There are many things that one must do on a Walt Disney World vacation — ride Space Mountain, take a picture in front of Cinderella’s Castle, eat a Mickey Mouse-shaped ice cream bar, etc. But one important must-do on a Disney trip is, of course, the iconic monorail.

Now, for some, that itch can be scratched with the traditional visit to the Magic Kingdom. They might park at the Transportation and Ticket Center, board the express monorail, and begin their day at the Magic Kingdom park. For others, though, the monorail is about far more than just simple transportation to the park.

Famously, the monorail connects Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort with the Magic Kingdom. Those resorts’ proximity to one another, and the ease of transportation along the monorail, has led them to be viewed as one giant entertainment center, with shops, restaurants, bars, and other fun things to check out.

A day spend exploring the monorail resorts is never a day wasted, and while the monorail bar crawl is one notable way to see these beautiful hotels, there are other must-do stops along the way. Here are six of the most essential stops and must-dos at the Walt Disney World monorail resorts.

The Grand Floridian Society Orchestra

Image: frankfranc, Flickr (license)

Located in the stunning main lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra performs nightly from its perch on the second floor. Loud enough to be heard throughout the lobby, but not so loud as to be disruptive to conversation, the orchestra provides one of the best vibes at Walt Disney World.

The luxe lobby features tons of small nooks and areas to sit, meaning you can enjoy the orchestra either as you’re just passing through or from a comfortable seat from which you can enjoy the entire set. Maybe you’re waiting for your table at Citrico’s or Victoria and Albert’s — don’t fret, the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra is there to help you pass the time.

Their musical selections are wide and varied, including everything from classic Disney tunes to jazz standards and showtunes. And, as an added treat, the orchestra varies the set list up for the holidays — including songs that are perfectly suited to Christmas, the Fourth of July, and so on. 

And, perhaps greatest of all, you can enjoy the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra entirely free of charge — whether it’s your idea for entertainment all night or just one stop on your monorail bar crawl.