A GRAND Time
By: Maggie Ballantyne, Concierge Agent
January 18, 2022
In September 2021 I finally checked two very important boxes off my Disney Bucket List: Stay on the Monorail Line and Stay at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. I have visited this resort plenty of times but staying at this resort was magical on a whole new level.
Our arrival could not have been timed more perfectly and really set the tone for a wonderful stay. Goofy was standing on the monorail platform waving to guests in the parking lot as they arrived, including us! I have walked through the doors to the lobby of this resort countless times before, but this time it was different. Knowing I got to stay made the magnificence of this lobby even more special. There is a grand piano in the center that is played each afternoon. We heard an instrumental version of “Chim Chim Cher-ee” when we arrived. The high ceilings, chandeliers, floor tile designs that incorporate characters, and the overall décor of the lobby all give a great first impression to the deluxe accommodations.
While our room was not in the main building, we were in a great location in the Sago Cay building. It was a very short walk from the lobby, just past Gasparilla Grill (the Quick Service location), and right next to the marina with views of Cinderella’s Castle! We were not even to the room yet and I was already blown away. While there were only two of us staying in this room, it was incredibly spacious, and I could see a family being able to fit comfortably. The split bathroom with Jack and Jill sinks made for getting ready in the morning and evening a breeze. There was a lot of room to spread out. The queen size beds were the comfiest beds I have ever slept in and the day bed was a nice touch. My favorite part of the room was the patio with 2 chairs and views of the monorail!! I could have sat and watched it all day and night. In fact, we did! We pulled one shade of the curtain open so as we fell asleep the monorail was our last view of the day as it took late night guests’ home from the parks.
While staying at the Grand Floridian, my friend and I made it a goal to experience as much as we could by only traveling via the monorail. That is the beauty of this resort. It is SO easy to hop on the monorail and take a quick trip to the Magic Kingdom, Contemporary Resort, or Polynesian Resort. Our first meal of the trip was at the Grand Floridian Café. After hearing so many rave reviews of the Chicken and Mickey Waffles, I had to try it. It did not disappoint and is officially my favorite breakfast on Disney property.
Another meal I was pleasantly surprised about was my light dinner by the Courtyard Pool. The pools on this property are stunning including the kids’ Alice in Wonderland themed play area, so I was already impressed by this amenity. However, I was not expecting to be so happy with my quick service order from The Courtyard Pool Bar. I ordered the Buffalo Chicken Wrap with a side of the house made chips. Again, so good!! It was fresh, filling, and just what I needed after a day in the sun by the pool. The bartender also made a great Vojito. Another quick service option on property is the Gasparilla Grill. We mobile ordered our ice coffees here every morning before going to the parks and a seasonal dessert in the evening before heading back to our rooms!
We did not eat all meals at the Grand as we really wanted to take advantage of being able to resort hop without a care in the world! While we did visit the Contemporary and wave to Mickey and friends from a distance at Chef Mickey’s, we spent most of our extra time at the Polynesian Resort. On our first night, we hopped on the monorail to go over and watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the Poly’s beach. It is a great place to watch if you don’t have park tickets and the Oasis Pool Bar & Grill, is home to my favorite drink on Disney property, the Rose Gold Margarita.
Our second night we had a dinner reservation at Kona Café, also at the Polynesian. On my way back from a day out I stopped by the Poly and popped into Trader Sam’s to see if they had a waitlist going for that night. They did, so I added my name to the list and got back on the monorail to go back to my room and get ready for dinner. I changed quickly, freshened up, and hopped back on the monorail. We went to dinner and just as we took care of our checks, we got a text alert stating that we could head down to Trader Sam’s for a fun night in the most interactive bar on property. All of this was so easy and took place over two and a half hours. It would not have been this convenient had we not been staying on the monorail.
In addition to comfortable and spacious rooms, a gorgeous lobby, delicious food, fun pools, and the convenience of the monorail, this resort is also home a Beauty and the Beast themed bar, the Enchanted Rose. There are other sit down restaurant options such as Citricos and Narcoossee’s, and when it reopens, 1900 Park Fare. There are some great shops at this resort too including Basin, M. Mouse Mercantile, and a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique! I think this resort does a great job at providing something for everyone!
I gave a tour of my room at the Grand Floridian on my business page at www.facebook.com/wishesfamilytravelmaggie Check it out!
If you are interested in staying at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa or any other deluxe resort, please feel free to contact me at maggie@wishesfamilytravel.com.