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

[mrsap]

Grand Floridian Lobby Bar Construction Photos from September 11th​

 

[mrsap]

New Grand Floridian Decorative Panel, Wallpaper, Planter Walls Installed in Lobby​

A new decorative panel, new wallpaper, and more has been installed in the lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, which is currently undergoing a major refurbishment.


The newest decorative panel is seen in the center top of this wall by the check-in area. There are also vertical panels attached in the spaces on either side. Just earlier this month, there were still metal frames exposed on this wall.



The decorative panel appears to have a wood grain finish. Vine-like filigree is printed across it with the “GF” Grand Floridian logo in the center.



From upstairs, we could see something else new in the area. There appears to be a set of old-fashioned key cubbies added below the decorative panel.



On the adjacent wall, the curtains above the windows have been clasped, as though to let in more light.



While the curtains in the check-in area are clasped towards the center of each window, the curtains in the nearby seating area are pulled to the sides.



The seating area also has a new piece of furniture. This appears to be a large rounded cabinet.

The grand staircase located next to the check-in area is expected to reopen soon. A new mural was revealed above the stairs earlier this month, and all construction materials have been cleared from the area. The stairs remain blocked off by white curtains and stanchions at the moment.



We also saw crew members cleaning up the steps, leading us to believe they will reopen in the near future. The staircase closed in early August.


Under the stairs, on the side near the pool exit, these benches look new. They feature pink velvet upholstery with decorative stripes.

Another new wallpaper style has been revealed. This style is found on the walls next to one of the elevators on the first floor. The area is still blocked off, but the wall panels are now light blue with tree branch designs.



The branches have green leaves and yellow flowers. The pattern and colors are reminiscent of the blue color scheme added to the walls of the Grand Floridian room buildings back in 2022, though those have pink floral decorations instead of yellow.


The other side of the elevator bay is prepped to receive wallpaper, which we expect will be the same pattern. There is also a new cloudy sky decal added to the panel above the elevator.


Crews have started to construct new short walls fanning out from the sides of the birdcage bar. Concept art suggests these will be for new planters.


The planters are located on either side of the bar and will house green shrubs and palm trees, according to the art.



We recently reported the birdcage bar got its roof supports and vertical framework. Now, even more drywall surrounds the steel beams near the bottom, and additional concrete has been installed by the floor.



The new bar will be a place for guests to order drinks in the lobby. It replaces the actual birdcage that used to sit in the lobby.



The concept art for the upcoming bar shows brass accents, stained glass, and intricate woodwork paying homage to the resort’s Victorian styling.



We do not have an opening date for the new lobby bar yet.


Above the Garden View Tea Room, the decorative seashell-like element has been removed from the wall overhang. Compare this appearance with our picture of the opposite side of the lobby, which has that piece still intact.



In our last update, the Garden View Tea Roomconstruction zone had expanded. There are rolling carts, trim, rolls of material, and construction tools staged outside the entrance of the space. It’s unclear what is currently inside the room due to the scrim on the windows, but we can see many ladders in the space, so crews are likely working on the walls or ceiling.


The Garden View Tea Room has not operated since 2020. While the reimagined lobby art did have a new window-style installation on this side of the lobby, there have been no official announcements that the tea room will be reopening.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

if people know grand Floridian will be a total construction zone and the lobby basically unusable and Disney doesn’t give discounts for dealing with that, why do people still pick this hotel rather than other hotels ? It’s not like this hotel is cheap

 

[Cfabar1]

if people know grand Floridian will be a total construction zone and the lobby basically unusable and Disney doesn’t give discounts for dealing with that, why do people still pick this hotel rather than other hotels ? It’s not like this hotel is cheap

I suspect many don't know how bad it is

I suspect many others don't care since they only use the main building for dining and shopping.

It isn't like the other buildings at Grand Floridian are particularly quiet either... Even without construction...

 

[Ensusieasm]

if people know grand Floridian will be a total construction zone and the lobby basically unusable and Disney doesn’t give discounts for dealing with that, why do people still pick this hotel rather than other hotels ? It’s not like this hotel is cheap

Location. Location. Location.
Easy walk, one stop monorail, or a boat to The Magic Kingdom.
Exterior Elegance. Restaurants at the Grand and three other nearby resorts that can be reached via monorail and/or boat.

 

[mrsap]

if people know grand Floridian will be a total construction zone and the lobby basically unusable and Disney doesn’t give discounts for dealing with that, why do people still pick this hotel rather than other hotels ? It’s not like this hotel is cheap

The construction doesn’t bother us. We have stayed here several times already, when not only the lobby was under construction, but multiple buildings as well. It’s still the Grand and it’s still our favorite… and as an added bonus, as @Ensusieasm mentioned, the location/transportation is great.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

Location. Location. Location.
Easy walk, one stop monorail, or a boat to The Magic Kingdom.
Exterior Elegance. Restaurants at the Grand and three other nearby resorts that can be reached via monorail and/or boat.

Contemporary has a better location though and better transportation options

 

[mrsap]

Contemporary has a better location though and better transportation options

How does the Contemporary have better transportation options?

I’d take The Grand over CR any day, even if I have to walk a little further. The character, the pools, the decor, the lobby - especially over the holidays, I don’t think CR compares.

 

[walt34]

How does the Contemporary have better transportation options?

I’d take The Grand over CR any day, even if I have to walk a little further. The character, the pools, the decor, the lobby - especially over the holidays, I don’t think CR compares.

Playing devil’s advocate here (I prefer the GF): the walkway to the MK is shorter and it is a bit easier to get to EPCOT in the morning from CR, as the resort monorail is pretty empty after the MK stop and it’s only one stop to the TTC.

 

[Dave006]

How does the Contemporary have better transportation options?

I don't have a resort favorite in this fight but the CR is closest to the most transportation option. Closest resort to MK, (1) Monorail stop from the TTC with the Epcot line. It is also the closest resort that the MK Bus loop. We have walked there to catch a bus to any other Resort on several occasions. And finally after 3 PM you have the boat service on Bay lake to Ft. Wilderness, LSR, and WL.

Dave

 

[bethclayton]

I give up! It keeps eating my posts. Will try later from my laptop!

 

[mrsap]

Playing devil’s advocate here (I prefer the GF): the walkway to the MK is shorter and it is a bit easier to get to EPCOT in the morning from CR, as the resort monorail is pretty empty after the MK stop and it’s only one stop to the TTC.

Slight transportation benefits, but they do not outweigh the details I mentioned above about The Grand as a whole, IMO, even with construction.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

I don't have a resort favorite in this fight but the CR is closest to the most transportation option. Closest resort to MK, (1) Monorail stop from the TTC with the Epcot line. It is also the closest resort that the MK Bus loop. We have walked there to catch a bus to any other Resort on several occasions. And finally after 3 PM you have the boat service on Bay lake to Ft. Wilderness, LSR, and WL.

Dave

dammit I got beat to the gotchu moment, but yes the boat service after 3pm is what gives the contemporary the edge for better transportation options than grand Floridian. Also the walk is better and the monorail to Epcot is also a plus and until poly where you can easily walk to the transportation ticketing center from grand it’s a hike

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

How does the Contemporary have better transportation options?

I’d take The Grand over CR any day, even if I have to walk a little further. The character, the pools, the decor, the lobby - especially over the holidays, I don’t think CR compares.

But right now the lobby is under construction at the grand. I’m not debating when the grand is fully operational but right now. The grand is an active construction zone, is it still that much better than CR to deal with all the construction zone impacts?

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

I give up! It keeps eating my posts. Will try later from my laptop!

Sadly I know exactly what you are referring to. It’s really annoying.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

Slight transportation benefits, but they do not outweigh the details I mentioned above about The Grand as a whole, IMO, even with construction.

I think it’s much more than just a slight transportation benefit. It opens up easy access to wilderness lounge and fort wilderness.
fort wilderness is the only (surprisingly) place at a magic kingdom area resort to have a kids playground, not sure why none of the other monorail resorts of wilderness lodge have any kids playground.
Plus the easy walking access and the fact that it isn’t under construction or apart of the road widening like the road to the grand is apart of.

 

[mrsap]

I think it’s much more than just a slight transportation benefit. It opens up easy access to wilderness lounge and fort wilderness.
fort wilderness is the only (surprisingly) place at a magic kingdom area resort to have a kids playground, not sure why none of the other monorail resorts of wilderness lodge have any kids playground.
Plus the easy walking access and the fact that it isn’t under construction or apart of the road widening like the road to the grand is apart of.

…But you’re in the Grand Floridian Thread, trying to convince the person who started it, that CR is somehow better than The Grand - even with the The Grand under construction.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

…But you’re in the Grand Floridian Thread, trying to convince the person who started it, that CR is somehow better than The Grand - even with the The Grand under construction.

View attachment 1004000

Today I learned you started this thread lol

I was more so interested in why people are still picking it when the lobby is an active construction zone. I’ve switched hotels before because the parking lot was being repaved when I was there lol (I got an email in advance of getting there).

If I found out a lobby was under construction I would switch easily, especially if there’s no discount or anything being offered to putting up with the construction and its associated annoyances.

I’m more so interested in how everyone justifies paying the same price to stay here while it’s going under construction knowing there will be many annoyances when there are other perfectly other suitable hotels nearby that are not undergoing construction. The grand isn’t cheap obviously

 

[mandy200587]

As someone who just left the grand the only construction complaint I had and seemed to be the majority issue for everyone was one elevator and if they were working on the other bay you couldn’t access the buttons easily.

I could still sit in the lounge and enjoy the music at night. It still had every bit of charm that the grand has. The staff were friendly as ever and making the best of everything.

The transportation outside of maybe two or three times was a non issue with being the last stop.

 

[mrsap]

Today I learned you started this thread lol

I was more so interested in why people are still picking it when the lobby is an active construction zone. I’ve switched hotels before because the parking lot was being repaved when I was there lol (I got an email in advance of getting there).

If I found out a lobby was under construction I would switch easily, especially if there’s no discount or anything being offered to putting up with the construction and its associated annoyances.

I’m more so interested in how everyone justifies paying the same price to stay here while it’s going under construction knowing there will be many annoyances when there are other perfectly other suitable hotels nearby that are not undergoing construction. The grand isn’t cheap obviously

Well, all kidding aside, I guess the reasons you seek are what I had already stated above… while CR might have better views and some transportation benefits, it doesn’t beat the Grand as a whole. The grounds, the pools, and even the amazing lobby (even if it’s under construction) because you still have access to all shops and restaurants, the decor, the ambiance, it’s all still there. I’d still pick GF every time.