What to do with kids at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort!
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is elegant and stately. Its Victorian façade, intricate woodwork, and tiled roof harken more to a luxurious Southern spa retreat than to a cartoon-themed family vacation. However, if you look closely enough, past the oversized flower arrangements and woven rugs, you will quickly notice that Disney’s Grand Floridian still welcomes families and even young children.
Yes, the Grand Floridian is the perfect backdrop for dozens of weddings per month. In fact, I saw no fewer than 6 different bridal parties in our short 4 day stay at the Grand Floridian.
The Grand Floridian is even mature enough for an anniversary getaway without the family or even a girls’ spa retreat without the kids. The live piano music in the main foyer adds to the grand elegance of the entire hotel. The ambiance is quiet, refined, and, yes, fancy.
ELEGANT AND FAMILY FRIENDLY
However, if you are looking for a hotel conveniently located to the parks, don’t overlook the Grand Floridian simply because you fear your children will lose out on the Disney experience.
Once you see beyond the marble, white paint, and gilding, you will quickly notice that even Disney’s, arguably, fanciest hotel is family and kid friendly.
Search for Hidden Characters in the floors
First, although you will no doubt be awestruck by the grandiosity of the entry and foyer, when you catch your breath, take the time to look at the floor.
Send your children on a scavenger hunt for hidden Mickey’s, Mrs. Pots, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, and more. They are all encased in the marble floor that sprawls around the main entrance.
Watch Disney favorites in the Grand Floridian Lobby Children’s television area
Once your children have discovered all of the characters or perhaps just when you need a few minutes to explore the main floor, send your children to the kids’ area located just beside the elevator.
In the center of the grand lobby are small tufted chairs, a sofa, and a mahogany-like table where your children can enjoy cartoons and movies in the center of the action.
While the area is discreet, it is not secret. It sits just below the grand staircase where my daughter sat and watched the “princesses” (brides in their wedding gowns) take their pictures.
Grand Floridian Daily Kids Activities
Disney’s Grand Floridian goes above and beyond to provide excellent service and even kid-friendly activities.
Movies under the stars, painting stories, decorating Minnie Mouse ears, and more.
One day we sat around the fire on the beach and roasted marshmallows while another quiet afternoon we decorated Minnie Mouse ears with the recreation staff.
Grand Floridian Pools…yes Pools Plural!
In addition to the special activities, Disney’s Grand Floridian boasts not one, not two, but 3 pool areas. A slide, an Alice and Wonderland themed water park, and a sprawling zero-entry pool where the whole family can enjoy.
My children made use of each pool during our stay and couldn’t pick a favorite. They loved sliding down the cliffs on the waterslide, having a giant Mad Hatter bucket dump on their head, and being dolphins in the large pool.
Convenient Park Access on the Monorail from Disney’s Grand Floridian
Location
In addition to the kid-friendly amenities, you cannot discount the convenience to the parks and entertainment.
I don’t dare spend a day at Walt Disney World without making sure that my children have a nap in the middle. Staying at a monorail resort means that my room is a short train ride away.
We don’t have to waste the day waiting for buses, calling an Uber, or finding our parking spot.
Watch the Magic Kingdom Fireworks from Grand Floridian’s Beach
Further, even if you don’t go to the park, you can still watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the Grand Floridian beach.
The staff set up an entire viewing area, pipe in the music, and provide chairs for your comfort.
Crushed against 10,000 people is not the only way to view the Magic Kingdom fireworks…view them from the comfort and luxury of the Grand Floridian.
Grand Floridian Kid-Friendly Room Accommodations
Finally, the room. Even the room is convenient for kids. Studios at the Grand Floridian can sleep a family-friendly 5 people. Even with the sofa pulled out, the pack and play in the room, and the children’s Murphy bed pulled down, we could still comfortably move around our room.
Our children all had their own beds, plus the adults enjoyed the double bathroom.
Not only did our studio boast an enormous and luxurious spa bathroom, it had both a shower/tub combo and walk-in rain shower. A welcome treat for this mom after a long day with the kids in the parks.
My kids loved sleeping in the Dumbo Murphy bed, I enjoyed the fluffy pillows and rain shower, and our entire family benefitted from a convenient kitchenette (All DVC rooms have kitchenettes, to read more about booking with DVC points, check this out.)
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Disney’s Grand Floridian Is Family-Friendly Even With Small Children
I can, without a doubt, tell you that Disney’s Grand Floridian is the fanciest hotel that I have experienced in Disney World.
However, despite its grandiosity, high end finishes, fresh flowers, marble floors, and Victorian décor, the Grand Floridian is still a great place for your family and children to stay.
You will find a healthy helping of Pixie Dust at all Disney resorts, but the Grand Floridian still goes above and beyond to include, welcome, and pamper even the smallest Disney goers.
Cast members took the time to talk to my screaming toddler and give him stickers. Bellmen took the time to joke with my oldest child and photo bomb our family picture. And, the desk attendants always called my daughter a princess—a moniker she was happy to accept.
Disney’s Grand Floridian is for luxury, for spa retreats, for childless getaways, and for families.
Let me know what you thought of the Grand Floridian!!
To read more about Disney’s Grand Floridian at Christmas, check this out!
