Grand Floridian Villas Disney Vacation Club at it’s finest

 

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The Grand Floridian Villas are a new extension of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort (WDW’s flagship hotel), located on the Seven Seas Lagoon, just a quick Monorail or boat ride to the Magic Kingdom. It is part of the Disney Vacation Club, the timeshare program at Walt Disney World. They are some of the newest DVC rooms and they’re pretty spectacular.

 

Mary Poppins Penguin FountainA nod to Mary Poppins in the lobby – Photo by Andy Sanchez

 

 

 

The Villas at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa are elegant, just like the rest of the resort. The ooze with the charm of Florida’s yesteryear. Amenities such as dining, recreation, spa, shopping and pool areas are shared with the main part of the Resort.

 

The Villas come with “standard” views or lake views, depending on what you pay for. Studios, 1 or 2-bedroom Villas, and 3-bedroom Grand Villas are available.

Disney Vacation Club

The Disney Vacation Club is the timeshare arm of the Disney Company. Yes, timeshare. You can prepay for your Disney World vacations by investing in the Disney Vacation Club (no, I’m not quoting a brochure). Disney will even buy your timeshare points back (Disney uses a point system) for the going rate. Disney has been expanding vacation club resorts at a remarkable rate over the last few years and now has 8 villa locations on Disney World property.

Dad’s Disney Vacation Club page

Villas, Rooms, Suites and what’s in them

The Villas at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, is a group of larger villas and deluxe studio rooms. The deluxe studios sleep up to 5 people, as does the one bedroom villa. The two-bedroom villa sleeps 9 people, and the grand villas will sleep up to 12 (and come with a media room).

 

The deluxe studios include a kitchenette and a small refrigerator. This is a great place to stash snacks or even breakfast. It is always great to grab breakfast before going into the park so that you do not waste precious time.

 

If you have a larger family or you’re travelling with other families, I suggest the Villas. There is a full kitchen with a full refrigerator for storage. There are private bedrooms in the Villas (combined with fold out couches for those who don’t make the cut for a “real” bedroom). There is also a washer and dryer in each villa.

 

This is the studio layout. Image Courtesy of Disney

 

Studio – a fairly standard Disney hotel room with a mini-fridge, toaster, coffeemaker and microwave. The room comes with one queen bed and a double sized sleeper sofa to sleep up to 5 people (this is probably not a great option for 4 adults unless you like sleeping on sleeper sofas.).

 

This is the 1 bedroom layout. Image Courtesy of Disney

 

One Bedroom – includes a fully equipped kitchen, a living room, and a bathroom with a whirlpool tub. The room comes with one king bed and a queen sized sleeper sofa to sleep up to 5 people (again, only if you like sleeping on sleeper sofas.)

This is a dedicated 2 bedroom layout. Image Courtesy of Disney

 

This is the 2 bedroom lock-off (with a studio and 1 bedroom). Image Courtesy of Disney

 

Two Bedroom – includes a fully equipped kitchen, a mini-kitchen, a living room, and a bathroom with a whirlpool tub. They also feature a second bathroom. These units have one king bed, one queen bed, plus sleeper sofas and murphy beds. Disney claims it will sleep 9 (Dad claims it will only sleep 4 comfortably)

This is the Grand Villa layout. Image Courtesy of Disney

Grand Villa – includes a fully equipped kitchen, a dining room, a living room, and a bathroom with a whirlpool twb plus two other bathrooms. These units have one king bed, four queen beds, and a queen sleeper sofa. Disney claims it will sleep 12 (or 10 comfortably according to Dad).

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Each suite comes with a washer/dryer plus the standard Disney amenities like…

  • Telephone service
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Whirlpool tub (except in the studios)
  • An alarm clock
  • A safe
  • Soap, shampoo, bath products (in great Disney wrappers)
  • A HAIR DRYER
  • Clock Radio
  • DVD Player
  • Vacuum Cleaner

You might be wondering why a hotel room would have a vacuum cleaner. Disney Vacation Club members only get Mousekeeping services 2 days a week. One day for a full cleaning and one day for trash service and light cleaning. (Extra services are available for an additional charge.) If you rent the room from Disney, you will get daily Mousekeeping.

 

Activities

At the Villas there is a great pool, properly titled Beach Pool. Beach Pool sits right on the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon. The pool features a 181 foot long water slide with several twist and turns.  For younger guests there is a child play area that features a splash zone.

 

The Courtyard pool is also home to Movies Under The Stars. On select nights you and your family can grab a towel or blanket and watch a Disney Movie with other resort guests and unwind while munching on snacks.

For guests wanting a little less action and a little more quiet there is the Courtyard pool. Here you can enjoy a kiddie pool or a whirlpool spa.

Water Activities

The Villas at the Grand Floridian Spa offer several unique water adventures. You can enjoy all of the activities offered at the Grand Floridian Hotel. This includes use of the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake.

 

The Villas offer a few different cruise options that go around the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. There is even a special pirate cruise for adventures from the age of 4 to 12.

 

In addition to the cruises you can rent Motorized Boats and set out on your own adventure. This allows you to he be the captain of your own ship.  For those out there who love to fish, The Villas offer a guided catch and release excursion.

 

Dining

The Villas at Grand Floridian resort are home to some of the best Disney Dining. Here you can experience everything from quick serve to character meals to even fine dining. There is something for everyone.

 

For a quick bit check out Gasparilla Island Grill, Beach Pool Bar, or even the Courtyard Pool Bar, here you can grab a quick snack or meal and keep splashing around. If you want to stay in your room, The Villas offer room service.

 

A unique feature of Villas dining is access to Citricos and Mizner Lounge. Both of these lounges off a wide array of adult beverages that can be enjoyed in the peace and quiet of the lounge and come highly suggested.

If you want a sit down meal but do not want to mess with characters or dressing up I suggest you check out Grand Floridian Café. This casual dinning restaurant serves some American classics for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The signature drink here is the Character Punch, which comes in a souvenir cup accompanied by a light up Disney Character.

 

Guests come from all over to dine at 1900 Park Fare. This is one of the premier character meals at WDW. See a range of your favorite Disney characters hosting events during the day:

 

The day kicks off with the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast. This all you can eat buffet features omelets, pancakes, and waffles. Characters that attend this meal are Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, The Mad Hatter, and Winnie the Pooh with his friend Tigger.

 

1900 Park Fare is also home to a Wonderland Tea Party. During this hour in the afternoon guests ages 4 to 12 can enjoy numerous activities. The kids will get to decorate their own cupcakes and make a craft to take home. They can have their pictures made with the characters at the party.

If you enjoy Cinderella but do not want to eat at Cinderella’s castle I suggest you visit Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner at 1900 Park Fare. Here Cinderella and her Prince Charming host a dinner made up of seafood, pasta, salad, and many other specialties.

 

Narcoossee’s is another spot for a fancy meal. As a steak and seafood house with a great fireworks view it’s been a favorite signature restaurant for WDW guests for years. Now it also offers a fancy Sunday brunch.

 

And if pure indulgence is what you’re after, head to Victoria and Albert’s for a prix fixe, fine dining tasting menu with lots of courses. This is an expensive experience and will take most of your evening. There’s a strict dress code and children under 10 are not allowed. In addition to the main dining room, guests can choose to upgrade to the Queen Victoria Room or the Chef’s Table for an additional fee.

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Transportation Services

From the Villas, you can take a boat or Monorail to the Magic Kingdom. For all of the other parks and attractions, you’ll have to ride on a Luxury Motorcoach (bus). Parking is easily accessible. Dad always recommends you…

Have a car at Disney World
Dad’s Disney Transportation page

PS. Disney is now charging a parking fee for overnight guests.

Location

The Villas at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa are located on the Seven Seas Lagoon, next to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

Dad’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa page

 

View Disney World Boardwalk area in a larger map

Address and Phone Number

The Villas at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
4401 Floridian Way
Orlando, FL
(407) 824-3000

 

Destinations to Travel

 

Dad’s Bottom Line

The Villas at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa are some of the most luxurious accomodations at Disney World – or anywhere. They exude class and are truly top-notch.

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