35+ FREE Things to do at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
Have you been wondering about which activities are offered at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort? We’ve got you covered!
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Features
✔️ On Bay Lake
✔️ Views of Magic Kingdom
✔️ Fun for all ages
Best Things to do at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort by Bay Lake
1. Relax by the beach at Grand Floridian
I had to start with the suggestion of relaxing by the beach area because there’s just something so inviting and soothing about Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. I mean how could you not relax with a view like this? just imagine yourself chilling on a comfy lounge chair listening to some music or reading a book.
2. Play in the sand
While you’re relaxing, the kids can play in the sand and build castles. If you fly and can’t bring beach toys, then ask a cast member and they can get some sand toys for you to use.
3. Volleyball
During our visit, there wasn’t a volleyball net up on the beach, but that very well may have been due to the extreme heat. Feel free to track down a cast member if you ever need help.
Fun things to do by the beach pool at Grand Floridian
Outside the pool area, and over by the beach you can find lots of large yard sized games to choose from. Challenge a family member, or even other guests to a game. If you find enough interested guests, then create some kind of tournament with teams.
Things to do outside on the courtyard lawn
Like true Disney style, find more fun games on the courtyard lawn.
9. Ladder Toss
10. Big Dominos
11. Lawn Bowling
12. Connect Four
We we visited recently, inside the gated beach pool area you can play a yard sized game of Connect Four. This is one of the fun games for all ages! I’m sure the resort moves some of these large games around, so if you don’t find them by the pool or beach, then be sure to ask a Cast Member for help or look on the courtyard lawn.
13. Pop Darts
14. Battle Chip
15. Putt challenge/mini golf
16. Croquet
17. Giant Jenga
How many pools does Grand Floridian have?
18. Swimming
19. Poolside Activities
There are two pools and a splash play area at the resort. Taking part in the poolside activities is the one of the best things to do at Disney’s Grand Floridian, as well as all the other resorts on Disney World property. Cast members are always changing it up, so be sure to check the activities guide during your stay for all the current things to do. Fun activities such as hula hoop contest, bingo, trivia, name that tune, swimming races, and so much more. Kids can win prizes, and it can get pretty competitive.
20. Soak up the sun and chill by the pool
Find some lounge chairs for the family and soak up the sun and vitamin D. We are not personally lay out in the sun people, so we like to get ourselves a table with an umbrella. The table comes in handy during games like bingo and trivia. Also, having a table makes it easier to eat by the pool.
21. White Rabbit’s Watch Hunt
All the Disney resorts take their theme and offer special activities you can’t experience at any other resort. At the Grand Floridian there are a couple different themes, and Alice in Wonderland is one of them. Therefore, you can take part and play White Rabbit’s Watch Hunt daily by the pool.
22. Alice in Wonderland Splash park
For families with younger ones, they will have fun in the toddler splash area by the beach pool. I know our girls used to love playing around. It allows them to stay cool if they are not good swimmers yet.
23. Take a walk
Magic Kingdom is the closest park to Grand Floridian, and you even walk there. The resort offers plenty of walking around the grounds, along with a path to the Polynesian Resort. (Path to Polynesian is currently closed for building addition to Grand Floridian.)
24. Go for a run
Same as with the walk, you can run along the paths between Grand Floridian and Magic Kingdom park. If you’d like to run further, you could even keep going past Magic Kingdom to the Contemporary Resort.
25. Utilize the health club
Guests have access to the health club with exercise equipment. When it’s too hot to walk or run outside this is a great option to still get in your workout.
26. Shoot some hoops at the basketball court
27. Play hopscotch
Over by the health club, there’s a basketball hoop on half a court. Play some one on one, or games like horse. If you bring a rock, then you can play hopscotch too, I know my girls would love this.
28. Go for a boat ride
There are so many perks to staying at a Disney resort on Bay Lake, and one of them is boat transportation to Magic Kingdom. Therefore, even if you’re not planning a day at the park, you can hop on the boat just for the fun of it. Get off at Magic Kingdom, then get onto one that goes to another resort. It’s a fun way to spend a non park day at Disney World.
Does the monorail stop at Disney’s Grand Floridian?
29. Take a ride around Bay Lake on the monorail
Yes, the monorail does stop at Grand Floridian. One of our favorite things to do at Disney World is hotel hopping around Bay Lake. Another perk to staying Grand Floridian is having the option of using the monorail to get around, even if it’s just to take a ride. I remember staying at Fort Wilderness Campground when I was a kid and doing this with my family. Now we’ve passed the fun idea down to our kids. Not only can you ride around Bay Lake and to the other resorts, Polynesian and Contemporary, but if you go to Transportation and Ticket Center, you can hop over to the Epcot monorail and ride there and back. Another fun way to get the kids out on a non park day.
30. Collect transportation trading cards
When riding the buses, monorails, and boats, be sure to ask your drivers and hosts for the free transportation trading cards. See if you can collect all 33 of them.
⭐️ Book your stay and SAVE ⭐️
Things to do inside Grand Floridian Resort
31. The Grand Character Hunt
Ask for a scavenger hunt sheet at the front desk and go on a hunt for the hidden characters throughout the Grand Floridian lobby. They are uniquely hidden in the floors, and other places.
32. Listen to the lobby pianist
Each day be entertained listening to the lobby pianist, who attracts guests from all the Disney World resorts. Not only does this add an ambiance to the resort all year round, but most especially during the holidays at Disney.
33. Character sightings
Coming across spontaneous characters greetings may not be something you can plan in your day, but when it happens, it’s that much more magical. I wouldn’t be afraid to ask a cast member for some insider information on whether they’ll be showing up on a day you’re hanging out at the resort.
34. Pin trading
To participate in pin trading, you do have to make an investment in some Disney trading pins, but to take part in trading with cast members is free. Pro tip: find some combo packs of pins from the Disney character outlet you don’t care to keep, then use those to trade up.
Things to do at Disney’s Grand Floridian at night
35. Campfire sing-a-long and s’mores
Nightly campfires happen behind the beach pool bar. Enjoy the warmth of the fire and complimentary marshmallows. If you want to make s’more, then you’ll need to bring your own graham crackers and chocolates.
36. Movie under the stars
Check your activities guide for days the resort will be doing Movie Under the Stars. Each day will be a different movie, and they change each month. Located by the summerhouse, and it moves inside if weather doesn’t cooperate. Step up your movie under the stars experience by taking a boat over to Fort Wilderness Campground, and watching there.
37. G-flo Glow Party
Add a fun twist to the poolside games. Held at the beach pool at night, put your skills to the test with glow games and more! I will be honest, this sounds like so much fun!! I can’t wait to check it out next time we stay.
⭐️ Park hopper passes here ⭐️
38. Watch Magic Kingdom fireworks
Find yourself a good spot to sit and watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks. I believe the best area is by Narcoosee’s and the boat dock to get on transportation to the park. Heck, you could even hop on the boat at firework time and watch from the water. If you try to watch from the beach area, there may be islands and some of the hotel blocking your views.
39. Electrical Water Pageant on Bay Lake
Another one of the best things to do at Disney’s Grand Floridian, and all the resorts on Bay Lake is the Electrical Water Pageant. So nostalgic for me, and now my girls have grown to love this water parade. It holds a special place in all our hearts. I hope you find it to be just as magical.
Disney Grand Floridian map
Here is a great overview map of the Grand Floridian Resort to see where the pools, beach, courtyard lawn, boat dock, and so much more is located.
Final Thoughts: Is Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort good for kids and families?
Although Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is a high end luxury place to stay, as you can see, there’s more FREE things to do than you would most likely have time to experience. All of the Disney resorts really do cater to families and kids of all ages, even us big kids. Therefore, don’t hesitate to book your own stay with David’s Vacation Rental at discounted rates.
Read More:
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FREE Things to do at Grand Floridian
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Review and Tour of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Copper Creek Villas
