Choosing where to stay on your Orlando vacation is part of the trip planning fun. There’s always so much to do at the parks and where you stay can have a big impact on travel time. Then there are resort guest perks. You may be eligible for special early or late entry opportunities in the theme parks based on your hotel. If you’re considering the Grand Floridian vs Helios Grand, you may be wondering how they compare.

What these two properties really have in common is the word “grand” in the name. They both also have a great location right next to a popular theme park. Besides that, they are quite different in every way. How do they each look if you want to visit both Universal and Disney though?

Let’s compare Disney World’s Grand Floridian vs Universal Orlando’s Helios Grand hotels.

Grand Floridian vs Helios Grand Hotel Comparison

In a perfect scenario where you get the best benefits and save the most travel time, staying at both makes the most sense. A split stay, where you book more than one hotel on a single vacation, can be beneficial. That’s if you don’t mind packing up and making the move across town.

With proximity as a strong suit, where you should stay depends on where you want to go that day.

The Grand Floridian is a sprawling Victorian inspired hotel with a large lobby, multiple pools and quite a few restaurants.

The Helios Grand has a small lobby and focuses on the exciting backdrop of Epic Universe. It has theme park view dining at Flora Taverna on the first floor and rooftop venue Bar Helios.

Resort ComparisonsDisney's Grand Floridian Resort and SpaUniversal Helios Grand HotelLocationNear Magic KingdomBordering Epic UniverseTransportationMonorail, boat and path to Magic Kingdom, Monorail to Epcot, boat everywhere else at Disney WorldConnected entrance to Epic Universe, bus everywhere else at Universal OrlandoResort guest park time30 minute early entry at all four parks every day, Extended Evening Theme Park Hours vary each weekOne hour early entry to certain Universal Orlando theme parks with select attractions openRestaurants-Gasparilla Island Grill quick service
-Citricos Lounge
-Enchanted Rose bar and lounge
-The Courtyard Pool Bar
-Beaches Pool Bar & Grill
-The Garden View Tea Room
-Grand Floridian Cafe
-1900 Park Fare character dining
-Citricos signature dining
-Narcoossee’s signature dining
-Victoria & Albert’s Michelin star- Aurora Market grab and go
-Flora Taverna table service restaurant
-Bar Helios rooftop bar
-Lotus Lagoon pool barNighttime show viewMagic Kingdom fireworksEpic Universe fountain show day and night

Should I stay at Grand Floridian?

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa has an incredible location right next to Magic Kingdom. It has access to the park via monorail, boat and walking path. Disney resort guests get thirty minutes of early entry time in the theme parks. Deluxe resort guests, like those staying at the Grand Floridian, are eligible for extended evening theme park hours when they are offered.

The Grand Floridian has character dining at 1900 Park Fare. If dining is important to you, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa has multiple upscale options including fine dining at Victoria and Albert's.

If you're ready to relax, the Grand Floridian has a spa right at the resort. Also something to consider, the holidays are very extravagant here with a beautiful Christmas decoration display in the lobby.

You can also see fireworks from the Grand Floridian.

Should I stay at Helios Grand?

The main reason to stay at Helios Grand hotel is because it's close to Epic Universe. Having its own entrance is a major plus. As a resort guest, you're able to gain entry to certain attractions before the park opens. This could be rides like Stardust Racers and rides in Super Nintendo World.

Another reason to stay at Helios Grand is if you have How to Train Your Dragon fans in your party. This is the only Universal hotel in Orlando that has rooms themed to these Dreamworks films. The How to Train Your Dragon suites are pricey and have one bedroom that has two, themed single beds in it and a king size bed in the main space.

If you're up for something exciting and new, Helios Grand is a great addition to Universal Orlando's hotel offering line up. You can't beat the convenience getting into Epic Universe. The bus ride to get to the other Universal theme parks is easily between 20 and 30 minutes though.

Get to know Grand Floridian DVC Resale

If you would like to stay at the Grand Floridian every year, you may want to learn more about the Disney timeshare. Disney Vacation Club can make stays at deluxe resort hotels much more affordable. DVC resale can come at an even better price. Resale is just buying a contract from a Member who is selling theirs instead of buying from Disney directly.

In early 2025, you can compare Grand Floridian DVC prices at $265 per point direct and around $152 per point resale.

Contracts at this home resort expire in 2064. That means decades of yearly vacations with Grand Floridian DVC at a great price.

Many vacationers buy around 150 to 200 points for an annual, weeklong stay in studio accommodations. Then there are annual dues to consider.

Note that resale per point prices depend on the individual contract and may be higher or lower.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is also one of the original 14 DVC resorts. At these properties, Members can use their points to book at any of the other 13 properties in that category. That includes, based on availability, the following properties:

Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas

Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort*

Beach Club Villas*

BoardWalk Villas*

Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge*

Copper Creek Villas and Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge*

The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel

The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort*

Hilton Head Island Resort

Old Key West Resort*

Polynesian Villas & Bungalows*

Saratoga Springs Resort*

Vero Beach Resort

*Resorts located at Walt Disney World Resort are noted with an asterisk.

DVC Resale Experts Can Help

DVC Resale Experts is a licensed real estate broker with a team specializing in resale Disney Vacation Club. Whether you’re buying or selling, the Experts are ready to help you through the process. The Experts are former Disney Vacation Club Guides and continue to provide pixie dusted service to clients today.

See what’s possible with DVC Resale listings that are currently available.

If you don’t see what you’re wishing for, join the buyer wish list to be contacted when the right contract becomes available.

Get in touch for a complimentary valuation of your specific contract to sell DVC.