You’re at the Grand Floridian. What Should You Do?

You’ll find dozens of activities at every Disney Vacation Club resort. In truth, that’s the genius of the program. Disney adds so much entertainment at each property that you may feel a bit overwhelmed. It’s a classic case of analysis paralysis, but I’m here to help! When you’re staying at The Villas Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, here’s what you should do.
Explore the Lobby

Photo courtesy of: Disney Tourist Blog
When we discuss hotel activities, I try to provide a mix of unique ideas and obvious amenities. At the Grand Floridian, the reality is that you will spend time in the hotel lobby. Disney encourages this behavior by making the lobby the hotel’s hotspot.
Arguably the centerpiece of this experience is the piano and live musician(s) you’ll find here occasionally. However, there’s no one thing that makes the space so great. Instead, it’s a combination of classic elements like the classic hotel elevator, the palatial stairs, and the many restaurants and lounges here.
You’ll find everything from a Beauty and the Beast-themed bar to a pair of Table Service restaurants on the first and second floors. Then, there are the splendid stores like M. Mouse Mercantile and Curiouser Clothiers. DVC members can spend hours in the hotel lobby happily getting lost in all the majestic amenities.
Meet Some Disney Princesses
During the pandemic, DVC members vented about the extended absence of 1900 Park Fare. This character meal offers entirely different experiences in the morning and at night.
When 1900 Park Fare reopened in April 2024, Disney modified the characters available. Now, you’ll meet Aladdin, Cinderella, Mirabel, and Tiana, making it one of the few Disney character meals featuring modern stories. In fact, that’s the strength of 1900 Park Fare. It unites two classic characters, Aladdin and Cinderella, with two from the 21st century, Mirabel and Tiana.
As for the food, 1900 Park Fare is one of the few Disney restaurants that serves the legendary Strawberry Soup. That’s on top of all the other delicious buffet options available.
Also, before and after your meal, you can wander the recently remodeled restaurant. It’ll still feel like home since Disney kept Big Bertha, though. That’s the iconic antique organ on display here since the hotel’s opening in 1988.
Big Bertha has been at Disney longer than the DVC program itself! If you’ve never seen the organ, it’s a must.
Rent a Cabana
Disney has often described the Grand Floridian as the crown jewel of Walt Disney World resorts. While some DVC members prefer other properties, that’s the overall perception of the result. It’s a place for the elite to stay at Disney.
So, the Grand Floridian is one of the best places for celebrity sightings. I’ve personally interacted with several here over the years, many of them around the pool areas.
For this reason, I’d strongly encourage you to rent a pool cabana at some point. You’ll enjoy a closed-off area complete with sofa and two lounge chairs. There’s also a smart TV in the cabana, free snacks included, and a dutiful Cast Member will attend to your every need. It’s a good deal for a full-day rental at a price of roughly $300 or half that for a partial day.
Take a Fireworks Cruise
Here’s an option you may not know is available at the Grand Floridian. At the dock here, guests can rent a Specialty Fireworks Cruise unlike any other near Magic Kingdom.
This boat will take your entire party on an adventure through Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon. This charter features music synchronized with the nighttime presentation. So, you’ll enjoy the fireworks and accompanying Disney songs from the comfort of a private boat. It’s a magical way to end the evening at Disney World.
Disney charges $399 for these Specialty Fireworks Cruises, which sounds expensive but is more reasonable than indicated. You can host up to ten guests for that price, which reduces the cost to about $40 per person.
That’s much cheaper than a $99 Dessert Fireworks Cruise at Magic Kingdom. Even better, this party boat is private, making it a more intimate fireworks viewing. I highly recommend this one as a bucket list Disney experience.
Watch the Hat Tip
This is a silly little thing in the greater scheme, yet it’s one of my favorites at Disney World. Near the main pool, you’ll find a Mad Hatter-themed aquatic playground. It’s primarily for kids, but you’ll notice more than a few adults staring in amusement.
That’s because of the unforgettable sight gag here. Disney designed a giant Mad Hatter hat that gradually fills with water. After a few minutes, the hat reaches a tipping point and topples over. When that happens, the hat douses the children standing beneath it. You can hear their laughter from across the Grand Floridian campus. It’s that joyous an experience.
We always try to stop by here to watch it for a few minutes, even when we’re not staying at the resort. It’s that entertaining.
Access all DVC resale listings and learn more about buying and selling with DVC Resale Market.
Comments