The 2 POOLS at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort (2025)
Grand Floridian Resort has TWO fun pools you can enjoy.
When we stay at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, one of our favorite ways to unwind is by spending time at the pools. This elegant resort offers two distinct swimming areas, each with its own unique charm and vibe.
Below, you will learn about them all, along with the other fun activities and things to enjoy around the pools.
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 rocky 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.
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).
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.
Lifeguards are on duty at the Beach Pool when the pool is open, which is typically from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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.
During certain times of the day, Disney Cast Members come out to play games with the kids at the Beach Pool. 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.
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. Please be aware that there are usually no lifeguards at the Courtyard Pool.
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.
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.
Additional info you should know about the pools:
Operating Hours:
- 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.
Only guests staying at Grand Floridian Resort have access to the pool area.
You can bring your own food and drinks to the pool area at Grand Floridian Resort.
This is a great choice if you want to save some money 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.
Both pools at Grand Floridian Resort & Spa are heated to 82°F (27.8°C) year-round!
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!
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!
Both pools have zero-entry access, while other parts of each pool range from 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) deep.
Complimentary life jackets are available at both pools.
Fresh and clean towels are available at both pools.
In addition, there are bins to throw your used towels into as you leave the pool area.
There are showers located in the bathrooms at both the Beach Pool and the Courtyard Pool.
Have you ever visited the pools at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort?
If so, please let me know below if I missed anything. In addition, if you have additional questions, feel free to ask, and I will answer! 🙂
