Should You Stay at the Grand Floridian?

Deciding where to stay at Walt Disney World is challenging enough on its own.

Determining whether you should splurge on luxury accommodations is an even tougher call.

So, should you stay at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa? Let’s talk it through.

About the Grand Floridian

Roughly 30 years ago, Disney added a third monorail resort.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort opened with Disney World in 1971.

By the early 1980s, those hotels had proven so popular that Disney wanted more.

However, everyone involved with the project knew that it faced tough competition.

With the Contemporary and Polynesian already so firmly established, the new place would need to be better.

So, Imagineers set out to create the ultimate Disney World resort…which they did.

The Grand Floridian combines opulence and convenience on a, well, grand scale.

Let’s discuss a few of this resort’s highlights.

The Location

There are countless positives to staying at the Grand Floridian. That’s a fact.

I’m starting with one that may surprise you, but there’s a reason for that.

Just yesterday, I booked a reservation at the Grand Floridian.

I promptly had to cancel it, but that’s because my family switched our vacation dates.

We’re now traveling sooner, and the Grand Floridian wasn’t available on that day.

Still, the thing that appealed to me about the hotel, at least for this stay, was its location.

Disney World will unleash a massive number of new attractions and experiences in May.

Many of them will be at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, so that’s where I wanted to be.

As a monorail resort, it’s a quick ride from both those parks.

Well, technically, you switch monorails at the Transportation & Ticket Center. That line will take you straight to EPCOT, which is the benefit of monorail resorts.

You’re never more than a few minutes away from either theme park.

In fact, Disney introduced a walkway a couple of years ago.

Nowadays, guests can walk straight from the Grand Floridian to Magic Kingdom’s front gate!

The Theming

Disney has lovingly crafted a Victorian-era seaside resort with the applicable theming.

You’ll feel like aristocracy when you set foot inside the hotel lobby.

That sensation never truly goes away during your Disney World vacation.

Imagineers recently reinvigorated the lobby to make it more luxurious than ever.

You can listen to live music here thanks to a talented pianist.

While you’re there, you can grab a drink, as Disney added a full bar here in 2025.

You should also check out the retro elevator here, as well as the dramatic red carpeted stairs.

This is the kind of theming you’ll encounter across the resort campus.

As for the seaside part, Grand Floridian resides by the water.

Some of the rooms overlook the lake, although you typically pay more for them.

Others offer Theme Park View, which is exactly what it sounds like.

You can stare out your window and see Magic Kingdom landmarks.

Even better, these rooms provide stunning views of the fireworks each night.

All these details augment the theme that you’re staying in a throwback luxury resort.

The Restaurants

I could write an entire article about the greatness of dining at the Grand Floridian.

In fact, I’m making a note right now to do that at a later date.

The Cliff’s Notes version is that this hotel undoubtedly offers the finest dining in Orlando.

Don’t take my word for it. I’m not the one who gave Victoria & Albert’s a Michelin star. Twice. Yes, a Disney World hotel restaurant has been awarded one of the greatest culinary honors.

Of course, you may not want to pay several hundred dollars on a meal.

In that case, you can still dine like royalty at the Grand Floridian.

My favorite spot is the Grand Floridian Café, which resides just past the lobby.

It’s the most affordable Table Service restaurant on-site and also the one with the best southern cuisine.

Right beside it is 1900 Park Fare, a character meal and buffet.

You can order Strawberry Soup here, which is something you absolutely should do.

Narcoossee’s sells delectable coastal cuisine, including a legendary Lobster Bisque.

And Citricos serves a similarly elegant meal in a Mary Poppins-themed setting.

Every restaurant I just mentioned is currently ranked in the top 100 in Orlando on TripAdvisor.

Okay, that’s not quite true. Out of 3,240 Orlando restaurants, the Grand Floridian Café is currently ranked 160^th.

Since it’s my favorite of the bunch, I politely disagree, but the point remains.

The dining at the Grand Floridian is world-class and absolute overkill for a theme park hotel.

The Spa and Other Amenities

Disney hasn’t named this resort by accident. It put the spa in the title for a reason.

Senses Spa presents guests with the ultimate relaxation option.

You’re on vacation and deserve to treat yourself. There’s no better way to do that than a spa day.

Multiple Disney World resorts host spas, and you can experience them on Disney cruises, too.

Senses is an established Disney brand by now, but the services are available at reasonable prices.

Also, I’d be remiss if I failed to mention the pools at the Grand Floridian.

At the main pool, guests can watch the monorail zoom by while sipping a cocktail.

The pool bar here is aces, and it’s a wonderful spot to soak up the ambiance.

There’s also a kids’ water play area nearby, and it has a Mad Hatter theme.

In fact, there’s a giant hat that gradually fills with water over time.

Once the hat gets too full, it tips over, dousing anyone standing beneath it.

You can tell that it’s happening by the squeals of laughter coming from the area.

These are just a couple of the fabulous amenities available at the Grand Floridian.

The Con

As you can see, this resort offers arguably the best amenities of any Disney resort.

That doesn’t make it perfect, though, as it has one significant drawback.

The Grand Floridian is borderline perfect, but you pay for that perfection.

This is inarguably Disney World’s most expensive official hotel.

That’s not to say it’s the costliest resort on Disney World property, though.

The Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort definitely claims that distinction.

This resort recently sold along with one other for $1.1 billion.

So, I’d classify it as, “If you have to ask the price, you can’t afford it.”

The Grand Floridian’s pricing, while still steep, most assuredly isn’t that.

If anything, this hotel’s room rates are ever-so-slightly more than the other monorail resorts.

You may feel some sticker shock in looking at the prices, though.

The good news – and it’s VERY good news – is that Disney frequently offers deals.

You cannot possibly keep up with them all, but I know someone who can.

Speak with a MickeyTravels agent to learn the best options for your trip.

MickeyTravels is a Diamond Earmarked agency, Disney’s highest level.

Despite the agency’s achievements, it provides its services free of charge to you.

Your MickeyTravels agent will monitor deals to make sure you have the best price.

That practice alone can save you a fortune when staying at the Grand Floridian.

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Feature Photo: Disney