Resort Layout:
The Resort and Spa is a complex of four and five storey white framed buildings and occupies 40 acres of land. The Grand Floridian opened in 1988 as Disney’s fifth resort hotel. The five storey lobby is the central location of the resort. The lobby features a domed, stained glass ceiling and crystal chandeliers.

Located just one monorail stop away from the Magic Kingdom, this Resort is both elegant and convenient. Whether guests are looking for an ultra luxurious stay or the simple pleasures, there are plenty of both.

The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa Convention Center has over 40,000 square feet of flexible function space. There are two elegant ballrooms, 16 modern breakout rooms, high-speed internet connections and a dedicated business center which can assist with any typing or copying needs. Of the two ballrooms the Grand Floridian Ballroom is the largest at 18,216 square feet and is ideal for banquets and receptions for up to 1,500 guests.

The Grand Floridian even has the Fairy Tale Wedding Pavilion on a private island off the resort. It has a near-perfect view of Cinderella Castle, and can hold up to 250 guests. Characters are available to attend the wedding, and packages can be booked that include just about anything for the wedding as well as the honeymoon. Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons can provide more information at (407) 363-6333.

Guest Rooms:
The 867 guest rooms are decorated with luxurious wood trim along with curtains and linens in warm beach tones. The Victorian theme is amplified by the armoires, marbled sinks and ceiling fans. The rooms have different views depending on which building the room is located in. Garden view rooms overlook the landscaped gardens. The Pool/Marina views overlook the courtyard pool or the marina. The Lagoon view features a view of the Seven Seas Lagoon. The main building of the Resort also has views of Cinderella Castle. Lodge Tower rooms, concierge rooms and deluxe honeymoon concierge rooms can have views of the gardens, pool or marina.

A typical guest room is 440 square feet and can accommodate up to five guests and one child under the age of three in a crib. Most rooms have balconies. Each room is furnished with two queen beds, a day bed, reading chair, and a table and chairs. Rooms include two sinks outside the bathroom, a small safe to store valuables, cable TV and radio, data port for a laptop computer, hair dryer, iron and ironing board and coffee makers with complimentary coffee packets. There is also a small refrigerator in every room.

The lodge tower rooms are located in the semicircular protrusions viewed on the outside of some Resort buildings. They include all of the features of a standard room. They also have a separate sitting area, with additional furniture, TV, phone, views out of five windows and a separate balcony.

Services & Amenities:
- Room Service
- Concierge desk
- Health Club and spa
- Babysitting and child services
- Pak-n-play crib available
- Room and facilities for guest with disabilities
- Self parking
- Valet parking available for a nominal fee
- Laundry facilities and services
- Meeting and banquet facilities
- Business Center
- Barber and beauty shop
- Wireless Internet Access

Check-In & Check-Out:
Check-in is at 3 pm. It is possible your room may be available prior to that time, but it is not guaranteed. If it is not ready, you can leave your luggage with the Bell Services where it will be stored and then delivered when you are in the room. If you decide to wait around until your room is available, you are welcome to take a dip or relax by the main pool area. There are lockers, changing areas and public restrooms for you to use. You can also head out to a theme park and start enjoying the Disney World magic while your room is being prepared.

Check-out is at 11 am. When paying with a credit card, you will not have to go to the desk to check out. An itemized bill will be hung on your door by 8:30 am on your departure day. If the bill looks fine, you’re all set to depart. Your electronic room key will be deactivated at 11 am. Don’t forget to use Bell Services to help you with your luggage, filled with souvenirs, to your car. If you are taking a bus or taxi to the airport, or leaving later in the day, Bell services will keep your luggage until your transportation arrives.

Dining:
Victoria & Albert's is the elegant dining centerpiece of Grand Floridian, if not all of Disney World. The chef selects the menu daily. Jackets for men are required at this restaurant.

Citricos is an upscale expensive restaurant. Since 2001, Citricos is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. It is business casual attire.

1900 Park Fare features American cuisine in a buffet and features a character breakfast with Mary Poppins and a character dinner featuring Cinderella. Look for Big Bertha as it sits 15 feet above the floor in the restaurant. This band organ that is almost 100 years old will periodically play through the meal featuring pipes, drums, bells, cymbals and a xylophone.

Narcoossee's features seafood, steak and chicken entrees, in waterside setting. It is business casual attire.

The Grand Floridian Cafe is the resort’s casual restaurant, featuring Southern cooking, salads, and sandwiches.

Gasparilla Grill and Games is a 24 hour takeout, self-serve establishment that has the usual assortment of burgers, hot dogs, chicken, and ice cream available.

The Grand Floridian Afternoon Tea features a variety of rare teas, crumpets, scones, and berries with Champagne; served on Royal Doulton china. It is served in the Garden View Lounge from 2 pm until 6 pm. Priority Seating is recommended.

Tip:
The best beverage deal at the resorts are the refillable mugs. Available for approximately $13, these sturdy plastic mugs can be purchased through any food court vendors and pizza delivery. The mugs are refillable for the length of your resort stay at any self-serve beverage island found in the food court area. Beverages include soft drinks, coffee, tea, iced tea and coffee and hot chocolate. Milk, fruit juice and alcoholic beverages are not included. The mugs are not refillable at any of the theme parks. This is a very economical deal if you are an avid pop or coffee drinker.

Recreation:
Pools
Splash, sun and slide under waterfalls in the main Beach Pool. There is also a quiet pool in the courtyard pool and also a kiddie pool.

Beach
Soak up the sun on a white-sand beach.

Health Club
Grand Floridian Spa & Health Club allows guests to work out with weight-lifting machines, free weights and aerobic machines, or experience a relaxing massage or the dry sauna.

Mouseketeer Club
Treat children ages 4 to 12 to an evening of supervised activities, computer games, Disney movies, dinner and snacks in an environment created just for them.

Arcade
Play a variety of video and pinball favorites at Gasparilla's Grill & Games.

Watercraft Rentals
Pedal boats, watermice, kayaks, canopy boats, pontoon boats or Sea Raycers can be rented to spend some time on the river with. Bicycles and surrey bikes are also available for rent. There may be a 30 minute time limit for each individual use depending on availability, but there is no limit to the number of times you can use the equipment. Or charter the Grand 1, the Grand Floridian's Sea Ray Yacht.

Tennis
The tennis courts are available to play a game or two. Remember to bring your own equipment.

Grand Adventures in Cooking
Have a delicious time painting an apron, decorating your very own chef's hat and whipping up tasty treats. For children ages 4 to 10. Space is limited.

Wonderland Tea Party
Join Alice and her curious friends for lunch, cupcakes and, of course, a spot of tea. For children ages 3 to 10. Space is limited.

Disney's Pirate Adventure
Don yer garb and set sail to exotic ports-of-call in search of buried treasure. For children ages 4 to 10. Space is limited.

Jogging Trail
Take a scenic one mile run along the path to Disney's Polynesian Resort.

Shopping
Summer Lace, on the first floor, sells Victorian fine gifts such as tapestries and lace, Limoges boxes, and Thymes bath and body collection and a selection of wedding gifts.

Sandy Cove features gourmet gifts, fine chocolates and candies, Grand Floridian logo merchandise and basic necessities. This shop also sells CDs by musicians who perform at the Grand Floridian, as well as cold beverages and snacks.

Commander Porter's, sells men's and women's clothing.

M. Mouse Mercantile is a character shop for adults and kids. Disney's PhotoPass photos can be viewed here as well.

Bally sells men’s and ladies gift items and accessories.

Transportation:
To get to any Disney Resort or theme park you can drive yourself, take a taxi or use the wonderful Disney Transportation System. Disney Transportation includes buses, boats, the monorail and the Magical Express Service.

By Bus:
Theme Parks, Water Parks, Disney Resorts and the Downtown Disney area are accessible by the bus system. Buses travel on routes throughout the Resorts but do not provide direct service between all destinations and require transfer from one bus to another.

Bus service to the Theme Parks begins approximately two hours before opening. Generally buses will run every 20 minutes throughout the day and continue to operate until two hours after park closing. During peak times, buses can get a little crowded, but there is usually another bus that arrives quickly after so guests are not waiting long periods of time. Magic Kingdom is not accessible by bus from the Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Polynesian Resort. These Resorts provide monorail transportation to the park.

By Boat:
The Disney ferryboats connect the Magic Kingdom to the Transportation and Ticket Center, which is adjacent to the parking lot. Entering the park by ferryboat gives guests a chance to float by some of the Deluxe Resorts. This is also the best way to get the first glimpse of Cinderella Castle. If guests are staying at the Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Polynesian Resort, Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground or Wilderness Lodge, the Magic Kingdom is accessible by boat at their own water launches.

Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios are accessible by boat from BoardWalk Inn and Villas Resort, the Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts and the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels.

Downtown Disney is accessible by ferryboat from Disney's Port Orleans Resort and Disney's Old Key West Resort.

By Monorail:
There are three loops to the monorail system. Loop A runs counterclockwise connecting Magic Kingdom and the Ticket and Transportation Center. Loop B runs clockwise along side Loop A and stops at the Ticket and Transportation Center, Polynesian Resort, Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Magic Kingdom, Contemporary Resort and back to the Ticket and Transportation Center. Loop C runs from the Ticket and Transportation Center to Epcot including a quick tour inside the park around Spaceship Earth. Service generally starts an hour and a half before opening and ends two hours after closing.

If you bring or rent a car, there is plenty of free parking at the Resorts and parks. Depending on your room location, you may or may not be able to park close to your room. Ask when room selection is made.

Things to Know:
The Electrical Water pageant is held each evening on Seven Seas Lagoon, and can be viewed from both the resort beaches and the boat dock. Confirm with Lobby Concierge for times.

If you don't have a room with a Magic Kingdom view, there are still some great spots to watch. The resort beach and the boat dock are great places to watch the "Wishes" fireworks.

The Ivy Trellis Barber and Beauty Shop is open daily.

On Mondays and Thursdays, the Grand Floridian Ladies twirl their way to work through the courtyard with their parasols.