Resort Thread Disney's GRAND FLORIDIAN Resort & Spa - **LOBBY REFURB HAS BEGUN 4/14**

[Wojodis]

I found the same exact thing at RFC in March--there would be a group of 5 or 6 just "standing" near the staff door while 2 other CMs pretty much did everything. I didn't think too much of it though as there was always plenty of seating available. It was very odd though--I've never seen anything like it before, at any CL. Thought they were students or trainees of some sort but the fact that they shared the exact same uniform was strange.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Yeah, can't say I haven't seen elements of similar situations at other CLs, unfortunately. This is where I sort of dislike Disney’s CL hiring practices and not treating CL as a more elevated position. I'm over generalizing but it sort of seems like a lot of CLs are 2/3 CPs or entry level CMs and 1/3 'legacy' CL CMs - the names many of us have gotten to know over time, Irv, Abdul, etc. It's the difference between someone who has chosen the hotel/hospitality industry as a profession and has a passion for it vs. someone being assigned to it. And like happens in almost any industry/profession - some of those young folks are hard working rock stars that have the chops to be in a very customer/client/guest centric roll, while others... not so much. And some of their managers are better at training/setting a good example to follow vs others, which plays a role.

In fairness I do sometimes see guests behaving poorly as well - leaving piles of mess, spilled food, etc.

The good still outweighs the bad and I always struggle a bit with my own view of things (Do I notice too many things with so many repeat stays? Is there a cultural/generational shift or am I just getting older? Etc, etc.), but an interesting discussion none-the-less.

 

[Brittleebee]

Does anyone have a photo of the sleeper sofa in the media room pulled out?

 

[Maxie86]

@bethclayton @Maxie86 Maybe consider dropping guest services a note regarding the lounge clearing. If it isn’t the job of the chatty CMs, Disney needs to hire someone to handle it on an immediate basis. Guests clear their own plates sometimes? Like- what? At the flagship resort? Oof. My mind is a bit boggled that my stay at CSR CL had a vastly superior lounge cleaning experience. As soon as a party would leave a CM would swoop in, clean it all up and if it was breakfast put out a setting out of rolled up silverware.

Good suggestion, we talked to a manager but looks like nothing changed. I agree about CSR the CM's are great and always hard at work. We only stayed there one night before moving to BWI. As soon as we entered the lounge the first time a manager came over and welcomed us and gave us a welcome drink. I loved the coffee machine. Only have to push one button for whatever you want. I still can't figure out how to use the ones in the deluxe resorts, even after instructions CM 's clearing tables is a relatively new thing, all lounges used to have a place to put the dirty dishes. I agree though with the price of CL guest shouldn't have to clear tables. You are never expected to clear your table after eating in a TS restaurant.

@bethclayton @Maxie86
Don’t want to take this thread too off topic, but we had a similar experience with WL CL table clearing. It was pretty bad.

Sorry to hear that. WL and BC are the only CL's we haven't done. We will try WL one of these days, but probably not BC since we stay YC frequently.

Yeah, can't say I haven't seen elements of similar situations at other CLs, unfortunately. This is where I sort of dislike Disney’s CL hiring practices and not treating CL as a more elevated position. I'm over generalizing but it sort of seems like a lot of CLs are 2/3 CPs or entry level CMs and 1/3 'legacy' CL CMs - the names many of us have gotten to know over time, Irv, Abdul, etc. It's the difference between someone who has chosen the hotel/hospitality industry as a profession and has a passion for it vs. someone being assigned to it. And like happens in almost any industry/profession - some of those young folks are hard working rock stars that have the chops to be in a very customer/client/guest centric roll, while others... not so much. And some of their managers are better at training/setting a good example to follow vs others, which plays a role.

In fairness I do sometimes see guests behaving poorly as well - leaving piles of mess, spilled food, etc.

The good still outweighs the bad and I always struggle a bit with my own view of things (Do I notice too many things with so many repeat stays? Is there a cultural/generational shift or am I just getting older? Etc, etc.), but an interesting discussion none-the-less.

ITA. I think we notice more because we know how it used to be...when CL was truly a luxury experience, at least it felt that way. When IPO could actually help you do almost anything, vs DSS with very limited things they do now. Even the CL CM's at the desk are limited in what they can do.

 

[ahcupcake]

Hi ahcupcake. Do you have any trips booked?

Unfortunately I don't, need to win a giant lottery jackpot but I am ALWAYS planning faux trips.

 

[disneydreamer781]

Just received this email from Disney regarding my September stay mentioning lobby renovations...

 

[mrsap]

Just received this email from Disney regarding my September stay mentioning lobby renovations...
View attachment 945619

Going to quote myself from a couple days ago…

Those emails have been going out for about two years now. If you go back the past couple of pages, or Page 1, you will see the current status of any construction going on at this time, however, no mention of the lobby as of yet. I will definitely update this thread if anything changes.

 

[disneydreamer781]

Going to quote myself from a couple days ago…

Sorry, I did miss that.

 

[MommaKetch]

Based on previous years, how early does the Easter display in the lobby go up? We will be there from March 22-29, and it just occurred to me there might be a chance they install it while we are there. Easter is on April 20th, so the possibility wasn't on my radar.

 

[mrsap]

Based on previous years, how early does the Easter display in the lobby go up? We will be there from March 22-29, and it just occurred to me there might be a chance they install it while we are there. Easter is on April 20th, so the possibility wasn't on my radar.

The past couple years they were up approximately a month prior to Easter.

2024: The Easter Cottage at The Grand started going up 2/29/24 last year and opened 3/3/24. The decorations were also up on 3/3/24. Easter was March 31st.

2023: The Cottage went up 3/7/23 the year before, and so did the decorations. Easter was April 9.

 

[MommaKetch]

Fantastic news @mrsap! Thank you!

 

[tinabina919]

Based on previous years, how early does the Easter display in the lobby go up? We will be there from March 22-29, and it just occurred to me there might be a chance they install it while we are there. Easter is on April 20th, so the possibility wasn't on my radar.

We are going the same dates and I’m also really looking forward to the Easter Cottage & egg displays. Seems like they tend to go up about a month before Easter so it should be up during the week we arrive although I am hoping maybe they start next week after St. Patrick’s is over.

 

[mrsap]

​

DISNEY’S GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT & SPA EASTER​

Easter Egg Display in the Lobby (Available March 18 through April 20)




EASTER TREATS

Gasparilla Island Grill (Available March 18 through April 20; mobile order available)

• Bunny Burrow Dirt Cup: Layers of chocolate cake, chocolate buttercream, and sandwich cookie pieces with springtime décor

 

[disneyfan150]

Oh my goodness! Wish I could pop down for a day or two to enjoy the displays!!

 

[mrsap]

Art From 1900 Park Fare Restaurant Now Available for Purchase at Disney’s Grand Floridian​

A new Art of Disney on Demand kiosk has been added to the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and the kiosk sells several pieces of art from 1900 Park Fare that are available to purchase for the first time.



The new kiosk has been added to the M. Mouse Mercantile gift shop located on the second floor of the Grand Floridian Resort lobby.



The Art of Disney on Demand kiosk has been placed directly in the middle of the store’s center room. The wood around the stand has been painted white with gold trim to match the store’s aesthetic.



The kiosk can be used to order art that is printed and shipped to guests’ homes. There is a regular selection of art featuring Disney characters and park icons. However, like the kiosk at Disney’s Riviera Resort, the Grand Floridian kiosk also features art exclusive to the resort.


The eleven pieces of art available in the Grand Floridian tab are comprised of paintings that were added to 1900 Park Fare when the restaurant reopened in April 2024.

The new paintings were added to 1900 Park Fare during its lengthy refurbishment. Guests dining in the restaurant can see the full-size paintings adorning the walls of the main buffet room near the ceiling.


The paintings in 1900 Park Fare were all chosen to match the renovated restaurant’s theme of characters who all achieved their dreams after making a wish. Some of the art includes Aladdin wishing on Genie’s lamp, Tiana wishing on a star, and Belle wishing for adventure in the great wide somewhere. The characters meeting guests in the restaurant also match this theme.

Click on the link to see additional pics.

 

[PKJoe]

Grand Floridian as of 4:30am today. Eggs tomorrow.... can't wait!

 

[mrsap]

Grand Floridian as of 4:30am today. Eggs tomorrow.... can't wait!

Thank you for sharing!

 

[mrsap]

Grand Cottage and Easter Prep Begins at Disney’s Grand Floridian

The cottage is expected to open tomorrow, Tuesday, March 18.



Spring is here, and Easter is just around the corner. Walt Disney World is getting ready for the celebration, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is kicking off the springtime fun.

The grand opening of the Grand Cottage and stunning Easter Egg Displays are arriving soon, and it looks like Easter prep has already begun.

Additional photos can be found HERE.

 

[mrsap]

2025 Grand Cottage Now Open for Easter at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort​

The Grand Cottage at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is now open and serving up plenty of Easter and spring-themed treats.



The Grand Cottage originally debuted in 2022 and has now returned for its fourth year. It serves as a snack stand in the lobby of the resort that offers spring and Easter-themed treats.



The kiosk is decorated with yellow and blue paneling with a sign that reads “The Grand Cottage” along with the Grand Floridian logo and a small rabbit.



The kiosk is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

​

Treats​

Noticably absent from this year’s menu offerings, however, is the The Grand Egg, a large chocolate egg offered every year since the Grand Cottage first debuted in 2022 — until now. During previous years, the interior was filled with jelly beans.

Lemon Blueberry Whoopie Pie – $8.19​

The whoopie pie is yellow with two layers and a rabbit on the top.

Mickey Fruit Flavored Cereal Pop – $6.99​

This cereal pop is shaped like Mickey and has fruit-flavored pieces.

Cream Cheese Carrot Coffee Cake – $9.49​

This coffee cake is a loaf shape with an orange and red topping.

Guava Cream Cheese Sweet Roll – $4.49​

This sweet roll is topped with icing.

Bunny Burrow Dirt Cup – $7.99​

The “bottom of the cup is “dirt” cup is topped with green icing and a pink and yellow flower.

Carrot Blondie Pop – $7.49​

This blondie pop is shaped like a carrot and decorated with orange, black, and green.

Macaron Box – $14.99​

This box of macaroons is multi-colored and contains various flavors.


The hot cross bun has criss-cross icing on the top.


Eggs are also on Display! Pictures coming!

 

[mrsap]

THE GRAND FLORIDIAN EASTER EGGS ARE NOW ON DISPLAY

Video:

Pictures:












Video and pictures posted by Fantasy Land News on Facebook.

Additional pictures of Eggs on display, not pictured above, can be found HERE.