Hello (again), my name is Katy, a travel agent with Minnie’s Travel Boutique (MTB). It’s so exciting to see our blog continue to grow and help our clients as they consider future Walt Disney World® experiences. Speaking of experiences, did you see my first blog post about Space 220 located at Epcot? There are so many unbelievable, amazing dining options at Walt Disney World® and I think, Space 220 is one to visit, at least once. Read my review on Space 220.
A part of the magical experiences offered at Disney resorts that keeps me returning year-after-year is after all, the resorts. Each resort at Walt Disney World® and Disneyland® is so unique and designed with attention to not just details of a specific era, but Disney history. A fun example is Disney’s Art of Animation, which is so colorful and enchanting because you are surrounded by Disney artistry. And as a bonus, the family suites are delightfully themed and take you directly into the story of very common animated characters such as Finding Nemo, The Lion King, and even Cars. Even though it’s considered a value resort at Walt Disney World®, there is a lot to take in for every guest of every age.
Here’s another one, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside. This wonderful moderate resort offers a down-home appeal of Louisiana with white-column mansions of Magnolia Bend to Alligator Bayou’s quaint backwoods cottages. It’s easy to relax and enjoy picturesque settings that evokes the romance of rural Louisiana. Our favorite room is the Royal Guest Room that offers gorgeous regal touches from Princess Tiana and her prince, as well as princess pals. It’s always a must-stay.
A Deluxe Resort Experience
Recently, my family and I had the opportunity to stay in a two-bedroom villa at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa — our very first two-bedroom villa experience. We already had plans for another resort; however, we had this urge to travel a few days early and try something we’ve never done as a family. When we saw the villa availability at Disney’s Grand Floridian, that was an immediate no brainer. This recent visit not only included my husband and our two boys, but my parents, as well.
The two-bedroom villa at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa was beyond what I thought it would be. All that our room offered was more than I could have imagined with plenty of space for everyone, along with comfortable and relaxing accommodations, and charm and elegance that made you feel as if Mary Poppins would walk in at any moment. During this stay, we made it a point to not purchase park tickets, because we wanted to truly take in all this deluxe resort had to offer. And as a travel agent side note, I always recommend taking a day or two to immerse yourself at your vacation resort. Don’t make it the place that you simply need a place to lay your head down at night. Walt Disney World® and Disneyland® Resorts are much more than that.
Our first day at the resort, we arrived at 4 p.m., early evening. I had already done the mobile check-in earlier that day so we could avoid the front desk and go straight to the room (something else I always recommend). We arrive to our room door and the first thing I noticed aside from the beautiful décor was that our door was wide enough to easily fit our double-stroller through. This put an instant smile on my face and walking into our villa with all its magic made my smile even bigger! Another side note, when my husband and I travel with my parents to Walt Disney World® we usually book two standard rooms with connecting doors allowing us to visit and enjoy the vacation with each other. This time, in a two-bedroom villa, it was so nice to have all that deluxe resort space.
For dinner that night we went to Gasparilla Island Grill, the quick service at Disney’s Grand Floridian. We also ordered dessert and brought it back to enjoy in the room. To our surprise, the villa included nice plates and utensils in the kitchen area, so we didn’t have to use the standard plasticware. Enjoying our desserts, we were able to watch the Walt Disney World® Monorail System go by outside our balcony. As our family bonding activity for the night, we made a game of guessing which monorail color would pass by next. Before settling in for the night, we all enjoyed a peaceful evening stroll around the resort grounds.
The two-bedroom villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa not only have a fully equipped kitchen with a full fridge, but also two full bathrooms, a washer, and a dryer, one king bed with two queen beds, one full-size pull-out couch, and a single pull-down bed. That’s a lot, plus the bathrooms are much bigger than in the standard size rooms. The main bathroom connected to the king bedroom even has a whirlpool tub! Also, to my surprise both bathrooms had a tv screen built into the mirrors. How is that possible? My five-year-old took over our bathroom because of the hot tub and enjoyed watching the goodnight stories Walt Disney World® provides on one of their TV channels at night.
Every Walt Disney World® Resort has a pool, some more elaborate than others. Well, the pool at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa was something we wanted to enjoy, and of course, we did. And who doesn’t love a nighttime swim just before magical fireworks in the sky? At this deluxe resort, not only can you hear Disney Enchantment fireworks, but you most certainly can see them. Right in front of Gasparilla Island Grill is a large seating and standing area where you can see the fireworks explode in the sky at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, plus the music coming from the resort speakers is timed perfectly with each colorful blast. It felt as if we had our own private castle fireworks viewing area, even though we shared it with several other guests (ha). And as a bonus, around 8:45 p.m., you can also view the Electrical Water Pageant sail across Seven Seas Lagoon.
While our stay at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa was short, the question is, would I stay here again? Absolutely! And I can hear you ask, but is the price worth it? If you have two or three family’s together, this might be the option for you. If you are driving into Walt Disney World®, you can bring your own groceries or have a delivery service bring groceries to the resort to help with the cost of food while you are there. Before we checked out, I was able to dry our swimsuits in the dryer before I packed them up and headed to our next resort. If you are split staying between two resorts, like my family and me, you can call the bell service and have someone pick up your luggage to deliver to your next resort. This service is amazing to use, just be sure to check the paperwork where your luggage is going and that it has the correct location.
There is so much more to this resort than what you see from a distance. From exquisite dining to unique shopping to relaxing campfires and even movies under the stars — Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is lavishing and reminiscent of timeless Victorian elegance. And in the infamous words of Mary Poppins, this deluxe resort is “practically perfect in every way.”
Plan your next Walt Disney World® vacation with me. Not sure where to start? Complete my online quote request form.
Email me at katy@minniestravelboutique.com.
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Minnie’s Travel Boutique has over 20 travel agents located throughout the country. Our travel agency’s knowledge of Disney products has earned us the distinction of being named an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. We were given this special designation by Disney as a result of our agency’s ongoing focus and commitment to planning customized, magical trips to the Disney Parks, Disney Cruise Line® and other Disney vacation destinations worldwide.