Recreation

Image: Disney

Since the Grand Floridian caters to the upper crust of society, they include a lot more onsite activities than the average DVC property. If you love where you’re staying and don’t want to leave the hotel, ask for a list of scheduled entertainment. I highly recommend movie night, as the viewing setup is spectacular.

For now, let’s cover the primary vacation hobby: hanging out at the pool. The Grand Floridian features two pools, each of which has tremendous positives and unique character traits. The beach pool is one of the most relaxing at any DVC property. This is where the hotel hosts its movie nights, and the adjacent Beaches Pool Bar and Grill assures that you’re a swipe of your magic band away from having your every whim satisfied. The beach pool is quite large at 111,261 gallons, and its massive 181-feet waterslide will keep children (of all ages) entertained for a long time. The pool also includes waterfalls and zero-depth entry, thereby adding to the relaxing vibe.

Image: The Missy, Flickr (license)

The quiet pool is a bit sillier, albeit it in a fun way. It includes an interactive play area, and the key component in this setup is an upside down Mad Hatter’s Hat. The giant hat gradually fills with gallons of water before it reaches a proverbial tipping point. At this moment, it…tips. The result is a watery splashdown of epic proportions that never fails to delight children. When guests walk in this area, they have a tendency to stop and watch until the hat tips over. It’s a kind of spectator sport. Adding to the theme, the Grand Floridian features daily family entertainment like the unbirthday party. Due to its proximity to the water, plenty of aquatic activities are available for a modest fee. You can sail around the manmade lake, and you can even participate in a catch and release fishing expedition.

Inside the hotel room

Image: Jeff Christiansen, Flickr (license)

Whether the explanation is peer pressure or honesty, guests consistently list the hotel rooms at the Grand Floridian as the finest at Walt Disney World. The new DVC studios are 374 square feet big, which is mid-sized by DVC standards. Thankfully, the design affords a maximum of space, and the wall-length balcony affords a mesmerizing view of, well, a lot of your favorite Disney landmarks. The villas were added on 25 years after the Grand Floridian opened, and their landscape views are impeccably chosen by Disney Imagineers. Some of the villas overlook the pool and wedding pavilion, while others face Magic Kingdom, providing a hypnotic look at the park’s major features like Cinderella Castle. A few of the rooms face Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, providing a gentle island vibe to your balcony backdrop, and you’ll enjoy at least a partial view of Seven Seas Lagoon no matter where you are.

Image: Disney

The studios sleep five thanks to the queen bed, sofa bed, and Murphy bed, at least as long as your party is okay with foldout beds. The interior décor of the room is every bit as luxurious as the hotel itself. The villas include vaulted ceilings, a rarity for any high-volume hotel. They also offer some of the finest tiles for the cabinets, bathtub, and bathroom floor. And the bathroom mirror actually includes a television screen if you want to watch a program while you get dressed. Green accents define the color scheme, and a few nice touches like mirrors and chandeliers are on display in some of the rooms. The one-bedroom villas feature even nicer accoutrements, making the guest feel that much more regal. Independent of the room type you select, you’re living in the lap of luxury while you’re a guest at the Grand Floridian.