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

[focusondisney]

View from 4021



A few fireworks from the room. Sorry, these are screen shots from a video.

 

[focusondisney]

The hall area on 5 & the entrance to the room (don’t mind my husband ). I didn’t think to take pictures, but there are 3 or 4 upholstered chairs, 2 booth type tables & 2 small round 2 chair tables in the hallway as well. There was a group there a few times at breakfast or at app times. It was also a nice place to sit after we checked out & waited for our car service pick up.

 

[focusondisney]

Zoomed in on some of those pictures, you can see Poly, CR, space mountain & Tron as well. And you can see the Electric Water Parade & hear the music when it’s at Poly

 

[GADisneyDad14]

As more elements of the lobby are now starting to be seen in final form, it’s interesting to see the design/color scheme come together, directionally at least, with the already renovated CL lounge, rooms, etc.

 

[focusondisney]

My favorite thing about this project tracking so far is the construction crew who has picked up a new pad for their tool cart.

Photo credit mousesteps.com

My husband made a similar comment. Thought they must be pretty refined, high class work crew to have such a nice carpet on their tool cart.

 

[Cfabar1]

how is soundproofing in the main building?

I know it is dismal in the outer buildings and good in the DVC building.

 

[focusondisney]

We have been in king deluxe rooms on 2 several times, the 5th floor this trip & a 4th floor resort view room on the hall open to the lobby once. We’ve never had any problems with noise. The 4th floor room we did hear the orchestra & piano, but it was not loud or disruptive. No noise from neighboring rooms. But none of our rooms have been connecting, not sure if that would make a difference. We did hear fireworks in all the rooms & I could also hear the Electric water pagent music. I heard some music from the pool, but again, not loud enough to disturb us.

 

[Cfabar1]

We have been in king deluxe rooms on 2 several times, the 5th floor this trip & a 4th floor resort view room on the hall open to the lobby once. We’ve never had any problems with noise. The 4th floor room we did hear the orchestra & piano, but it was not loud or disruptive. No noise from neighboring rooms. But none of our rooms have been connecting, not sure if that would make a difference. We did hear fireworks in all the rooms & I could also hear the Electric water pagent music. I heard some music from the pool, but again, not loud enough to disturb us.

great to know! Thanks!

 

[bethclayton]

@focusondisney those pics are great! Thank you so much for sharing them!! We love the fifth floor; we have never had a room there but have watched fireworks from there, it is so peaceful. I loved your view!

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

We are back home and I have some thoughts on The Grand (and on Club Level).....

I am excited to see what happens with the renovation and I find the new changes (overall) charming. I especially love the wallpaper in the "turn" from "Resort View" to "TPV" rooms (where the Walt Disney Suite / Roy Disney Suite) is. And while I understand why there is only a small blue chair/couch piece in that area (because people would see it as a place to plop down and gather) it looks "empty" and I wish they would do something to add style (a cabinet? a sculpture? something?)

My husband absolutely hated all the changes. He hated the wall paper and the carpets. And he prefers the rooms prior to renovations (except for the hardwood floors!)

Also, while I understand why the couches outside of The Enchanted Rose Lounge are blocked off and made part of the lounge when it's open, it reduces space for people to rest or wait. Especially with such limited space in the lobby.

 

[bethclayton]

We are back home and I have some thoughts on The Grand (and on Club Level).....

I am excited to see what happens with the renovation and I find the new changes (overall) charming. I especially love the wallpaper in the "turn" from "Resort View" to "TPV" rooms (where the Walt Disney Suite / Roy Disney Suite) is. And while I understand why there is only a small blue chair/couch piece in that area (because people would see it as a place to plop down and gather) it looks "empty" and I wish they would do something to add style (a cabinet? a sculpture? something?)

My husband absolutely hated all the changes. He hated the wall paper and the carpets. And he prefers the rooms prior to renovations (except for the hardwood floors!)

Also, while I understand why the couches outside of The Enchanted Rose Lounge are blocked off and made part of the lounge when it's open, it reduces space for people to rest or wait. Especially with such limited space in the lobby.

What were your thoughts on CL?

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

What were your thoughts on CL?

I'll post that to the club level thread...

Overall the Club Level at the Grand Floridian was great. There are some kinks to be worked out with the newer college program cast members (one morning none of them showed up to help with set up) but after that morning, a manager was walking around the lounge every day , checking the kids and the food, throughout the day.

I would not hesitate to pay the additional cost to stay club level at the Grand, especially when I am with my husband.

 

[Peaseblossom36]

Does the Grand allow for Club Level to be added on to a regular reservation like WL or do you have to book a Club Level room?

 

[mrsap]

Does the Grand allow for Club Level to be added on to a regular reservation like WL or do you have to book a Club Level room?

Unfortunately not. It’s just a perk at WL, due to the amount of rooms that were taken out of inventory to create CCV. You would have to book a CL room.

 

[Nainolaf]

Been at Grand Flo for 4 nights and the front panel at the bar went up this evening 2 similar side panels are on floor ready to be installed.

 

[Nainolaf]

Been at Grand Flo for 4 nights and the front panel at the bar went up this evening 2 similar side panels are on floor ready to be installed.

 

[Nainolaf]

We are here for 6 nights at GFV (2 nights to go ) and a CM has been around both pools checking Magicbands and giving out purple wristbands

 

[mrsap]

We are here for 6 nights at GFV (2 nights to go ) and a CM has been around both pools checking Magicbands and giving out purple wristbands

Thank you for reporting! Have a great time and please keep us posted!

 

[mrsap]

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Lobby Gets New Light Fixtures​

Crews have installed new light fixtures at the check-in area of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort during a major remodel of the lobby.

New Check-In Lights​

There are four new light fixtures, all hanging from the ceiling behind the construction walls. near the check-in area Each fixture is made of gold-tone metal with five ball lights attached.




They hang in front of the decorative panel that was installed last week. While the regular check-in area is under construction, guests can check in with Cast Members in the middle of the lobby.

In addition to the decorative light fixtures, there are also small lights built into the ceiling. A crew member was working on wiring for another light fixture.

Birdcage Bar​

Crews have installed a new element on the front of the birdcage bar, just below the roof. It has a dark wood grain finish like the roof framework. It curves across the bottom and has open squares across the center.



A few hours later, we returned to the lobby and saw crews had added white panels around the top of the structure. These are on three sides, including behind the wood grain element.




More wood grain pieces were staged nearby, likely to be installed around the rest of the bar. They were resting on the new planters that were recently added to the sides of the structure.


Looking down into the roof from above, we could light wood paneling attached behind the white panels. There is also a dark wood grain frame across the top of the space, below the steel beams.



There’s a small pipe above this frame, possibly for a sprinkler.


The new bar replaces the lobby’s giant birdcage, though it will take some architectural inspiration from the original structure.

Elevator Bays​

The left sides of the first floor and second floor elevator bays are now blocked with white curtains for more wallpaper installation. We could even see some of the new wallpaper already installed behind the curtains.



A roll of wallpaper was awaiting installation in front of the closed elevator.


The wallpaper has been fully revealed on the right side of both bays. While the walls are a beige color, the wallpaper is surrounded by decorative white-framed paneling. The paper is light blue with images of tree branches and birds.



The birds are mostly blue with touches of pink. Yellow flowers and green leaves are pictured on the tree branches.

Garden View Tea Room​

Curtains are down from the front of the Garden View Tea Room, which is found at the back of the lobby. The lack of curtains gives us a look straight into the space, which has not been open since 2020. There’s not much to see right now — mostly just crew members and construction materials. The windows at the back of the tea room appear to be the same. We previously noted that decorative elements were removed from the windows looking into the lobby at the front of the room.



A decorative element was removed from the balcony above the tea room. On Wednesday afternoon, the wall where it used to be appeared to have been cleaned of any remaining residue.

Staircase​

The lobby’s grand staircase is still closed, although work is near complete — if not already finished.



Behind the curtains, there are no signs of construction, just some cleaning materials. We could get a better look at the new mural on the wall above the stairs, which features the Grand Floridian surrounded by Florida nature.

Other Lobby Work​

A crew member was working on the wall behind a curtain next to Sandy Cove Gifts and Sundries. We previously saw that part of this wall was torn away, exposing some of the internal structure and pipes.


The hallway leading to Cítricos and Victoria & Albert’s was blocked on Wednesday morning. It has been periodically blocked, though it reopens for the restaurants in the evening.

Lobby Concept Art​

Concept art for the lobby indicates the Garden View Tea Room will get new stained glass windows, plus a new decorative element on the balcony above it. The piece recently installed on the birdcage bar will get some decorative panels. The lobby’s carpet will also be replaced and furnishings will be refreshed, assuming the current plans still match this original art.

Convention Center​

Crews have been working on the roof of the resort’s convention center for a few weeks. The red shingles on this tower were completely replaced. There was still a lift next to the tower, indicating there may be more work taking place.


More shingles were replaced on this side, but there are still shingles missing from a wide tower and part of the upper roof.



Several crew members were working on the ground where there was previously scaffolding. Paneling has been removed from some of the columns. Lights were removed and were sitting under a plastic sheet when we rode by on the Monorail.


Most of the roof work has moved further down the building.

 

[PolyRob]

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Lobby Gets New Light Fixtures​

Crews have installed new light fixtures at the check-in area of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort during a major remodel of the lobby.

New Check-In Lights​

There are four new light fixtures, all hanging from the ceiling behind the construction walls. near the check-in area Each fixture is made of gold-tone metal with five ball lights attached.



They hang in front of the decorative panel that was installed last week. While the regular check-in area is under construction, guests can check in with Cast Members in the middle of the lobby.

In addition to the decorative light fixtures, there are also small lights built into the ceiling. A crew member was working on wiring for another light fixture.

Hmmmm this is the first element I am questioning



Doesn't scream victorian to me.