Hey Dreamers! We are taking you straight into the elegance, nostalgia, and sometimes unexpected reality of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort in our honest Grand Floridian review.

If you’ve followed us for a while, you already know we have history here. As in steaming wedding dresses in a tiny Grand Floridian room before magical ceremonies at the Wedding Pavilion many years ago. And back when we worked at Disney, we affectionately called it the G Flo. So consider this your insider style Grand Floridian review from dreamers who have stayed here twice and explored both sides of the resort.

And like always, this is the good, the meh, and the magical in all of our reviews.

Our Grand Floridian History

We are Disney Vacation Club members, so we have been lucky enough to stay on both the classic Grand Floridian hotel side and the newer Disney Vacation Club wing.

And Dreamers, the difference is noticeable the moment you step through the door.

The original Grand Floridian rooms have that vintage, charming, Victorian feel that some guests adore. But they are dated so space is less and the rooms are not as functional.

Meanwhile, the Disney Vacation Club side feels fresher, roomier, brighter, and simply more functional for families or anyone who needs space to spread out. The Disney Vacation Club Tower was recently added so everything is much newer!

Considering some of our home resorts are Old Key West and Riviera Resort, the jump from oldest to newest gives us an interesting perspective. And through all that, one thing remains consistent. The views here really do hit different. Want to see our review on Disney’s Riviera? We’ve got the scoop there too! Plus an Old Key West YouTube room review is on the way!

During our summer stay, we woke up to a dreamy Magic Kingdom skyline.

During our winter stay, we sipped our morning coffee while watching the monorail glide by like a scene straight out of a Disney commercial.

The Big Question: Is The Grand Floridian Worth It?

Let’s talk about the question so many of you send us in DMs. Is this resort actually worth it? For us, the honest answer is no… but also yes.

Without the location, this resort would sit middle of the pack. The older rooms feel dated, outlets can be scarce, and the nightly price tag is not for the faint of heart.

But then there is that one perk that keeps reeling us back in. The walk to Magic Kingdom. If you have ever done a stroller fold at midnight, you know how priceless it is to just stroll back to your room with zero wait. Add in monorail access and your trip instantly becomes easier. You do need to transfer at TTC to reach EPCOT, but Disney has the process down to a science.

And while the lobby ambiance is grand and cinematic with its Titanic energy, sweeping staircases, and live classical music, some rooms simply do not match that same level of luxury. And that contrast is important for dreamers who value consistency.

The Pool, The Breakfast, And That Alice Wonderland Magic

The pool area has a light Beach Club vibe without the sand, plus a walk up bar and relaxing atmosphere.

The Alice in Wonderland themed kids splash area is also absolutely adorable!

And then comes breakfast, which shocked us in the best way possible. The Grand Floridian Cafe delivered one of the best Bay Lake breakfasts we have ever had.

The warm buttermilk biscuits were everything we needed before a long park day.

Not to mention the two types of butter, one a seriously delicious orange butter!

Oh, and getting to the point here. The Floridian Style Eggs Benedict with poached eggs, corn cakes, pulled pork, poblano hollandaise, and marinated tomato salad was unforgettable. This is the kind of breakfast that becomes a tradition, even if you are not staying here.

Why We Stayed Twice

Dreamers, you know the answer. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. We wanted that quick walk in and out, the same magic you feel staying at the Grand Californian at Disneyland where the park is basically your backyard. No transportation. No waiting. No stress. And we are big about no rushing and no stress.

If you are a Magic Kingdom super fan, the convenience is next level. But if you can live without walking distance, there are many Disney resorts that offer more updated rooms, more space, or better overall value. But we might someday stay again, especially during the holidays.

And since we are not diving into the Polynesian today as this is a Grand Floridian review, we will simply say this. The new DVC Polynesian Tower feels like mini Aulani, the rooms are stunning, and the value is strong for what you get. But more on that in a future post (plus we will review Aulani someday soon too!).

So here is a picture of the Grand Floridian from our room at Disney’s Polynesian Resort. Honestly, we can’t get enough of the Polynesian! More to come on exactly why!

Final Takeaway

So Dreamers, we write this Grand Floridian review so you can see that the Grand Floridan is perfect for dreamers who want quick access to Magic Kingdom and love that timeless Victorian charm. The nostalgia and location absolutely deliver.

But if you need modern rooms, space, or a lower price tag, you will likely find more magic for your money at other Disney resorts. Still, the convenience, the lobby ambiance, and that iconic monorail glide make this place a Disney classic for a reason. Whether it is worth it depends on what kind of magic matters most to you.

Ok Dreamers, we hope you enjoyed our honest Grand Floridian review! Let us know in the comments what other Disney resorts you want to know about.