Visit Orlando: The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

When it comes to accommodations, there are so many Disney and non-Disney hotels and resorts to choose from that will meet your family's needs.  Our family of four decided to stay at The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa which is located in one of the outer buildings on the property of Disney's flagship Victorian-style resort.  Since we are not Disney Vacation Club members, to stay at the villas we used David's Vacation Club Rentals and saved a lot on hotel cost since we had our hearts set on the resort. 

We absolutely loved the location.  It was so easy to take the monorail to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot and the bus to Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Disney Springs.  We could also get to Magic Kingdom by water!  Our room faced the lake and had a gorgeous view of the sunrise every morning.  Since we stayed a total of 9 nights, I loved that there was a complimentary laundry room in the building so we didn't have to pack unwashed clothes.  We had a small kitchenette in our studio that included a small refrigerator, microwave, sink, toaster, and coffee maker.  This combined with our grocery orders from Garden Grocer delivered to our room made our mornings super easy.

While we didn't dine at any of the resort's restaurants, we did enjoy cocktails and hot chocolate from the lounge while listening to the live music in the evening.  All in all, it was a very magical stay.   
         

The resort's elegant lobby. 
When we returned from the parks in the evening, we enjoyed listening to the live music they had nightly. 

The deluxe studio sleeps up to 5 guests.  There is a queen bed, queen size sleeper sofa, and a single pull down bed.   

The pull down bed is under the television.

Full size bath tub.

Full size shower.

Pretty lake view.

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Visit Orlando: Our Favorite Eats at Disney World

You can find this all-beef foot long hot dog at Casey's Corner in the Magic Kingdom along with Corn Dog nuggets! 

We spent two days at each of the Disney World parks and ate to our hearts' content!  Thank goodness for all the walking we did in between!  Here's a quick recap of what we enjoyed! 

Ooh this pastry with chocolate chips was yummy!  The Cheshire Cat Tail is sold in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom. 

This colossal pretzel was bigger than Cade's head!  Find it in Pandora inside Animal Kingdom.   

I absolutely loved this ice cream cone!  Enough to share even if you don't want to and perfect to combat that Florida heat!  Find it at Anandapur Ice Cream Truck in Animal Kingdom. 

This delicious fruity pebble ice cream sammie was actually off the kids' menu, but it was the highlight of our meal at the Coral Reef restaurant in Epcot. 

A variety of fresh French pastries from France in Epcot.  My favorite was the chocolate cream filled beignet.  The pastries were so delicious we stopped at the bakery each time we visited Epcot. 

We also found some delicious fish and chips in Epcot.

After the Soarin' Around the World ride in Epcot, we looked for a snack at their café.  Cade found a cute Mickey cheesecake. 

The Belle cupcake was sold out so we decided on this red velvet cupcake for Lauren. 

This spicy chicken and waffle sandwich was truly one of my favorites!  You can find it at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments in the Magic Kingdom along with other waffle creations.

We didn't realize how huge this ice cream sandwich would be when we ordered one for each kid!  Two huge scoops of your choice of ice cream sandwiched between two gigantic chocolate chip cookies!  Get it at Hollywood Scoops in Disney's Hollywood Studios.

While we enjoyed the tasty fried chicken and pot roast, the chocolate-peanut butter layered cake was a fave!  Get it at the 50's Prime Time Café in Hollywood Studios.  

Of course we had to try the grey stuff!  It was delicious!  Don't believe me?  Ask the dishes!  Every guest will receive some grey stuff for dessert at the Be Our Guest restaurant in the Magic Kingdom.

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