Grand Floridian Resort Guide
Disney’s Grand Floridian Villas
Our tips and tricks to make your trip magicalFrom the DVC pool with its Mad Hatter splash pad and five room types to Victoria & Albert’s and DVC perks – everything you need to plan the perfect Grand Floridian stay, from owners who know this resort best.
What’s In This Guide
- Resort Overview – Why We Love Grand Floridian Villas
- Finding Your Way Around – Layout & Location
- Room Types – View Categories & What Makes Each Unique
- Room Sizes & What’s Included
- Food Options – Restaurants, Bars & Quick Service
- Activity Highlights & Transportation
- DVC Perks – What You Get When You Rent
Why We Love Grand Floridian Villas
The minute you step into the grand lobby of the Grand Floridian, you feel the elegance of this resort – and you never quite want to leave.
Sit and enjoy live musicians playing Disney songs in the soaring Victorian lobby. It’s also the smell – we wish we could bottle it up and take it home! The grounds, the pool, the rooms – everything about this resort is wonderful. And you truly cannot beat the location: Magic Kingdom is just one monorail stop away, an easy walk along the path, or a relaxing boat ride across the Seven Seas Lagoon.
Grand Floridian is one of the resorts we own as DVC members, and for very good reason. We still visit multiple times a year and it never gets old. If you want to skip the crowds at Magic Kingdom fireworks, head back to the Grand Floridian and watch from the beach with perfectly synced music – it’s one of the most magical experiences at all of Walt Disney World.
Find us on Pinterest @pixiepointgals and Instagram @pixiepointgals for real-time photos and updates from the resort!
Room View Categories
Grand Floridian Villas offers three distinct view categories – each with a very different morning outlook and a meaningful difference in atmosphere and price.
Choosing your view at the Grand Floridian is one of the most impactful decisions you’ll make when booking. A Theme Park View room can give you Magic Kingdom fireworks from your own balcony. A Lake View puts Bay Lake’s shimmering water right outside your window. Standard is the best value and still a gorgeous resort to be in.
View of parking areas, the pool, or the monorail. The best value view category – ideal if you plan to spend most of your days at the parks or the pool and just want a gorgeous resort to come home to.
View of Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon. Wake up to sparkling water and lush resort grounds. A beautiful mid-tier option – serene and scenic without the full premium of a Theme Park View.
View of Magic Kingdom – including Cinderella Castle and the nightly fireworks display. Watch the show right from your balcalk with perfectly synced music. One of the most iconic views on all of Disney property.
You can watch the Electrical Water Pageant from the beach shore at the Grand Floridian – no park ticket needed. Check the My Disney Experience app for show times, as they vary by week and season. Don’t miss it.
Room Sizes & Floor Plans
Grand Floridian Villas offers five room sizes – from the Resort Studio up to the stunning Three Bedroom Grand Villa – giving every group size and budget an option that fits perfectly.
One unique feature of the Grand Floridian is that it offers both a Resort Studio and a Deluxe Studio, giving smaller parties more flexibility. The Murphy bed design used in many room types is a smart space-saving feature – but worth knowing about in advance so you understand the sleeping arrangements. One and larger villas come with full kitchens and in-unit laundry.
- Two queen beds
- One trundle bed
- One bathroom
No kitchen or kitchenette – the most hotel-like room in the Grand Floridian DVC lineup.
- One queen bed
- One sofa / Murphy bed
- One trundle bed
- Two bathrooms
- Microwave & coffee maker
- Counter fridge
- One king bed
- One sofa / Murphy bed
- One trundle bed
- Two bathrooms
- Full kitchen (see below)
- Washer / dryer
- One king bed
- Two queens + Murphy bed
- One trundle bed
- Three bathrooms
- Full kitchen (see below)
- Washer / dryer
Can be booked as a combination of a One Bedroom + Deluxe Studio – great for extended family trips.
- One king bed
- Four queen beds
- One Murphy bed
- Four bathrooms
- Full kitchen (see below)
- Washer / dryer
One of the most expansive villas at Walt Disney World at nearly 3,000 square feet – ideal for large multi-generational family trips. Sleeping capacity across five dedicated sleep spaces.
Kitchens include: sink, dishwasher, fridge and freezer, microwave, coffee maker, toaster. Plates, cups, silverware, frying pan, sauce pan, and cooking utensils. Also stocked with one roll of paper towels, one dishwasher tablet, travel-size dishwashing soap, and a sponge.
Several room types at the Grand Floridian use Murphy beds (fold-out wall beds) as a primary sleep surface. These are full-size sofa-style beds when folded out. They work well for adults and older kids but are worth knowing about if you’re traveling with young children who need a dedicated bed.
Restaurants, Bars & Quick Service
There are more restaurants at the Grand Floridian than almost any other Walt Disney World resort – from casual family fare to the most exclusive fine dining experience on all of Disney property.
The dining range here is extraordinary. On one end: Victoria & Albert’s, a AAA Five Diamond restaurant considered among the finest in all of Florida. On the other: Gasparilla Island Grill, a fantastic quick service location with mobile ordering that you can place from the parks or your room. In between, you’ll find casual American dining, a character breakfast, and a beautiful poolside bar. The quick service at the Grand Floridian is genuinely a step above most other resorts.
The ultimate in fine dining – with only one seating per evening. Guests choose from two tasting menus with many courses featuring the freshest seasonal ingredients. One of the most special and exclusive dining experiences at Walt Disney World. Reserve as early as your 60-day window opens.
Located in the main building, the Grand Floridian Cafe is casual American dining. Disney describes it as an “elegant yet unpretentious eatery” – and that’s exactly right. Until 1900 Park Fare reopens, it’s our top pick for a sit-down breakfast at this resort. Great value for the location.
Quick Service & Other Options
The quick service at the Grand Floridian is genuinely a step up from other resorts. And it’s even more convenient because mobile ordering is available – you can place your order from the parks or from your villa to have it ready when you arrive.
- Gasparilla Island Grill – The main quick service location. Great for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and desserts. Mobile ordering available through the My Disney Experience app.
- 1900 Park Fare – A beloved character breakfast and dinner experience when open. Check availability when booking – it may not always be operating. Worth a reservation if available.
- Beaches Bar & Grill / Courtyard Pool Bar – Poolside dining and cocktails with a beautiful outdoor setting. Great for a relaxed lunch or a drink after a swim. Known for the “Zebra Dome” dessert.
- Sandy Cove – Ice cream, cookies, snacks, and other necessities. A convenient grab-and-go option near the DVC pool area.
- Citricos – Signature dining with Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. A beautiful restaurant inside the main building, perfect for a special night out that’s slightly more accessible than Victoria & Albert’s.
- Narcoossee’s – Waterfront fine dining perched right over the Seven Seas Lagoon. Known for fresh seafood and one of the best views of Magic Kingdom fireworks from a restaurant table at Disney World.
- Mizner’s Lounge / Garden View Tea Room – The lounge offers cocktails and small bites in a stunning Victorian setting. The Garden View Tea Room serves proper afternoon tea – a lovely and underrated experience at the resort.
As a DVC / deluxe resort guest, you can make all your dining reservations 60 days before check-in. Book Victoria & Albert’s and Narcoossee’s first – both fill up extremely fast. If a fireworks dinner view is important to you, Narcoossee’s is an unforgettable experience.
Activity Highlights & Getting Around
Between two pool areas, the iconic Electrical Water Pageant from the beach, a campfire on the shore, and a monorail straight to Magic Kingdom – the Grand Floridian has some of the best resort experiences at Walt Disney World.
Pools & Splash Pads
There are two pool areas at the Grand Floridian: one at the main resort and one next to the DVC section. We prefer the DVC pool – it has a fantastic water slide and a themed kids splash pad right next door inspired by the Mad Hatter Tea Cups. It’s one of the most charming pool setups on Disney property and tends to be quieter than the main resort pool.
Movie Under the Stars
A few evenings a week – typically Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday – the Grand Floridian shows a Disney movie under the stars. They’ll play a Disney film and sometimes even tell kids a bedtime story before the film begins. Check the My Disney Experience app under “My Resort” for the current schedule and location.
Electrical Water Pageant
One of the most underrated traditions at Walt Disney World – the Electrical Water Pageant is a glowing, illuminated parade of floats that travels across the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake each evening. Watch it from the Grand Floridian beach for one of the best views on property. Times vary by week and season, so check the app ahead of time. Don’t miss it.
Campfire & S’mores
Located on the beach, you can roast marshmallows on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 6:00–7:00 PM. S’mores kits are available for an additional fee. A perfect way to wind down the evening before heading to watch the Electrical Water Pageant.
Transportation – Monorail, Boat & Walking Path
Magic Kingdom can be reached three ways: by monorail (one stop away), by boat across the Seven Seas Lagoon, or by walking path along the waterfront. The walking path is often the fastest option, especially when the monorail is crowded after evening events. EPCOT can also be reached by monorail with a transfer at the Transportation and Ticket Center.
Transportation – Bus
Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom are both served by Disney buses from the resort. You can find the estimated time for each bus under “My Resort” in the My Disney Experience app. Buses typically begin running about an hour before the parks open each morning.
For Magic Kingdom in the evening – especially after fireworks – skip the monorail and take the walking path back to the resort. It’s almost always faster than waiting for a packed monorail after the show ends, and the walk along the waterfront at night is genuinely magical.
Perks from Staying at Grand Floridian & Renting DVC
Renting DVC points unlocks a full suite of benefits that standard hotel bookings simply don’t include – and they’re all built into your rental cost.
What You Get
These perks apply to all guests staying at Grand Floridian Villas through a DVC rental – included in the cost, no extras needed.
