Today I have a guest review post from my friend, and client, Lauren Hourihan. She and her husband recently stayed at The Grand Floridian, and she has taken the time to share her review and several beautiful photographs she captured during her stay.
From Lauren –
My husband Brian and I had the opportunity in August of this year to experience a stay at our dream resort- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa! We are major Disney fans and have taken several trips previously; even having gotten engaged in the Magic Kingdom. We were excited to be back to celebrate our second wedding anniversary at the gorgeous Grand Floridian Resort.
Upon arriving at the resort via Disney’s Magical Express, we were overtaken by the charming ambiance, magnificent service, and endless details. We were graciously welcomed “home” by the cast members upon entering the elaborate lobby and loved getting to breathe in that clean and luxurious scent that is so famously pumped into the lobby. Check in was a breeze and we made our way to locate the room that would be our home for the next week. Our room was in the Boca Chica building- a great central location with views of the resort lobby building and pool. We were placed in a dormer room- a unique and cozy room with slanted ceilings located on one of the highest floors. We were so impressed by the size and features of the rooms. The bathroom was stunning with hardwood floors, granite counters, and luxurious sea salt bath products. The room itself had very high ceilings, lovely linens, and a spectacular balcony with a super view!
The amenities of the resort itself were thoroughly enjoyed by us- the resort has stellar shopping, dining, entertainment, and recreation. We had a blast using both the quiet and feature pools- including the fun water slide! We were able to view the Electrical Water Pageant right from the back steps of our building and viewed wishes from both the boat dock and the marina. We also spent many afternoons and evenings relaxing in comfy chairs in the main lobby while listening to the charming music of the piano player and the orchestra. Having access to these magical entertainment options without leaving our resort was a great benefit to us.
Shopping and dining are two large aspects of any Disney trip for my husband and I. Luckily, we were at one of the best resorts for both of these things! The shopping options are unique and plentiful- from classic souvenirs to high-end boutique items; luxurious bath products to fancy teas- there was something to meet our every retail need. The dining options were beyond compare- everything from quick service meals to signature and AAA five-diamond eating establishments. We enjoyed the bright Victorian elements incorporated into the decor at Gasparilla Grill. Their cupcakes were piled high with frosting and the French bread pizza was a favorite late night snack of ours! One of our highlight dining experiences was at The Grand Floridian Café. The service was great, the atmosphere was warm and elegant, and the food options were decadent- all while being affordable. We also had the opportunity to dine at Citricos- one of the signature dining options at the resort. We had eaten there on our honeymoon and it was a very special and memorable experience and we were anxious to have another meal there. Our visit this year was also wonderful with great service, a table with a gorgeous view, and the tastes of a delicious cheese board and special anniversary desert. We rounded out our Grand Floridian dining experiences with a visit to The Garden View Tea Room for their special afternoon tea. It is an experience that I cherish each time I am fortunate enough to do it- the atmosphere, teas, and treats are extraordinary!
Another bonus of the resort is its location and transportation options. Its proximity to the Magic Kingdom was a fantastic benefit- we enjoyed utilizing both the boat and monorail service to that park. We were also able to take the monorail to Epcot which is always a fun and special experience! Bus service to the other parks was smooth and pleasant. We also loved being so close to the other deluxe resorts along the monorail loop and spent many evenings strolling around the other resort properties.
We couldn’t have been more thrilled with our experience at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. The rooms, service, and dining options stand out most amidst an endlessly superb resort experience that we will cherish always! We look forward to the day when we may have the opportunity to call this resort “home” again!
Betsy Walker Travels 