Disney's Beach Club Resort vs Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Disney's Beach Club Resort

Photo: Disney's Beach Club Resort
Deluxe Epcot Resort Area
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Photo: Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Deluxe Magic Kingdom Resort Area
Alex Young
Alex Young
· Updated · 5 min read

At a Glance

Tier

Beach Club

Deluxe

Grand Floridian

Deluxe

Area

Beach Club

Epcot Resort Area

Grand Floridian

Magic Kingdom Resort Area

Transportation

Beach Club

Boat, Walk, Bus

Grand Floridian

Monorail, Walk, Boat, Bus

Table-Service Dining

Beach Club

2 restaurants

Grand Floridian

8 restaurants

Quick-Service Dining

Beach Club

2 locations

Grand Floridian

6 locations

Pool Amenities

Beach Club

Water Slide, Pool, Quiet Pool, Hot Tub, ShipWreck slide on pirate ship (Stormalong Bay)

Grand Floridian

Pool, Quiet Pool

Extended Evening Hours

Beach Club

Yes

Grand Floridian

Yes

Top Highlight

Beach Club

Stormalong Bay is widely considered the best resort pool at Disney World

Grand Floridian

Monorail access to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT

Overview

Disney's Beach Club Resort

A New England beach-themed deluxe resort beside Crescent Lake with direct access to the shared Stormalong Bay pool complex.

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Disney's Victorian flagship resort on Seven Seas Lagoon, positioned on the monorail loop west of Magic Kingdom.

Amenities

Disney's Beach Club Resort

Recreation

  • stormalong bay—a 3-acre water wonderland
  • Water Slide
  • catch currents on an inner tube in the lazy river
  • Pool
  • Quiet Pool
  • Marina
  • Playground
  • Arcade
  • Running Trail
  • Tennis Courts
  • Hot Tub
  • ShipWreck slide on pirate ship (Stormalong Bay)
  • Volleyball

Wellness

  • Fitness Center
  • Ship Shape Health Club (steam room, sauna, massage therapy, Nautilus/Hammer Strength/aerobics)
  • Spa

Rooms

  • rooms and suites with club-level service

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Recreation

  • Pool
  • Quiet Pool
  • water play area for little ones
  • seven seas lagoon — enjoy fishing, boating and more
  • Boat Rental
  • Playground
  • Running Trail (~1 mile loop)
  • Tennis Courts
  • Marina

Wellness

  • Spa
  • haircuts, manicures, pedicures and more
  • Fitness Center

Rooms

  • rooms and suites with club-level service
  • Club Level

Other

  • Laundry Facilities
  • Business Center

Transportation

Disney's Beach Club Resort

  • Boat

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Walk

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

  • Monorail

    Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT

  • Walk

    Magic Kingdom Park

  • Boat

    Magic Kingdom Park

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Pros

Disney's Beach Club Resort

  • Stormalong Bay is widely considered the best resort pool at Disney World
  • Walking distance to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios via International Gateway
  • Strong table service dining options on site and nearby at BoardWalk
  • Charming New England seaside theming
  • Easy access to multiple resorts in the Crescent Lake area

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

  • Monorail access to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT
  • Flagship luxury resort with Victorian theming and grand lobby
  • Top dining including Victoria and Alberts signature restaurant
  • Walking path to Magic Kingdom makes it the second-closest resort
  • Multiple pools, spa, marina, and extensive resort amenities

Cons

Disney's Beach Club Resort

  • One of the more expensive Deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World
  • Smaller rooms compared to other Deluxe resorts at similar prices
  • No monorail access, requires walking, boat, or bus to Magic Kingdom
  • Standard rooms can feel dated relative to recently renovated resorts
  • Pool area can get very crowded during peak season

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

  • Most expensive Disney-owned resort at Walt Disney World
  • Victorian theming feels formal and can be stiff for young children
  • Far from Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom by bus
  • Main building can feel crowded with non-guests visiting for dining
  • DVC villas are in a separate building from main hotel rooms

On-Site Dining

Disney's Beach Club Resort

  • Beach Club Marketplace

    Quick Service

    American

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Beaches & Cream Soda Shop

    Table Service

    American

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Cape May Cafe

    Table Service

    American, Seafood

    breakfast · dinner

    View menu

  • Hurricane Hanna's Waterside Bar and Grill

    Quick Service

    American

    lunch

    View menu

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

  • 1900 Park Fare

    Table Service

    American

    breakfast · dinner

    View menu

  • Beaches Pool Bar & Grill

    Quick Service

    American

    lunch

    View menu

  • Cítricos

    Table Service

    American

    dinner

    View menu

  • Cítricos Lounge

    Quick Service

    American, Mediterranean

    snack

    View menu

  • Courtyard Pool Bar

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Enchanted Rose

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Gasparilla Island Grill

    Quick Service

    American

    breakfast · lunch · dinner · snack

    View menu

  • Grand Floridian Cafe

    Table Service

    American

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Narcoossee's

    Table Service

    American, Seafood

    dinner

    View menu

  • Queen Victoria's Room at Victoria & Albert's

    Table Service

    dinner

    View menu

  • The Dining Room at Victoria & Albert's

    Table Service

    American, Prix Fixe

    dinner

    View menu

  • The Dining Room at Victoria & Albert’s

    Table Service

    American

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • The Perch at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Victoria & Albert's Chef's Table Dinner

    Table Service

    dinner

    View menu

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