Where would you stay? Grand Floridian or Waldorf Astoria?

[Lizzim]

We have a treehouse villa booked using our DVC points for 6 nights in December. We are bringing one set of parents with us and treating them to the 6 nights.

We need one more night and are torn between the Grand Floridian and the Waldorf. The Grand Floridian is considerably more expensive for the night we need if that influences your opinion

Where would you stay?

 

[johnsonet]

The Grand for sure (not that I've ever stayed at the WA but staying at a Disney resort is always my first choice.)

 

[mickeynut1]

We have a treehouse villa booked using our DVC points for 6 nights in December. We are bringing one set of parents with us and treating them to the 6 nights.

We need one more night and are torn between the Grand Floridian and the Waldorf. The Grand Floridian is considerably more expensive for the night we need if that influences your opinion

Where would you stay?

I agree with the pp. We've never stayed at WA either, but would choose on property every time (and the GF is a beautiful resort ).

 

[MaleficentRN]

I'd pick GF. But curious as to why those two hotels?

 

[Sue M]

I'd stay at GF if its in the budget, if you are planning on going to a park that day especially. Can't beat one monorail stop to MK, or ease of getting to Epcot. Or being able to watch Wishes and Electric Water parade from resort.

If you are planning a resort day i may go for WA. Never been, but hear they have a great lazy river?

 

[Lizzim]

I'd pick GF. But curious as to why those two hotels?

We've stayed at the Waldorf and it was amazing....! And the only Disney hotel that Dad is interested in is the Grand Floridian (he described it as the white hotel!!)

I think Mum would love the GF especially with the Christmas decorations...and they have never stayed onsite before. We love Bay Lake as well but it doesn't appeal to Dad.

 

[Lizzim]

So far the vote is 4-0 for the GF.....

Any more opinions?

 

[mmmears]

While the Waldorf looks nice, I'd pick the GF. So nice to be on the lake with monorail access.

 

[Marthasor]

So far the vote is 4-0 for the GF.....

Any more opinions?

I think it really depends on how you want to spend that day and how much $$ you want to spend. If it's a resort day and you aren't going to any parks, I would consider WA. If you are going to a park, particularly MK, I would stay GF. Also, if you need ME, you might want to consider GF, or price out a car/taxi service to WA and see how that affects your total 1-night stay cost. I think both resorts are great - they just serve very different purposes!

 

[fabulousfive]

We originally were planning on the WA for our first Disney trip a few years ago. Instead we chose to stay on property at the GF. We LOVED IT!! I just can't say enough great things about staying in the magical world of Disney! I'd also recommend the dining plan too.

 

[Dreamsdocometrue9112]

GF for sure! I always pick on property versus off-site, though, give the choice. We stayed at the GF for our honeymoon and LOVED it. It holds a special place in our hearts

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Another vote for the GF, but only because it is on property. The WA is nicer in every way - but it is not on WDW property. A shame that Disney has no sense of perspective with its resort ratings or pricing, but they charge what the market will bear, and people (us included) keep paying these prices.

 

[jbuey22]

We have a treehouse villa booked using our DVC points for 6 nights in December. We are bringing one set of parents with us and treating them to the 6 nights.

We need one more night and are torn between the Grand Floridian and the Waldorf. The Grand Floridian is considerably more expensive for the night we need if that influences your opinion

Where would you stay?

I won a trip in 2011 to the Waldorf and it was fantastic!!! I mean beyond fantastic even. They really go out of their way to make you happy over there. We stayed 4 nights then we did 10 nights at CSR that was A LONG RELAXING VACATION!! The wife and I stayed the first 4 nights at the Waldorf, then the kids flew down and met us at the Coronado for the 2nd leg of the vacation. The Pool at the Waldorf is Beautiful and you also have access to the Hilton i believe which is attached and the pool over there is great too. The pool at the Hilton has a lazy river and is a little more geared towards kids. But not alot over over crowded by any means. and the Waldorf is high scale and upper class. They will love the waldorf. Then again I am sure the GF is nice as well. Never been nor could I ever afford either option.

 

[chasgoose]

If we are purely comparing resort quality, the Waldorf Astoria is going to be nicer in every way than the GF (its a true 5 star resort as opposed to the 4 star at best GF) and its not like its far away from the parks or other Disney attractions (it's practically next door to Pop and CBR).

For one night, especially when you are going to have to move to the SSR anyways (which is a lot closer to the Waldorf than the GF) I think saving the money and staying at a nicer resort is worth it. You are going to have 6 days of Disney magic, why not keep a little money in your pocket to make those 6 days even more magical? Spend the money on dinner at a nice restaurant or something. I always stay on property when I go, and I think it's definitely worth it in the long run, but for a tacked on night to an on property stay, you lose a lot of the advantages that make it worth the money.

My vote is for the WA.

 

[toodycat]

If you want the most luxurious experience, stay at the Waldorf. If you want the most Disney experience, stay at the GF.

 

[dudleydawson]

The GF is a great resort. Other than price it is a wonderful vacation.

 

[chasgoose]

The GF is a great resort. Other than price it is a wonderful vacation.

I guess that is kind of my point. If this were a debate between GF and WA for the whole trip, and GF wouldn't break the bank, I would definitely say GF. One night, however, is not much of a "vacation" especially when it is attached to a 6 night on-site stay. Sure it won't be as magically "Disney" but they have 6 nights for that.

Presuming OP is renting a car (which based on my understanding of the Treehouse Villas is likely) the access to the parks won't be that much more difficult (OP would be closer to DHS and AK at WA than at GF for example and with a car would almost definitely have an easier time getting there) and if they want a taste of Disney magic that night, book an ADR at one of the Boardwalk resorts or at AKL.

Other than that, OP loses access to EMH and Disney transportation and all the fun perks for the night. If its on arrival day, however, they won't be having a full day anyways (if its a morning EMH, they probably won't make it) and depending on how long the trip to Orlando was, they might need to relax and recuperate anyways (we don't usually venture into the parks until the morning after we arrive, for example). I usually just want a nice room when I get to Disney and a place to catch my breath before diving in. The WA fits that bill as good as if not better than the GF for one night.

Sure the GF is magical and great and nothing compares to staying at a Disney resort, but the difference in price between the GF and the WA is often $300+. Given that OP won't have enough time to really appreciate the GF and its perks anyways (which is why its so much more expensive) it just makes more sense to me to stay in the nicer room for the night and pocket the savings.

 

[B-Ride]

Definitely the White One, but then I don't believe in offsite hotels. (I know they exist, I just don't believe in them).

 

[freediverdude]

Like others have said, if the money isn't an issue, then it depends on what you want to do that day. If you're going to hang out at the resort and then go eat somewhere, the Waldorf will be nicer and have better service. If you're going to the parks that day, GF has a better location and Disney transportation (unless you're planning on taking your car anyway).

 

[chasgoose]

GF only really has a better location for MK and Epcot. The Waldorf is basically next to CBR and Pop and thus closer to AK and DHS than the GF. Of course without a car GF would be easier, but I was assuming they would have a car because they are staying at the Treehouse Villas.