A Grand Deluxe

Welcome to those of you joining me from The CanaDisney Blog and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the 3rd, stop on our Magical Blogorail.

View from the Magic Kingdom connector Ferry Boat

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa opened up in 1988, as the first in a line of resorts that then Disney CEO Michael Eisner created to attract visitors to spend more time and money on Walt Disney property instead of the local area hotels.

Other Magic Kingdom area resorts were originally inspired by the lands of the Magic Kingdom  the Contemporary to be seen from Tomorrowland and the Polynesian from Adventureland, the Grand Floridian is tied to Main Street, U.S.A.  The hotel and grounds are inspired by the Victorian era houses on the east coast of Florida in the late 19th and early 20th century, the time perfectly ties into Main Street, U.S.A.

The main building I remember vividly growing up thanks to a wonderful episode of Full House (c'mon - who doesn't remember Uncle Jesse sitting down at the lobby grand piano to serenade Aunt Becky when he missed their anniversary picnic?), even more than the first time I stayed at the resort, in 1993.

During the evenings, and maybe during the day - I'm not sure of their specific times - there are piano players, playing classically arranged Disney music and other beautiful melodies to float through the beautifully ornate  lobby.  When the piano players aren't working, the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra The inside of the Main Building is reserved for concierge guests, and while it's lovely and a great (yet most likely insanely expensive) option, I've actually heard guests complain that it's very loud, as it's an open atrium in which the majority of guests go through regularly to make their way back to their rooms.

The first views walking in from the parking lot or Magical Express bus include the beautiful atrium lobby, but also stunning marble displays with many hidden characters on the grounds and even in the carpets.

Even the resort rooms are filled with Disney details.  The wallpaper, paintings, desks, and lamps are covered with our favorite pals.  At the bottom of this post, you can find my links to more of the decorations you can find when staying, or perusing, this beautiful resort!

The Grand Floridian is the flagship resort for Walt Disney World, and with that, it is the most expensive resort on property.  The Disney Vacation Club is currently building a resort there, near the Wedding Pavilion.  If you're looking for a wonderful spa, this is the location.. or would be if it weren't currently closed for the building of the DVC properties!  

This resort is on the resort monorail line with direct connections to:

• The Transportation and Ticket Center (use to transfer to Epcot)
• The Polynesian Resort
• The Contemporary Resort
• The Magic Kingdom 
• Ferry Boats are available to the TTC and to the Magic Kingdom
• Buses run from the Grand Floridian to other WDW Parks and water parks

Restaurants at the Grand Floridian include:

• *Victoria and Albert's - a AAA Five Diamond Award Winner
• *Narcoosee's - a Seafood restaurant with views of the Seven Seas, the Magic Kingdom, and Wishes - not in the main building
• *Citricos - American food with a Mediterranean flair
• 1900 Park Fare - Character breakfast and Dinner - a great place to meet Mary Poppins, Cinderella, Prince Charming, and Cinderella's two wicked step sisters
• Grand Floridian Cafe - a very affordable and easily available place to sit down for any meal during the day
• Gasparilla Grill  - their quick service restaurant - standard quick service, with a few more options than just burgers and hot dogs

*Signature Dining Resorts 

And, while this resort is fancy schmancy, my memories include watching Hulk Hogan film his short lived show, Thunder in Paradise 1993, and the memories my family and I made staying there last June.  My son had a blast in the pool, splash areas, and making friends with the cast members!  Plus, instead of the standard pack 'n' play, they had a real crib for him to sleep in!  

Grand Floridian Hidden Mickeys Part 1

Grand Floridian Hidden Mickeys Part 2

Grand Floridian Hidden Mickeys Part 3

Grand Floridian Hidden Mickeys Part 4

Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is The Disney Point.

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make astop along the way and want to reboard:

1st Stop ~ Disney's Contemporary Resort

2nd Stop ~ Disney's Polynesian Resort

**3rd Stop ~ Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa**

4th Stop ~ Disney's Yacht and Beach Club

5th Stop ~ Disney's Wilderness Lodge

6th Stop ~ Disney's Boardwalk Inn

Final Stop ~ Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge