Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
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Reviewer's Name:
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James |
Reviewer's Email Address:
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MckyMse44@aol.com |
Rate / Night (for your stay):
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Not sure, discounted rate, over $300 a night though, lagoon view |
Date(s) of Stay:
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July 27-Aug 3 |
Accommodation Used:
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Standard Room / Studio |
Accommodations Review:
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The rooms must be the largest I have ever seen on Disney property
next to Disney's Contemporary Resort. The decor was lovely, and the
theming was everywhere. Recently all of the rooms at this resort were
re-done, with more character motifs included. Such as cute Alice in
Wonderland hidden characters on our bed sheets. The room was clean,
and great! |
Why Did you Select This Resort for your Stay?
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Was a dream of mine to stop saying, oh someday I guess I will stay
there, so I decided to. The rate and time was good so I booked it.
Just from dining at this resort before it has been my favorite. |
Room # and Location Description:
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I don't remember the room number exactly but it was a dormer room
in Conch Key, with a perfect unobstructed view of Cinderella Castle,
watched the electrical water pageant from our room most nights right
before the fireworks. Beautiful room. Expansive balcony perfect for
just relaxing on, and great feeling. Not stuffy at all as I had heard
from many, it was welcoming bright, and beautiful. |
Room Location Pros & Cons:
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Every one of the five separate buildings away from the main building
are all equal distances to the restaurants in the main building, and
the food court, courtyard pool, and new great and a lot of fun beach
pool! complete with waterslide!) No cons at all, the resort was perfectly
laid out to be easily accessed and relaxing! |
Check-In / Check-Out Comments:
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Check in was quick, we pre-registered early in the morning to go
and hit the Magic Kingdom, Magic Kingdom view room was ready that
early so we dropped off the bags. Everyone both in and out at the
front desk did cartwheels to help you however they could. Lovely costumes
also! |
WDW Transportation Comments:
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Monorail is so convenient!! Loved just riding it around the lagoon,
but for Epcot and Magic Kingdom fans like us was perfect. As for Animal
Kingdom and Disney-MGM Studios, we waited no longer than 10 minutes
for a bus. It was perfect. Downtown Disney on the other hand was different
story. We had to take the monorail to the TTC and get a bus from there,
so it did take a little longer! |
Restaurant / Lounge Review:
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We had the opportunity to eat at Citricos-great atmosphere and some
of the best food this side of the California Grill!! 1900 Park Fare
for character breakfast, lots of fun! Grand Floridian Cafe-great for
a light lunch, felt very much so like Main Street U.S.A.! |
Pool Description / Comments:
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First of all it was so relaxing to go in the Courtyard pool late
at night and early in the morning for a relaxing swim, beautiful to
just look at the surrounding buildings, Boca Chica, Big Pine Key,
and Sugar Loaf Key! Now moving on to my new favorite feature pool
at any of Disney's Deluxe resorts!! The beach pool is a great addition
to the resort!! I had heard from a few Disney fans that it didn't
fit the theme of the resort, but I beg to differ greatly, it was so
perfectly themed, it is themed to a Florida hot springs retreat where
the Victorian rich and old money would go cliff diving!! Perfect,
the rock work tones and colors fit perfectly with the spa and health
club nearby, and the adjacent Main Building. And being able to walk
right into the pool without steps on that decline was so soothing!!
And perfectly located right next to the beach so you felt like you
were going into the lagoon!! Slide was fun, and moved fast so we never
had a long line! |
What Suggestions Would you Give Anyone that is Considering This
Resort?
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This is most definitely Disney at their best!! It has every reason
to be Disney's crown jewel of resorts. Yet, we spoke with many who
did not adore as much as we had. It is really elegant and not for
everyone. And of course the price is a little intimidating to some
but if you can afford, as we could, it is a nice treat for yourself.
If you want a Magic Kingdom View as badly as we did (we just laid
in bed the first night watching the castle change colors, our dream!)
Send them faxes and call non stop, for we did, and the person that
checked us in said we had a VIP view I loved it, (it truly justified
his $50 tip we gave him :) |
Other Comments:
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Do research! There are so many fun things going on at this resort
all day long, such as a parade of parasols only on Monday and Thursdays,
arts and crafts for the kids, a live orchestra each night along with
a piano player, and so on. Also we believe that this is a haunted
Victorian hotel. While sitting in our room one evening talking while
getting ready, we could of sworn we heard the howling of the haunted
mansion. We stayed quiet and lo and behold we were not hearing things,
it actually could be heard from your room, it was great. Walking around
the resort around 8 in the morning going to the monorail hearing the
howl put you in the perfect mood for your fun filled day at the Magic
Kingdom. Well for a closing, we love Disney's Grand Floridian Resort
and Spa, and would love to recommend it to everyone who has similar
taste as we do. You are pampered from the minute you check in, and
feel special until you check out, a truly unique experience I recommend
to everyone who loves Disney as much as my family does! |
