Why Do DVC Members Stay at the Grand Floridian

Most Disney Vacation Club resorts sell themselves. You don’t ever really need a reason to visit any of them. You naturally feel the need and desire to stay at Disney’s finest hotels. 

Even acknowledging the truth of that statement, a couple of properties are special. They tower above the rest as the anchor properties in the entire Disney resort catalog. At the top of the list is the place Cast Members describe as the crown jewel. Here’s why DVC members stay at The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

The Lobby

For many DVC members, all we need to do is close our eyes, and we can happily recall memories of the Grand Floridian lobby. Disney has hosted live music here for many years, with a band and a pianist as frequent guests. 

This hotel also features holiday-related events such as the Easter egg displays and the Gingerbread House store, both of which have taken on a life of their own. Simply stated, the lobby of the Grand Floridian is iconic.

You’ll realize this the instant you enter the building. While the lobby is currently under construction, it’s still the home to a stylish throwback elevator and sweeping red stairs. The latter always makes me feel like I’m attending the Academy Awards. That’s how elegant they appear. 

On the bottom floor, you’ll find multiple restaurants that are easily accessible. Then, the second floor hosts a monorail station and a popular indoor/outdoor bar, the Enchanted Rose Lounge. Then, we have several upscale stores such as Curious Clothiers. There’s even a Bibbibi Bobbidi Boutique here!

That’s the brilliant part about the Grand Floridian lobby. You should explore every nook and cranny, as the building hides its mysteries. There’s always something new to discover, and it’ll always make you feel lucky to be there. 

The Luxury 

Disney describes the theme of the Grand Floridian as the Victorian era, with a focus on opulence. So, you’re not just time-traveling to the 1800s, but you’re also fancy enough to be a member of the queen’s court. 

You’ll know this whenever you explore the hotel grounds, which include a boat dock. Sometimes, you’ll notice a boat docked here. It’s called the Grand 1, and I swear to you that you can rent it for about $550 an hour. Its presence sets the tone for what you’ll find in your hotel room. 

Independent of the Room Type you choose, you’ll discover the ultimate in luxury. The room includes the kinds of tile and flooring that you know are the most expensive options at Floor & Décor. 

The Dining

I say this with all due reverence as a superfan of Hulu’s The Bear. The Grand Floridian owns and operates a restaurant with a Michelin Star. That’s the entire plot of season four of The Bear, as the supposed best chef in the world tries to earn a star. Somehow, a theme park hotel restaurant has done that! It’s an impossible feat that speaks to the sustained excellence of Victoria & Albert’s. 

Remarkably, that’s not the only exceptional restaurant at the Grand Floridian. Many DVC members would point to Narcoossee’s or Citricos as their favorite instead, with Victoria & Albert’s being more of a special occasion thing. 

Personally, I’m intensely loyal to the Grand Floridian Café, which is among my favorite DVC restaurants, and 1900 Park Fare, one of my favorite character meals. Similarly, Gasparilla Island Grill rivals the Contempo Café for having the best desserts of any DVC Quick Service restaurant. You’ll eat VERY well at the Grand Floridian. 

The Options

In June 2022, the Grand Floridian listened to the requests of DVC members and expanded. Disney repurposed an entire building, Big Pine Key, into a DVC-exclusive facility. In the process, the Grand Floridian’s inventory expanded greatly, as did the booking options for members.

When we reserve a room at the Grand Floridian now, we can choose between the Deluxe Studios and the Resort Studios, the latter of which are slightly bigger. They’re also the new rooms that had formerly been part of Big Pine Key. 

There’s a predictable division of opinion about which one is best, but you don’t need to decide! Okay, you will need to decide during each visit. After just two trips, you can settle on which one fits your vacation plans the most. And that’s before we factor in the various Villas available at the resort, which are all exquisite. 

Since DVC effectively built its Grand Floridian presence in two waves, a visit here is akin to one at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge or Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. There are two different DVC styles in play, and you can select your favorite. 

The Location 

Finally, we have the obvious reason why DVC members stay at the Grand Floridian. It’s one of Walt Disney World’s monorail resorts. For many members – and I’m one of these people – if you’re going to vacation at Disney, you need to stay at a monorail resort. It’s just easier that way.

When you’re a guest at the Grand Floridian, you can head to the hotel lobby’s second floor. From there, you can board Disney’s distinctive form of transportation, the monorail, and be at Magic Kingdom in four minutes. Since the Grand Floridian is the final hotel in the monorail loop, guests here are the closest to the park. 

Similarly, you can take a boat to Magic Kingdom as well. Disney recently opened a walking path from the hotel to the theme park as well. Then, we have the EPCOT portion of the monorail loop. Hotel guests can exit at the Transportation & Ticket Center and hop on the monorail that heads directly to EPCOT. So, that’s half the theme parks at Walt Disney World that are easily accessible from the Grand Floridian. Logistics like that are impossible to beat.

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