Things to do at and around the Grand Floridian (pools, activities, arcade and more)
At Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa you can swim at two main pools (the Beach Pool with a 181-foot waterslide and the heated Courtyard Pool), relax at The Grand Floridian Spa and use on-site family amenities like an arcade and supervised childcare. The resort also has a white-sand beach (lounging only) and direct park connections by monorail, boat, and a paved walking path to Magic Kingdom.
In this guide
Pools, waterslide and children's water play
The resort has two main outdoor pools: the Beach Pool (overlooking Seven Seas Lagoon) and the Courtyard Pool behind the main building. The Beach Pool includes a 181-foot waterslide and zero-depth beach-style entry; the Courtyard Pool is heated and features an adjacent whirlpool spa.
There is a dedicated children's water play area reserved for kids who are 48 inches tall or under. Children under 12 must have adult supervision in all pool areas.
Pool towels and life jackets are available; pool lifts and other access options can be arranged for guests with disabilities. Lifeguard hours vary by pool and are subject to change.
- Beach Pool: lagoon views, 181-foot waterslide, zero-depth entry
- Courtyard Pool: heated, zero-entry leisure area, whirlpool spa nearby
- Children's water play area: for kids 48 inches and under
- Towels and life jackets available; adult supervision required for under-12s
| Feature | Notes |
|---|---|
| Waterslide | 181-foot slide at Beach Pool; no lap-riding allowed, rider must go alone |
| Children's area | Reserved for kids 48 inches and under |
| Pool access items | Towels at pool; life jackets at The Captain's Shipyard; pool lifts on request |
Spa, salon and fitness center
The Grand Floridian Spa is a full-service spa, salon and health club offering massages, facials, body treatments, salon services and a 24-hour fitness center. Spa operating hours are 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Spa treatments are generally reserved for guests 18 and older; teens ages 14–17 may receive treatments only when accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entire appointment. Select salon and nail services are available to children ages 5 and up with a guardian present.
Guests (including non-resort guests) can book spa appointments online or by phone; the complex includes treatment rooms, steam/eucalyptus facilities and relaxation areas. The fitness center includes cardio machines, strength equipment and free weights; historically, teens aged 14–17 needed a parent or guardian to accompany them.
- Spa hours: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
- Age policy: 18+ for most treatments; 14–17 allowed with parent/guardian
- Fitness: 24-hour access for eligible resort guests
| Service | Age/Access notes |
|---|---|
| Full treatments (massages, facials) | Typically 18+; teens 14–17 only with parent present |
| Salon services | Some services available for children 5+ with guardian present |
| Fitness center | 24-hour for eligible guests; parent/guardian historically required for 14–17 |
Arcade, games and activities for families
Arcadia Arcade (operated by a third party) is the on-site game room and is located near the quick-service dining area. The quick-service venue, Gasparilla Island Grill, operates early to late and offers casual food and nearby arcade games.
The resort offers supervised childcare and babysitting (both available for a surcharge). Other on-site recreation listed includes fishing excursions, a children's playground, and monitored activities run by resort staff when available.
If you plan to use the arcade or third-party game providers, note that some do not accept Disney Gift Cards.
- Arcadia Arcade: coin/credit-based games (third-party operator)
- Gasparilla Island Grill: quick-service meals and nearby games (6:00 AM–12:00 AM)
- Supervised childcare and babysitting: surcharge applies
- Additional recreation: fishing excursions and a children's playground
| Activity | Notes |
|---|---|
| Arcade (Arcadia Arcade) | Operated by a third party; check payment options |
| Supervised childcare / Babysitting | Available for a surcharge |
| Family activities | Fishing excursions and playground listed among offerings |
Beaches, pool bars and on-site dining around the pools
The resort has a white-sand beach area along Seven Seas Lagoon intended for lounging; swimming in the lagoon is not permitted. Beaches Pool Bar & Grill serves poolside snacks, full bar service and casual lunch fare beside the Beach Pool.
The Courtyard Pool has its own Courtyard Pool Bar for salads, sandwiches and cocktails. Lobby lounges such as Enchanted Rose and The Perch provide cocktails and light bites in the main building.
Quick-service and casual options include Gasparilla Island Grill, which runs early morning to late night and is convenient for families between park visits.
- Beaches Pool Bar & Grill: poolside service at Beach Pool (11:00 AM–8:00 PM)
- Courtyard Pool Bar: snacks, sandwiches and cocktails
- Enchanted Rose & The Perch: lobby lounges for cocktails and small plates
- Gasparilla Island Grill: 6:00 AM–12:00 AM, quick meals and nearby games
| Venue | Typical offering |
|---|---|
| Beaches Pool Bar & Grill | Poolside snacks and full bar near Beach Pool |
| Courtyard Pool Bar | Casual sandwiches and cocktails by Courtyard Pool |
| Gasparilla Island Grill | Quick-service meals; late hours; arcade nearby |
Getting to Magic Kingdom and on-property transit
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has its own monorail station on the Walt Disney World monorail loop; the monorail is one stop to Magic Kingdom. Guests can also reach Magic Kingdom by the resort's boat launches or the paved walking path that connects the resort to the park.
The resort provides complimentary theme-park shuttle buses to other Walt Disney World destinations. A boat launch is available for transfers across Seven Seas Lagoon; timings and availability can vary.
Because the resort sits on the Seven Seas Lagoon island, standard road-style access descriptions do not apply; plan park transfers using the monorail, boat, walking path or resort buses.
- Monorail: one stop to Magic Kingdom on the monorail loop
- Boat launches: passenger boats to Magic Kingdom area (schedules vary)
- Walking path: paved route to Magic Kingdom (about 0.7–0.77 miles)
- Shuttle buses: serve other Disney parks and Disney Springs as scheduled
| Transport | Best use |
|---|---|
| Monorail | Fast, frequent service to Magic Kingdom and monorail loop stops |
| Boat launch | Scenic option to Magic Kingdom area; schedules can vary |
| Walking path | Paved walk (~0.7–0.77 miles) to Magic Kingdom for able walkers |
Nearby excursions and what to plan for
The resort overlooks Seven Seas Lagoon and the Magic Kingdom resort area. For guests wanting options beyond the immediate resort, organized transfers, rental cars or commercial shuttles from the Orlando-area airports are common ways to expand itineraries — check local providers for schedules and pricing.
Popular regional day trips include beaches on Florida’s Atlantic coast (for example Cocoa Beach) and the Kennedy Space Center; these require ground transport off Disney property. If you plan off-property excursions, allow extra time for transfers and check each attraction’s current hours before you go.
The resort is a full-service property with concierge, ticket assistance and advance dining booking for on-site restaurants (guests can book dining up to 60 days in advance of check-in).
- Common day-trip ideas: Cocoa Beach, Kennedy Space Center (require off-property transport)
- Use concierge for dining bookings and excursions; advance dining reservations available up to 60 days before arrival
- White‑sand resort beach is for lounging only — swimming in the lagoon is prohibited
| Tip | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Book dining early | Signature and character meals have limited availability; reserve up to 60 days ahead |
| Use concierge for excursions | Concierge can arrange off-property transport and tickets |
| Plan spa reservations in advance | Appointments are available to resort and non-resort guests and can fill up |
