Have you ever wondered why the body of water in front of the Magic Kingdom is called the Seven Seas Lagoon?
When Walt Disney World opened in 1971 the Imagineers had a five-year plan that called for additional hotels to be built along the shores of the lake and lagoon. These included the Persian, Venetian, and Thai/Asian resorts. When added to the existing Polynesian Resort, these hotels would give the area an international flavor; thus, the name Seven Seas Lagoon was born. But for a number of reasons, these other resorts never materialized. For many years you could see a square piece of land jutting out into the water that was earmarked for the Thai/Asian Resort.
A third Disney hotel, the Golf Resort (now the Shades of Green) opened in 1973. But other than that, Disney failed to build any new resorts during the first decade of operation.
In the early 80’s, Disney fought off several hostile takeovers. To the company’s rescue came the Bass Brothers of Texas and Roy E. Disney (son of founder Roy O. Disney), and in 1984 they hired Michael Eisner and Frank Wells to turn the corporation around. One of the many directives the new executives were given was to develop the vast, unused acreage of Disney World.
Any casual observer could see that other companies were cashing in on Disney World’s success by building their own hotels and motels at the Mouse’s doorstep. During this same time, Disney’s three existing hotels were running at near capacity year-round. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to see that one of the first things that should be done was to build more Disney owned and operated resorts on their property.
Since the original five-year plan called for three more resorts to be built on the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake, this was the logical place to start construction. However, Epcot had opened in 1982 and featured an International playground called World Showcase. This pretty much ruined the idea of building “international” hotels anywhere else on property. Disney didn’t want their guests to experience the same sights and sounds in two separate areas, so a different concept needed to be developed. To help this new direction take shape, the architectural firm of Wimberly, Allison, Tong, & Goo (WATG) of Newport Beach, CA was hired and told to come up with a “deluxe” hotel that could be considered the “flagship” resort of Walt Disney World. For inspiration, the design team visited the Bellevue Biltmore in Clearwater, FL, the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, MI, and the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, CA. In the end, a luxurious Victorian era hotel grew on the west shore of the Seven Seas Lagoon and has been wowing guests since its opening on July 1, 1988. Here are some construction photos I snapped in1986.
This aerial shot shows how the original square plot of land was modified slightly for the Grand Floridian.
This next picture is of the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego. The similarities are striking.
Guests arrive at the Grand Floridian via Floridian Way. Beneath the porte-cochère guests are greeted by bell services personnel who will help them with their luggage and direct them to the lobby. Also in this area are a lovely carriage and a 1929 Cadillac that can be rented for weddings and other special occasions. Behind the Cadillac in a secluded courtyard is a topiary of Mary Poppins. This is an uncrowded spot that allows for great photos.
The check-in desk is located just inside the main doors and to the right. The concierge desk is located to the left.
When entering the hotel’s five-story lobby for the first time, most guests look up in awe. The delicate balustrades, the stained glass ceiling insets, the massive chandeliers, the ornate furniture, and the abundant artwork combine beautifully and make you long for a bygone era when women wore bustles and men donned top hats. But then you come to your senses and realize that you can still enjoy this lush atmosphere in your shorts and sandals as the Grand Floridian may be elegant, but it allows for 21st century theme park casualness.
The recently added marble floors greet guests with the resorts “GF” logo and a few Disney characters.
After the initial astonishment wears off, you start to notice the many details that make this hotel special. Located on the ground floor of the lobby is a large Chinese-styled aviary that was crafted in Spain. For many years, this birdcage housed a pair of lovebirds, but alas, today it sits empty. On the other side of the room is an equally elegant “cage” elevator that transports guests between the first and second floors. And beyond the elevator is a sweeping staircase worthy of Tara from “Gone with the Wind.” Often, bridal parties can be seen on these steps, posing for elegant photos. Be sure to notice Cinderella’s coach woven into the carpet.
The majority of the lobby’s ground floor is comprised of numerous seating areas where you can relax and soak in the atmosphere. In the center of it all is a concert grand piano where a musician plays melodies suitable to the surroundings. Requests are also honored. As evening approaches, a ragtime/jazz band called the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra joins in and plays alternate sets with the piano player.
The Grand Floridian uses more flowers than any other resort at Walt Disney World. Lush bouquets are everywhere.
The Grand Floridian is the only Disney resort to have dedicated men’s and women’s clothing stores. Summer Lace, located on the first floor, features designer fashions for the ladies, along with perfumes, jewelry, swimwear, and Grand Floridian logo items. Commander Porter’s, located directly above on the second floor, offers men’s designer clothing such as Tommy Bahama and Ralph Lauren Polo. Men’s fragrances, golf apparel, and gift items are also available here. Both shops are open daily from 9am to 10pm.
Sandy Cove Gift and Sundry Shop offers a large array of Grand Floridian logo merchandise. And if you enjoyed the music heard in the lobby, CD’s of the pianist and ragtime band can be purchased at this location. Also sold here are drinks, snack items, postcards, stamps, wedding items, and a limited selection of reading materials. This shop is open daily from 8am to 10pm.
On the second floor of the lobby you will find M. Mouse Mercantile. Disney souvenir items including children’s apparel, toys, books, pins, and watches can be purchased here. This shop is open from 8am to 10pm.
Also on the second floor is Basin White. Decorated to look like a giant, old-time bathroom, at this shop you can stock up on a wide variety of bath salts, soaps, and shampoos. Although operated by the same folks who run the Basin shop at Downtown Disney, it is my understanding that the merchandise sold here is slightly different and of a higher caliber than its more pedestrian cousin. The hours of operation are from 10am to 10pm.
Next door to Basin White is Ivy Trellis Salon. Men, women, and children are welcome here. Services range from a simple haircut to a complete styling. Manicures and pedicures are also available. Appointments are recommended and the shop is open from 9am to 6pm.
All of the rooms in the Main Building of the Grand Floridian are Club Level accommodations as are those in the Sugar Loaf Key lodge building. Guests staying in one of these rooms are given a gold room card-key that grants them access to the upper floors of the Main Building and entrance into the Sugar Loaf Key lodge building. All guest use Club Level elevators in the Main Building for access to the first and second floors, but only guests with Club Level privileges may access the third through fifth floors.
The Main Building contains both suites and standard rooms. I’ve never stayed in one of the suites at the Grand Floridian, so I can’t tell you much about them. But I have stayed in a standard Club Level room twice. Actually, the Club Level rooms are roughly the same size and configuration as the rooms located in the lodge buildings. I’ll discuss this in more detail later. But it’s not the rooms that make the Club Level special. It’s the extra amenities and services guests receive on these floors.
One of the first perks of Club Level is a dedicated concierge staff. Only seasoned cast members with extensive knowledge of Disney World man these posts. And they’re here to help make your vacation whatever you want it to be. From restaurant reservations, personal tours, and suggestions you have never even imagined, these well-informed hosts and hostesses are there to make you happy.
Need private tennis lessons? They can arrange it. Want to rent a cabana at the beach pool? They can arrange it. Want an elegant picnic lunch to take out on a pontoon boat? A lavish cocktail party for 40? An intimate dinner for two on your balcony? They can arrange it. If you’ve got the bucks, they can arrange it.
For those of you who must work while on vacation, these trained cast members can also help you fax documents and conduct other business functions. And because these individuals are serving a much smaller number of guests than the staff assigned to the rest of the resort, they often have more time to spend with you. In the Main Building, the Club Level concierge staff is located on the third floor. In Sugar Loaf Key they can be found on the first floor.
The other great perk of Club Level is the “free” food and drink offered throughout most of the day. Coffee and juice service begins each morning at 6:30. From 7am to 10:30am, a wonderful continental breakfast, called Grand Beginnings, is available. Served is fresh fruit, a large selection of breads and pastries, hot and cold cereals, and cheese & cold cuts.
From 11:30am to 3:30pm, cookies and cold beverages are available. Afternoon Tea is served from 2:30pm to 4pm.
Twilight Refreshments are served from 5pm to 7pm. This selection of appetizers is amazing and offers enough variety and quantity that you can make a meal out of what is served. An assortment of cheeses & crackers, raw vegetables & dipping sauce, canapés, and hot hors d’oeuvres are displayed beautifully and make resistance impossible.
From 8pm to 10pm, Cordials and Desserts are served. The sweets include everything from cupcakes to chocolate covered strawberries with miniature tarts and cream puffs thrown in for good measure. And the cordials are first rate with Drambuie, Courvoisier, and Grand Marnier just to name a few. Beer and wine are also available.
In the Main Building, the Club Level lounge is known as Royal Palms Club and can be found on the fourth floor. Many tables are situated next to windows and offer great views of the monorail or the manicured grounds. This is a wonderful area to sit and relax and converse with friends. There is a sense of wellbeing here. The cares of the outside world seem to melt away when you’re sipping Kahlua & Cream, while being attended to by an ever so attentive staff.
At Sugar Loaf Key the Club Level lounge is called Sugar Loaf Concierge. Here, about ten tables have been tightly arranged in the lobby area of this building. The serving counter is located nearby. Although Sugar Loaf Concierge offers the same selection of food and drink as Royal Palms Club, it lacks greatly in charm and sophistication. The tables are spaced too close together and the area is dark. This room feels like an afterthought with no real design or direction. Disney needs to rethink Sugar Loaf Concierge and come up with a larger, brighter, and more convivial facility.
To see a video of the Club Level amenities, click on the picture below.
Another advantage of staying on a Club Level floor of the Main Building is the convenience offered. It’s only an elevator ride away to the monorail, bus stop, shops, and all but one of the resort’s restaurants. On rainy, hot, or cold days, this is a big plus.
The monorail station is located on the second floor above the porte-cochère (near M. Mouse Mercantile). This is your mode of transportation to the Magic Kingdom, the Contemporary, Epcot (transferring at the Transportation and Ticket Center), and the Polynesian. Hours of operation are posted nearby. The bus station is located on the first floor, just to the right of the porte-cochère as you exit the building. Buses take you to Downtown Disney, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and the water parks.
The Grand Floridian has one other transportation option, a boat that sails between the Grand Floridian, the Polynesian, and the Magic Kingdom. The dock is located at the north-east end of the resort, just past Narcoossee’s Restaurant. These cute little vessels are not meant for speed and efficiency, but rather as a wonderful way to enjoy a leisurely excursion across Seven Seas Lagoon. A trip from the Grand Floridian will make a stop at the Polynesian before continuing on to the Magic Kingdom. If you’re in a hurry to get to the Magic Kingdom, these boats are not your best option. Opt for the monorail instead. But if you’re in the mood to slow down and smell the roses, or in this case, the lake air, then by all means, board one of these charming boats, sit back and relax.
People often ask me if they need a car when visiting Walt Disney World. I always say “No, you don’t need a car. Walt Disney World transportation is reasonably efficient.” However, a car can make things easier, as you won’t be dependent on the buses and boats that usually only arrive at a given station or dock every 10-20 minutes.
Before I continue, I want to say that the Disney buses are very clean, maintained extremely well, and are driven by exceptionally courteous and knowledgeable cast members. These drivers have to be ready to answer an array of unbelievable questions – time and time again – all day long. But keep in mind, the buses at WDW are “mass” transit, not “rapid” transit. If you want to get someplace fast, the bus isn’t necessarily your best bet. This is especially true if you plan on eating dinner at another resort — there are no direct buses from one hotel to another. You must catch a bus to one of the parks (or the monorail to the Magic Kingdom) and then transfer to a different bus. In these cases, driving your own car is probably the better option.
However”¦
The Grand Floridian was designed for guests to valet park. This costs $12 per day plus gratuity each time you leave and return. This can add up. Free, self-parking is available at the Grand Floridian, but it’s inconveniently located across the street from the resort in a less than attractive lot.
I suppose if you can afford to stay at the Grand Floridian, you can afford to valet park every day. But for those families who have saved their pennies for years and staying at the Grand Floridian as a once-in-a-lifetime event, then parking costs must be considered.
The majority of the rooms and several suites can be found in the five lodge buildings. Each is named after an island in the Florida Keys and includes Sago Cay, Sugar Loaf Key, Conch Key, Boca Chica, and Big Pine Key. Guests enter these buildings through nicely appointed lobbies where you’ll find more fresh flowers.
Standard rooms are approximately 448 square feet and sleep five. Dormer rooms (those located on the top floors) are slightly smaller and sleep four as they do not have a daybed. In addition, the balconies on the dormer rooms are significantly smaller than those on the standard rooms. However, I feel that the vaulted ceilings in the dormer rooms add a lot of charm and are worthy of consideration if you can do without the daybed.
Guests enter the rooms via a small hallway. On one side is a spacious closet. Club Level rooms have mirrored doors. Inside the closet you’ll find a large safe that locks and unlocks with a four digit code. Also in the closet are two Grand Floridian robes. If you find you’re taken with these, plusher copies can be purchased for $100 at the Sandy Cove Gift and Sundry shop. An iron and board, luggage racks, and the hairdryer can also be found in the closet.
Opposite the closet is the spacious bathroom. A large marble counter affords plenty of space for your toiletries and two sinks allow a family to get ready for their day all the quicker. H2O+ products are provided and two large bars of soap are a welcome relief from the slivers so often used in other establishments. These products can also be purchased at the Sandy Cove Gift and Sundry shop. The towels at the Grand Floridian are the thickest and fluffiest found at Walt Disney World. And I especially like the hamper where you can toss the used towels rather than leaving them on the floor or over a hook.
In the standard rooms, the toilet and tub/shower are located in a separate room. In the Club Level rooms, the tub/shower is slightly bigger and along with the toilet is located in the same room as the sinks. The shower head has three settings, soft spray, hard spray, and pulsate. Also, the shower curtain rod bends outward at the top so you have more room when standing in the tub. In addition, all bathrooms come with a telephone for those calls you simply must take at inconvenient times.
Another perk of the Club Level room is the Keurig coffee maker. This is perfect for those of you who aren’t fans of Nescafe which is served almost everywhere else on property.
The wallpaper in the bathroom is especially fun. The Super Six make a visit in topiary form.
The sleeping area is bright and airy and has a Victorian elegance. Yet the design is not so heavy-handed and frilly as to make you feel like you’re visiting an aging dowager who would smack your hand if you dared touch any of her bric-a-brac. The wallpaper has a delicate pattern, but it’s subtle. The carpet uses colors of gold and green and displays a leaf pattern. The furniture is stained in mid-tones that are neither light nor dark. Disney did a wonderful job of combining the charm of a bygone era with the 21st century.
Most rooms have two queen-sized beds; however, rooms with one king are also available. A “king” room needs to be requested when making your reservations. As I mentioned earlier, a daybed is also part of the furnishings unless you’re staying in a dormer room. Once again, if you need a daybed, request a non-dormer room when making your reservation.
The beds are VERY comfortable – and they’re also for sale. If you’d like to purchase one, check out this website for more information.
www.disneyresortcollection.com
A trend I see spreading among deluxe resorts is the use of a third sheet. This sheet is used to cover the top of the blankets. Once the bedspread has been turned down (a nightly service provided at the GF – complete with chocolates) this third sheet covers the bedding. You never need touch blankets that have been used by a hundred other people before you. I like this A LOT!
Opposite the beds are a chest of drawers and a desk. The desk is especially nice as it “nests” and allows for easy laptop use. Free WiFi is now available throughout the Grand Floridian. Above the desk is a wonderful picture that requires close examination to find all of the Disney references. Sitting on the desk is the most elegant Mickey Mouse lamp you’ll ever see. Donning a top hat, Mickey’s head sits atop a faux marble column. A white shade tops it off. If you want one of these marvels for your own home (I know I did), they can be purchased by visiting the webpage I mentioned earlier.
Once flat screen TVs hit the market, they took over like wildfire. And just like the rest of the resorts at Walt Disney World, the Grand Floridian now offers these modern wonders. Below the TV are four drawers and a small refrigerator.
A number of views are available when booking a room at the Grand Floridian. Some look out at Seven Seas Lagoon with views of either the Polynesian or the Magic Kingdom. Others look into the resort’s marina, while some view the manicured grounds and pool.
The first picture below was taken in 1989, one year after the Grand Floridian opened. I had requested a Magic Kingdom view from the Main Building. If you look closely, you can almost make out Cinderella Castle in the distance — however, I could see the fireworks from my balcony with no problem. The next three pictures were taken on my most recent visit where I had a view of Seven Seas Lagoon and the Polynesian Resort.
I like the rooms at the Grand Floridian. As I mentioned before, they are elegant without being stuffy. I doubt that anyone would be put off by these comfortable accommodations.
To see a video of a Club Level Dormer Room, click on the picture below.
To see a video of a Standard Dormer Room, click on the picture below.
That’s it for today. Check back tomorrow for Part Two.
I visited GF for the first time last year for the express purpose of dining at Narcoosee’s. The resort is very beautiful but I don’t think it has the equivalent ambience as Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge. Additionally, while the meal at Narcoosee’s was first rate, the experience wasn’t as distinctive as I’ve had at Artist Point nor even Boma in AKL. Having said that, I was absolutely stuffed from a surf & turf meal there (probably one of the largest lobster tails I have eaten).
I’ll have to journey back over there another time as I didn’t spend too much time there due to the dinner commitment. Thanks for the great, in-depth article!
Hello Jack,
Great article as are all of your posts. Your comment about the Concierge Lounge in Sugar Loaf Key being an afterthought is probably correct. My family and I stayed at the GF the last week of July 1988, the second or third week after it opened. We booked a Garden View room and were given room 6310 in Sugar Loaf Key. At that time Sugar Loaf Key was not a Concierge building. Five or six years later, when making reservations for another stay at the GF, we requested the same room location. I was told that Sugar Loaf Key had recently been converted to a Concierge level building. So your observation is correct.
You had mentioned that the Keurig coffee makers are in the concierge rooms…I was wondering if you knew whether or not the coffee pods were also provided? I would think so, but not too sure! We’ll be headed there next week and would like to know if we need to throw a box of our own pods in the suitcase.
Thanks for any input!
Jack’s Answer:
Yes. A selection of the pods are available. However, since I was only there one night and I don’t drink coffee, I don’t know about refills.
Hi Jack: Great review as always. I am hoping you can answer my question–what is the name of the song used for the Grand Floridian Standard View clip? Next time I’m in the MK, I want the piano player at Casey’s to play it for me.
Thanks.
Jack’s Answer:
The music is the Maple Leaf Rag. It’s one of Scott Joplin’s best known pieces and one of the most requested of the Main Street pianist.
Hi, Jack!
I just loved this blog about Grand Floridian. Since we live in another country, it costs a lot to visit the World. Until last time, my family and I had only stayed at moderate resorts… We tried Dixie Landing (twice… Oh, I really miss this resort!), Caribbean Beach and Coronado Springs (twice also). Last time we stayed at Wilderness Lodge, and it was an amazing experience. My mother also stayed at the Swan and loved it. But this blog and the fact that I’m starting to work now (as an intern, but that’s how we begin, right?) made me think about the future. I want my parents to have an experience like the Club Level, hope that I can afford it someday! Thanks for another amazing blog and lovely pictures!
Best wishes from your brazilian friend = )
I LOVE the Grand Floridian. I kept thinking that one day I would stay there. Wellllll….. Last year, there was a problem with our room at Coronado Springs and they were sold out and so was almost everything else. We were offered a room at the GF and we jumped on it! Couldn’t have come at a better time since it was our 10th wedding anniversary!
I can still feel the warmth of the resort when I think about it. I will NEVER forget the experience.
Thank you for the blog with the great pictures! So I can reminisc…..
We’ve been lucky enough to have taken (2) family WDW vacations in the 00’s: one staying at the Contemporary and one at the GF. While the Contemporary will always hold special meaning for me due to childhood trips/memories, I have to say that my family may have had the most enjoyable hotel stay (and probably trip) at the GF in 2009. While a big part of that was an excellent room location (first floor on the water facing MK), I still remember how PEACEFUL our stay was; by that, I mean nothing louder than the hum of a monorail going by. This will (hopefully) always be a characteristic unique to parts of WDW (no planes, trains–well maybe one–and automobiles) and especially the GF.
Jack,
Thanks for the blog about the Grand Floridian. I have always enjoyed my stays there. I just love sitting in the lobby and just relaxing and listening to the music in the evenings.
The cast members are always so nice and really go out of their way for you. I remember one trip with my mom. The cast member saw that she had difficulty walking and had to use a cane. So he changed our room, on his own, and put us right across from the main building so she would not need to go far when she came out of the room. To that cast member thank you so much for being so nice, especially since due to illness that was her last trip to WDW. Every time I step in the lobby I have great memories of my various trips and stays at the GF.
Now I can’t wait to see what the DVC looks like when it is completed. Looking forward to getting to stay there as a DVC member. I know that it will be wonderful.
Hi JacK!
As a Disney Cast Memeber at The Grand Floridian, I wanted to Thank you for the beautiful journey that you have provided in this blog. You have shown The Grand Floridian in a light that we, The Cast, see and feel everyday. It is as though you showed the world our home and we welcome everyone to come out and visit. Thank you again!
Jack,
You mentioned that Disney has sold some property to the Four Seasons. I’d like to hear your opinion on this. When I first read about it after Disney announced this, the first thing that came to mind was Walt Disney’s extreme dislike of Harbour Blvd across from Disneyland. I know the Four Seasons certainly doesn’t fit into that category, but what happens when Motel 6 buys it down the road someday. I’m just saying once they have sold the property they lose control of it. Walt Disney purchased all that acreage for a reason, he didn’t want to happen there what happened in Anaheim.
Jack’s Answer:
I am not in favor of Disney selling their land. I personally am not happy about the Four Seasons deal. However, the land they sold to Four Seasons and Golden Oak is completely surrounded by Disney property. There is no way possible for another Harbor Blvd to happen in this area.
wow !!! as usual. my wife & i would love to stay here but $$$$$ so we just visit . the plush chairs , the band , the piano player & a adult beverage watching the kids in there princess outfits & less we forget the “JACK SPARROWS ” swashbuckling across the lobby .and at christmas time oh my. ginger bread house & that TREE. all your troubles just… gosh i wish i was there right now !!
Hi Jack,
Always love sitting in the lobby listening to the piano after a nice lunch at the Grand Floridian Cafe. I brought a group of friends there for lunch who had never done the Resort Loop and they were so impressed! We were staying at OKW and one asked “So when can we stay here”- and now with the development of the DVC at Grand Floridian, I’m hoping that can happen! Any news on the DVC developments? Thanks for another great article!
Wow, great job as always Jack–so much information! Thanks so much! I would love to stay in one of the dormer rooms someday…
Hi Jack,
Sometimes I think you have access to my travel itinerary! My family and I are staying 5 nights at the Grand Floridian in July, to celebrate my Husband’s 50th Birthday. It’s a resort he has always wanted to stay at, so what better than to do so for such an occasion? We could only stretch to a garden view room and there will be 5 of us, so I do hope they are as spacious as I imagine? One question I have, if you are able to help, is how large is the day bed? Will it easily fit a gangly teenager? Thank you for treating us to another of your straight talking reports, they really are the best!
Kind regards,
Sue
Jack’s Answer:
I’m sure you’ve already done this, but make sure Disney Reservations knows you will have five guests in the room. The dormer rooms do not have daybeds and only sleep four.
As for the daybed. I have not measured one, but if your son is six feet tall, I suspect his head and feet might be touching the handrails on each side of the daybed unless he curls up a little.
A *great* blog as always, Jack. but I’m afraid I have to play the role of “Debbie Downer” here and express my true feelings about the “main building at the GF.
Frankly, IMO, the furnishings look tired and old. I work in an Assisted Living Facility, and one would be hard pressed to tell the difference between one and the other…
I’ve stayed in the “main building” and I’m as familiar with the astronomical cost as you no doubt are as well.
At that price point, I expect to be surrounded by upscale luxury, not furniture that looks like it came out of Grandmother’s house in the 1980’s.
Disney really upsets me wih the way they “get by with as little cost as they can”.
I trust that you’ve stayed in a Ritz-Carlton or a Four Season hotel, and you know the level of service that is available for the price.
Disney doesn’t even begin to strive for this, they instead choose to rest on their laurels.
Given the price you pay for a room in the main building of Disney’s “flagship” hotel, this is upsetting and disappointing, to say the least.
Jack’s Comment:
I bet you wondered if I’d actually print your comment since it casts Disney and the Grand Floridian in a negative light. Well, I did. LOL
I have read in other publications that the Grand Floridian will never be a 5-Star hotel. Part of this has to do with the clientele they cater too — theme park guests who will never dress and act accordingly. Five-star hotels require a certain decorum that Disney guests simply won’t adhere to. I’m sure you’ve eaten at Citricos or Narcoossee’s and had your meal interrupted by misbehaving children whose parents think their angels can do no wrong. Or seen people in these same restaurants dress entirely inappropriately. Disney hotels cater to the masses — even the Grand Floridian. Families are their bread and butter. Right or wrong, they’re not going to rock this boat.
I personally don’t have a problem with the furniture styling at the Grand Floridian. I think it fits the theming. Now, it might be in need of some new upholstery and stuffing, but that’s a different issue.
Does Disney live off of its laurels? Absolutely. I can point out a number of instances all over property.
Now, for the good news (for some) in case you didn’t already know…
Disney has sold some of their property on the east bank of Bay Lake. A Four Seasons hotel is currently under construction. This hotel will have boat access to the Magic Kingdom just like Wilderness Lodge and you’ll be able to partake in Extra Magic Hours and other perks that Disney hotels offer. Disney was very upfront when they made this announcement that there was a certain segment of the population that wants more luxury, services and amenities than Disney offers.
Could the Grand Floridian offer these services and amenities? Of course they could. But I personally don’t think 99% of the population cares if they do or not. If you’ve read the other comments for this blog, you’ll see that the Grand Floridian is the finest hotel most Disney guests have ever stayed at.
What Disney is really offering at these astronomical prices is convenience and perks. Orlando has some very nice hotels, but they’re not a monorail ride away from the Magic Kingdom. And they don’t offer one card that can be used as your ticket, room key, and dining card. They don’t offer Extra Magic Hours.
I’m sure I have not changed your opinion about the Grand Floridian. I was just trying to offer you an explanation as to why things probably aren’t going to change at the Grand Floridian anytime soon. From a marketing perspective, they don’t need to.
Hi Jack, one of the greatest treasures of this resort is Richard, the guest greeter from NH. He made my fairy-tale wedding even more magical. I hope to see his photo in part 2!
what a wonderful “story” Unfortunately I think i’ll only ever get to look at the Grand Floridian as we will never be able to afford to stay here, I always look at it in awe…
Thanks for the look into Grand Floridian! I personally have never been able to afford to stay there…so it was fun to look and dream of a vacation there 🙂 you always do a great job with your blogs, thank you!
Thanks for bringing back great memories of our stay at GF Sugar Loaf Club Level in July 2010. We did not have any issue with the table configuration in the Sugar Loaf lounge, and we traveled with my Mom who uses a wheelchair.
You forgot one of my favorite things offered at the GF Club Level, champagne! It is out for the evening reception, but they will pour you a glass if requested, as we had a glass during afternoon tea
Great Article!! Makes me wish even more that I could stay at GF Resort!! Being from Michigan, I have stayed at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island several times and the building exterior and room interiors of the GF are so so similar to those at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Thanks for letting me experience the GF thru your blog…Makes me wish I could wave a magic wand and pop into the GF lobby at any minute!!!:):)
HI again Jack!
I had booked a Contemporary Deluxe Garden Room without finding much information on it, that is until you did a great job with a previous post about that room! I didn’t get to see it because we were upgraded to Atrium Club. Once you try the Club Level you want more! I am doing my mother/daughter bi-annual trip next week. 2 nights at Caribbean Beach and one night at the Grand Floridan Sugar Loaf Club Level. Since she is 17 I figure this may be our last girls only trip and I wanted to end it with style! I had a hard time finding information on that building and as usual you did an awesome job! Sorry to miss seeing you on 6/2!
Trisha
PS I love the Contempory MK View too but truly am happy with all the monorail resorts. For family of 4 with teens the Bay Lake Tower 1BDRM villa is next Nov/2012!
Jack,
Are the Keurig coffee makers only in the Club Level rooms in the Grand Floridian? I was wondering since I will be staying in the Club Level in the Yacht Club.
Thanks,
Jack’s Answer:
I stayed in Club Level rooms at both the Yacht and Beach recently. The Keurig coffee maker was NOT included. So it seems these are a Grand Floridian exclusive item. Sorry.
Great article Jack – we were lucky enough to stay at the Royal Palm Club for a week during our honeymoon last year. We had a huge room over-looking the quiet courtyard pool, and in the distance we could see Big Thunder Mountain at Magic Kingdom. We were able to rent free dvds from the concierge desk, and they even provided me with a camera battery charger as I had forgotten to pack mine!
The Grand Floridian has always reminded me of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, the setting of the movie Somewhere in Time (based on a novel set at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego). It’s nice to know it was deliberate!
Hi Jack,
I love the GF and spent my 30th wedding anniversary at this elegant resort. The next time will be for my 50th in 4 years and maybe I’ll have to trya Club Level .
We always visit the resort and love the shops. You can find items on sale there sometimes.
The flowers are so beautuful as well as the rose gardens.
Looking forward to part two.
Love the background music in the first concierge-level video — is it commercially available? My spouse loves the spa at the Grand, which is OK, as long as I get equal time in the lobby bar, waiting for her! We haven’t stayed there in years, but your blog has gotten us interested again. It’ll be tough to give up the Yacht Club, though.
(In the deluxe rooms, we think the pull-out thing under the desk is the room-service table — not that we’ve ever done room service.)
Jack’s Answer:
The music used on the concierge level video is from a group called the Blue Bayou Strings. They were wandering musician that played at the Blue Bayou Restaurant at Disneyland in the 1970’s. At one time, Disney sold “burn-your-own-CDs” at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The songs are the Blue Bayou Strings were some of the selections available. To my knowledge, they are no longer for sale anywhere.
Oh Jack,
Thank you a million times over! This wonderful blog brought back so many amazing memories for hubby and I. We treated ourselves to ten nights at GF for our 25th wedding anniversary with a Disney Cruise on The Wonder thrown in for good measure…Heaven! Couldn’t afford the valet parking but didn’t find the self-parking too much hassle, although we did feel a LITTLE looked down upon when we arrived and revealed we weren’t using the valet system. The convenience of being on the monorail circuit was such a bonus and even though we DID have a car it meant we could leave it behind some evenings and therefore both of us could enjoy a cocktail or two or wine with our meal. Talking of meals we made full use of Citrico’s and Narcoosee’s, both fantastic retaurants that we really appreciated. I could go on forever and a day about our fabulous holiday so thanks once again for the memories. Maybe next time (after a LOT of saving) we might run to Club Level..oh I wish! Bye for now xx
Hi Jack!
Thank you so much for throwing yourself on the Grand Floridian grenade in order to blog about this spectacular resort! Although it must have been just awful staying in all that elegance and charm, I appreciate your commitment to your readers. LOL
One blog I’d like to see from you would be coverage of all your choice rooms at all the resorts, if you had all the money in the world. If you were to spend a couple weeks at WDW resorts, where would you stay and for what reasons? That would be a fun article.
Jack’s Answer:
My favorite resort it the Contemporary. First, you can walk to the Magic Kingdom and the TTC is just one stop away to transfer to Epcot. Also, the Poly and Grand Floridian are just a short ride away via the monorail. But for me, I like the rooms in the tower facing the Magic Kingdom. I will specifically request a room with the bed on the south wall. That way, in the morning, I can wake up and see Cinderella Castle while lying in bed. You can’t beat that! Also, you have your own private viewing of the fireworks each night.
I remeber at the 1900 Park Fare when it first opened had m&m machines on the tables. We stayed there once and they had a nightly turn down service and left these beautiful shell chocolates in a little wicker box. SO nice. I love the Dickens themed dress that they have at Christmas time where they serve you Chestnuts Roasted On An Open Fire. Special touches make staying at Disney So Magical.
Another excellent blog, Jack.
And although there was a ton of pictures and videos (always great things) there was a fair amount of prose too – with nary a typo in sight! Excellent work.
I think I would prefer the Poly, but the GF certainly looks magnificent. I’m looking forward to part 2.
Thanks for all you do.
Dan
Hi Jack! My family stayed here in January of 2009 for a week, and LOVED every minute of it. We were given an upgrade to a view of Cinderella’s Castle, and were surprised one night with champagne and chocolate to celebrate our anniversary. Belle and Beast even left us a card. We have eaten at the GF Cafe, Narcoossee’s, 1900 Park Fare and have had afternoon tea here twice in the last 3 years. If you haven’t tried that, I HIGHLY recommend it. The chocolate covered strawberries and cream puffs are amazing. 🙂
Hi Jack!
For so many years I’ve been wondering what I’ve been missing on the upper floors. Now I know….
It must be nice to have the means to stay at the Club Level. Some day I would love to stay at the GF for just a couple of nights. But for now it’s value resorts all the way.
Part 1 has been most enjoyable and I am really looking forward to part 2.
Until then….
Jack:
I really enjoyed reading this blog entry. The Grand Floridian was my first on-site stay.
In 1991, my father and grandparents decided to take my brother and me to Walt Disney World. We had never stayed on property, but Dad wanted to change that this time. I can still remember sitting in his office when he called to make a reservation. “What’t the most expensive room you have? That’s what I want.”
He booked three nights in a Grand Floridian concierge room. I think it was around $500 per night during the summer months.
When we arrived, we were surprised to find that we had a separate check-in area as well as access to the lounge. Our room was right above the Gasparilla Grill. We stepped out onto the balcony and at that moment a small brass band marched through the courtyard. Wow!
We had robes, slippers, fresh flowers and a view of the castle. Remember, this was our first experience staying on property. It’s no wonder that I’m now a “resort snob.”
If I recall this correctly, we had a cast member assigned to us. She escorted us to our room and asked what kind of dining we would like. Assuring us that she would take care of the arrangements, she hurried off. In about 30 minutes she returned with a list of our priority seating times. When we picked up the phone and touched the concierge button, she answered the phone every time. It was truly amazing.
The most memorable thing happened at checkout. When we stopped by the desk to checkout, the cast member asked if we would like to extend our stay. Dad asked what it would cost per night.
“$100,” was the response.
“For the same room?” Dad asked.
“Yes. You can stay three additional nights at that rate.”
Dad had a classic line. “If I would have known that,” he said, “I would have booked one night at $500, ‘checked out,’ and added three nights at $100.”
The cast member didn’t know what to say. Unfortunately, we had to start the long haul back to Pennsylvania, so we were unable to stay.
The Grand Floridian started my Disney addiction. It forever changed the way I viewed the resort.
Keep up the great work!
This is absolutely wonderful! We’ve never stayed at the Grand Floridian, but have stayed at several of the moderates as well as the Polynesian. I absolutely love those dormer rooms – they seem to be straight out of a storybook (actually, taking out the modern amenities, they remind me of a scene in Anne of Green Gables where Anne visits Diana’s aunt and is thrilled to stay in her spare room). In fact, when we finally do make our first GF stay, I’m hopeful we won’t need the daybed and can reserve one of those charming rooms!
I am also amazed by the staff at the Grand Floridian. We’ve been to several of the shops while there at Christmas to see the gingerbread house or for dining reservations. This past October, while there for breakfast, we happened to go into Commander Porter’s, a shop we’d been in only one other time (about a year before). The older gentleman working there immediately said “Ah, you’ve been here before.” At first we assumed he had us confused for someone else…until he called our son by name. And, while he didn’t have a watch like my husband was hoping to find, he told us EXACTLY which shop on Disney property would have what he was looking for. I can’t say enough for the service and attention to detail at the GF.
Yay Jack! I was wondering when you would do a blog on the GF. Thanks for the great post and I am looking forward to tomorrow’s part 2. I always love to sneak a peek into hotels I haven’t stayed in.
I love the hamper!! And the Keurig!! – is that only in club level rooms?(I love my Keurig and I wish they would put them in all the resorts – I know they are expensive). When we stayed at the Poly last time, I brought my own Keurig so we could make our own in the morning.
My mother and I visited the spa here for massages during one trip, and afterwards we leisurely walked to the lobby and sat, listening to the piano player surrounded by the beautiful lobby with gorgeous flowers as a server hurried over and took our cocktail orders. Lovely! We also had a nice time browsing the cute shops and I found a beautiful pair of earrings there.
My husband and I also rented some water mice (do they even still call them that??) at GF after a lunch at Gasparilla Grill. Such a beautiful resort. Maybe one day we can stay here.
PS- It just always strikes me funny that they put phones in the bathroom.
Jack’s Answer:
Yes. The Keurig coffee makers are only in the Club Level rooms. I’m not a coffee drinker, but I understand that for those of you who are, the Keurig is a great perk.
hey jack
The Grand Floridian is such a beautiful and if i am lucky enough to stay there for a vacation, i will charish it forever. Everything is so elegant and the atmosphere seems so bright. can’t wait for part two and as always keep up the great work.