The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa has one of the most iconic looks at Disney World. Those white buildings with reddish roofs stand out from the surrounding wooded areas and body of water. The Seven Seas Lagoon, as it's called, welcomes guests to take a boat to Magic Kingdom or a monorail to a few other destinations. Inside the Grand Floridian, the Victorian themed lobby amazes guests with its ornate, dome ceilings and crisp, bright atmosphere. Classic furniture adorns the first floor as overlooking shoppers make their way around the second. There's so much more to know and love about this Disney World resort hotel. Enjoy these Grand Floridian facts.

Grand Floridian Facts: Is the Grand Floridian on the monorail?

The Grand Floridian is one of the three Magic Kingdom resorts on the monorail. The Grand has its own monorail station on the second floor of the main building. Guests can also be transported to Magic Kingdom on a watercraft line that's shared with the Polynesian. It's possible to take the monorail from the Grand Floridian to the Ticket and Transportation Center and transfer to the Epcot monorail line as well.

When did the Grand Floridian open?

This is a one of the commonly confused Grand Floridian facts. The Grand Floridian is actually not an opening day Walt Disney World resort hotel. Disney World opened in the fall of 1971 and the Grand Floridian opened in the summer of 1988. The Grand has become such a fixture in the Magic Kingdom area, and at Disney World overall, that it is thought of by many as always being there. When Disney World opened, the two resorts open at the time were Disney's Polynesian Village Resort and Disney's Contemporary Resort. There are more than 25 resorts at Walt Disney World Resort today.

When did Grand Floridian DVC open?

The original Disney Vacation Club building at the Grand Floridian was added in 2013. It's called The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Another building was later added. It was not new but instead an existing building renovated to expand the DVC capacity at the home resort.

When does Grand Floridian DVC expire?

Disney Vacation Club contracts are usually 50 years in length from when the home resort first opened. This is true for The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian. How long Disney Vacation Club Membership is depends on when you buy your contract and where. Members who bought at the Grand when the home resort first launched, in 2013 or 2014, got a 50 year Membership. Those who purchase today, whether from Disney directly or on the resale market, will pick up with the same amount of time left on their contract as the rest of the Members.

Grand Floridian DVC contracts expire in 2064.

Is the Grand Floridian a Disney property? Is the Grand Floridian a Marriott?

The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is a Disney owned and operated hotel. Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is not affiliated with Marriott or any other hotel chain or brand. There are luxury hotels owned and operated by outside parties at Walt Disney World Resort such as Four Seasons Resort Orlando and Waldorf Astoria Orlando. The Grand Floridian is often considered the nicest of the official Disney hotels at Disney World.

Why is Grand Floridian so popular?

The Grand Floridian resort is popular due to its' elegance and meticulous theme, upscale dining options, fabulous location next to Disney World's original theme park and more. The holiday season at the Grand is also quite the draw with a life size gingerbread house. 

Is the Grand Floridian Gingerbread House real?

The Grand Floridian has a real gingerbread house in the lobby each holiday season. A team of Disney Cast Members constructs the building each year using gingerbread, chocolate and other edible delights. A structural support is used for the Grand Floridian gingerbread house. Most of the food is removed and then it's taken to bees and they are welcome to clean off the rest!

Gingerbread cookies and treats are sold from inside this sweet smelling structure through a walk up window. The gingerbread shingle, like the ones used on the gingerbread house, is one of the most popular treats sold. The Grand also has one of the best Christmas trees at Disney World. It's stories tall and fills the lobby with its golden lights and ornaments themed to the Twelve Days of Christmas song.

When does the Grand Floridian gingerbread house go up?

You can expect to see the Grand Floridian gingerbread house open around mid November every year. It stays up during the holiday season and through the first week of January.

How many pools does the Grand Floridian have?

There are two pools at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. The Courtyard Pool is a quiet and serene pool setting with a small bar and seating area. There is actually a nice firework view from this pool each night. You can see some of the big fireworks from the water which is just so very magical when you're swimming. The Courtyard Pool also has a large hot tub.

The Beach Pool is located between the main Grand Floridian lobby building and the DVC building. This has a larger than life Mad Hatter themed water play area for kids. Water fills up his top hat and splashes all over the surrounding area every few minutes. The Beach Pool is also where daily recreational activities happen by the pool every afternoon including hosted parties with trivia and such. There is a bar with a little menu for poolside eats. The Beach Pool has one of the best outdoor rest areas at Disney World. There are men and women's restrooms that also have showers and space to change and get ready after the pool.

Does the Grand Floridian have room service?

The Grand Floridian has a room service menu that features favorites from the Grand Floridian Cafe. There are quite a few Grand Floridian restaurants, each with their own theme and tailored menus.

Is the Grand under construction?

A massive renovation has been underway for years, bringing construction to the Grand Floridian. Each building was completely redone inside, had the exterior stairwells replaced and new roofs put on. Those famous red roofs are iconic!

All of the rooms at the Grand Floridian are now the same except for the DVC stand alone building. The Big Pine Key building was turned into a DVC building during the hotel renovation of 2022. 

You can keep up with all of the deluxe resort updates in our DVC resort refurbishment schedule.

Is the Grand Floridian tea room open?

Disney shares the Grand Floridian lobby is getting a refurbishment as well. Two restaurants in the lobby, 1900 Park Fare and the tea room, never reopened after the 2020 closure. It's assumed we can expect those to get some kind of refurbishment before opening.

How much does it cost to stay at the Grand Floridian?

As the flagship luxury resort at Walt Disney World Resort, the Grand Floridian is one of the most expensive. It's easy to pay more than $700 per night for a regular room with a standard view. You'll find prices over $1000 per night during peak times. 

DVC Members save on stays at the Grand Floridian resort. As of 2023, it's possible to get a DVC resale contract and pay around $200 per night when you do the math based on the current annual dues. This depends on the contract, of course. If you love this resort, or any deluxe resorts at Disney World, it's absolutely worth it to look into resale Disney Vacation Club points. 

Does the Grand Floridian allow dogs?

The Grand Floridian does not allow pets. Disney of course allows service animals as is required by law: "At Walt Disney World Resort, a service animal is a dog or miniature horse that is trained to do work or perform tasks for, and to assist, an individual with a disability."  For those who want to bring pets on their Disney trips, one resort in each tier allows dogs.

• Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
• Disney Port Orleans Resort Riverside
• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
• The Cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort

As it transitions from hotel to timeshare, The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort Disney Vacation Club is expected to allow dogs. This resort has been dog friendly but this will be the first DVC home resort to allow dogs.

DVC Resale Experts Can Help

Want to explore these Grand Floridian facts for yourself? DVC Resale Experts is a licensed real estate broker with a team that specializes in resale DVC. Whether you’re adding on points, buying or selling Disney Vacation Club, the Experts can help you find the right price to place a bid with or list your contract for. Our independent, licensed real estate agents are former Disney Vacation Club Guides. They have decades of pixie dusted experience selling DVC and delight in providing excellent service to their clients. The Experts have seen it all and are happy to answer your questions throughout the process.

DVC resale prices can pleasantly surprise Members interested in selling DVC. See our resale DVC listings for a look at real time availability and pricing. Ready to sell DVC? Get in touch for a complimentary valuation of your specific contract today. There may be someone waiting on our Buyer Wish List for a contract just like yours.