The Villas at Grand Floridian are one of the most difficult to book Disney Vacation Club properties. When planning a last minute Walt Disney World vacation I was excited to finally reserve a Grand Floridian Studio Villa. However, upon arrival I was shocked to find our Villas at Grand Floridian Resort Studio Villa was almost identical to our Grand Floridian Resort room, but with almost double the price tag.
Keep reading for our full Grand Floridian Resort Studio Villa review, how this room differs from the Grand Floridian Deluxe Studio Villa, and if we’d ever book the resort studio villa again.
The Villas at Grand Floridian Overview
Grand Floridian Villas are a Magic Kingdom resort on the monorail line. This popular resort has both Disney Vacation Club and regular room options each with refined styling.
Most Grand Floridian Disney Vacation Club Villas are inside a stand alone building a short walk from the main Grand Floridian lobby and pools. Muted colors, bubbling water from a Mary Poppins inspired penguin fountain, and elegant furniture honor the classic Victorian style of The Grand Floridian Resort.
Paved walkways, one close to the beach around Seven Seas Lagoon and another covered path that goes to the main Grand Floridian entrance, connect The Villas at Grand Floridian to the resort amenities.
A handful of The Villas at Grand Floridian rooms are located inside one Grand Floridian Resort outbuilding, Big Pine Key. This DVC building is steps away from Courtyard Pool and the main lobby.
While there are no onsite pools or dining options in the main Grand Floridian Villas building, there’s plenty of options just a short walk away.
Want more information about the shared pools and dining locations? Check out our Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort room review which has more details.
The Villas at Grand Floridian Resort Studio Villa
Grand Floridian Resort Studio Villas look eerily similar to Grand Floridian Resort rooms because they are nearly identical. The entrance hall has a sliding door leading into the split bathroom on one side and a built-in closet and coffee station on the other side of the hall.
The closet has built-in shelves and one small area for hanging items. Find an iron, ironing board, and in-room safe on the shelves.
Extra pillows and blankets are on the very top shelf above the hanging rod if someone needs them for the 5th sleeper daybed.
Attached to the closet is a small cabinet, counter, and shelf. In a regular Grand Floridian Resort room the shelf is empty, but in the Grand Floridian Resort Studio Villa there’s a microwave.
The cabinet conceals a beverage cooler, which is similar to a mini-fridge, but doesn’t get as cold. Beverage coolers are okay for keeping drinks cool, but don’t work as well for milk or yogurt.
Find a pod coffee maker on the counter and an assortment of coffee supplies in the drawer below. The drawer also has some paper plates, bowls, and plastic utensils, but far less kitchen equipment than other studio villas we’ve stayed in.
The Villas at Grand Floridian Resort Studio Villa Bathroom
A heavy door slides across the opening into the bathroom separating it from the bedroom area. An ornate framed back-lit mirror hangs above the double sinks with a decent amount of counter space.
This counter space is super important since there is very little storage under the sinks. A small, lighted magnifying make-up mirror attached to the wall completes the sink area.
Another wooden sliding door keeps the toilet and shower private from anyone getting ready at the sinks. The blue-gray glass tile installed vertically is an eye-catching accent and makes the small area feel larger.
Choose a rain or handheld shower head and use the shared toiletries attached to the wall for shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.
Although it’s nice to have a tub and shower combination for those with small kids, it’s a bit awkward with the sliding glass door and metal frame.
Grand Floridian Resort Studio Villa Bedroom
Herringbone pattern, light colored laminate flooring brightens the room and the plush area rug under the bed makes for a beautiful environment. Mary Poppins inspired watercolor paintings adorn the walls and are a fun nod to this classic film.
The Villas at Grand Floridian Resort Studio Villas are set up the same way as 5th sleeper Grand Floridian Resort Rooms. Two queen size beds with dark teal velvet headboards sit side by side with a center shared nightstand.
On the outside edge of each bed there is a shelf with a multi-plug outlet underneath. This set-up ensures no matter which side of the bed you sleep on you have a charging station and access to your phone.
A heavy stone topped table sits in the corner of the room near the balcony doors. Move this table wherever you might need extra space in the resort studio villa room.
The couch easily converts from a comfortable seating area to a single day bed. Pull on the black strap and the bed folds forward for a restful night’s sleep.
Next to the couch is a long dresser with a built-in desk. The dresser has several large looking drawers, but the insides are surprisingly small. We can only fit our small and medium packing cubes inside, the large refuse to fit.
A teal velvet upholstered bench hides beneath the dresser section. This is a convenient spot to have a quick snack or do some work.
The Villas at Grand Floridian Balcony
Most Disney Villas and Deluxe Resorts have first floor patios or upper level balconies. These balconies have two chairs and a small side table perfect for a morning cup of coffee or late night cocktail.
Our Grand Floridian Resort Studio Villa had the following great features:
- Laminate floors
- Sleeps 5
- Microwave and some kitchen supplies
- Split bathroom
- Gorgeous, but subtle Mary Poppins decor
- Great location close to amenities versus The Villas at Grand Floridian building
The Villas at Grand Floridian Resort Studio Villa vs Grand Floridian Deluxe Studio Villa
Since starting our Disney World obsession in 2011, we’ve stayed at nearly every Disney World deluxe villa and often more than once. Although there are some slight variations between Walt Disney World deluxe studio villas there is one unifying theme that makes them different from regular rooms, a kitchenette.
Ultimately it was my mistake that I booked the wrong room. It never occurred to me that Walt Disney World would label something a “studio villa” that was so different from a “deluxe studio villa”.
I share my story to prevent you from making the same mistake. If you are looking for a Grand Floridian studio villa with a kitchenette then book a DELUXE STUDIO VILLA. This is the only Grand Floridian studio villa that has the traditional DVC set up with a mini-fridge, microwave, small sink, toaster, regular coffee maker, and an assortment of plates, bowls, and cutlery.
The Deluxe Studio Villa also has a different sleeping arrangement, but still sleeps up to 5 guests in the room. A queen bed, a queen size sleeper sofa or pull down bed, and a single pull down bed.
RESORT STUDIO VILLAS sleep five with two traditional queen beds and a daybed.
Another huge difference between these two Grand Floridian studio villa room types is the bathroom. RESORT STUDIO VILLAS have two sinks with a sliding door that closes the small toilet and shower/tub combo area off from the sinks.
DELUXE STUDIO VILLAS have a much nicer split bathroom. One section has a single sink with a large walk in shower and the other bathroom area has the toilet and shower/tub combo. With doors that close each of these sections off it makes for a more spacious and functional split bathroom.
In Room WiFi
All Disney World Resorts, including The Villas at Grand Floridian, have free wi-fi for guests.
Grand Floridian Villas Parking
A shared lot is available for guests of The Villas at Grand Floridian and those at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. Parking is once again free for registered Walt Disney World hotel guests.
Grand Floridian Villas Transportation
Villas at Grand Floridian To Magic Kingdom
The most popular transportation linking Grand Floridian Villas to Magic Kingdom is the monorail. Go through security and board the monorail to Magic Kingdom on the second floor of the Grand Floridian lobby.
There is also a walking path that leads from Grand Floridian to Magic Kingdom. While the path is relatively short, about a mile, it is mostly uncovered which gets very hot. We tend to use the walking path once the sun has started setting or in the evening when wait times for the monorail get long.
Villas at Grand Floridian To Epcot
Take the same Magic Kingdom monorail line from the Grand Floridian, but wait to disembark at the TTC, Transportation and Ticket Center. Here you’ll follow the signs to transfer to the Epcot monorail line.
The Villas at Grand Floridian To Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Disney Springs, and Water Parks
Buses link The Villas at Grand Floridian to Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Disney Springs, and the water parks.
Are The Villas at Grand Floridian Resort Studio Villas Worth It?
No, the high price tag for the RESORT STUDIO VILLA was not worth it at all. In fact I was horrified that I paid nearly double what I spent on a regular Grand Floridian room a couple months before for basically a microwave and a few paper plates.
Ultimately it was my mistake assuming that the resort studio villa would be like The Villas at Grand Floridian Deluxe Studio Villas, or any other studio villa we’ve stayed in over the last decade
The fact that the base rate is identical for these two rooms, despite the much better set up in the deluxe studio villa, is unbelievable. Unless there was a huge discount I would never intentionally book the Grand Floridian Resort Studio Villa again.
For future Grand Floridian stays I plan to book either a less expensive regular Grand Floridian room or the deluxe studio villa, but never the resort studio villa.
