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Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide

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Main Building  |  Shopping  |  Restaurants  |  Pool & Recreation

Join me for a photo tour of the Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa!  The Grand Floridian opened in 1988, originally as the Grand Floridian Beach Resort (it was renamed a few years later), and has been WDW's flagship  premium resort ever since.

Grand Floridian approach

Themed as a late 19th century Florida resort, with an exterior design that is strongly reminiscent of Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, the Grand Floridian is a lovely resort, with some of the best restaurants in the whole resort.

Grand Floridian from across Seven Seas Lagoon

When you first enter the Main Building, the view of the lobby is spectacular!  There are several groupings of chairs and sofas on the main floor.  This central atrium provides a great place for folks to gather.  A Piano and, in the evenings, a small band, play live music.  The opulence and elegance are reminiscent of the Astor - Guggenheim - Morgan era.  Fortunately, this hotel can't sink like Titanic...but the time period that is captured here is the same.

First view of the lobby

Immediately to the right, as you enter the building is the check-in desk.  Guest Services, also located here, can provide any additional help that guests here may need.

Note the uniforms here.  The knickers, pinstripes, and hats just nail the clothes that I'm sure everyone wore back in the later Victorian era.  Expectation and perception, as always, are the key to great themeing.

Check-in area

Looking up in the atrium, you'll see another one of those great Disney ceilings.  (For some odd reason, I find my eye drawn upward in many places at Walt Disney World.  Cinderella's Royal Table, the entry hall of Coronado Springs Resort, the Hollywood Tower Hotel lobby are great examples.)  It's a classic example of how Disney still does a great job of sweating the details.

Lobby ceiling

Another nice detail is the bird cage elevator that goes between the main floor and the second floor of the lobby area.  Upstairs you'll find many of the restaurants and shops that this resort has to offer.

Birdcage elevator

Back in the lobby area of the Main Building, here's the grand staircase from the first floor up.  It's located directly behind the cage elevator, so it's hidden from view, which is a shame because it's quite the design flourish.  Many a young bride has had her picture taken with her bridal party here.

Grand staircase

Walking upstairs to the second floor, the view of the lobby is spectacular.

Lobby from above

And the view across Seven Seas Lagoon is nice, too.  This picture was taken from a verandah on the second floor near the grand staircase.

View of Wedding Pavilion and Polynesian Resort

The next picture gives you one view of the outside area of the resort.  The Main Building is the larger one to the left.  Sugar Loaf Key is on the right.

Main Building and Sugar Loaf Key

The other building, you can just see the red roof of it in the  background behind the two buildings in the foreground, is Sago Cay.  The marina area is enclosed in the "U" formed by the Main Building, Sugar Loaf Key, and Sago Cay.

Main Building  |  Shopping  |  Restaurants  |  Pool & Recreation

Click here to return to the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa "Fast Facts" Page.

[ Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide - Contents ] [ Return ]