My Top 3 Reasons to LOVE the Grand Floridian!
Recently I had the chance to cross another item off of my Disney bucket list – a stay at the Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa!
Like many other Disney fans, the iconic red roof of the Grand Floridian was frequently in my vacation daydreams, and I finally decided to treat myself and make the dream a reality!
There are numerous things I loved about this elegant and luxurious resort, but today, I’d like to narrow it down a bit and share with you my top three favorite things about staying at the Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian! Let’s count them down!
Number 3 – The Dining Options!
I still haven’t dined at every location that this resort has to offer yet, but I did eat at three of the resort’s restaurants during my stay! On this trip I visited the Grand Floridian Café, Citricos, and Gasparilla Island Grill.
Grand Floridian Café is a table service restaurant that has a very casual atmosphere. It’s bright and pretty, and definitely has a quaint yet elegant ambience. Did you know that they currently offer some of their breakfast items at lunch as well? It was pretty awesome to have my favorite Disney food, a Mickey waffle and bacon, for lunch! Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are offered here, and service with a smile is always on the menu from the kind Cast Members!
During my stay I also had dinner at Citricos, which is one of Disney’s Signature restaurants and was recently reimagined with inspiration from the film Mary Poppins Returns. As a HUGE Mary Poppins fan, I was very excited to check it out! You can find some of the magical nanny’s most iconic accessories hanging on a hat stand inside, and the chic dining room now features pretty floral patterns and pops of purple and blue.
I’m a pretty picky eater so I didn’t dive too far into the menu, but the Cast Members were very friendly and happily brought me an oversized helping of good old mac and cheese which was delicious!
A few days later I also placed a lunch order at Gasparilla Island Grill, which is one of the resort’s quick service dining locations. Their mac and cheese was also very tasty, and the perfect comfort food to relax with on an afternoon enjoying some downtime at the resort. I used the mobile ordering system for this location which was quick and simple, and you can also browse through their grab and go treats and snacks when you arrive.
Number 2 – Location, location, location!
While I have stayed at several of the DVC resorts, this was my first time ever staying in the Magic Kingdom area, or along the monorail route! These resorts are always in high demand, and after staying at one myself, I understand why! Being so close to my favorite theme park was, in a word, magical!
Throughout the course of my stay, I took advantage of the walkway, monorail, and water taxi to and from the resort to the park. Being right on the monorail also made it very convenient to head to the nearby resorts for dining reservations, as well as getting to Epcot. I hadn’t had the chance to visit the Grand Floridian since the walkway to Magic Kingdom opened, and I must say, I fell in love with the calm, pretty stroll it offered as I made my way along the path!
Being right on the edge of the Seven Seas Lagoon also made for some very beautiful views to enjoy during my stay! Spotting the spires of Cinderella Castle across the water was so amazing, as were the sights of the neighboring resorts off in the distance. My room in particular had a gorgeous view of Disney’s Polynesian Resort, and the Disney Wedding Pavilion, and I loved just spending some time on my balcony soaking in the magical view. Bus transportation to Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs is by bus, and was also very efficient and easy to navigate.
Number 1 – The Villas!
Being a David’s Vacation Club Rentals team member, I had many times seen pictures and videos of the DVC villas at the Grand Floridian, but it was a whole other experience seeing them in person! I was solo for this adventure, and stayed in a Deluxe Studio Lake View.
The first thing that caught my attention was the split bathroom layout. The Deluxe Studios at the Villas at the Grand Floridian can accommodate up to 5 guests, plus an infant under age 3, and the bathroom set up is perfect for families! The bathroom is divided into two separate spaces. One side has the tub/shower combo and toilet, and the other side has the vanity and a glass door stand-up shower. The two sides of the bathroom are split by a pocket door which can be left open, or easily pulled closed for privacy. There is plenty of space to get everyone ready in the mornings, spruce up in the evenings for dinner, and wash up at the end of the day.
Another thing I loved about the room were the subtle Disney touches! The wall art features classic live-actions films Mary Poppins and The Happiest Millionaire, the backboard of the pull-down murphy bed has a dreamy depiction of 17 Cherry Tree Lane (also from Mary Poppins), and the bunk size bed that folds down from the entertainment unit has a sweet Dumbo-themed backdrop! Speaking of beds, the queen size bed was super comfortable, as was the double murphy bed when I tested it. I definitely slept like a baby during my stay!
The Deluxe Studio also has a kitchenette which was perfect for snacks and quick meals. With a mini fridge, toaster, and coffeemaker, it was easy to whip up some toast or cereal for a quick breakfast, store leftovers for a midnight snack, and keep cold drinks handy. The closet also offered lots of storage space, and I had more than enough room for my suitcase. Not to mention, I am someone who likes to fully unpack during my stay, and there were plenty of hangers and shelf space for my clothes and shoes.
The thing I loved most about the villa I stayed in however, was how serene it felt. Though it had such delicate touches and a vibe of Victorian elegance, it still felt like a home away from home, and it was easy to relax. Did I indulge in an afternoon nap one day? Yes, I did! Did I spend some time on my balcony with my feet up just enjoying a cool beverage and taking in the view? Yes, I did! Slowing down from my usual pace just felt natural here!
The ambience of the Grand Floridian really inspires you to make the most of your vacation, but also to take some time to relax and enjoy its splendid spaces and amazing amenities. Of course, I’ve only mentioned three things here, but there is so much to love about this resort! From the pools to the penguin fountain, the swan topiaries to the piano serenades in the main building, there are so many things that make the Grand Floridian magical!
~Stacy
