One of the BEST parts about staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is swimming in the pools!
Whenever we visit Disney World, we ALWAYS make sure we have at least one pool day. Instead of visiting the theme parks, our family plays and relaxes by the pool.
Grand Floridian Resort has TWO incredible pools you can enjoy.
Below, you will learn about them all, along with the other fun activities and things to enjoy around the pools.
Lastly, make sure you make it to the end of this post to see my list of Frequently Asked Questions!
The 2 Pools at Grand Floridian Resort:
Pool #1: Beach Pool
The Beach Pool is the busiest pool at the Grand Floridian Resort! The 111,261-gallon pool is popular thanks to its beachside location and scenic theme.
The pool has a natural-springs theme. The area has a rock structure and a flowing waterfall. The pool is surrounded by palm trees and lush foliage. When I took this photo, the waterfall was not operating, but it’s usually coming down from the rocks on the left!
The Beach Pool is EASY to find! It is located just a short walk from both the resort’s main lobby and the Villas building. The pool is situated between both buildings, near the resort’s beach.
A popular feature of the Beach Pool is its 181-foot-long water slide. The water slide provides an exciting ride down the area’s rock structure and into the pool.
The pool also has a zero-entry access point. This means guests can enter the pool via a shallow slope, like entering the ocean from a beach’s shore.
Surrounding the pool are lots of lounge chairs for relaxation. Behind the lounge chairs are tables with umbrellas that offer places to eat while being in the shade. Just be advised that on HOT days, the chairs and tables can get claimed quickly, so you may want to head to the pool early if this is important to you.
The pool area has cabanas available for rent. If you are looking to secure a more luxurious space near the Beach Pool, making an advance reservation for one of the area’s paid cabanas is a great option.
The shaded cabanas come with amenities like comfy furniture, complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, and a dedicated Cast Member providing service.
If you have little kids, you will be happy to learn there is a splash pad near the Beach Pool inside a separate fenced-in area!
The splash pad is an aquatic play area for children 48 inches (122 cm) and under, themed after Disney’s Alice in Wonderland. There are whimsical teacups and the Mad Hatter’s hat serving as both décor and water features. Kids can enjoy a small water slide. The Mad Hatter’s hat routinely fills and dumps water over the area.
If you get hungry or thirsty while at the Beach Pool, there is an outside pool bar called Beaches Pool Bar and Grill. It’s easy to find as it’s located next to the pool.
- Beaches has a lunch menu that includes salads, sandwiches, burgers, and more. Kids’ meals and desserts are also available here.
- True to its name, you can find an array of beverages at the bar, including adult alcoholic drinks, to enjoy while sitting at the pool.
Since the Beach Pool is the biggest pool at Grand Floridian and has the most features, it is definitely the busiest at the resort.
If you want a less crowded pool with a more relaxed atmosphere, keep reading to learn more about the other pool at Grand Floridian! 🙂
Pool #2: Courtyard Pool
You will find the quieter Courtyard Pool behind the Grand Floridian Resort’s main lobby, next to the Sugar Loaf Key, Boca Chica, and Big Pine Key buildings.
The Courtyard Pool doesn’t rely heavily on a theme. Rather, this area embraces the surrounding palm trees and Victorian-style architecture of the resort.
Like the Beach Pool, the Courtyard Pool has a zero-entry access point.
The pool area features a large hot tub. As you can see, it also offers a pool lift for those with mobility issues.
Surrounding the pool are lounge chairs and tables, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
There are premium poolside patio rentals at the Courtyard Pool. Similar to the Beach Pool’s cabanas, these patio rentals are paid, shaded spaces that can be reserved in advance.
If you get hungry or thirsty while at the Courtyard Pool, there is an outside pool bar called Courtyard Pool Bar.
It’s easy to find as it’s located next to the pool.
- Courtyard Pool Bar has a small menu that includes salads, sandwiches, hot dogs, and more. Kids’ meals and desserts are also available here.
- There is a variety of beverages available at the bar, including adult alcoholic drinks, to enjoy while sitting at the pool.
Gasparilla Island Grill is also close to the Courtyard Pool. It can be found inside the resort’s main building.
So, if you dry off and put on shoes and a shirt, you can head here to find many more dining options. But if you’re at the pool, it would be easiest to mobile order from outside and then run inside to grab your food when it’s ready.
The Courtyard Pool doesn’t have a water slide or splash pad, compared to the Beach Pool. As a result, it is usually quieter and less crowded. But on hot Florida days, this pool can still get pretty busy.
The Pools at Grand Floridian Resort – Frequently Asked Questions:
When do the pools at Grand Floridian Resort open?
The Beach Pool is normally open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Courtyard Pool is normally open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. It stays open longer because there are NO lifeguards on duty here.
But these hours tend to change depending on the time of year you visit. Just ask the front desk when you arrive to see the current schedule. The operating hours should also be posted on a sign near the pool entrance.
Can non-guests use the pools at Grand Floridian Resort?
No, only guests staying at Grand Floridian Resort have access to the pool area. The only exception to this is if you are staying at another Disney resort hotel, and the pool there is undergoing refurbishment. In that case, Disney will arrange for you to have pool privileges at another nearby Disney Resort hotel.
Can you bring your own food and drinks to the pools at Grand Floridian Resort?
Yes, you can bring your own food and drinks to the pool area at Grand Floridian Resort, which is a great choice if you don’t want to dine at the resort’s dining options while at the pool. There are a couple of restrictions to keep in mind:
- No glass is permitted anywhere in the pool area.
- Food and drinks are not allowed in the pool or on the pool wet deck.
Are there lifeguards at the pools at Grand Floridian Resort?
Lifeguards are on duty at the Beach Pool when the pool is open, which is typically from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
There are usually no lifeguards at the Courtyard Pool.
Lifeguard presence and pool hours are subject to change depending on the time of year, so check the schedule upon arrival.
Do the pools at Grand Floridian have water slides, lazy rivers, or hot tubs?
Since the Grand Floridian is a “Disney Deluxe Resort,” you will find an 181-foot-long water slide at the Beach Pool.
The Courtyard Pool doesn’t have a water slide, but it does have a hot tub.
Neither of the Grand Floridian pools has a lazy river.
Are there any height restrictions for the water slide at the Grand Floridian?
There are no height restrictions for the water slide. But your children must be able to swim by themselves and go down the slide alone. They are NOT allowed to sit on your lap.
Just make sure you follow the rules posted at the slide’s entrance, which include going down feet-first after the slide’s green light is turned on. The pool depth at the end of the slide is 3.5 feet (1 m).
Are the pools heated at Grand Floridian Resort?
Yes! Both pools at Grand Floridian Resort & Spa are heated to 82°F (27.8°C) year-round!
Is there a pool in the Villas section at Grand Floridian Resort?
Yes, the beachside Villas section of the resort is a short walk from the Beach Pool. They are the closest accommodations to this pool.
Can guests at Grand Floridian Resort use either of the two pools?
Yes! No matter which section of Grand Floridian you stay at, you can use either of the two pools. So, for example, if you are in a room in the Villas section, you can swim in the Courtyard Pool. In fact, many families pool-hop throughout the day!
Where are the pools at Grand Floridian Resort located?
Here are the locations for each of the two pools:
- Beach Pool: Located near the resort’s beach, between the main lobby building and the Villas building.
- Courtyard Pool: Located a short walk away from the Beach Pool, directly behind the main lobby building and near the Sugar Loaf Key, Big Pine Key, and Boca Chica buildings.
Here is a map of Grand Floridian Resort & Spa to help you see where the two pools can be found.
Click HERE to download a PDF of the map!
How deep are the pools at Grand Floridian Resort?
Both pools have zero-entry access, while other parts of each pool range from 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) deep.
Are life jackets available at the Grand Floridian Resort pools?
Yes! Complimentary life jackets are available at both pools.
Are there towels to use at the Grand Floridian pools?
Yes, fresh and clean towels are available at both pools: the Beach Pool and the Courtyard Pool. In addition, there are bins to throw your used towels into as you leave the pool area.
Are there activities near the pools at Grand Floridian Resort?
Yes, at the Beach Pool, during certain times of the day, Disney Cast Members come out to play games with the kids. Activities may include trivia, relays, and other pool games that are free! You will want to look for an activity schedule posted near the entrance of the pools.
Another fun activity near the resort’s pools is watching a movie under the stars.
A few nights each week, a different Disney movie plays. Many times, there is even popcorn available. Upon arrival at Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, check out the movie schedule at the Front Desk so you don’t miss your favorite! And if you don’t like what is playing, you can easily walk over to Polynesian Village Resort to check out the movie they are showing. 🙂
Are there showers at Grand Floridian?
Yes, there are showers located at the Beach Pool and the Courtyard Pool.
Have you ever visited the pools at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort?
If so, please let us know below if we missed anything. In addition, if you have additional questions, feel free to ask, and we will try to answer! 🙂
