Family with Mickey balloons at Grand Floridian; Asian; mother; father siblings
  • On Nov 19, 2023
    Tammy from MO Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Dec 2-5. Staying at the Grand. Are the refurbishments done in the rooms & around the main building? We have an option of resort view or theme park view. Is the upgrade to theme worth it and does theme park mean you have fireworks view?

    Hi Tammy,  

    Thanks for coming back to planDisney with your great questions for an upcoming stay at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. I’m thrilled to see that our past advice has been helpful, and it’s my pleasure to share more details and guidance for your visit to Walt Disney World's flagship resort. I just returned from a lovely stay here, my Disney Vacation Club “home resort,” and it truly IS grand.  

    You’ll be pleased to hear that the lobby is in full holiday splendor without the appearance of any work being done to the inside of this iconic building. There may be some visible safety walls or scaffolding on the exterior as work continues around the property; for example, I saw some roof tiles being replaced on my visit and while there was no impact to the Guest experience, they did have walls and scaffolding up to protect the workers and keep Guests away from the work site. Many Guest rooms have been refurbished to a lovely, subtle Mary Poppins theme but this may depend on which building you are located in.

    Whether paying for the upgrade to a theme park view is “worth it” is a very personal decision. My family doesn’t spend many hours in the resort room so we choose to use that vacation budget elsewhere. Others love seeing the stunning view of Cinderella Castle across the Seven Seas Lagoon no matter how much time they plan to spend in their room or on the balcony. Given the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa’s proximity to Magic Kingdom Park, you can find other opportunities to see nightly fireworks. While I couldn’t see the castle, I could see the beautiful fireworks above neighboring building roofs from my standard view at this resort last month. Both the docks near Narcoossee’s and Gasparilla Island Grill offer beautiful, complimentary fireworks viewing with the musical score playing over the local speakers.

    A Resort View may offer views of the courtyard, marina, or pool – all stunning vistas around this iconic resort. These may be in buildings Sago Cay, Conch Key, or Boca Chica. A Theme Park View will offer views of Magic Kingdom Park from the same buildings.  

    I hope this helps you get closer to a decision on your final room category, Tammy. No matter the location or view, I know you’re going to have an amazing time! You’re arriving at the Most Magical Time of the Year – be sure to take time to gaze and enjoy the incredible Christmas tree and gingerbread house in the main building to immerse yourself in the true spirit of the holidays!  

    Wishing you a grand and delightful stay,
    Amy
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Meet the Panelist: Amy, Virginia

Hi friends! I'm Amy, a lifelong Disney dreamer from horse-and-wine country, Virginia. My family of three is BIG on fun and treasures every adventure together. We've been making memories at the Walt Disney World Resort and aboard Disney Cruise Line since my son was a toddler; we love our family traditions balanced with "what's new" each visit. I have a passion for Disney details, a love of digital tools, and an eye for practical planning. I can't wait to help you make the MOST of your magical vacation! Learn More About Amy

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