Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa vs Walt Disney World Dolphin

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Photo: Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Deluxe Magic Kingdom Resort Area
Walt Disney World Dolphin

Photo: Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort
Deluxe Epcot Resort Area
Alex Young
Alex Young
· Updated · 5 min read

At a Glance

Tier

Grand Floridian

Deluxe

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Deluxe

Area

Grand Floridian

Magic Kingdom Resort Area

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Epcot Resort Area

Transportation

Grand Floridian

Monorail, Walk, Boat, Bus

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Walk, Boat, Bus

Table-Service Dining

Grand Floridian

8 restaurants

Walt Disney World Dolphin

7 restaurants

Quick-Service Dining

Grand Floridian

6 locations

Walt Disney World Dolphin

3 locations

Pool Amenities

Grand Floridian

Pool, Quiet Pool

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Pool

Extended Evening Hours

Grand Floridian

Yes

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Yes

Top Highlight

Grand Floridian

Monorail access to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Walking distance to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios

Overview

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 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

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Bourbon Steak - A Michael Mina Restaurant

    Table Service

    American, Steakhouse

    dinner

    View menu

  • Bourbon Steak Lounge

    Quick Service

    American, Steakhouse

    snack

    View menu

  • Cabana Bar and Beach Club

    Table Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Fuel

    Table Service

    American, Quick Service - Coffee

    snack

    View menu

  • Phins

    Table Service

    American

    dinner

    View menu

  • Rosa Mexicano

    Table Service

    Mexican

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Rosa Mexicano Lounge

    Quick Service

    Mexican

    snack

    View menu

  • The Fountain

    Table Service

    American

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Todd English's bluezoo

    Table Service

    Seafood

    dinner

    View menu

  • Todd English's bluezoo Lounge

    Quick Service

    Seafood

    snack

    View menu

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