Disney World’s flagship hotel is inspired by Florida’s grand Victorian seaside resorts from the turn of the last century. A complex of four- and five-story white frame buildings, the grand Floridian integrates verandas, intricate latticework, dormers, and turrets beneath a red shingle roof to capture the most memorable elements of 19th-century ocean-resort architecture. A five-story domed lobby encircled by enameled balustrades and overhung by crystal chandeliers establishes the resort’s understated opulence. Covering 40 acres along the Seven Seas Lagoon, the grand Floridian offers lovely pools, white-sand beaches, and a multifaceted marina.

The 867 guest rooms, with wood trim and soft goods (curtains, linens, towels, and the like) in beachy tones, are luxurious yet warm and inviting rather than stuffy or overly feminine. Armoires, marble-topped sinks, and ceiling fans amplify the Victorian theme. The typical room is 440 square feet (dormer rooms are smaller), large by any standard, and furnished with two queen beds, a daybed, a reading chair, and a table with two side chairs. Many rooms have a balcony.

With a high ratio of staff to guests, service is outstanding. The resort has several full-service restaurants, and others are a short monorail ride away. The hotel is connected directly to the Magic Kingdom by monorail and to other Disney World destinations by bus. Walking time to the monorail and bus-loading areas from the most remote guest rooms is about 7–10 minutes.

Most reader comments concerning the grand Floridian are positive. First, from a Durham, North Carolina, mother of two preschoolers:

The Grand Floridian pool with the waterslide was a big hit with our kids. They also loved taking the boat across the lagoon to return from the Magic Kingdom. The resort’s location and transportation services were unbeatable.

A College Station, Texas, dad weighs in with this:

At the Grand Floridian, the only noise we heard outside our room was toilets flushing and doors closing. We had a view of the Magic Kingdom, which was fabulous, and the housekeeping staff was great. I also enjoyed having real plants in the room.

Finally from a Yorktown, Virginia, couple:

The service and “mousekeeping” at the Grand Floridian were exceptional. Next time we go to WDW, we’ll definitely stay there again.
Would you recommend this hotel to a friend?
Hotel Definitely (+/- since 2010)
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort 67% (-21%)
Average for WDW hotels 74% (+3%)
Average for off-site hotels 79% (+10%)
Average for vacation homes & condos 95% (N/A)

Would you stay at this hotel again?
Hotel Definitely (+/- since 2010)
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort 92% + (5%)
Average for WDW hotels 90% (+1%)
Average for off-site hotels 94% (+5%)
Average for vacation homes & condos 100% (N/A)

Hotel Photos

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Good (and Not-So-Good) Rooms at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort

The resort is spread over a peninsula jutting into Seven Seas Lagoon. In addition to the main building, there are five dispersed, rectangular buildings also hosting guests. Most rooms have a balcony, and most balconies are enclosed by a rail that affords good visibility. Rooms just beneath the roof in each building (dormer rooms) have smaller, inset, solidly enclosed balconies that limit visibility when you’re seated. Most dormer rooms, however, have vaulted ceilings and a coziness that compensates for the less desirable balconies.

If you want to be near the bus and monorail stations, most of the restaurants, and shopping, ask for a room in the main building (all concierge rooms). The best rooms are 4322–4329 and 4422–4429, which have full balconies and overlook the lagoon in the direction of the beach and the Polynesian Resort. other excellent main-building rooms are 4401–4409, with full balconies overlooking the marina and an unobstructed view of Cinderella Castle across the lagoon.

Of the five lodges, three (Conch Key, Boca Chica, and Big Pine Key) have one long side facing the lagoon and the other facing inner courtyards and swimming pools. At Conch Key, full-balcony rooms 7228–7231, 7328–7331, and 7425–7431 offer vistas across the lagoon to the Magic Kingdom and castle. Less expensive rooms in the same building that offer good views are 72-, 73-, and 7411, -13, -15, -17, -19, and -21, and 72-, 73-, and 7412 and -14. (grand Floridian room num- bers are coded. Take Room 7213: 7 is the building number, 2 is the floor, and 13 is the room number.) In Boca Chica and Big Pine Key, ask for a lagoon-view room on the first, second, or third floor. Many garden-view rooms in Big Pine Key, and a few in Boca Chica, have views obstructed by a poolside building. These are the worst views from any Grand Floridian room.

The two remaining buildings, Sugar Loaf Key (concierge only) and Sago Key, face each other across the marina. The opposite side of Sugar Loaf Key faces a courtyard, while the other side of Sago Key faces a fin- ger of the lagoon and a forested area. All these views are pleasant but not in the same league as those from the rooms listed previously. Excep- tions are end rooms in Sago Key (Rooms 5139, 5144, 5145, 5242–5245, 5342–5345) that have a view of the lagoon and Cinderella Castle.

Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths Weaknesses
On Magic Kingdom monorail Somewhat formal
Ferry service to Magic Kingdom Cavernous, impersonal lobby
Excellent guest rooms Overly large physical layout
Children’s programs, character meals Children don’t get theme
Excellent children’s pool Only one on-site restaurant suitable for younger children
Beach Recreational options Imposing, rather formal public areas
Restaurant selection via monorail Distant guest self-parking
On-site child care

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort Dining

Commuting Times to the Parks
Park Commuting Time
Epcot 5 minutes
Animal Kingdom 12 minutes
Disney's Hollywood Studios 7 minutes