I love staying at Disney resorts, specifically the deluxe level resorts. There are so many great perks to staying at a deluxe resort: they’re close to the parks, have easy and fun transportation, good quality food, and even offer guests extra hours in the park after closing! I love it all and enjoy having somewhere relaxing to return to after a long day in the parks. (Head over here to read all about the perks of staying deluxe and how to do it on a budget.)
But the one deluxe resort where I never wanted to stay? The Grand Floridian. I know you may be thinking I’m crazy because it’s beautiful, classic, charming, and fancy. However, none of those are adjectives I use to describe somewhere I would want to stay with 3 boys ages 8 and under. We love the Polynesian for its laid-back island vibes and Beach Club for the proximity to Guardians of the Galaxy and Hollywood Studios but, if I’m being honest, staying at a resort that looks like it was designed for the retired Florida snowbirds wasn’t for us…until our most recent trip.
We booked last minute due to my husband’s work schedule and needed to find 2 nights on the Magic Kingdom side to round out our stay. We already rented DVC points for Beach Club later in the week and 2 nights at the Grand was our only option. So we “settled” on a resort we weren’t overly thrilled about but knew it would give us the location we needed (you can’t beat the Monorail when using a double stroller). When deciding on a Disney resort we consider these four categories: transportation options, dining selections, resort amenities, and overall feel and theming.
When we arrived Monday night it was unlike any greeting I’ve ever experienced when arriving at Disney. We arrived around 8:20 pm and were welcomed by fireworks going off directly in front of us when we pulled in. Already we were off to a magical start. We were shown straight to our room which was easily the most beautiful room I’ve ever stayed in at Disney. The subtle nods to Mary Poppins were perfect, not over the top in theming but enough Disney magic to remind you that you weren’t just at any nice resort, you were at a nice resort in Disney World! We watched the end of the electrical water pageant and headed to bed in awe of the magic.
When we woke up the next morning I was able to take in the room for the first time. The beautiful details of the light fixtures, wall art, the gorgeous bathroom, all of it felt like a dream! We walked down to the boat ramp to catch the boat to the Polynesian for our Ohana breakfast reservation (the boat to Magic Kingdom runs a continuous loop from MK to GF to The Polynesian and back to MK). Walking to the boat ramp was quick and easy and allowed us to notice how beautiful the grounds are. I couldn’t get over how immaculate everything was! I wanted to capture the way it made me feel in every picture. The theming and overall feel of the resort was definitely a 10 out of 10 in our book!
When we arrived at the Polynesian I didn’t miss it, as I feared! I was completely smitten with the Grand Floridian. We enjoyed breakfast at the Poly and took the Monorail straight to Magic Kingdom (When taking the Monorail from a resort you go through security at the resort instead of the parks, making it much quicker getting in the park!). After spending most of the day at Magic Kingdom, we took the Monorail to Epcot for our Guardians Lightning Lane and dinner at Teppan Edo. My youngest was overtired by the time dinner was finishing up, so I was really grateful our resort was on the Monorail. I easily took him back to GF while my husband stayed out with our older two. Once they returned to the room, my oldest and I ventured to Magic Kingdom to enjoy the extended evening hours (a perk of staying at a deluxe resort). Once we were ready for bed, we decided to take the walking path back to the Grand from Magic Kingdom. For transportation we found this to be a 10 out of 10 for easy transportation to and from the parks. In one day we took advantage of the boat, monorail, and walking path from Magic Kingdom. So many easy and convenient options!
The next day was our rest day, and we spent our time enjoying the amenities at the resort. We soaked up the sun playing in the pool and splash pad. I was really impressed with the pool. I didn’t expect something that would be catered to young families, but I was wrong! An awesome waterslide that rivals the Volcano slide at the Poly and a fantastic Alice and Wonderland-themed splash pad kept my boys happy all day! Not to mention the lawn activities they had for everyone to enjoy: foosball, corn hole, giant chess and checkers, and of course fun in the sand on the beach by Seven Seas Lagoon. The pool and amenities for kids are seriously underrated, and I was pleasantly surprised at how much our family felt right at home, despite my previous concerns about it feeling too stuffy. Amenities and fun things for kids to do around the resort: 10 out of 10.
The last thing we consider when we are deciding where to stay is food options (I travel with 4 males, and I ALWAYS have to make sure everyone is well-fed to keep them happy.). We had a phenomenal breakfast at the quick-service restaurant, Gasparilla Island Grill, and we thoroughly enjoyed our poolside lunch from Beaches Pool Bar and Grill. There are over eight dining options at this one resort, not to mention the easy access to dining at the Polynesian, Contemporary, and Epcot. If you have foodies at your party, this resort gives you tons of great dining options at your fingertips. Food at the Grand? 10 out of 10.
I can’t believe I’ve been avoiding the Grand Floridian all these years. My preconceived notions of it being for couples and older parties (not those with young kids) were insanely mistaken! I’m already dreaming of our return. The details, food, transportation options, and feel of the resort are the most magical I’ve ever experienced at Disney. If you’re considering a Disney trip I can’t recommend this resort enough!
And if you’re looking for someone to help craft a personalized trip for your family, I’d love to help you plan your own magical vacation. You can go here to contact me with more information about your upcoming trip. And if you’re already working with an agent from our sister agency, Smart Moms Travel, you’re in great hands. Our agents have gone through hours of training and have access to tons of resources to help plan a fantastic vacation for you and your family. Wherever you decide to stay, I hope you make amazing moments with your family and enjoy the core memories that you’ll all remember forever!
