Grand Floridian shouldn’t allow non hotel guests

[Chuck S]

While we are at it, Santa isn't real either.

 

[eandt]

Did you really not know that the house isn't actually built with gingerbread?

If so, I'm sorry for being the one to tell you.
While we are at it, Santa isn't real either.

Then why have I been trekking all the way to the GF via bus, train, boat and automobile from the land of giant legos and soccer balls to see and adore it???? Roger on Santa …duh … thought for a minute there you were going to deny the existence of the Easter Bunny

 

[hockeydad21]

If the resort and DVC sides are full, then that is a lot of people and very well could be why things are as busy as they are.

It could also explain why the parking lot is full since they don’t let those not staying at the resort park.

I shared that they limited mobile order last year when I was staying to resort guests and it was still a wait. Nothing to do with non resort guests.

Not sure why you say that cutting off mobile ordering from non-resort guests has nothing to do with non-resort guests? Imagine how bad the wait would have been for your food if they didn't cut off non-resort guests - thus a far worse experience for your paying GF guests.

 

[hockeydad21]

I've been wondering this myself. Who actually eats gingerbread? There must be 100 other treats around WDW that are more satisfying to eat than a slab of gingerbread. For that matter, what's the attraction of the gingerbread house in the first place? It's not like it's actually constructed from baked goods. Its a miniature fabricated house that people glue ginger bread on to!

 

[Sandisw]

Not sure why you say that cutting off mobile ordering from non-resort guests has nothing to do with non-resort guests? Imagine how bad the wait would have been for your food if they didn't cut off non-resort guests - thus a far worse experience for your paying GF guests.

It didn’t because they were not contributing to it. But the point was more about the fact that stopping non resort guests doesn’t all of a sudden make it so less crowded that people won’t have waits.

Strong possibility crowds last week very well were mostly guests of the resort and that non resort guests were not the main cause of all the back up for monorail when it did happen…which was not all day every day based on some people’s experiences.

Seems like some do believe that if non guests are kept out that their won’t be long lines Just not true.

My opinion is the number of visitors who are neither dining or staying are not as plentiful as some believe.

Having the experience that I do, the crowds at GF during the holidays are definitely more than a random time other times of the year and what one would expect given the gingerbread house.

Not everyone staying at GF views what is happening as a huge inconvenience and go in expecting it to be crowded…and IMO, it’s never been SRO where you can’t move around.

 

[hockeydad21]

It didn’t because they were not contributing to it. But the point was more about the fact that stopping non resort guests doesn’t all of a sudden make it so less crowded that people won’t have waits.

Sure, but wouldn’t you agree that waiting 15 minutes for your food without non-guests being able to mobile order vs waiting 45 minutes for that same food with the influx of non-resort guests? Same applies to the monorail lines, enchanted rose, etc.

You could say it’s not an inconvenience to you all you want, but given that it seems you go to Disney numerous times a year or are a local visiting frequently, it will impact you very differently than say someone who visits once a year or it’s their once in a lifetime trip.

 

[Sandisw]

Sure, but wouldn’t you agree that waiting 15 minutes for your food without non-guests being able to mobile order vs waiting 45 minutes for that same food with the influx of non-resort guests? Same applies to the monorail lines, enchanted rose, etc.

You could say it’s not an inconvenience to you all you want, but given that it seems you go to Disney numerous times a year or are a local visiting frequently, it will impact you very differently than say someone who visits once a year or it’s their once in a lifetime trip.

Of course, it’s always nice to wait less. But if one knows something is going to be busy then one should have realistic expectations about it and its impact.

If I had to wait 45 minutes for a mobile order at GF, when its resort guests only, then I’d either wait or have to make a different choice. But when someone understand that it will be busy and expects that, then their level of tolerance is higher...and to be frank, we have no idea how many non guests who visit the GB are spending time eating at GG either.....

I know it may not be a popular opinion but GF is not the resort to stay at during the holidays if you want a relaxed or less busy atmosphere. As long as it’s a destination for visitors because of the gingerbread house, it’s just not going to be. And, I am certainly not the only one out there who views this situation the way I do....that the non resort guests who are there are simply not so out of line that major changes to stop their visits are needed.

My guess is there are more visitors than not who go to WDW for the holidays who enjoy the ability to visit other resorts and who know it’s going to be crowded and expect to have to be flexible with how long things might take both in and outside the parks.

Everyone I know who visits this time of year gets that advice from me.

I have said buses should be used if the monorail is constantly a long wait…to give guests other options.

But in all the times I have visited during December the last 5 years or so, and I am not a local, crowds were an ebb and flow and there were many times during our stay there simply was no wait for the monorail outside what we typically see.

ETA: Not dismissing anyone’s account of having it crazy, just saying that it’s not always as busy as it was last week. Plenty of times during my December trips, other than the lobby being busy, my times for food and transportation were not more or that much more than what I experience during other times of the year...

 

[GADisneyDad14]

This…

God knows how many pages back I call out an annoyance of mine. Disney NEVER does anything new for holidays. They dust off last years stuff and repeat

The parades

The decorations

The ginger house

Yeah it’s pretty but honestly it’s boring. Come on wdw where is the ha7mted mansion overlay Disney land gets

Why can’t you put holiday overlays on rides, stop being boring

Universal on the other hand crush holidays. Halloween, no contest. Christmas also much better in my view. Do the universal holiday tour if you can, well worth a few hours of your time

Ahh, so now this all makes sense.

 

[Chuck S]

They used to do a a Christmas overlay for Country Bears. And they do an overlay in the greenhouse at LIving With The Land. I wish they'd do the Haunted Mansion at least once, like they do at Disneyland...but then there are also those that think each park should have their own unique overlays, and not share between parks. So you just can't please everyone. They could do a Tiki Room overlay. But then there are attractions like pirates and such that really would not do well with an overlay.

The Christmas Parade is a classic tradition, a lot of people would probably not want to see changed.

 

[Smugpugmug]

They used to do a a Christmas overlay for Country Bears. And they do an overlay in the greenhouse at LIving With The Land. I wish they'd do the Haunted Mansion at least once, like they do at Disneyland...but then there are also those that think each park should have their own unique overlays, and not share between parks. So you just can't please everyone. They could do a Tiki Room overlay. But then there are attractions like pirates and such that really would not do well with an overlay.

The Christmas Parade is a classic tradition, a lot of people would probably not to see changed.

Tokyo still has the Christmas overlay for Country Bears as I saw it two weeks ago and thought it was really charming! I feel like that would be a big hit at WDW but I guess we get the Disney sing a long instead

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

They used to do a a Christmas overlay for Country Bears. And they do an overlay in the greenhouse at LIving With The Land. I wish they'd do the Haunted Mansion at least once, like they do at Disneyland...but then there are also those that think each park should have their own unique overlays, and not share between parks. So you just can't please everyone. They could do a Tiki Room overlay. But then there are attractions like pirates and such that really would not do well with an overlay.

The Christmas Parade is a classic tradition, a lot of people would probably not to see changed.

I consider myself very informed about the happenings at Disney World, and yet… I was surprised and saddened how much of the Christmas overlays and events were gate-kept behind MVMCP.

I get it, but also, I’m not enticed to go to WDW at all in the winter months for the theming unless I’m going to the special ticketed events. Particularly when you consider the impact to normal daytime operating hours.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

They did tinker a bit with the Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime parade soundtrack this year and I’m not at all happy about it.

 

[Minnie1222]

Universal on the other hand crush holidays. Halloween, no contest. Christmas also much better in my view. Do the universal holiday tour if you can, well worth a few hours of your time

I don't know about "crush". They are different, but not superior.

 

[eandt]

These fine folks at DIS are so trying to help the afternoon tea crowd with their lobby and train dilemma ….Don’t buy it unwashed, though beautiful the WL display of fake squirrel and fox ornaments doesn’t compare with the grandeur and intoxicating aroma of the GF’s lobby authentic gingerbread display …the fact the GF also comes with free passage on the resort loop train only enhances the journey …

https://www.wdwinfo.com/walt-disney-world/wilderness-lodge-is-the-ultimate-disney-christmas-resort/

 

[Tigger's ally]

These fine folks at DIS are so trying to help the afternoon tea crowd with their lobby and train dilemma ….Don’t buy it unwashed, though beautiful the WL display of fake squirrel and fox ornaments doesn’t compare with the grandeur and intoxicating aroma of the GF’s lobby authentic gingerbread display …the fact the GF also comes with free passage on the resort loop train only enhances the journey …

https://www.wdwinfo.com/walt-disney-world/wilderness-lodge-is-the-ultimate-disney-christmas-resort/

I have always preferred the WL lobby at Christmas (or basically any other time).

 

[Einstein509]

Please try and rinse the mud off your boots before stepping in the lobby. We know you don’t care about who has to foot the cleaning bill.

We will also bring some body spray to cover our stench before we enter the lobby as to not upset the elite.

 

[eandt]

We will also bring some body spray to cover our stench before we enter the lobby as to not upset the elite.

Very thoughtful but slap that stuff on on monorail platform before defiling the train … after all we do live in a society!!

 

[Einstein509]

Did you really not know that the house isn't actually built with gingerbread?

If so, I'm sorry for being the one to tell you.
While we are at it, Santa isn't real either.

Wait, what?!?!

Santa is not real? Where is your proof? Fake news.

 

[Minnie1222]

We will also bring some body spray to cover our stench before we enter the lobby as to not upset the elite.

Make sure to bring the strongest scent. I would also spray at random guests just in case they're peasants like us.

 

[Lewisc]

Yes, they now attach your credit score to your MB+ and MDE app and non-guests who have below a 750 are not allowed in the GF….

A lower score suggests a customer willing to assume debt. Run up interest charges. A great customer for Disney and Disney's bank partner Chase.

Did you really not know that the house isn't actually built with gingerbread?

If so, I'm sorry for being the one to tell you.
While we are at it, Santa isn't real either.

Isn't it built with gingerbread shingles? Covered in shellac to preserve it for the season.