People Are Saying Disney’s Grand Floridian Hotel Is NOT Worth the Money, and We Totally See Why

We spend a lot of time researching Disney hotels and what’s available at each one to meet your personality and style.

So when we hear complaints about Disney World hotels and gather comments from folks about their recent hotel stays, we want to keep you as up-to-date as possible. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort may seem like the perfect choice for your next Disney World trip since its massive renovations are over but we’re asking you to hear what everyone’s saying about this hotel and consider why it’s not worth your money right now.

It’s one of the most iconic hotels on Disney World property. Its proximity to Magic Kingdom, its location around the monorail resort loop, and its crisp red roof and white Victorian exterior seem to open its arms and welcome you home.

While this is certainly an impressive option to make your home during your Disney World vacation, it’s not always the best option for a few different reasons.

Price

Yeah… this is going to be the big one and we just had to come out and say it. As the saying goes, “all magic comes with a price” and this one’s tag can be HEFTY.

Since it’s a deluxe hotel (Disney World’s highest tier in hotel amenities) and given all the “perks” to staying here you can bet you’re going to pay a pretty penny to call one of its rooms home. Price ranges for even the lowest-tiered rooms here can go from $757 even in the slower seasons to $2,365 for the busy season and main building theme park view rooms with club-level service per night.

Here is what you’ll want to ask yourself before you spend thousands of dollars to stay in one of these hotel rooms– if you’re not planning to use everything at your disposal at this hotel does that make much sense? If your answer is no or maybe, consider this. By opting to stay at a moderate or value category hotel you could save yourself quite a lump sum of difference and “plus up” your Disney World vacation.

There are so many options to consider to choosing to spend the budget difference at Disney World like adding extra days to your vacation for both the hotel and tickets, opting for ticket add-ons like park hopper options, water parks, and memory maker photos, several tours that are offered in the parks, special event tickets like Disney’s Jollywood Nights, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and after-hours events, and even upgrading your multiday ticket into an Annual Pass so you can come back within a full year more often.

It’s Not What It Once Was

Although its commanding exterior and massive size certainly knows how to command a presence, this hotel isn’t quite what it used to be pre-pandemic.

Take for instance the fact that a few of the hotel offerings haven’t returned, like the live band that used to play in the lobby…

… the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique which also hasn’t reopened yet…

… and one of the most popular dining spots around the hotel, 1900 Park Fare.

With all of these things still missing from the hotel, it does leave it feeling a bit paler in comparison to its former days.

Transportation

There’s no doubt about it, this hotel has its perks, and its many modes of transportation are one of them.

The hotel boasts transportation options like the monorail loop, a scenic route to Magic Kingdom by boat, and even a quiet walking path right to the Magic Kingdom’s entrance now, but are you seeing a trend yet? All of these modes of transportation are conveniences to Magic Kingdom or the TTC (where you can hop another monorail and get to EPCOT with ease).

Unless you’re planning on spending the majority of your vacation at these two parks, it may not make the most sense to choose this hotel as your home base because you’ll still need to take bus transportation to Disney Springs, the water parks, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

The Trouble With Parking

There’s been a lot of construction going on at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort lately and while that has been completed for the most part a neighboring hotel, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, is also under construction.

These two resorts are in such close proximity that they share a road to get between the two, and even though the construction isn’t going on here, getting in and out of the hotel’s parking lot to check in or out and driving to the parks or other places around Disney World could be a bit overwhelming.

There are lots of construction trucks coming down this road (Floridian Way) and it’s a popular thoroughfare for the local traffic in the mornings, at night, and as folks are leaving Magic Kingdom’s parking lot (TTC).

This traffic could also become amplified if you’re visiting during the holidays when after-hours parties are happening at Magic Kingdom because they have  special fireworks shows that shut down the opposite street, World Drive which leads out past Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

When this happens, this pushes traffic that would normally take this route to Floridian Way as their only way past, and getting to your hotel could take more time and patience.

Atmosphere

We don’t want to take away from this incredible hotel as it’s got A LOT to offer, but we do have to admit it’s probably not going to be your kid’s first choice.

This hotel boasts a more mature vibe, and while there are plenty of amenities for kids like waterslides at the pool, splash grounds, and an arcade, the theming of this hotel isn’t going to be an “in-your-face” Disney vibe.

The Disney touches here are going to be more subtle, hidden in the architecture and the artwork around the hotel and grounds, so if your kids are more into larger-than-life characters and more variety in the kid’s meal quick service options, one of the value hotels might be more of the vibe you’re looking for.

While we know this hotel isn’t for everyone, it’s still a fabulous and elegant option for those that don’t mind working around some of the things that we’ve pointed out here. Make sure you’re following us for more news and updates about Disney World hotels!

NEW LOOK at the STUNNING Details Coming to a Disney Hotel

Do you have another Disney World hotel you would rather stay at instead of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort? Tell us which is your top pick in the comments below.

Comments (3)