Posts Tagged ‘Seven Seas Lagoon’

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

#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!

The Magic Kingdom is setting the stage for a new holiday show, A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas, scheduled to be up and dancing for its debut during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.  Appearing on the Rockettower Plaza Stage, the interactive musical revue will feature the faces of Tomorrowland:  Stitch, Buzz Lightyear, and Mike Wazowski.

Many were hoping that Mickey’s Twas the Night Before Christmas Show, which lost its home when the Galaxy Palace Theater was demolished, would reappear on the Rockettower Plaza Stage, but the announcement of this new production seems to confirm the demise of that much-loved show.

Rehearsals start on November 2^nd and visitors staying at the Magic Kingdom resorts may be able to get an early preview of the music.  The rehearsal schedule for new shows and parades typically runs well into the early-morning hours. Guests of the resorts around the Seven Seas Lagoon can often step out onto their balconies in the wee hours and hear the sounds of music coming from the Magic Kingdom as cast members run through the productions.

Years ago, during one of my earliest visits to Walt Disney World, I was certain that, while driving to Disney’s Contemporary Resort, I had seen a boat glide by on an overpass.  Each time I brought it up, I got strange looks from people and after a while, I began to think that I had misremembered.

Much later, while on the launch between Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and the Magic Kingdom, I was delighted to hear the explanation for that vivid memory from long ago:  a water bridge!  With an eye to keeping the vistas beautiful, Disney decided to put the water over the road rather than having a roadway over the water.  While there is a second water bridge in the EPCOT resort area, guests can actually cross over the one that connects Bay Lake with the Seven Seas Lagoon.

Most visitors never realize that they are passing over a busy road as they travel between the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and Disney’s Fort Wilderness.

All vessels cut their speed as they approach; a signal to passengers that the water bridge is just ahead.  So, next time you’re cruising the lake or lagoon, watch for the NO WAKE signs and take a moment to appreciate this engineering marvel.

Looking at this tranquil sunrise scene, it’s difficult to imagine that tall waves once broke on the shores of the beach at Disney’s Polynesian Resort.

When it opened in 1971, the resort included a wave machine and surfing was one of the featured activities.  The machine could be configured to recreate the oceans of the South Sea Islands, producing calm tides or crashing breakers.

Almost immediately, it became apparent that it in addition to providing a tropical atmosphere, it was also causing severe erosion of the beach.  The hours of operation were reduced, but eventually, it had to be closed down.  Some say that the installation remains, hidden in the lush foliage of the offshore islands.  Later, all swimming was prohibited due to boat traffic and water quality issues.

Today, guests can once again ride the curl at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park by signing up for the  surfing instruction available several mornings each week.  Groups looking for a private surf party can arrange after-hours rental of the venue.

Learn to Surf

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon

Monday, Tuesday, Friday 8:45 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.; one hour earlier on Extra Magic Hours days

1/2 hour land instruction, 2 hour surf time in the water

$150.00 per person/must be at least 8 years of age

Maximum 12 guests per class

Park admission is required to remain in the park after lesson

Call 407-939-7873  (407-WDW-SURF)