Why the Grand Floridian Is Disney's Crown Jewel (2024)

When you book at a Walt Disney World resort, you’ll feel the temptation to splurge at some point.One of the splurges is inevitably your hotel of choice, and for nearly 30 years now, one resort has stood out from the rest.

Here’s why Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is Disney’s crown jewel.

The Lobby

Victorian splendor is on display at every turn of the Grand Floridian’s lobby.

It is unquestionably the most luxurious Disney hotel lobby in the United States.

One of the most attention-grabbing features is the hotel piano, especially if you’re lucky enough to catch a live performance.

A pianist may regale you with your favorite Disney classic tunes.

It’s worth going out of your way to catch one of these shows, so ask a Cast Member when to expect one.

You’ll find several restaurants in the area, which we’ll discuss in a minute, but for now, let’s talk about the Enchanted Rose Lounge.

Situated on the second floor, this terrific hangout spot features a Beauty and the Beast theme across multiple sections.

To a larger point, the Grand Floridian is brimming with elegance and smells amazing.

You should plan to sit here when you want to relax and unwind.

The Shops

The hotel lobby also features several marvelous shops, a couple of which are unique at Disney properties.

For instance, at Curiouser Clothiers, you can purchase upscale apparel and premium souvenirs.

You can also buy Disney x Pandora jewelry and designer handbags here. It’s one of the highest-end stores at Disney World.

Meanwhile, Mouse Mercantile is more like a Disney Store, as it sells conventional Disney park merchandise.

You’ll also find Sandy Cove Gifts and Sundries, which is a lobby shop that sells everything from postcards to luggage.

You can think of this place as the general store at the Grand Floridian.

It features so much utility, that even when you’re not staying here, you should keep it in mind.

The Monorail Access

You’ll never regret staying at a Disney monorail resort, and the explanation is right there in the name.

You’ll enjoy Monorail access from the hotel lobby.

The lobby setup makes the experience that much more enjoyable.

You’ll either take a classic luxury elevator up or down to board/exit the monorail, or you’ll walk on some decadent stairs.

They feel straight from a Hollywood red carpet event, no joke.

The entire experience feels opulent for such a simple exercise as hopping on and off the Monorail.

Best of all, you’re only a quick ride away from Magic Kingdom or a slightly longer Monorail trip from EPCOT.

The Pools and Wet Areas

The main pool at the Grand Floridian is one of my favorite relaxation spots at Disney World.

I love it for two reasons, one of which is that the pool bar is RIGHT there.

Seriously, you can grab lunch or nurture a beverage while you relax in the sun.

It’s also quietly one of the best places to sneak in some celebrity-watching at Walt Disney World.

The other reason is that you can actually see the monorail from many lounge chairs here.As a sucker for the monorail, I’m all about that.

Then there’s the other thing I love about the beach part of the resort: you’ll find an Alice in Wonderland-themed wet area here!

The highlight is the Mad Hatter’s hat. Imagine a ten-foot-tall hat with water gradually pouring into it.

At some point, the hat will fill up and tip over, dousing everyone below in a joyous shower of laughter.

This is a kid’s area, but let’s be honest. You’re going to be jealous that they can do this.

I often watch parents sneak into the splash zone.

The Wedding Gazebo

A fun fact you may not know is that you can get married at countless places at Walt Disney World.

However, one of them is more famous than the rest.

The most regal place to get married at Walt Disney World is the Wedding Gazebo at the Grand Floridian.

How big a deal is it?

Even the current Governor of Florida got married here, and he’s not really a Disney fan as a rule.

When you want the most memorable Disney wedding possible, you get married at the Grand Floridian.

The Modest Restaurants

In case you haven’t noticed, MickeyBlog is fanatical about Gasparilla Grill.

We post any time there’s a menu update or new dessert available.

We do that because we love eating here and know the menu by heart.

While that’s the cheapest option at the Grand Floridian, it’s by no means the best… not even close.

In fact, in terms of bang for the buck, I favor the wildly underrated Grand Floridian Cafe.

This restaurant serves a tasty breakfast, some of which you can order at lunch as well.

But the iconic dish here is Buttermilk-fried Chicken. It has been the signature dish here for as long as I can remember.

The Fine Restaurants

I’m not listing every restaurant at the Grand Floridian, merely highlighting the ones I consider the best.

Few would disagree that two of the classiest dining options at the Grand Floridian are Citricos and Narcoossee’s, though.

Disney has recently redesigned both to make them somehow even more elegant.

The two establishments are so extraordinary that they exist in a unique restaurant category called Signature Dining.

As such, you will pay a bit more at these places, but you will definitely get your money’s worth.

Cirtrico’s serves Florida cuisine with Mediterranean flavors, while Narcoossee’s serves delicious coastal seafood.

Both locations currently reside in the top 100 on TripAdvisor’s rankings of the best fine dining options in Orlando.

The Michelin Star Restaurant

Early in 2024, the impossible happened.

A theme park hotel restaurant earned the most prestigious honor in the hospitality industry – a Michelin Star.

In terms of scale, that’s not much different from your local movie theater restaurant earning a Michelin Star.

How is this even possible?

Well, throughout the 21st century, Victoria & Albert’s at the Grand Floridian has elevated the notion of theme park dining.

This experience, which can cost $500 or more per person, is a foodie’s dream, but it’s also a culinary masterwork.

This is one of the most highly regarded dining experiences in the United States, even being named THE best restaurant in the country on multiple occasions.

You can eat here during a Disney World visit, but it’s that much better when you’re also staying at the resort.

The Spa

Look, you may be at Walt Disney World, but you’d still like a spa day on your vacation, right?

At Senses Spa, Cast Members will tenderly massage away your stress, fancy up your hair, or perfect your nails and toes.

Several Deluxe Tier Disney resorts host spas, but I’d argue that Senses at the Grand Floridian is the best and most relaxing one at Walt Disney World.

The Rooms

And then, finally, I’ll never forget the first time my brother and his family stayed at the Grand Floridian.

He’s an engineer and admires the little things, many of which I’m unlikely to notice.

On that day, he was obsessing on the tiles, the flooring, and the curtains at the Grand Floridian.

Generally, when you stay at a Disney resort, you obsess over the theming, which you can’t help but notice at the Grand Floridian as well.

The Victorian touches are everywhere, but the decor here elevates the rooms.

They feel genuinely upscale, and you WILL notice the Disney difference.

This place is immaculate. That’s why it’s the crown jewel of Disney resorts.

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