will transfer you to a boiler room phone center. You will be on hold for at least ten or fifteen minutes. Then you will talk to an operator who knows nothing about the hotel but wants to sell you tickets to the parks and other Disney services and products. I talked to one operator who had not even heard of the Grand Floridian. The hotel itself will not even confirm a reservation more than five days in advance. I find that unacceptable for such an extraordinarily expensive hotel. The reputed Disney personality, particularly the friendly treatment of guests, does not apply to these operators. They are as bad as any boiler room phone operators you have ever encountered. They certainly have no business taking reservations for a hotel of the caliper of the Grand Floridian. So, although the Grand Floridian itself is a fine hotel, it does not want to be viewed as one. It wants to be seen as just another attraction at the Disney parks. If that means guests must wait in long lines and be treated like cattle, well that is part of the price they must be willing to pay. However, once a guest is inside, it can be a delight. That is a shame, however, because the hotel deserves a better presentation from Disney.

Traveler's tip on saving a few bucks

Here is a trap to watch for, in case you need to cancel a reservation. Grand Floridian holds strictly to the fine print, which says Eastern Standard Time. That applies even during the time of year in which practically everyone else observes Savings Time. Evidently the Magic Kingdon pretends not to know about Savings Time. So if you are unsure of your schedule and try to cancel at the last possible minute, you may be one hour too late by their clock.

Luxury at WDW

Wonderful and yet addictive, fun but not over the top, a different perspective with wonderful "Disney" folks!

Traveler's tip on dining

Even in the slower parts of the year it is a great idea to make dining plans as far ahead as possible for: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Wow, what a place!!

Great resort, very sccomodating, very helpful, very clean, expensive but worth every penny. If you stay 7 days they take very good care of you. If we go back, won’t look anywhere else to stay but here. Magic Kingdom is less than 5 minutes on the monorail. Beautiful!!! What a great vacation!

Make reservations to all restaurants early and take advantage of all their services. They are there to help.

Nicest Hotel in the Park and on Monorail line

Just right for our 2 adults and 3 small kids. Room had two queen beds, a couch that converted to a day bed, a built in refrigerator, and a two sink vanity. Zero entry pool was great for todler, older kids liked the waterfall and water slide. There is a separate pool that is simpler and adult oriented.

Traveler's tip on getting the most out of your stay

Try the Pirate adventure offered at the hotel. You get two hours to yourself and the kids get a boat ride, meal, pirate hat with ears, and some trinkets to play with after. All for the price of the same time in the kids club baby sitting.

Disney’s Finest Luxury Resort

Magnificent hotel! Beauty, luxury, comfort, great shopping and dining all in one place! Convenient monorail one stop to the Kingdom. Something for everyone here. One of the best hotels around. Room service was really good for us the many times we used it. Really raises the expectation bar for the family-even the kids!

Spend the extra money for a lagoon or Kingdom view. Lay in bed and watch the fireworks! The kids go crazy! Watch the lagoon parade in your jammies!

First Class Establishment!

We recently stayed for 4 nights at the Grand Floridian on a very spontaneous trip to Disney. After a weary day of travel, we were greeted by the concierge upon our arrival and informed that we were upgraded. Needless to say, this was the icing on the cake for us. This hotel is magnificent! The service was top-notch, staff were helpful, polite and magically made things happen! Our room was in the main building, concierge floor and overlooked the marina and Magic Kingdom. We enjoyed watching the fireworks from our balcony every night! The room was spacious, clean and equipped with all the ammenities. The lobby is gorgeous and guests enjoy a live orchestra during the evening hours. The 24-hour cafe is great for quick bites as well as for kid’s and is very reasonable. We also ate at 1900 Park Fare with Cinderella. While a little on the pricey side, you pay for the experience and that alone is priceless for the kid’s. How about one stop on the monorail to the gate of the Magic Kingdom? Convenience! The boat ride is also very nice and runs about every 10 minutes. We enjoyed our stay here so much that we have no desire to stay anywhere else when we return. If you’re looking for first class accommodations and service, this is the place to be!

The 24-hour cafe is very reasonable and offers muffins, fruit etc for bkfst, chx nuggets, burgers etc, sushi, sandwiches. If you are on a budget, eat here for breakfast and lunch. The food is better and cheaper than eating at Disney!

Disney’s best hotel

Staying at the Grand Floridian raised our Disney World vacation from good to great. Every detail at the hotel was memorable. Among the highlights: the luxurious period atmosphere of the rooms and the lobby; the fact that the Magic Kingdom is one monorail stop or a 3-minute boat ride from the hotel; room service with table linens and excellent food; a housekeeping staff ready and willing to serve our needs; and watching the nightly fireworks display across the lagoon from our balcony. I can’t imagine being happier with a hotel.

Traveler's tip on dining

The Grand Floridian has a wide range of dining choices -- from the ultra extravagant Victoria and Albert’s to the Gasparilla Grill. A cost-saving recommendation is to purchase the "refillable" mugs at the Gasparilla Grill, which you can refill with coffee, tea or sodas as many times as you want during your stay.

Special at X-Mas

Generally we are pleased with the hotel and have stayed at the Grand Floridian several times. The only issue is everything is pricey, you are paying for proximity (right next to) Disneyland - depending upon the room the castle and fireworks are generally in sight. This hotel also works for both the young and old crowd - we like the hotel since it generally is more refined, less noisy and more relaxed than the other on-property hotels. The Christmas decorations in the lobby and the nightly entertainment (piano, small orchestra or a local school choir) make the location ideal during the holidays. What would make this truly worth it for the price would be better food and pricing, some of the restaurants are average and costs are too high for this taste and service.

Get the Disney Mug immediately when you get a room at the 24 hour food court location by the marina. The cost is ~ $12.50 per mug and if stay a week at $2-3.00 per drink you will make this up in no time. Do the small boats if you have kids - the ride around the hotels and park is a lot of fun - my 11 year old daughter loved it!