A few years back I watched a television program about Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa on the Travel Channel. Right then and there I put the Grand Floridian on my travel bucket list!
Flash forward several years to the 2011 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. I would be checking off both Walt Disney World and the Grand Floridian from said bucket list. And, I was over the top excited about it.
The architecture of the Grand Floridian is reminiscent of the 1888 Hotel Coronado in San Diego, California. Where the Hotel Del is rumored to be haunted, the Grand Floridian is simply magical!
The beautiful round turrets house the Tower Rooms. How romantic is that?
Walt Disney World has over 450 places to eat! Narcoossee’s Fine Dining is right on the water of the Seven Seas Lagoon at the Grand Floridian Resort. At night this gorgeous lagoon is host to the Electrical Boat Parade. I love the turn of the century ambiance of the Grand Floridian. We dined at Citricos (located of the main lobby) for both breakfast and lunch. Both times were wonderful and delicious.
NY (who has a deep love for Cadillacs – a family tradition) was in awe when he saw the pristine 1929 Cadillac at the front entrance to the lobby. How could he not be? I for one could easily see him driving this gem of a car!
The lobby of the Grand Floridian is simply spectacular. Three stories high, several baby grand pianos, small & large period art pieces, a bandstand and the fabulous birdcage elevator. The birdcage elevator goes directly to the second floor where the monorail station is located. The monorail is fastest way to get to the Magic Kingdom!!
We enjoyed the delightful big band music played every night. A lot!
As always with Disney, attention is given to every detail … including the beautiful carpet. Oh how I’d love to have this in our house. Seriously!
I think this is a turn of the century hamster cage! See the three little crawl holes from the exercise wheel to the castle? Looks pretty ‘hamstery’ to me! The windows all have tiny little bars but I have to wonder how well this would actually keep the little escape artists confined.
Besides the main building there are five smaller buildings each with its own lobby area. We were guests in Sago Cay.
I am in love with fresh flowers and I’m always impressed with hotels that have beautiful arrangements. The flowers at the Grand Floridian were amazing including these flowers in the Sago Cay lobby.
The room was nothing less than we expected. Every amenity we could want was at our finger tips.
Huge flat screen television, good size desk and sofa sitting area.
One of the extras I enjoyed was the magnified make up mirror in the bathroom … hehe!
The deck was complete with period rod iron table and chairs. And the view was perfect for watching the “Wishes” firework show. We had a perfect view of the dock activity and enjoyed watching the boats, big and small, coming and going.
And of course … nothing at Disney is complete without ‘The Mouse’ making a special appearance!
As lovely as the Grand Floridian is…the grounds are breathtaking. The gardens are to die for!
From the flowers to…
…the Mary Poppins topiary.
We watched the Magic Kingdom’s “Wishes” fireworks show every evening from one of the Grand Floridian patios. It was like sitting in a comfortable chair in our own backyard.
Because we stayed at the Grand Floridian for the three nights …
… it was our very own backyard!
~ The Nitty Gritty:
Why: Conference and family holiday
When: March 2011
Who: The two of us and David’s brother and wife
What: Walt Disney World Grand Floridian Resort
Where: Walt Disney World Florida
Room Types: A variety of rooms and views located in the different Grand Floridian buildings. Singles and suites.
World Class Spa and Health Club
Two unique swimming pools: The Beach Pool with a 181-foot-long waterslide. The Courtyard Pool with zero-entry descends to a maximum depth of nearly 5 feet and features an adjacent whirlpool spa. Cabanas available for rent.
Onsite restaurants: 1900 Park Fare for character dining. Grand Floridian Café. Grand View Tea Room. Victoria & Albert’s. Waterfront dining at Narcoossee’s. Mediterranean dining at Cítricos.
Amenities: All rooms have free wireless, cable television, telephones, hair dryers and private bathrooms with shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and a vanity kit. Irons and ironing boards are available on request. Complimentary parking, valet parking, ATM, business center and childcare services. Laundry and dry cleaning, Concierge, monorail and bus transportation around WDW and a magical view of the nighttime water parade. Boat rentals,
Local Interests: Just a short complimentary bus ride away… Downtown Disney, WDW theme parks and all the other WDW resorts.
Website: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
I paid a modest fee to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Conference. This included a room at the Grand Floridian, Park Hopper tickets and extraordinary events and family dinner parties. All opinions are ours as are the photos.
Debra @ A Frugal Friend says
I love how we both did posts but they are so different and wonderful……you captured such detail. Thanks for sharing and reminding me yet again how much fun we had!
Miss you!
Krista, Mostly Mommyhood says
I’m spoiled after staying at the Grand Floridian… As much as I enjoyed the other accommodations at Disney World, nothing compared to the elegance and grandeur (which I LOVE) of the Grand Floridian. Thanks for a great post!
Mikki says
What a great post.
I know when the announcement for Disney Social Media Moms came out, my family and I were THRILLED to be staying there.
I only went to one park (besides EPCOT) because I wanted to spend most of my down time at the resort.. It was beautiful!!
Melissa Lawler says
Wow! It’s all ao beautiful. Like a luxury resort.
Marcie Wahrer says
This resort seems to have a very old school Southern feel to it, which, as a West coast city gal, I simply love. Those mermaid hood ornament is amazing!
Lee says
Yes! I’ve stayed in this hotel numerous times. It’s very fancy, they use beautiful straw baskets to clean up garbage around the grounds so you don’t see trashcans being wheeled around. That’s sweet. LOL. Their Park Fare restaurant has the best pasta as well. 🙂
Lee
Tammilee Tips says
I have not stayed at this hotel before. I love how elegant it all looks and open the hotel is.
Scott says
We stayed there once about 5 years ago and loved it. It is probably our favorite, but sometimes out of our budget. Special occasions for sure!