Resort Thread Disney's GRAND FLORIDIAN Resort & Spa + Construction Updates!! **LOBBY REFURB STARTED 4/14**

[StarCruzer]

There has got to be some type of alternate plan for 1900 Park Fare and the Tea Room at this point

Gosh do I miss the Tea Room! I went when I did a solo trip in 2019 (DH got deployed, oops!). Was hoping it would reopen by our February '23 trip but it's looking like a lost cause.

It looks like there's a non-Disney restaurant not too far off property called Salt & the Cellar that does an afternoon tea service on Sundays, but it's not going to fit with our schedule. I supposed we'll just bring our own fancy teas and metal camper cups and do a little tea party in our room!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Can we speculate about the timeline for the lobby refurbishment? What are your guesses? Do we think they will wait until the rest of the buildings are completed before doing the main building? I was wondering whether they would refurbish Sugar Loaf and then move any RPC bookings there while they redo those rooms...but I know they never brought back the Sugar Loaf lounge post COVID, so wasn't even sure if it would remain after refurbishment. In my mind, Christmas is a big deal for the GF so I could only imagine that whatever they do would need to be completed prior to Nov 23. I was thinking maybe they'd start on the lobby mid-late January of 23, after the gingerbread house and tree are down. However I forgot about the Easter cottage...so maybe after that? Which would also possibly give them enough time to finish up the remaining outer buildings... There has got to be some type of alternate plan for 1900 Park Fare and the Tea Room at this point; I can't see why else they'd still remain closed all this time. And with the Boardwalk refresh news I'm wondering if the GF will get a dedicated coffee shop at a minimum - maybe an ice cream/dessert place as well?

I haven't searched lately to confirm if this is still the case, but back in October some folks on the CL thread noticed no GF CL main building room availability 5/14-9/2. There was also no CR CL availability during those dates either, leading some to speculate CR may be the GF CL relief valve.

Connecting main building room availability with main building lobby renovations is maybe a stretch, but could potentially be quasi-relevant.

Guess we'll see.

 

[OnThisMagicNight]

I haven't searched lately to confirm if this is still the case, but back in October some folks on the CL thread noticed no GF CL main building room availability 5/14-9/2. There was also no CR CL availability during those dates either, leading some to speculate CR may be the GF CL relief valve.

Connecting main building room availability with main building lobby renovations is maybe a stretch, but could potentially be quasi-relevant.

Guess we'll see.

Very interesting! You'd think they'd need to close the main building rooms when they work on the lobby though; I can't imagine that would be an enjoyable experience to stay in those rooms during that time period. I hope they announce what their plans are soon!

 

[OnThisMagicNight]

Gosh do I miss the Tea Room! I went when I did a solo trip in 2019 (DH got deployed, oops!). Was hoping it would reopen by our February '23 trip but it's looking like a lost cause.

It looks like there's a non-Disney restaurant not too far off property called Salt & the Cellar that does an afternoon tea service on Sundays, but it's not going to fit with our schedule. I supposed we'll just bring our own fancy teas and metal camper cups and do a little tea party in our room!

I never got to try the tea room and had always hoped to do the Princess tea with my daughter there one day. I hope it comes back in some form, even if they give it a refresh.

 

[OnThisMagicNight]

Inside Look at What’s Coming to Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

2023 will also be a momentous year for Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa as it celebrates its 30th anniversary on July 1! The resort has been receiving some grand touches that weave familiar storybook charm into the Victorian elegance of this flagship resort. Guest rooms are currently being updated as we speak with more to come as the beloved Grand Floridian ushers in its third decade of magic. The ongoing renovation will also include an upcoming refurbishment of the lobby, which will maintain the classic theming you know and love with some fresh new enhancements.

I was hoping for more details, but at least this is official confirmation it's happening in 2023...

 

[melvin1970]

I agree with Trish’s idea. Boca Chica has the remodelled rooms. It is also very convenient for the Courtyard (quieter) Pool, yet not too far from important things such as the Boat Dock, Narcoossee’s, Gasparrilla’s and the Main Building. I hope you have a wonderful stay!

We were wanted to request connecting rooms but on Touring Plans they show there are only a few on the bottom floor. They state the sound level is high. Has anyone stayed in a ground floor room? I prefer upper floor if possible but if the noise level isn't that bad I will request the ground floor rooms.

 

[ahcupcake]

Inside Look at What’s Coming to Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

2023 will also be a momentous year for Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa as it celebrates its 30th anniversary on July 1! The resort has been receiving some grand touches that weave familiar storybook charm into the Victorian elegance of this flagship resort. Guest rooms are currently being updated as we speak with more to come as the beloved Grand Floridian ushers in its third decade of magic. The ongoing renovation will also include an upcoming refurbishment of the lobby, which will maintain the classic theming you know and love with some fresh new enhancements.

I was hoping for more details, but at least this is official confirmation it's happening in 2023...

Um that their 35th Anniversary. The GF opened July 1, 1988

But' I'm glad they're going to update the main lobby/building

 

[trishadono]

We were wanted to request connecting rooms but on Touring Plans they show there are only a few on the bottom floor. They state the sound level is high. Has anyone stayed in a ground floor room? I prefer upper floor if possible but if the noise level isn't that bad I will request the ground floor rooms.

It would depend. If you in the center people would walk past you to get to lobby. However that’s the same risk on upper floors as well. Ends of halls are quieter but further to walk.

You will have foot traffic sounds 7am ish and again at park close. People will be heading out and returning, it’s not like that at traditional hotels. However it’s happy sounds IMO, kids excited etc.

Which is more important? Think about your day, will being together or having quiet make an impact?

Call and request in your order of preference, connecting rooms, upper floor. If that’s what you decide.

 

[lexybear]

Scheduled power outage from 1am-6am this morning..don't know how I'm gonna sleep without my box fan.

 

[Wood Nymph]

We were wanted to request connecting rooms but on Touring Plans they show there are only a few on the bottom floor. They state the sound level is high. Has anyone stayed in a ground floor room? I prefer upper floor if possible but if the noise level isn't that bad I will request the ground floor rooms.

We had room 8134, which is a ground floor room in Boca Chica, when we were there two weeks ago. It was a connecting room. We liked having a ground floor room because we were able to avoid using the elevators. It was a very quiet room.

 

[DisneyHardin]

We just booked our second Grand Floridian stay for November 2023. It's our 15th wedding anniversary, so we went all out and booked a Main Building Deluxe King Room - Club Level. I am so excited. We stayed at GF about 5 years ago in a Garden View room in Sago Cay and just loved it. I can't imagine how much we are going to love being in the main building.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Um that their 35th Anniversary. The GF opened July 1, 1988

That DPB thing was hard enough to read as it is... but that's pretty bad show right there, in my humble opinion. I know that's a small and inconsequential detail in the grand scheme of things, but that's something they should get right.

 

[melvin1970]

We had room 8134, which is a ground floor room in Boca Chica, when we were there two weeks ago. It was a connecting room. We liked having a ground floor room because we were able to avoid using the elevators. It was a very quiet room.

They don't show that room on touring plans as being connecting. Do you know which room it would connect to? I like that location.

 

[Wood Nymph]

They don't show that room on touring plans as being connecting. Do you know which room it would connect to? I like that location.

It would be room 8132, the room on the left when you walked into 8134.

It also had a nice view.

 

[kylenne]

We just booked our second Grand Floridian stay for November 2023. It's our 15th wedding anniversary, so we went all out and booked a Main Building Deluxe King Room - Club Level. I am so excited. We stayed at GF about 5 years ago in a Garden View room in Sago Cay and just loved it. I can't imagine how much we are going to love being in the main building.

I was pixie dusted into one of those rooms last summer on my 40th birthday trip. Ironically we had originally booked one but i had to move my reservation to outer TPV once we realized it would have to be a solo trip for me due to the Canadian border still being closed at the time, and I could not apply AP discount to the deluxe king since CL had not yet reopened. Cue my shock when I got that room ready text at MCO that they put me in one anyway. It was amazing. I still dream about that soaker tub!

 

[Cfabar1]

I’m apprehensive about a lobby redesign. The existing one is so elegant. I hope they maintain the traditional aesthetic. We don’t need another Riviera.

 

[trishadono]

I’m apprehensive about a lobby redesign. The existing one is so elegant. I hope they maintain the traditional aesthetic. We don’t need another Riviera.

Riviera is DVC so not exactly the same budget IMO.

However I agree the lobby has always been one of our must do visits each trip. The new rooms are so well thought out and lovely in person. I am hopeful they will carry the details to the lobby.

@DisneyHardin the room refurb should be complete by then too!

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

Heading there late May. Wondering how things will look by then.

If the lobby is completely closed, that will be a damper. They might wanna redo the monorail station also for all we know

 

[Wood Nymph]

If the lobby is completely closed, that will be a damper. They might wanna redo the monorail station also for all we know

They will not close off the entire lobby during a remodel, they will work on a section at a time. That is the way they handled the lobby refresh at both the Beach Club and Yacht Club. And when they refurbished the lobby floor at the Wilderness Lodge, they only worked on one section at a time.

 

[WishesQueen]

They will not close off the entire lobby during a remodel, they will work on a section at a time. That is the way they handled the lobby refresh at both the Beach Club and Yacht Club. And when they refurbished the lobby floor at the Wilderness Lodge, they only worked on one section at a time.

Didn't they do something like that when they upgraded to the beautiful character marble flooring and carpet? I hope they keep all of that, I think its beautiful.