Grand Floridian shouldn’t allow non hotel guests

[nuhusky123]

We stayed at the GF the week before Thanksgiving (last week) and the lobby was definitely more crowded than normal.

I do believe there were 2-3 evening events at MK that week and those evenings the lobby was extremely crowded (the line for the monorail extended into the lobby and past the main stairwell). The other 3 evenings were more manageable. We have stayed the same week for the last decade and attributed the business to the Christmas parties (but who knows).

It will be interesting to see what the increased traffic in the area looks like when the new Tower opens. We tried to walk by the area and it just seems Poly, the new Tower and GF are on top of each other. Sure will miss the more private walkway between the two resorts.

The nights during the Christmas party were just nuts. Seemed like many people go to gf prior to the party

I saw something with transportation I’ve not seen before. Took the boat home after our mk day, the boat at the mk dock was full inbound to mk. Only half the people got off while the other half continued on to gf. All my other trips to mk everyone has gotten off at mk.

Thankfully we were at the front of the line but it did mean many people at the mk dock were denied boarding

 

[hockeydad21]

The nights during the Christmas party were just nuts. Seemed like many people go to gf prior to the party

I saw something with transportation I’ve not seen before. Took the boat home after our mk day, the boat at the mk dock was full inbound to mk. Only half the people got off while the other half continued on to gf. All my other trips to mk everyone has gotten off at mk.

Thankfully we were at the front of the line but it did mean many people at the mk dock were denied boarding

People trying to catch the fireworks from the boat? That's really my only guess.

 

[nuhusky123]

People trying to catch the fireworks from the boat? That's really my only guess.

Took the boat around noon. It was visitors to gf. At least one group were poly guests as they were wondering around a bit aimlessly comparing to their poly resort.

 

[Sandisw]

I also own here and while it can be busy, we bought specifically to go in December and soak it all in.

I know it will be crowded and personally, it doesn’t bother me at all. We also visit the other resorts to see their holiday decorations so I’d be so disappointed if Disney were to prevent resort visiting.

But, if someone is bothered by it, it definitely makes sense to not stay there during this time or year

 

[havoc315]

Wow. I wouldn’t classify OP as an elitist. If DVC sells VGF as deluxe villas and Disney books GF as a deluxe resort, what’s the threshold for inconvenience? There’s a discrepancy amongst Disney rules. A non-hotel guest can ride the monorail to the VGF lobby yet the same non-resort guest can’t park there to see the lobby.

But they can park there for dining.

Remember — MANY non-guests visit GF for dining. We were there last Xhrustmas to dine at Citrico’s…

And while waiting for our table to be ready, we were directed to wait in the very crowded lobby.

The problem isn’t non-resort guests. It’s traffic flow.

And during Christmas holidays, it’s not life the GF lobby is the only crowded congested spot on property. Crowds and congestion is part of Christmas at Disney… WDW simply isn’t the Christmas trip for you if you can’t stand those crowds.

The same non-resort guest can’t crash the pool.

Yes, it’s a busy time of the year which is why I believe priority access to the monorail should be given to monorail hotel guests and possibly those with dining reservations.

I was there last April (after Easter so after the busy period) and it was frustrating to see CMs guide non-resort guests to the hotel monorail line at park closure. I work hard and save so that I can stay at a deluxe resort for what Disney advertises as convenience.

I can empathize with OP.

 

[Tigger's ally]

You all see this as a problem; Disney doesn’t.

And Shouldn't

 

[Genie+]

Funny you mention that. We had the exact same experience last month! Amazing resort, by the way! I agree, logistically, they restricted access and traffic (we never had to show proof of stay to use the elevators, however). But they even took it farther, because I'm pretty sure only guests of the resort could make reservations to eat in the restaurants. Heck, they even had the one restaurant where you had to be staying in the fancy side of the resort to eat there! The GF has so many restaurants with ADRs for folks not staying there - they're not going to restrict that. But if it becomes something they decide to govern, there are certainly ways.

But the FS experience did have us wondering about the new Poly tower. They restricted access to the brand new FS resort because they are concerned about all the people coming just to see it, just to walk through and take pictures. I wonder if that's a similar concern at the new Poly tower. Might they consider restricting entry there?

Bricker just wrote up a recent stay at Toy Story Hotel which is the new place near Fantasy and the first ‘moderate’ monorail resort worldwide. https://www.disneytouristblog.com/toy-story-hotel-review/

He described how only Fantasia can use that park entrance/exit, and TS Hotel guests can’t use that 5 minute shortcut and instead need to take the 30 minute longer route. He raved about the buffet at Toy Story Hotel saying it beat out the deluxe options, but alas that can only be booked by TSH guests. Kind of funny, even deluxe guests are locked out of the moderate buffet

 

[Genie+]

The holiday lobby crowds don’t bother me because we’ve been able to visit the Poly/VGF lobbies at less crowded times while staying there.

Transportation irks me when it’s 45-60 minutes to get to MK from monorail resort. But even that I can plan around a bit… from VGF you can walk to MK (and Poly when the path reopens), and when Poly lobby is cuckoo you can pop onto the TTC ferry/monorail or try the resort launch. We just try to avoid the resort monorail when these resorts are super busy.

The only thing I do wish they’d change is resort ADRs. I think guests of that resort should have some type of booking priority, like 25 or 35% of inventory is held 75-61 days out before all dining is released at 60 days. Part of paying handsomely for these resorts is convenience to dining and lounges. This is an easy way WDW can add value to booking deluxe without punching others in the eye. Other guests already have a hard time booking the high demand times/places they want, and this wouldn’t make that much of a difference there. Want Topolino’s or ‘Ohana on a special night and time? Booking that resort would give the best shot. I’d prefer this even if booking other resort dining became slightly more challenging.

 

[808blessing]

Stayed at 3 resorts this week and although VGF had the craziest lobby crowds, it had the quietest most peaceful rooms....except in the morning when I heard the jackhammers...

 

[DisnEElove]

Fill out your surveys after all stays and make sure to give them candid feedback with it turning into a rant.

They don't send me any surveys anymore for some reason. Last was about a year ago. 4 stays since then and no survey.

 

[PinkPixel]

Wow. I wouldn’t classify OP as an elitist. If DVC sells VGF as deluxe villas and Disney books GF as a deluxe resort, what’s the threshold for inconvenience? There’s a discrepancy amongst Disney rules. A non-hotel guest can ride the monorail to the VGF lobby yet the same non-resort guest can’t park there to see the lobby. The same non-resort guest can’t crash the pool.

Yes, it’s a busy time of the year which is why I believe priority access to the monorail should be given to monorail hotel guests and possibly those with dining reservations.

I was there last April (after Easter so after the busy period) and it was frustrating to see CMs guide non-resort guests to the hotel monorail line at park closure. I work hard and save so that I can stay at a deluxe resort for what Disney advertises as convenience.

I can empathize with OP.

Absolutely, experienced this at MK last April when we couldn't get on a poly/GF boat before fireworks. Tons of park day guests using the small resort boat to hop a ride to watch Happily Ever After from GF boat dock and then head to TTC to beat crowds. It's not elitist to want to use the transportation for the hotel you booked.

 

[PinkPixel]

Stayed at 3 resorts this week and although VGF had the craziest lobby crowds, it had the quietest most peaceful rooms....except in the morning when I heard the jackhammers...

Is this still outside Gasparilla?

 

[PinkPixel]

I watched a TikTok yesterday of a Florida local who parked at TTC and monorailed over to GF with her family to roast marshmallows at the fire pit.

She was promoting this behavior as free activities for Florida locals.

This is part of the problem.

This is crazy Makes me feel unsafe with my family there. It's not a resort but a public park. Social media has changed things.

 

[snacks]

The only thing I do wish they’d change is resort ADRs. I think guests of that resort should have some type of booking priority, like 25 or 35% of inventory is held 75-61 days out before all dining is released at 60 days. Part of paying handsomely for these resorts is convenience to dining and lounges. This is an easy way WDW can add value to booking deluxe without punching others in the eye. Other guests already have a hard time booking the high demand times/places they want, and this wouldn’t make that much of a difference there. Want Topolino’s or ‘Ohana on a special night and time? Booking that resort would give the best shot. I’d prefer this even if booking other resort dining became slightly more challenging.

At least with ADRs everyone has a chance to plan ahead of time. If what you want isn't available on the first try it's easy enough to keep checking back for openings from cancellations. It's the lounges that really annoy me. There should absolutely be some kind of priority for resort guests. The last time that I was at GF the lines for Enchanted Rose wrapped around half of the second floor every evening. We stay at CR a lot and I haven't been able to snag a seat in the Steakhouse 71 lounge since back when it was still called The Wave. Geyser Point, Territory Lounge, Tambu Lounge, Trader Sam's, Crew's Cup, Abracadabar, they are also packed all the time. Quick service at the three monorail resorts should actually be quick for resort guests, especially at the two that didn't get the return of room service.

 

[Genie+]

At least with ADRs everyone has a chance to plan ahead of time. If what you want isn't available on the first try it's easy enough to keep checking back for openings from cancellations. It's the lounges that really annoy me. There should absolutely be some kind of priority for resort guests. The last time that I was at GF the lines for Enchanted Rose wrapped around half of the second floor every evening. We stay at CR a lot and I haven't been able to snag a seat in the Steakhouse 71 lounge since back when it was still called The Wave. Geyser Point, Territory Lounge, Tambu Lounge, Trader Sam's, Crew's Cup, Abracadabar, they are also packed all the time. Quick service at the three monorail resorts should actually be quick for resort guests, especially at the two that didn't get the return of room service.

Oh yeah. The lounges need priority the most.

Part of the value at most deluxe resorts is the variety and logistic efficiency of dining/lounge amenities - that convenience of being near your room whether you’re coming, going or breaking from the parks. Those options are a big factor of the total resort experience.

I’d 100% take the tradeoff of other lounges becoming more challenging if it meant better access at the resort we’re staying. Same with ADRs really. Eating/drinking at our resort impacts our trip much more than if/what time and day we can get reservations elsewhere. We choose where to stay knowing we prefer keeping most meals in that resort. People select resorts for the ease to enjoy its specific amenities.

 

[jcolvin5]

They don't send me any surveys anymore for some reason. Last was about a year ago. 4 stays since then and no survey.

Must be a disconnect somewhere?

I get the GM email within 24 hrs of each resort check in. I am always looking for it and have used it on a few occasions to voice our displeasure, usually regarding the location of our room.

 

[DisnEElove]

Must be a disconnect somewhere?

I get the GM email within 24 hrs of each resort check in. I am always looking for it and have used it on a few occasions to voice our displeasure, usually regarding the location of our room.

Thanks for reminding me of that. I have been looking for the Wdw general surveys - I'll definitely start leaving feedback via Resort GM emails. I think changes just to the monorail and to dining would help so much. Liked the other poster's idea about priority ADRs for resort guests. We try to eat in the park or close to where we stay, so rsvps at other resorts aren't that much of an interest.

 

[hockeydad21]

I’ve always loved the idea of 7 day priority for dining reservation at the resort you’re staying at.

Also would love to see them write code for magic band/key card access to access the resort monorail (coming from TTC or MK) and the resort boats (leaving MK) prior to boarding. If doing this then you could also have the scanners programmed to accept your magic band/key card if you have an active dining reservation at X resort in the next 2 hours - thus guaranteeing you’re spending money via the 2 hour cancellation window or actually eating at a restaurant.

This would bring some normalcy back to the GF, Poly, and Wilderness Lodge lobbies to the benefit of paying resort guests, while also still benefiting Disney’s bottom line. Gotta pay to play.

 

[Cfabar1]

I’ve always loved the idea of 7 day priority for dining reservation at the resort you’re staying at.

Also would love to see them write code for magic band/key card access to access the resort monorail (coming from TTC or MK) and the resort boats (leaving MK) prior to boarding. If doing this then you could also have the scanners programmed to accept your magic band/key card if you have an active dining reservation at X resort in the next 2 hours - thus guaranteeing you’re spending money via the 2 hour cancellation window or actually eating at a restaurant.

This would bring some normalcy back to the GF, Poly, and Wilderness Lodge lobbies to the benefit of paying resort guests, while also still benefiting Disney’s bottom line. Gotta pay to play.

considering they can't get their key card readers to keep the pools secured from non-guests I am not optimistic Disney IT could handle that....

 

[hockeydad21]

considering they can't get their key card readers to keep the pools secured from non-guests I am not optimistic Disney IT could handle that....

Oh I have zero expectations that Disney will actually do this. It’s just a dream of mine.