Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa vs Walt Disney World Dolphin
Photo: Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Photo: Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort
At a Glance
| Grand Floridian | Walt Disney World Dolphin | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Deluxe | Deluxe |
| Area | Magic Kingdom Resort Area | Epcot Resort Area |
| Transportation | Monorail, Walk, Boat, Bus | Walk, Boat, Bus |
| Table-Service Dining | 8 restaurants | 7 restaurants |
| Quick-Service Dining | 6 locations | 3 locations |
| Pool Amenities | Pool, Quiet Pool | Pool |
| Extended Evening Hours | Yes | Yes |
| Top Highlight | Monorail access to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT | Walking distance to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios |
Tier
Grand Floridian
DeluxeWalt Disney World Dolphin
DeluxeArea
Grand Floridian
Magic Kingdom Resort AreaWalt Disney World Dolphin
Epcot Resort AreaTransportation
Grand Floridian
Monorail, Walk, Boat, BusWalt Disney World Dolphin
Walk, Boat, BusTable-Service Dining
Grand Floridian
8 restaurantsWalt Disney World Dolphin
7 restaurantsQuick-Service Dining
Grand Floridian
6 locationsWalt Disney World Dolphin
3 locationsPool Amenities
Grand Floridian
Pool, Quiet PoolWalt Disney World Dolphin
PoolExtended Evening Hours
Grand Floridian
YesWalt Disney World Dolphin
YesTop Highlight
Grand Floridian
Monorail access to Magic Kingdom and EPCOTWalt Disney World Dolphin
Walking distance to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood StudiosOverview
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney's Victorian flagship resort on Seven Seas Lagoon, positioned on the monorail loop west of Magic Kingdom.
Walt Disney World Dolphin
A large Marriott-operated convention resort on Crescent Lake with Disney benefits and direct access to the Epcot-area walkway network.
Amenities
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
Walt Disney World Dolphin
Recreation
- Pool
- Tennis Courts
- Jogging Trail
- Arcade
- Playground
- Camp Dolphin for children ages 4-12 from 5pm to midnight with themed activities, video games, arts and crafts
- Swan paddleboat rentals on the white sand beach
Wellness
- Fitness Center
- Spa
Rooms
- Club Level
Other
- Laundry Facilities
- Child Care
- Business Center
- Boat launch courtyard between Swan and Dolphin; Friendship launches to Epcot and Hollywood Studios
- Gift Shop
Transportation
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
Walt Disney World Dolphin
-
Walk
EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios
-
Boat
EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios
-
Bus
Magic Kingdom Park, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs
Pros
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
Walt Disney World Dolphin
- Walking distance to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios
- Can be booked with Marriott/SPG hotel points for potentially free nights
- Crescent Lake location with boat service and BoardWalk access
- Shula's Steakhouse and Il Mulino are top-tier dining options on property
- Often cheaper than equivalent Disney-owned Deluxe resorts
Cons
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
Walt Disney World Dolphin
- Not a Disney-owned resort, so no Early Entry or advance booking perks
- Resort and parking fees are high in addition to the nightly rate
- Dated exterior design with the iconic dolphin statues divides opinion
- Rooms were historically smaller and less updated than Disney Deluxes
- Bus service to non-walkable parks is less reliable than Disney buses
On-Site Dining
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
-
1900 Park Fare
Table ServiceAmerican
breakfast · dinner
View menu -
Beaches Pool Bar & Grill
Quick ServiceAmerican
lunch
View menu -
Cítricos
Table ServiceAmerican
dinner
View menu -
Cítricos Lounge
Quick ServiceAmerican, Mediterranean
snack
View menu -
Courtyard Pool Bar
Quick ServiceAmerican
snack
View menu -
Enchanted Rose
Quick ServiceAmerican
snack
View menu -
Gasparilla Island Grill
Quick ServiceAmerican
breakfast · lunch · dinner · snack
View menu -
Grand Floridian Cafe
Table ServiceAmerican
breakfast · lunch · dinner
View menu -
Narcoossee's
Table ServiceAmerican, Seafood
dinner
View menu -
Queen Victoria's Room at Victoria & Albert's
Table Servicedinner
View menu -
The Dining Room at Victoria & Albert's
Table ServiceAmerican, Prix Fixe
dinner
View menu -
The Dining Room at Victoria & Albert’s
Table ServiceAmerican
lunch · dinner
View menu -
The Perch at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Quick ServiceAmerican
snack
View menu -
Victoria & Albert's Chef's Table Dinner
Table Servicedinner
View menu
Walt Disney World Dolphin
-
Bourbon Steak - A Michael Mina Restaurant
Table ServiceAmerican, Steakhouse
dinner
View menu -
Bourbon Steak Lounge
Quick ServiceAmerican, Steakhouse
snack
View menu -
Cabana Bar and Beach Club
Table ServiceAmerican
snack
View menu -
Fuel
Table ServiceAmerican, Quick Service - Coffee
snack
View menu -
Phins
Table ServiceAmerican
dinner
View menu -
Rosa Mexicano
Table ServiceMexican
breakfast · lunch · dinner
View menu -
Rosa Mexicano Lounge
Quick ServiceMexican
snack
View menu -
The Fountain
Table ServiceAmerican
lunch · dinner
View menu -
Todd English's bluezoo
Table ServiceSeafood
dinner
View menu -
Todd English's bluezoo Lounge
Quick ServiceSeafood
snack
View menu
Community Discussions
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Grand Floridian experience : r/WaltDisneyWorld r/WaltDisneyWorld
- Grand Floridian recs? : r/WaltDisneyWorld r/WaltDisneyWorld
- Grand Floridian vs Other Deluxe Resorts : r/WaltDisneyWorld r/WaltDisneyWorld
- Have any of you regretted splurging for theme park view at ... r/WaltDisneyWorld
- Is it worth the price to stay at Grand Floridian? r/WaltDisneyWorld
Walt Disney World Dolphin
- Dolphin or Swan : r/WaltDisneyWorld r/WaltDisneyWorld
- Dolphin Resort and Upgrades : r/WaltDisneyWorld r/WaltDisneyWorld
- Walt Disney World Dolphin : r/WaltDisneyWorld r/WaltDisneyWorld
- Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort Fees & Card Holds r/WaltDisneyWorld
Videos
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
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