One easy monorail stop from Magic Kingdom, the Grand Floridian rides on its reputation as the grandest, most elegant property in Disney World, and it does indeed exude a welcome calm and charm. The five-story lobby, with a pianist playing jazz (and yes, Disney classics), oozes all the accoutrements of Old Florida class and style.
At its heart, though, this is Disney. Sparkling princesses ballroom dance across the Oriental rugs; exhausted children sit entranced by classic Disney cartoons; and babies cry. In contrast to the massive ferries from the Transportation & Ticket Center, small wooden boats shuttle folks back and forth to the Magic Kingdom.