Family with Mickey balloons at Grand Floridian; Asian; mother; father siblings
  • On Jun 29, 2025
    Melody from Kowloon Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Hello! We are visiting from China and are familiar with the HK Disneyland hotel but the Grand floridian looks very similar alraedy. Can you tell me what is different at the Orlando version?

    Hi Melody!

    Welcome to planDisney, and thank you for visiting us with your question about your upcoming trip to Walt Disney World. I’ve been lucky enough to visit Hong Kong Disneyland a couple of times and absolutely love it. I can’t wait to head back with my family soon to celebrate The Most Magical Party of All. Having visited all the Disney Parks around the world, I always say to try not to compare them, as each one is magical in its own way.

    When I visited Hong Kong Disneyland for the first time, I really enjoyed exploring the Disneyland Hotel. It’s very similar in style to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa at Walt Disney World. The biggest difference is size. The Grand Floridian has more than double the number of rooms, which naturally means more guests and, in turn, more dining and shopping options. Dining is where you’ll notice a big contrast. Crystal Lotus at Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel offers beautiful premium Chinese cuisine (the dim sum really is a highlight), but over at the Grand Floridian, you’ve got Victoria & Albert’s, a Michelin-starred fine dining experience that’s in a league of its own. Another key difference is the inclusion of a large-scale quick service location at Grand Floridian called Gasparilla Island Grill. It serves up high-quality food throughout the day and doesn’t require a reservation.

    Both hotels are a short walk from their closest Disney Park. At Walt Disney World, the Grand Floridian also offers Watercraft and Monorail access to Magic Kingdom, Monorail to EPCOT, and bus transportation to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Disney Water Parks.

    Whether this is your first visit to Walt Disney World or your 101st, I always suggest taking some time to explore other Resorts too. Each one has something different to offer. My personal favourites include Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. If you make your way to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, you’ll notice some design similarities with Disney Explorers Lodge. The big difference is that the Florida version is set on a real savannah, with giraffes and zebras just outside your window.

    One more point while you're here, I saw you’ve asked about Chinese food in another question. I really recommend Nine Dragons in EPCOT, over in the China Pavilion. I spent a few months travelling around China, and Nine Dragons is the only place outside of China where I’ve had something that genuinely tasted authentic. The Sichuan Shui Zhu Beef, in particular, took me straight back to Chengdu - packed with flavour and proper heat.

    I hope this helps answer your question, Melody! I wish you the BEST visit to Walt Disney World! If you have any further Disney Destination vacation planning questions, please reach out to me. I'd love to help!

    Dō ze, zoi gin!
    Matt
thumbnail image for Matt

Meet the Panelist: Matt, United Kingdom

Hi there! I’m Matt, a husband, dad to two adventure-loving boys, a HR professional, and a proud Disney adult from the UK. My Disney journey began with my first visit to Disneyland Paris as a child, and since then, I've had the joy of visiting every Disney theme park destination around the world. When we're not on a Disney vacation, we're busy planning the next one! I can’t wait to share my tips and experiences to help you create your own unforgettable Disney memories. Learn More About Matt

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