Posts Tagged ‘spa treatments’

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

Portrait ArtistCapture 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.

 

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

 

The spa experience, appreciated by other cultures for generations, has truly been embraced by the American audience over the past ten or fifteen years.  Disney has risen to the challenge, offering facilities at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa in Disneyland; Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa at Walt Disney World; the availability of in-room treatments at the Disney Resorts; spas onboard the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder; and even cabana massages on Disney’s beautiful private island, Castaway Cay. 

It is a highlight of many Disney park and cruise vacations, and we get such glowing reports from guests about their spa experiences that I wanted to be able share my own spa stories.  Alas, I was the last spa holdout on the planet.  

Now, the whole thing sounds so wonderful in theory: gentle, restorative massages; brisk, citrusy exfoliations; warm, petal-strewn baths; relaxed, limp-noodle results.  Say all you want, however, about professional draping, and professionals pursuing their professions with professional professionalism; the bottom line:  you’re in a room naked being rubbed by a complete stranger.  Relaxing; are you crazy?  I would leave with so much tension in my neck and shoulders, I wouldn’t be able to move my head for a month.    

Still, I did want to familiarize myself with the spa, so I decided to try a manicure – how traumatic could that be?  I made appointments at the Grand Floridian Spa and went with a friend.  We were ushered into a quiet and peaceful area with subdued lighting and shown through the treatment rooms, the lounge and locker areas, and the whirlpool room.  The atmosphere was hushed and serene and even a simple manicure was made special with a pampering hand and arm massage.  

I had a chance to chat with a number of different patrons in the pleasant lounge where cool drinks and herbal teas are available.  It turns out that almost everyone was fairly intimidated by the idea of their first spa treatment.  Each person had a story, but all agreed that the Disney cast members go out of their way to make the experience as comfortable as possible.  If you’re not thrilled with the idea of fully undressing, you can dip your toe in the spa waters by choosing a type of treatment, such as a facial or reflexology massage, that doesn’t require it.  Even full-body massages can be accomplished while wearing a swimsuit, although a better treatment can be provided if you are willing to disrobe.  Keep in mind that you will be left alone to undress and untreated areas are fully covered by a drape at all times. Also, you can indicate your preference for a male or female massage therapist.  Generally speaking, swim suits and/or robes are worn in most other areas such as the whirlpool.  Expect to tip about 20% and don’t be surprised at the sales pitch for the spa products.  

While I did find this all very interesting, and even somewhat reassuring, I still haven’t made the leap.  Meanwhile, current spa aficionados looking for a truly luxurious and inclusive spa vacation are invited to consider our Grand Indulgence itinerary.

For now, if you see a stiff, obviously unmassaged person (with nicely-manicured nails) walking around Walt Disney World – that would be me!!