Hi Randall,
The
Grand Floridian Spa is one of my favorite places to relax at Walt Disney World. When booking a massage, you can choose either a 50-minute or 80-minute option. They ask you to show up 30 minutes before your appointment, but I like to schedule it where I have at least an hour before the appointment to enjoy and unwind in the relaxation room. The spa's amenities include a steam room, whirlpool, and warm marble chairs that I love taking advantage of. Be sure to bring your swimsuit for these because they are communal. You can enjoy them before or after your massage but I find it helps me transition from a busy day at the parks to a relaxing afternoon at the spa. I normally book a 50-minute massage and I typically budget 2.5 hours for a spa experience.
Don't forget to budget time for travel depending on where you are heading from that day! Disney suggests budgeting at least an hour for travel to anywhere on property but I like to minimize that by planning my activities at places that are nearby. EPCOT and Magic Kingdom would both offer a quick monorail ride over for your experience. If you are coming from another Disney World Resort, I recommend taking the bus to Magic Kingdom and then utilizing the monorail or boats directly to the Grand Floridian Resort.
My favorite thing to do after a relaxing afternoon at the spa is to have drinks and dinner at the Grand Floridian Resort. The
Enchanted Rose is one of the best bars in all of Disney World. They have killer appetizers like the Artisanal Cheese Selection and House-made Truffle Fries. The Lavender Fog and Old Fashioned are some of the best cocktails on property. If you are looking for a unique dining location,
Citricos features a classy Mary Poppins theme and delicious seafood.
One great thing about the Grand Floridian Spa is that you can go straight from your relaxing experience to your fun evening activities. The locker room features showers, hairdryers, and everything you need to get yourself ready for your nighttime activities without having to head back to your room.
Happy Planning
Jenna