Disney Grand Floridian With Kids: Is It Worth the Money?
If you're considering staying at Disney's Grand Floridian with kids, I can easily say that it is one of my favorite resorts at Walt Disney World. We have now stayed at the Grand Floridian three times, and every time I leave wanting to come back!
From the moment you're on property, the Grand Floridian feels charming, relaxing, and so, so beautiful. While it definitely has a more elevated feel than some of the other Disney resorts, don't let that make you think it isn't kid-friendly. We've found it to be an amazing resort with young kids.
For our most recent trip, we stayed for three nights in July with my husband and our two daughters, ages 2 and 4. Between the large rooms, monorail access, pools, Alice in Wonderland splash pad, great restaurants, and little things like watching the fireworks in pajamas, there is so much that makes the Grand Floridian a great choice for families.
After three stays, here's everything we love—and a few things we don't—about staying at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa with young kids.
Our Room at Disney's Grand Floridian
One of the biggest advantages of staying at a Disney Deluxe Resort with young kids is SPACE.
Our room at the Grand Floridian was beautiful and, more importantly, large enough for our family to actually spread out.
Our room had:
- Two queen beds
- A couch that folded out into an additional single bed
- A large closet with plenty of room for luggage
- A table and bench near the entrance
- A large mirror
- Double bathroom vanities
- A shower
- A private balcony
That extra room matters so much when you're traveling with young children.
Once you add a stroller, Pack 'n Play, luggage, snacks, shoes, toys, and everything else that comes along with traveling with toddlers, a hotel room can start feeling VERY small.
That's one reason I really appreciate the rooms at Disney's Deluxe Resorts compared with many of the Moderate and Value Resorts.
The table and bench right inside our room were especially useful. We used this area to store snacks and other things we needed throughout the day, and the mirror made it a great additional spot for getting ready in the morning.
Our bathroom also felt spacious, and having the double vanity was really nice when everyone was getting ready.
And, of course, we had a balcony!
Our balcony overlooked Gasparilla Island Grill and the marina, which was such a pretty view.
Staying in Sago Cay
We stayed in the Sago Cay building, and funny enough, this is actually the building we've stayed in during all three of our Grand Floridian stays.
The Grand Floridian is larger than it initially looks because the rooms are spread throughout several buildings.
However, I don't find the resort difficult to navigate.
Everything is spaced relatively close together, so even though you're walking between buildings, nothing feels like an extremely long walk.
With two little kids and a stroller, that's definitely something I appreciate!
Transportation at the Grand Floridian
Transportation is one of the biggest reasons to stay at the Grand Floridian—especially if you're planning to spend a lot of time at Magic Kingdom.
The resort is directly on the monorail loop, and Magic Kingdom is just one monorail stop away.
And for stroller parents, the monorail is a HUGE win.
You can simply push your stroller onto the monorail and go. Not having to unload everything, fold the stroller, get the kids out, and then put everything back together again makes getting around Disney so much easier.
You can also take a boat to Magic Kingdom or walk there.
The walking path is about a mile, so while it's definitely doable, we usually appreciate having the monorail available—especially with young kids.
The Monorail Also Gives You More Dining Options
Another huge advantage of staying on the monorail loop is having easy access to the other monorail resorts.
You can easily visit Disney's Polynesian Village Resort and Disney's Contemporary Resort, which opens up SO many more dining options without having to get in a car.
During this trip, we walked over to the Polynesian and ate at Kona Cafe and Wailulu Bar & Grill, both of which we've visited before and really enjoy.
We also took the monorail to the Contemporary for lunch at Steakhouse 71, which is another great option.
Having all of these restaurants within easy reach is one of my favorite things about staying at a monorail resort.
The One Transportation Option I Don't Love: EPCOT
This is probably my biggest transportation complaint about the Grand Floridian.
Getting to EPCOT isn't nearly as convenient as getting to Magic Kingdom.
You have to take the Resort Monorail to the Transportation and Ticket Center and then transfer to the EPCOT Monorail.
Is it terrible? No.
But it's a process.
For the price of staying at the Grand Floridian, I really wish there were a direct bus option to EPCOT.
The resort does offer bus transportation to Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.
The Pools & Alice in Wonderland Splash Pad
The Grand Floridian has two pools, along with an Alice in Wonderland-themed children's water play area.
And my kids LOVE the splash pad.
It's such a fun area for little kids and another reason I think the Grand Floridian works so well for families.
There's also something special about sitting in a lounge chair, watching your kids play in the pool, and seeing the monorail pass by in the background.
Those are the moments when I really appreciate staying at a resort like this.
We're a family that enjoys spending time at the resort instead of treating our hotel as simply somewhere to sleep. If you're the same way, the Grand Floridian has a lot to offer.
Dining at Disney's Grand Floridian
Food is another HUGE pro for me.
There are so many dining options at the Grand Floridian, and we've had some really great meals here.
Beaches Pool Bar & Grill
I love having lunch by the pool, and Beaches Pool Bar & Grill is delicious.
The BBQ nachos are fabulous, and every pool drink we've tried has been great.
A pool day with lunch and a cocktail without having to leave the resort? Yes, please.
Grand Floridian Cafe
We ate at Grand Floridian Cafe for dinner during this trip, and once again, it was so good.
We've eaten here multiple times now, and I love it every time.
It's a great option when you want a sit-down meal without having to leave the resort.
1900 Park Fare
We also had breakfast at 1900 Park Fare, another restaurant we've visited multiple times.
It's a buffet-style character breakfast, which is obviously a big win when you're traveling with young kids.
During our visit, the characters included Cinderella, Tiana, Mirabel, and Aladdin.
Being able to have a character breakfast without even leaving your resort is such a nice perk.
Gasparilla Island Grill
Gasparilla Island Grill is the Grand Floridian's quick-service restaurant.
For me, it's fine.
There's nothing bad about it, but there's also nothing that makes it a must-do restaurant. It serves its purpose when you need something quick and convenient.
Signature Dining
The Grand Floridian also has several fine-dining restaurants, including Victoria & Albert's, Narcoossee's, and Cítricos.
We've eaten at Cítricos during a previous trip and enjoyed our meal. However, it isn't somewhere we're necessarily running to book again.
Enchanted Rose Is One of My Favorite Disney Bars
Now let's talk about one of my favorite parts of the Grand Floridian: Enchanted Rose.
This Beauty and the Beast-inspired lounge is beautiful and has wonderful cocktails.
It's such a nice place to stop for a drink and enjoy the atmosphere of the resort.
And if relaxing with a cocktail is part of your idea of a Disney vacation, the Grand Floridian is VERY good at this.
The Perch & the Grand Floridian Lobby
The Grand Floridian also has The Perch, a lobby bar.
The drink menu is relatively small and the cocktails are pricey, but the location is what makes it special.
Sitting in the Grand Floridian lobby in the afternoon with a drink while listening to the pianist is genuinely one of my favorite things to do at this resort.
It's peaceful.
It's beautiful.
And it gives you a chance to slow down during what can otherwise be a very busy Disney vacation.
Honestly, give me a cocktail and the Grand Floridian pianist and I'm having a pretty great afternoon.
Watching Magic Kingdom Fireworks from the Grand Floridian
One of my favorite Grand Floridian memories actually happened outside the parks.
You can see the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the resort, and the music for Happily Ever After is played outside near Gasparilla Island Grill.
When you're traveling with young kids, this is AMAZING.
Our girls were already bathed and in their pajamas, and we simply walked downstairs to watch the fireworks.
No standing shoulder-to-shoulder on a crowded Main Street.
No fighting your way through the crowds after the fireworks.
No trying to get two exhausted kids and a stroller back to the resort.
We watched the fireworks, listened to the music, and then went right back to our room.
Those conveniences can make such a difference when you're doing Disney with toddlers or preschoolers.
Why the Grand Floridian Is Great for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
We've also stayed at the Grand Floridian during a trip when we attended Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
If you're doing one of Magic Kingdom's late-night parties with young kids, staying on the monorail loop is incredibly convenient.
Those nights can get LONG.
When the party is over and everyone is exhausted, being able to hop on the monorail and quickly get back to the resort is so much easier than dealing with a longer trip back to your hotel.
This is one of those situations where paying more for the location can really feel worth it.
Is the Grand Floridian Too Fancy for Kids?
Not at all.
This is something I think some parents may wonder about before booking the Grand Floridian.
The resort definitely feels elevated. The grounds are gorgeous, the lobby is beautiful, and there's an elegance to the entire property.
But our kids have always fit right in.
You still get all the things that make Disney fun for children—the pools, splash pad, character dining, monorail, fireworks, and Disney touches—while the adults get to enjoy a more relaxing and upscale resort experience.
For us, that's a really nice balance.
Pros and Cons of Staying at the Grand Floridian with Kids
Pros
- Large rooms with plenty of space for families
- One monorail stop from Magic Kingdom
- Extremely stroller-friendly transportation
- Walking and boat access to Magic Kingdom
- Easy access to the Polynesian and Contemporary
- Excellent dining options
- Two pools
- Alice in Wonderland-themed splash area
- Beautiful grounds
- Relaxing atmosphere
- Live piano music in the lobby
- Enchanted Rose
- Ability to watch Magic Kingdom fireworks from the resort
- Great option for families who want resort time AND park time
Cons
There honestly aren't many cons for me, but there are two big ones.
Getting to EPCOT: Having to transfer monorails at the Transportation and Ticket Center is more complicated than I think transportation from a Deluxe Resort should be.
The price: The Grand Floridian can be VERY expensive.
That said, pricing varies significantly depending on when you visit.
If you travel during a less expensive time of year or find a good rate through a DVC rental service, staying at the Grand Floridian can become much more reasonable.
We've have used DVC Rental Store before to help make Deluxe Resort stays more affordable.
Grand Floridian vs. Polynesian vs. Beach Club
The Grand Floridian is easily one of my favorite resorts at Walt Disney World.
I'd personally put it right at the top alongside the Polynesian. I love both resorts equally, but for slightly different reasons.
I also LOVE Beach Club.
For me, choosing between these resorts really comes down to one question:
Do you want to be on the monorail loop or the BoardWalk?
If Magic Kingdom, monorail transportation, and access to the monorail resorts are priorities, the Grand Floridian and Polynesian are hard to beat.
If you prefer being near EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, the BoardWalk, and Skyliner transportation, Beach Club has a huge advantage.
Is Disney's Grand Floridian Worth It with Young Kids?
For our family, yes.
We've stayed at the Grand Floridian three times, and I would absolutely stay here again.
That doesn't mean I'd pay any price for it. Depending on your travel dates, rooms can get extremely expensive, and I think that's something you have to consider when deciding whether it's worth it for your family.
But when we can get a reasonable rate, the Grand Floridian is absolutely worth it to us.
I especially recommend it for families who want a slower, more relaxing Disney vacation.
If you're planning to leave your room at 7 a.m., spend every waking minute inside the parks, and return to the resort only to sleep, you may not get as much value from everything you're paying for here.
But if your Disney vacations include pool afternoons, resort days, nice meals, cocktails, and time to actually enjoy where you're staying, the Grand Floridian really shines.
Final Thoughts on Staying at the Grand Floridian with Kids
After three stays, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa continues to be one of my favorite Disney resorts.
It's beautiful without feeling unwelcoming to children. Our girls can spend the afternoon playing at the Alice in Wonderland splash pad while we enjoy the resort atmosphere, and later we can have dinner, grab a cocktail, listen to the pianist, or walk outside in our pajamas to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks.
That's my kind of Disney vacation.
The spacious rooms make traveling with a stroller and all the gear that comes with little kids easier. Being one monorail stop from Magic Kingdom is incredibly convenient. And having so many restaurants and other resorts accessible without getting in a car gives you a ton of options.
Yes, it's expensive.
And yes, I still wish they'd give me a direct bus to EPCOT!
But would I stay at the Grand Floridian again?
Absolutely.
If you have young kids and want a Disney vacation that combines the parks with pools, great food, beautiful surroundings, and some actual relaxation, the Grand Floridian deserves a spot near the top of your list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Disney's Grand Floridian good for toddlers?
Yes! We've stayed at the Grand Floridian with young children and found it very toddler-friendly. The large rooms, stroller-friendly monorail, pools, splash area, character dining, and proximity to Magic Kingdom are especially helpful with little kids.
Can you take a stroller on the monorail at the Grand Floridian?
Yes, and this is one of our favorite perks. Being able to roll our stroller directly onto the monorail makes transportation much easier with young kids.
Can you walk from the Grand Floridian to Magic Kingdom?
Yes. There is a walking path connecting the Grand Floridian and Magic Kingdom. It's approximately a mile, so we especially appreciate having the monorail and boat as additional options.
Can you see the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the Grand Floridian?
Yes! This is one of my favorite perks. You can watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from areas of the Grand Floridian, and the Happily Ever After music is played near Gasparilla Island Grill.
This is a fantastic option with little kids because you can watch the fireworks from the resort and then head straight back to your room.
Does the Grand Floridian have a splash pad?
Yes. There is an Alice in Wonderland-themed children's water play area in addition to the resort's pools. Our kids love spending time here.
Is the Grand Floridian worth the price?
It depends on how you vacation at Disney.
For our family, it's worth it when we can get a reasonable rate because we spend a lot of time enjoying our resort. The location, larger rooms, pools, dining, monorail, and overall atmosphere add a lot to our vacation.
If you're only using your hotel to sleep between long park days, you may find it harder to justify the cost.