The very first time we decided to take the plunge and stay on property at Disney World, I really did not do a lot of research. It was sort of a last minute addition to a trip we already had planned so there weren't too many options available. We landed on the Yacht Club and I was officially hooked! We had such a great experience that we decided to come back to Disney for a longer trip a few months later. We had heard great things about the Grand Floridian which also did not disappoint! Want to know which resort reigns supreme? Read more below!
Yacht Club Resort
Price: Yacht Club is a Deluxe Resort so it is NOT CHEAP. Honestly I have paid less for a 5 star hotel in a large metropolitan city! But it's Disney and I knew going into it that the resort prices would be extreme.
Proximity to parks: This resort is like a 5 minute walk to Epcot and you get to enter between the UK and France which means less crowds and easy access to Ratatouille at rope drop! Supposedly you can walk to Hollywood studios...It looks very far and not worth it. There is Gondola access that you could take to Hollywood studios but again, it looks like it could take awhile. The Yacht Club does have the popular bus system to the other parks which is convenient.
Pool: I mean, this hotel possibly has the best pool I've ever seen at ANY hotel. It is HUGE! There are a couple hot tubs, a lazy river, a slide, and a sand bottom kid's pool. This resort is worth it for the pool set up alone. They also have poolside food and drink which really makes this a great experience. I highly recommend working a pool day into your itinerary if you stay here. One thing to note, you cannot use this pool unless you are staying at either the Beach or Yacht club. I'm pretty sure this is the case for all Disney pools, but they are extra strict here! They scan your reservation to make sure you are actually staying here.
Food options: There are plenty of options here from sit down, to bars, to grab n go. Because this resort is connected to the Beach Club, it really feels like there are more food options than normal which is very nice. Nothing stands out as over the top amazing except for Beaches & Cream. They have have the famous "Kitchen Sink" that we just had to get one year for my son's birthday. Totally worth it!
Extras: The decor here is my favorite! I feel like pictures do not do this resort justice. I personally find the yacht aesthetic to be very cozy and relaxing. And while the rooms are not over the top Disney, I do think they are the most tastefully done rooms of any Disney Hotel. Another nice perk of the Yacht Club is the proximity to the Boardwalk. It's a nice area to walk around at night with even more food options!
The Kitchen Sink from Beaches & Cream tasted as good as it looked!
The Grand Floridian Resort
Price: Grand Floridian is also a Deluxe Resort so pricing will be similar, if not more expensive than the Yacht Club depending on room size, availability and time of year.
Proximity to parks: This resort has monorail access so it is very convenient for both Epcot and Magic Kingdom. There is a walking path to Magic Kingdom which is nice as well! Like the other resorts, the Grand Floridian also has bus transportation
Pool: There are two pools here - a more quiet courtyard pool and a more kid centered area. I love the kid's water play structure. It is a nicely contained area with a life guard and poolside service so you can really kick back and relax!
Food options: I did feel like there were not a lot of food options at the Grand Floridian. If you didn't have a reservation, you were out of luck come dinner time. I did not plan very well for dinners while we stayed there so we ended up eating most meals from the grab and go "Gasparilla Island Grill" - which don't get me wrong, we loved! But I personally think the Grand Floridian needs a few more moderate, casual food options because it felt like they only had "nice" reservation options that were booked out or you were stuck with the Gasparilla Island Grill.
Extras: I have to say, I don't know what mattresses they have at the Grand Floridian but I think about the night of sleep I got there often. I have never slept so well in a hotel before. Between the mattress and the sheets and the incredible AC, I had the elusive perfect night of sleep while staying at the GF. Another nice feature is the Electrical Water Pageant. I loved watching it as a kid and it is still magical as an adult to sit on the lawn at the GF and watch the water show!
Is there anything better than a poolside Margarita???
So which resort reigns supreme?
Price: This category is a toss up since they are both equally expensive.
Proximity to parks: Although I personally prefer being walking distance to Epcot, I have to go with the Grand Floridian on this one. Nothing beats monorail access!
Pool: Hands down, Yacht Club on this one. Even the best poolside margarita at the Grand Floridian can't beat the incredible pool complex of the Yacht Club!
Food options: I'm going with Yacht Club on this one as well. Way more options so you aren't out of luck if you didn't make reservations.
Extras: Grand Floridian takes this one. The nostalgia of the Electrical Water Pageant and the elusive perfect night of sleep make it a no brainer!
Honestly, you can't go wrong with either in my opinion! If you want to be close to Epcot and have a few extra days for a pool day, Yacht Club is probably your best bet.
If you want to hit up Magic Kingdom a couple days in a row and experience one of the best night's of sleep of your life, the Grand Floridian can't be beat!
Let me know your favorite Disney world resorts!