Resort Thread Disney's GRAND FLORIDIAN Resort & Spa + Construction Updates!!

[PolyRob]

Looks like it opened summer 2001!

https://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/di...001-new-pool-area-for-the-grand-floridian.htm

 

[Cfabar1]

Gotcha... so it was new capacity when they did it or did it replace something else?

Looks like maybe it was redone in 2012?
https://wdwnt.com/2012/09/alice-in-...area-opens-at-disneys-grand-floridian-resort/

 

[mrsap]

Just saw a video on TT showing the grand staircase in the process of getting the updated rug.

 

[PolyRob]

Just saw a video on TT showing the grand staircase in the process of getting the updated rug.


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Happy to see the detailed trim lining the steps and GF logo. Looking good

 

[bethclayton]

Gotcha... so it was new capacity when they did it or did it replace something else?

Looks like maybe it was redone in 2012?
https://wdwnt.com/2012/09/alice-in-...area-opens-at-disneys-grand-floridian-resort/

I believe I have photos of that area from before it was a splash pad. Let me see if I can find any to post! As far as timeline, this is to the best of my recollection: we stayed in a room facing what is now the splash pad in March 2010 and March 2012. I believe that area was under construction one of those two times (I think 2012). When we returned in August 2013, the splash pad was there.

 

[bethclayton]

@Cfabar1 Found some pics! The first three photos are from March 2010 and to give an idea spatially, the images basically could stitch together to form a panoramic view. The subsequent photos are of the same area in April 2012.

 

[PinkPixel]

Hi - my mom and I will be staying at the GF next week on the 11th. I haven't stayed there for about 10 years and my mom has never been there. We're doing a 1 night pre cruise club level stay. I told her about the construction and she doesn't care. Super excited! I'll try to bring some updates back.

Is there currently a boat that goes from the GF to the WL? Or should we take the boat or monorail to the MK first? We are wanting to go to Geyser Point. Thx!

I'd take a Minnie Van or ride share.

 

[trishadono]

Hi - my mom and I will be staying at the GF next week on the 11th. I haven't stayed there for about 10 years and my mom has never been there. We're doing a 1 night pre cruise club level stay. I told her about the construction and she doesn't care. Super excited! I'll try to bring some updates back.

Is there currently a boat that goes from the GF to the WL? Or should we take the boat or monorail to the MK first? We are wanting to go to Geyser Point. Thx!

Depends on what time you are going. You can mono to CR and take boat to and fromWL after 3p.

Or mono to MK and boat OR bus to WL.

Or boat to MK and then boat or bus to Wl.

Dd and I go there often .

Another option is to leave a park and bus to WL. Then we usually ride share after,

 

[mrsap]

Grand Floridian Retires Its Iconic Green Carpet; We Have The Big Reveal​

 

[gottalovepluto]

Sorry, I was unclear. I would like more bathrooms on the first floor. There's currently two open restaurants
on the first floor and very few bathrooms. Adding a bar and whatever goes in at the old tea room spot
will really add guests to the lobby.

There was a Disney podcaster at one time who mentioned like a golden rule of renovations is don’t change the plumbing. Obviously they had to add a touch for the bar at GF. But I wouldn’t hold out hope for anything else.

And like… that lobby is already nuts. At least over my mid-level crowd trips. Anyone who vaguely thinks about checking out hotels heads to the Flagship, along with all the folks hitting the Beauty and the Beast bar and all the dining at the resort. I don’t think a non-hard liquor bar is going to add too much* to the general crowd level, but it will add pressure to the bathrooms for sure.

*opening months with local pressure notwithstanding

 

[Cfabar1]

There was a Disney podcaster at one time who mentioned like a golden rule of renovations is don’t change the plumbing. Obviously they had to add a touch for the bar at GF. But I wouldn’t hold out hope for anything else.

And like… that lobby is already nuts. At least over my mid-level crowd trips. Anyone who vaguely thinks about checking out hotels heads to the Flagship, along with all the folks hitting the Beauty and the Beast bar and all the dining at the resort. I don’t think a non-hard liquor bar is going to add too much* to the general crowd level, but it will add pressure to the bathrooms for sure.

*opening months with local pressure notwithstanding

One of the challenges they have too is the "don't change the elevator" situation... Yes there are plenty of staircases, but in "theory" there is one elevator for the access of guests to the second level...

I'm not convinced that Garden Tea Room doesn't come back in some form... Maybe I am being optimistic, but particularly with the addition of the lobby bar, it would actually not be too hard to staff an afternoon tea on a limited basis and use the space for activities and private events.

I am curious what the old Sugar Loaf Concierge Lounge has in store and all the other vacant spaces (kids club, Summerhouse, etc.). To me, those are all revenue generating spaces that should be considered.

 

[PolyRob]

Grand Floridian Retires Its Iconic Green Carpet; We Have The Big Reveal​

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The mural really coordinates with the new carpet colors. It's looking good!

 

[mandy200587]

Not the best photos but at least currently what the lobby looks like. We’ve heard some construction but nothing too crazy for us. I’ll see if I can get more this week

 

[mrsap]

Another new update:

It appears the former check in podium, outside of Citricos and V&A, has been replaced with furniture. Found on FB.




What it looked like prior to the refurb…

 

[bethclayton]

@mandy200587 thank you for the update! I’m hoping that during our upcoming trip we can still enjoy our time at the lounge, sounds like this week is not too bad.

 

[ahcupcake]

One of the challenges they have too is the "don't change the elevator" situation... Yes there are plenty of staircases, but in "theory" there is one elevator for the access of guests to the second level...

I'm not convinced that Garden Tea Room doesn't come back in some form... Maybe I am being optimistic, but particularly with the addition of the lobby bar, it would actually not be too hard to staff an afternoon tea on a limited basis and use the space for activities and private events.

I am curious what the old Sugar Loaf Concierge Lounge has in store and all the other vacant spaces (kids club, Summerhouse, etc.). To me, those are all revenue generating spaces that should be considered.

I think the SL concierge lounge was removed during the recent (2 years ago ?) renovations


Fingers crossed the tea room does comeback and if you had a later reservation, it was great for an early lite dinner