The Positives – Location, Grounds, Rooms and Service
There’s no denying the Grand Floridian is one of Disney’s most iconic resorts. Its elegant Victorian-style architecture, immaculate grounds, and proximity to Magic Kingdom make it a dream destination for many. I’d been hoping to stay here for years and finally booked a 12-night stay, expecting the ultimate Disney World experience.
The rooms themselves were spotless, spacious and beautifully themed. Housekeeping and front-desk staff were consistently polite and efficient, and check-in was smooth. The hotel grounds and lobby are genuinely stunning – you feel like you’re stepping into a Disney movie set.
Narcoossee’s, the signature restaurant, was excellent. The steak and lobster were outstanding, and the service attentive. I’d still say the best steak on Disney property is at the Yachtsman Steakhouse over at the Yacht Club Resort, but Narcoossee’s was a highlight of our stay. The Grand Floridian Café offered a superb breakfast – fresh, hot and well-cooked – though dinner there was a little less inspiring.
The Negatives – Transport Frustrations and Poor Value
Sadly, the magic fades when it comes to day-to-day convenience.
No Direct EPCOT Bus
There is no dedicated EPCOT bus from the Grand Floridian. To reach EPCOT you must take the monorail three stops, disembark at the TTC, climb stairs or escalators to another platform, wait for a second monorail and then continue your journey. Returning is equally time-consuming. Considering rooms here start well over $700 per night, the absence of a direct bus feels like a major oversight. It took me 25 minutes just to reach EPCOT from my room – not ideal when you’re on a tight park schedule.
Shared Bus Service
Disney’s two most expensive hotels – the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian – share buses for Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs. The Grand is picked up last, meaning buses often arrive full of Polynesian guests and you’re left standing for the ride. Coming back, the Grand is the final stop as well. It would be far fairer to alternate pick-up and drop-off order daily or run dedicated buses.
Food and Beverage Issues
Gasparilla Island Grill
This quick-service outlet left a lot to be desired. Breakfast choices were limited and lacked savoury options. The famous mac and cheese, which used to be rich and indulgent, has been reformulated. Both times I ordered it, days apart, it was watery and flavourless – essentially just plain pasta. Yet again another cutback it seems.
Drink Selection
Fridge stock was also frustrating. Regular milk wasn’t available as a drink credit – only a nearly 500-calorie chocolate milk or a small paper carton. Yet over at the Polynesian, regular milk and original blue Powerade were readily available. At the Grand Floridian, the freestyle drink machines are missing the original Powerade flavour entirely, meaning you must buy it separately.
Value for Money and Perks Compared With Other Deluxe Resorts
The Grand Floridian is marketed as Disney’s flagship resort but offers fewer tangible perks than many cheaper deluxe options. Resorts like the Yacht Club and Beach Club have the massive advantage of EPCOT’s back entrance and the Skyliner to Hollywood Studios – an invaluable perk when you’re trying to maximise park time and ease. What’s remarkable is you get these conveniences at a significantly lower price point; even Pop Century offers Skyliner access at roughly a quarter of the cost.
Final Thoughts
The Grand Floridian is undeniably beautiful with great rooms, high-quality housekeeping and standout signature dining. However, the lack of direct transportation options, underwhelming quick-service food, and poor value compared to other deluxe resorts dampen the experience.
Unless you’ve always dreamed of staying at the Grand Floridian and want to tick it off your Disney bucket list, I’d strongly recommend looking at the Yacht Club or Beach Club instead. Their EPCOT and Skyliner access make your Disney holiday smoother, faster and better value. For the price, you simply expect more than what the Grand Floridian currently delivers. It should offer better transport services. It’s not like they’re not making enough money, is it!
