Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

After reading reviews , I STILL chose to accept an outer building (villa) stay. Our room was beautiful (but basic). Our balcony had a perfect view of the “lagoon light up parade “… which is essentially a joke masked as a perk. The walls and doors are SO THIN and NOT SOUND PROOF, that my 8 year old and I could tell you exactly what the family staying down the hall was having issues with …until they got into their room. Walking from Big Pine Key to the main building was a TREK- and not every cast member knew the way which was mind blowing. The pools were MEH , and after having stayed at Contemporary and Polynesian - Id choose Polynesian . Big Pine Key reminded me of the low budget option we chose outside the park, except that hotel was WAY superior.

A very beautiful and large hotel with beautiful views and on the mono rail. That’s the good points. Don’t even think about using the Bell service it can take up to two hours to get your bags. Don’t buy a park ticket for day you arrive as the hotel will stuff you around at check in for over half a day. Very very disappointing

Another year, and several more visits to our favorite Disney World structure; which continues our tradition, while visiting Orlando in December. After a brunch at the Grand Floridian Cafe; we often stroll & sit around the property, enjoy the decorations/architecture/atmosphere, and watch the parade of humanity doing the same. We then return to the main lobby, to enjoy the music (especially when the gifted Wes Hamrick is sharing his talents). Most often we'll punctuate the afternoon/evening, between sets of the music; with an indulgent premium ice-cream bar. This year was somewhat different; in that the lobby has its attractive new bar structure; but was without its stunning Xmas gingerbread house (hopefully, this is just a one time lapse-versus an ongoing change). Being fans of both the Victorian and Xmas esthetics (as well as the wonderful music); coming here each December, becomes the highlight of our Orlando visits.

WOW! What a spectacular resort. Unfortunately when we went it was under construction so we weren't able to fully enjoy the lobby. Somehow the resort manages to keep everything from feeling really spaced out. Everything kinda flowed together and you didn't feel like you "had" to walk to get to you room.

This is still probably the best hotel in Disney World. Four Seasons transportation is not great, Animal Kingdom Lodge is far. Grand Floridian is the most conveineit. The main building club room renovations are dramatically better than the previous room designs and furnishings. Club lounge food offerings have improved slightly. There are still many post-covid staffing shortages. There were no bellmen when we checked out... in a 4-figure per night room, this is unacceptable. Somebody entered my room while I was in the shower. They entered to drop-off an advertisement flier. The hotel restaurants are mostly sub-par. We did not dine at V&A, which is probably excellent. You are better off dining at Four Seasons and Disney Springs. Housekeeping was top-notch. Everything is impeccably clean.