Posts Tagged ‘Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa’

Some guests mistakenly assume that the elegant Grand Floridian is less kid-friendly than other Disney resorts.  In fact, it’s a wonderland for children of all ages.  In addition to two large pools and a children’s water play area, there’s a sandy beach, a playground, and a variety of exciting meals and activities with a Disney touch.

1900 Park Fare Choose the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast with Mary Poppins, Alice, and the Mad Hatter or dine with Cinderella and her Prince at Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner.

Wonderland Tea Party Alice and the Mad Hatter return to 1900 Park Fare for an hour in the afternoon to entertain small guests between the ages of four and twelve with stories and games, and help them decorate their own cupcakes.   The price is $40.00 plus tax.
Hours: Weekdays 2:00p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Phone: (407) 939-3463

My Disney Girl’s Perfectly Princess Tea Party A Royal event takes place in the lovely Garden View Lounge where small Princesses, ages three to eleven, and their adult companions, can enjoy an hour and a half of singing and storytelling, characters and crumpets.  Each child leaves with an armload of special gifts which contribute to the cost of $250.00 plus tax for a party of one child and one adult.
Hours: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Phone: (407) 939-3463

Captain’s Shipyard Cruise Kids from four to twelve can head out into the wild blue of the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake in search of adventure, treasure, and lunch!
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday,  and Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Phone: (407) 939-7529

Gasparilla Grill and Games A small video arcade is nestled into the corner of this quick-service dining location that features a selection of salads, sandwiches, desserts, drinks, and ice cream.

Mouseketeer Club Most kids love it when their parents decide on an adult evening and drop them off at one of Disney’s Children’s Activity Centers.  For $11.50 per hour with a two-hour minimum, potty-trained children ages four to twelve enjoy activities, games, arts and crafts, and movies.  Dinner is also included between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. and is ordered at the time of arrival.
Hours: 4:30 p.m. to midnight
Phone: (407) 824-1666

Movies Under the Stars Arrive at 8:00 p.m. to enjoy the Dance Party and Campfire, before settling down to a movie at 9:00 p.m.  Check the schedule for featured movies.

Mousecraft at M. Mouse Mercantile Get creative on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. when “Grand” kids meet for arts and crafts.

Storytime at M. Mouse Mercantile A bed-time treat; Mondays at 8:00 p.m.

Thought you’d fallen through the rabbit hole when you saw the opening photo? Our friend Sam, aka Disney Resort, a consummate magician, created this custom image especially for this post.  Thank you, Sam!

The Grand Floridian Society Orchestra Smooth sounds waft from the second floor perch of this talented group.  Come, sit, enjoy!

Portrait Artist Capture the memories with a special portrait.

The Grand Floridian Ladies On Monday and Thursday mornings, watch for parasols on parade as they make their serene way across the courtyard.

Afternoon Tea Enjoy mimosas and afternoon tea, served with elegance each day in the Garden View Lounge.

Victoria & Albert’s Transforming food into art, this incomparable restaurant offers an unforgettable dining experience for the discerning.

Grand Pianist Every afternoon and evening, a white-tied-and-tailed pianist entertains visitors from the grand piano, taking turns with the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra.

The Grand I The fabulous Grand I yacht sits at the marina waiting to take guests on a first-class cruise around the lagoon.

Private Dining While room service is available at all of the Deluxe Resorts, the Grand Floridian’s Private Dining takes it to another level.  Dreaming of a picnic on the beach?  Have a hankering for a hot dog by the pool?  Just contact Private Dining.  Whether you’re hoping to enjoy a romantic dessert in a secluded location on the grounds, a family dinner in an upstairs lobby, an affair for 25 of your closest friends, or your favorite sandwich from a chaise in your cabana, they’ll make every effort to accommodate your wishes and even offer some magical suggestions of their own!

Grand Floridian Spa A peaceful retreat to relax and recharge during an active vacation; guests can take the experience home with a selection of their delightful, grapefruit-scented signature products.

Wedding Pavilion Although other resorts offer ballrooms, dining venues, balconies, gazebos, and gardens, only Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa has its own dedicated wedding chapel.  Brides can plan every detail of their Fairytale Wedding at Franck’s Studio, adjacent to the pavilion.

Disney’s flagship resort offers plenty of opportunity to enjoy restaurants, refreshments, and retail therapy.   Boasting a greater number of dining and shopping options than any other Walt Disney World resort, there’s something for every age, every mood, and every pocketbook:

Table Service

• Narcoossee’s:   Seafood selections in a relaxed atmosphere with views of the Seven Seas Lagoon
• Citricos:    Inviting ambiance and imaginative dishes with a Southern European inspiration
• Grand Floridian Café:   Casual dining room serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner at moderate prices
• 1900 Park Fare:   Charming character meals accompanied by the amazing organ, “Big Bertha”
• Garden View Lounge:   Afternoon tea with all the accoutrements
• Victoria & Albert’s:   Extraordinary fine-dining experience in elegant surroundings

Lounges

• Mizner’s:   Intimate room featuring vintage ports and brandies
• Citricos Lounge:  A well-kept secret tucked away on the second floor

Quick Service

• Gasparilla Grill and Games:   Pizza, sandwiches, and salads, with some arcade fun

Shops

• Basin White:  Bath and beauty in black and white
• Commander Porter’s:  Gifts and gear for men
• M. Mouse Mercantile:  Souvenirs and Disney-themed apparel and toys for little pirates and princesses
• Sandy Cove:  Sundries and daily necessities, Grand Floridian logo merchandise
• Summer Lace:  Women’s apparel, jewelry, fragrance, and gifts

Public Areas

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is probably best known for its magnificent lobby. Framed by more than 60 miles of fanciful, white-painted millwork, it soars five stories to a ceiling inset with intricate stained-glass domes.

It is a favorite destination of both resort guests and the visiting public who come to explore, take photographs, and pass the time.

Enormous floral arrangements lend their color and scent to the happy atmosphere.  Elaborate sofas with ornate cushions are an invitation to linger.  Bridal parties array themselves along the grand staircase for the photographs that will commemorate their magical Disney weddings.

Visitors can enjoy the shops and restaurants located on the first and second floors, commission a portrait, or relax and enjoy the sounds of the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra.

Areas beyond the second floor of the Main Building are reserved for Concierge guests.  While not open to the general public, these floors do provide lovely shared spaces for those in Royal Palm accommodations.  The Royal Palm Club lounge on the fourth floor has wonderful views of the activity below and there are pleasant seating areas scattered throughout the top three floors, both inside, and on large exterior verandahs overlooking the grounds.  In Sugar Loaf Key, the small lobby of the ground floor has been transformed from the relatively open and empty area found in the other Keys to a pleasant, well-furnished lounge.

Guest Rooms

The Grand Floridian’s 867 guest rooms offer a variety of configurations and views; nearly twenty different categories are available.  Room types include the standard with two queen beds, many with a daybed which sleeps an additional guest; dormer rooms on the top floors of the lodge buildings which are slightly smaller with vaulted ceilings and enclosed balconies; lodge tower rooms with their semi-circular window bays and seating areas; several types of deluxe and king-bed rooms in the main building; and a variety of suites throughout the property.  Views may be of the gardens and manicured grounds, lagoon, pool or beach, marina, or the Magic Kingdom.  Garden, lagoon, and Magic Kingdom views can be reserved at varying rates.

Expect the usual amenities with the addition of robes, a keypad rather than keyed safe, upgraded bath amenities, turndown service, and numerous Private Dining options.

The “Garden View” can encompass anything from a view of the pool, a partial lagoon view, a room overlooking the marina, or a sweep of beautifully-manicured grounds.  For much less than the cost of the other rooms, you can still enjoy all the beauty that this lovely resort has to offer.

“Lagoon View” denotes a room that looks out over the Seven Seas Lagoon; choosing a “Theme Park View” guarantees that your lagoon vista also includes the Magic Kingdom with premier seating for the fireworks right from your own balcony.

It’s difficult to come by a bad view at the Grand Floridian but some views are only available from specific keys.  Sugar Loaf Key, for example, has both garden and marina views, while certain rooms at Sago and Conch Keys offer spectacular views of the Magic Kingdom.

Each newly-refurbished unit features soft pastel colors and light pine woodwork, with heavy draperies and padded cornices, lace undercurtains, comforters and bedskirts, daybed and accent pillows, all in crisp fabrics with floral motifs.   There are various combinations of tables and chairs, daybeds, sofas, benches and footstools, depending upon the room.  Most offer a split bathroom with marble-topped double sinks outside of a separate room containing the tub and toilet.

Some of the most interesting rooms at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa are the “deluxe” rooms.  Most are larger and inclusive of a sitting area and a wet bar; many also have interesting floor plans that depart from the typical hotel-room rectangle.  For a modest additional cost over a standard club-level room, they are a great value.

Guests have a choice of two different Concierge Level categories – Lodge and Royal Palm.  Many guests are unaware of this when selecting their rooms and are disappointed upon arrival to learn that they have booked a room that is located in Sugar Loaf Key rather than the Main Building.  Royal Palm is certainly the more indulgent of the two, with a substantially higher price.

There are also a range of suites.  All units on the fifth floor of the Main Building are suites, including some which can be combined to provide a large unit for bigger families and groups.  A number of the suites in the Keys are Hospitality Suites.  These are more utilitarian and are generally a group of standard rooms strung together and reconfigured as one unit.  For the true suite experience guests should be looking at “named” suites – The Grand Suite, The Roy O. Disney Suite, etc.  These offer entrance foyers, unique room layouts, lovely architectural detail, and one-of-a-kind Disney family memorabilia.

As with all hotels around the world, there are more- and less-desirable rooms.  Turn to your Whimsical World Travel Concierge for guidance in choosing the best accommodations for your next visit.

Hanging on the walls of its guest rooms are framed prints which seem to evoke perfectly the ambience of this resort.  They depict a carefree turn-of-the-century moment:  a dazzling white gingerbread fantasy of a hotel sporting a turreted, red-tiled roof.  There’s a sandy beach surrounding a placid water scene with small boats and frolicking children. Ladies stroll in summer gowns and parasols, while fleecy clouds graze in a sky of impossible blue.   Take away the elaborate dress but leave behind that sense of casual formality, and you have Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

Meandering across 40 acres on the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon, this charming property includes a main building and five lodge buildings or “keys,” a spa and health club, a conference and business center, and a wedding chapel.  With many leisure and recreational facilities on the property, Disney’s Grand Floridian is a destination in itself.

Outdoor Pleasures

The spacious and beautiful grounds are one of the great delights of a stay at this resort.  There are manicured lawns, immaculate walkways and topiaried trees.  Geometric beds are densely planted with flowers that change with the seasons. Water sparkles from pools and ponds, fountains and falls, and the lagoon dances with Floridian sunlight during the day and Magic Kingdom fireworks at night.  Guests can choose from a zero-entry feature pool with rock formations, waterslide, and waterfall, or a large courtyard pool with a separate shallow pool for the little ones, and a large spa.  Seasonally, several cabanas are available for morning or afternoon rental periods.

A sandy beach offers lounge chairs with striped sun canopies and magnificent views across the water.   Go for a stroll or a run along the mile-long jogging path or enjoy a game of tennis on the clay courts.  A variety of watercraft, including Sea Raycers and pontoon boats, are available for rental, and arrangements can be made for waterskiing and fishing excursions.

Transportation

As one of the “monorail’ resorts, Disney’s Grand Floridian is conveniently located just one stop away from the Magic Kingdom.  Epcot requires a change of monorail car at the Ticket and Transportation center, and there are regular busses to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney MGM Studios, and Downtown Disney.

Prefer the water?  Walk down to the boat dock and take a pleasant ride to the Magic Kingdom on the canopied launch, which also stops at Disney’s Polynesian Resort.  The Magic Kingdom transportation area also makes an excellent transfer point for traveling to any of the other Walt Disney World resorts.  There is self-parking, as well as valet parking for an additional charge.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

4401 Grand Floridian Way
Lake Buena Vista, Florida  32830

Phone  407-824-3000
Fax  407-824-3186

#5 A Concierge Stay

Comparable to “club” in other deluxe hotels, and referred to as “concierge” for many years, this represents the elite level of accommodations at Disney resorts.  Having recently installed “concierge” desks in the lobbies of all the resorts to assist hotel guests, Disney is struggling with the nomenclature to set this service apart.  They have given names to all the concierge lounges and are attempting to make the transition from “concierge” to “club,” as in  Old Faithful Club at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.  Nonetheless, most guests still think of these rooms as concierge.  In each deluxe resort, most suites and a certain number of single rooms are designated concierge.  They may be located on certain floors, keyed sections of floors, or in specific buildings, and suites may be found throughout the properties, but they all share access to the concierge perks.

Those booking club-level rooms can anticipate certain extras:  food and beverage offerings several times each day in a private lounge area; separate check-in procedures; a dedicated concierge staff to assist with information, reservations, and myriad special requests.  Concierge guests may also take advantage of the pre-trip planning services available from the Itinerary Planning Office. An itinerary questionnaire is generally mailed a month or so before arrival.  They can be contacted by e-mail, phone or fax as soon as you have a confirmed reservation.

Although Disney is renowned for customer service, you can expect that to be taken to another level when you arrive as a concierge guest.  It is pampering, indulgent, and delightful.  All the lounges are extremely child-friendly and feature small furnishings, a separate television, and special food items especially for kids.  A family vacation at Walt Disney World is very demanding, and having the resources of concierge can be priceless.

Expect the benefits to be emotional rather than fiscal.  After a tiring arrival day, when most guests still face a wait in line to check in, concierge guests are greeted and whisked away to comfortable chairs and cool drinks, or sometimes escorted directly to their rooms, for a relaxed and hassle-free registration.  The push of a button from a room telephone will connect to a member of the concierge staff who will try his best to obtain tickets to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party, book a last-minute dining reservation, or give advice about park-closing hours or ordering a floral arrangement for a room.  Grabbing breakfast in the morning rather than spending the time in a restaurant offers the opportunity for the early start that’s so important in the parks.

Interestingly, each resort brings its own unique style to the concierge floor, and there are differences in service, food and beverages, extra amenities, and attitude.  Two resorts, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, and Disney’s Contemporary Resort, have two different club levels and uninformed guests are sometimes disappointed upon arrival.  Your Whimsical World Travel Concierge is familiar with each and every program and can offer guidance in choosing the best one for your party.

#4 Grand I Yacht

She is the queen of the Disney Fleet, the seventh largest marine fleet in the world; the beautiful Grand I – the only vessel at Walt Disney World that boasts a bed and bath.  With salon, cabins, galley, and head complete with shower, it’s a comfy and indulgent “watercraft rental” that’s a world away from the pontoon boats.

Your captain and deck hand welcome you aboard for an unforgettable luxury cruise experience around Bay Lake and The Seven Seas Lagoon.  A truly special occasion calls for special arrangements, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Private Dining is happy to oblige with everything from champagne and strawberries to a multi-course dinner served by a private butler.  Whether it’s cake and ice cream for a birthday party or hors d’oeuvres for a sunset sail, they will help to make your voyage magical.

Cruises are available throughout the day, but the most popular time is during the evening when you can enjoy an amazing view of Wishes Nighttime Spectacular, complete with stereo sound.

Variously listed as accommodating 13 to 18 guests, the space is tight for more than ten or twelve passengers and we suggest fewer if you are planning a sit-down meal.  Prices increase often and are currently more than $500.00 per hour; definitely a significant splurge with your significant other, but more reasonable when shared amongst you and a dozen of your closest friends!

#3  concept^tm Itinerary

Expect White Glove treatment as you experience the Walt Disney World Resort in a unique new way with a customized itinerary from Whimsical World Travel’s concept^tm program.

Each themed vacation includes a comprehensive package of arrangements, events, recreation, and entertainment designed to appeal to guests who are looking for an innovative and immersive experience.

Choose from some of our most popular offerings:

Boo to You! Halloween is a month-long celebration at Walt Disney World® and we’ve arranged a frightfully good time!

Over the River and Through the Woods Share the joys of the holiday season with family and friends at the beautiful Wilderness Lodge; dressed to impress in its Christmas finery.

Honeymoon Dreams Celebrate a marriage or vow renewal in unforgettable Disney style with romantic activities and memorable surprises.

Grand Indulgence Relaxing, rejuvenating, restorative – sybaritic spa treatments and sumptuous accommodations make this vacation special.

Other current themes include golf, birdwatching, theater, engineering, hot-air balloons, horses, architecture, history, animals, and transportation.  Or, let us craft a one-of-a-kind stay especially for you.  From autographs to zebras, we have creative ideas for your next significant splurge!

With the lure and excitement of the theme parks, it’s easy to forget that the Walt Disney World resort hotels are, in and of themselves, vacation destinations.  Guests can step outside their room to view an African savannah at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge or lose themselves in the tropics at Disney’s Polynesian Resort; escape to the piney woods at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge or frolic on the sandy beaches of Disney’s Yacht and Beach Clubs.  The color and fun of Mardi Gras, the tranquil beauty of the American Southwest, the Caribbean, even Andy’s Room:  with such wide range of styles, settings and décor, there’s something to suit every taste.  Although each has its own ambience, they all include the hallmark of the Disney experience – outstanding service.

Disney resorts fall into four “categories” – Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villa.  While each property is unique, those sharing the same category will have many similar characteristics.

The Value resorts typically reflect the lowest prices of the four categories.  We say “typically” because sometimes a special offer can result in a normally higher-priced category costing less.  Your travel concierge will always be on the lookout for the best value during your vacation dates.

The standard room at a Value resort has the smallest square-footage with two double beds and exterior corridors.  The resorts themselves are very large and spread out with attractive, albeit basic, landscaping and a nice pool but one without a slide or extensive theming.  All four have amazing oversized structures around the property which highlight elements of the resort’s specific theme.  So, you’ll find giant memorabilia from the different decades at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, or enormous characters from the movies at Disney’s All Star Movies Resort.

Since there are no table-service restaurants at the Value resorts, the food courts are particularly expansive with many more options than those found elsewhere.  Bus service is available to all destinations within the Walt Disney World complex.

Moderate resorts, a bit more expensive, feature slightly larger rooms although they do retain the exterior corridors.  There are both “theme” and “quiet” pools, and the lovely grounds are an outstanding feature.  Perhaps because, unlike the Deluxe Resorts, they are not built on the limited land closer to the parks, the Moderate resorts boast extravagant landscaping, arguably more beautiful than any other resort category.  With the exception of Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter, the Moderate resorts are enormous and very spread out over the spectacular landscapes.  Plantings, design elements, and architecture are all chosen to enhance the sense that guests have truly escaped to the bayou, the desert, the Caribbean, or New Orleans.

Some Moderate resorts feature a table-service restaurant, and two have boat service to Downtown Disney, but otherwise, bus transportation is provided.

At the Deluxe Resorts, expect extensive theming and extraordinary public spaces with imaginative touches at every turn.  There are generally numerous activities and amenities coupled with at least one exceptional dining venue.

The standard rooms are the largest, although they do vary in size from one property to another, generally have two queen-sized beds and often include a daybed, as well.   Interior hallways give these resorts more of a “hotel” atmosphere and large lobbies and seating areas are invitations to linger.  All except Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge have multiple transportation options which may include bus, boat, monorail, and pedestrian walkways to other locations.  Bell services and room service are more comprehensive.  The grounds are meticulously groomed and the theme pools are especially elaborate.  Most also feature a lovely “quiet” pool.

Deluxe resorts also offer suites and concierge or club-level accommodations making them the most luxurious of the Disney properties.

Deluxe Villa resort accommodations are rooms allocated to retail sales from the Disney Vacation Club properties.   Room configurations include studios, one- and two-bedroom villas, and three-bedroom Grand Villas.  The studio is somewhat comparable to a standard deluxe-property room with the addition of a small kitchenette.  The other units include a full kitchen, washer and dryer, two- or three-room master bathrooms with whirlpool tubs and walk-in showers, and plentiful storage.  The Grand Villas add a dining room for family dinners and are wonderfully spacious.

Several of the Deluxe Villa properties are connected to existing hotels: Disney’s Boardwalk, Disney’s Beach Club, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.  Guests staying in these villas have full access to all the amenities of their sister hotel including the themed pools.  Disney’s Old Key West and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa are dedicated villa properties without any standard hotel space connected.

Of course, each Walt Disney World Resort hotel has features that are uniquely theirs!  Your travel concierge will be happy to provide in-depth information about each resort to assist you in making the perfect choice.

After a year of declining sales of travel to virtually all destinations around the world, and strong discount offers on Disney products, changes are expected for 2010.

Disney C.E.O. Bob Iger recently announced the company’s plans to “dial back” specials during the upcoming year.  As we mentioned in the post Family Values the company has viewed promotions not only as a means of keeping attendance high, but as a tool to attract a new demographic of people who might otherwise not have taken a Disney vacation.  As most visitors know, once bitten, there is generally no cure for the Disney bug!  Guests can expect not just the usual rate increases that each new year brings, but fewer deep discounts than they may have seen in the past.

Whether you’ve chosen concierge-level accommodations at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, or are traveling on a budget for a stay at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort, you want the best value for your vacation dollars.  Here are some recommendations to help minimize the impact of increasing prices:

Pay attention to the season. The price for the same room fluctuates hugely over the course of the calendar year.  Room rates are affected by weekend dates, holidays, special events, and the Disney “season.”  If your travel dates are flexible, your Concierge will inform you about the differences in pricing from one season to another.  Often, moving your plans forward or backward just one week can save many hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars.

Consider a Disney Dining Plan. There are three major costs associated with a Walt Disney World vacation:  accommodations, park tickets, and food.  While transportation costs will vary from guest to guest, these three will be major components of just about everyone’s trip.  Although most guests find food prices very much in line with their expectations, they still add up quickly. A Disney Dining Plan is a wonderful way to plan ahead for this expense and saves most visitors money.

Review the inclusions for each package. The most commonly requested Disney vacation package is the Magic Your Way package with the standard dining plan, park tickets with the Park Hopper option, and Disney’s Magical Express transportation.  Guests often forget that there are several different types of packages and the Magic Your Way package is almost infinitely customizable.  Try to avoid paying for the elements you don’t need and spend those funds on the things that are important to you.

First-time visitors or those with very young children may not need the Park Hopper option but might really appreciate the convenience of private car service with a stop at a grocery store.  A couple celebrating an anniversary may find the Deluxe Dining Plan suits their wishes for a relaxed and indulgent experience.  The park-commando group may not want to take the time for a table-service meal and choose the Quick Service Dining Plan.  Golfers often discover that the Premium Package offers them the best value.  Your vacation is unique and your travel arrangements should suit your own style.

Some careful planning will help you put that Disney vacation on the calendar for 2010!