Grand Floridian shouldn’t allow non hotel guests

[AstroBlasters]

I know I'm pointing out the obvious but the DIS is a small quite the minority of guests at the Disney parks. There are certainly some posters who are over it but then others who are not negating each other generally speaking.

So when you say "people" just remember people is only those speaking here, not representative of Disney guests and some sort of presumption of the changing tides of guests staying at any one hotel on Disney property much less to discern it's the holiday decorations driving it.

Right, but that thought process can lead someone to discount any post they read on here and will just reinforce confirmation bias.

Most people will not post on a message board, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t having the conversations within their family.

At Disneyland over the years we went from Grand Cal to Disneyland Hotel to Pixar Place to Marriott to Hilton and then to Air BnB as it got so expensive and our kids got older and we couldn’t travel during off peak times.

We legitimately might have just stopped going if it wasn’t for DVC making staying where we want to stay more affordable.

For dining, we used to always eat at Napa Rose for one of our dinners (at least 10 years in a row) and then they forced our 9yr old to order off the adult
dinner menu and we have not been back since.

So… everyone has a tipping point….

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Right, but that thought process can lead someone to discount any post they read on here and will just reinforce confirmation bias.

Most people will not post on a message board, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t having the conversations within their family.

At Disneyland over the years we went from Grand Cal to Disneyland Hotel to Pixar Place to Marriott to Hilton and then to Air BnB as it got so expensive and our kids got older and we couldn’t travel during off peak times.

We legitimately might have just stopped going if it wasn’t for DVC making staying where we want to stay more affordable.

For dining, we used to always eat at Napa Rose for one of our dinners (at least 10 years in a row) and then they forced our 9yr old to order off the adult
dinner menu and we have not been back sense.

So… everyone has a tipping point….

"This whole thread is a testament to the fact that people are getting fed up with it." is your own confirmation bias at play. As I've said before people tend to overestimate their own influences. Just don't confuse anything that goes on this Board as being representative of the millions of guests that visit the parks and large groups of people that roam the Disney property. It's great fun to chit chat on the Boards but they aren't representative of Disney guests at large so be careful to draw conclusions off of the chit chat.

 

[nuhusky123]

Haven’t stayed at S/D in about 8 years but that makes no sense … they ran buses to MK and AK back then at least … as a side note the bus stop at the BW is the worst organized stop on Disney property for no apparent reason except to screw with we peasants

Edit: According to the Disney website The S/D MK bus drops at the TTC … did not know that, don’t recall that being the case last time we were there …

Around the start of Covid the swan and co switched from Disney busses to mears or some private bus co for all buses to from swan

Because it’s no longer Disney bus they have to go to ttc

My best guess is Marriott didn’t want to pay Disney whatever they were paying and opted to save $ with private bus co

Massive devaluation of staying at swan imo

 

[AstroBlasters]

"This whole thread is a testament to the fact that people are getting fed up with it." is your own confirmation bias at play. As I've said before people tend to overestimate their own influences. Just don't confuse anything that goes on this Board as being representative of the millions of guests that visit the parks and large groups of people that roam the Disney property. It's great fun to chit chat on the Boards but they aren't representative of Disney guests at large so be careful to draw conclusions off of the chit chat.

What an absolutely dismissive statement…. like the level of rudeness is actually laughable.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t in any way need validation. However, it shows that no further dialog is needed.

 

[Man-DeLorean]

"This whole thread is a testament to the fact that people are getting fed up with it." is your own confirmation bias at play. As I've said before people tend to overestimate their own influences. Just don't confuse anything that goes on this Board as being representative of the millions of guests that visit the parks and large groups of people that roam the Disney property. It's great fun to chit chat on the Boards but they aren't representative of Disney guests at large so be careful to draw conclusions off of the chit chat.

Dismissing the concerns on this board simply because they don’t represent the broader public is a flawed and shallow argument. First, it ignores the fact that the people engaging in these discussions are often longtime visitors and die-hard fans. These aren’t just random voices; they’re individuals who have a deep history with the parks and a genuine investment in their experience. Their frustrations are rooted in real, lived experiences, and their voices matter—whether or not they represent the “masses.”

Just because the wider public isn’t speaking out doesn’t mean they aren’t feeling the same issues. Many guests may not bother to complain online or may not be as vocal, but that doesn’t imply satisfaction. In fact, it could suggest apathy or a resignation to the status quo—something far more concerning than vocal complaints. People are often reluctant to voice dissatisfaction unless they feel there’s an outlet or a reason to do so, which is why these message boards are so important. They provide a platform for real feedback.

To argue that these conversations are irrelevant because they aren't from "the masses" is a way to invalidate genuine concerns without addressing them. It’s easy to dismiss smaller groups of voices, but doing so ignores the fact that they can often be more reflective of the deeper issues at play. The lack of vocal complaint from the broader public may simply mean they’ve accepted things as they are, which doesn’t make it any less significant. These voices represent a growing frustration that Disney can’t afford to ignore.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

What an absolutely dismissive statement…. like the level of rudeness is actually laughable.

I'm sorry you see it that way. To your point about someone reading the thread and discounting any post well I'd like to point out that someone reading this thread would certainly get the impression their presence is not wanted at all of which you've commented quite a lot on that subject of excluding people. Of course the thread has ebbed and flowed with the the light-hearted banter back and forth.

If you re-read my initial comment I didn't disagree with you that some people are turned off by xyz and choosing to stay elsewhere, I said that was negated by those who have said they would stay at the Grand Floridian. However, you extrapolating that out to a larger comment and that part I disagreed with you on. To give the impression that the community at large is getting fed up is just not able to be discerned off a thread on a Disney internet forum. Clearly in the 49 pages here there are quite a good chunk of posters who enjoy the decorations, some staying at the Grand Floridian while others are staying elsewhere.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t in any way need validation. However, it shows that no further dialog is needed.

ETA: to your added comment of course feel free to not engage further I won't take offense in the least I assure you

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Around the start of Covid the swan and co switched from Disney busses to mears or some private bus co for all buses to from swan

Because it’s no longer Disney bus they have to go to ttc

My best guess is Marriott didn’t want to pay Disney whatever they were paying and opted to save $ with private bus co

Massive devaluation of staying at swan imo

They are still considered Deluxe though right for the evening extra hours?

I agree though having to go to the TTC first has probably led to overcrowding/overusage of Disney's bus usage for those resorts.

 

[twodogs]

I understand everyone’s frustration with the diminished experience compared to their expectations. I feel that way too a lot of times, but so far not enough for me to stop going to DLR/WDW.

Disney is solving a math problem. What brings them the most revenue (and thus share-holder value)? They will do whatever that is, unless and until it starts to not work (revenue drops), and then they will change it. Unfortunately, that decision-making process doesn’t always (often?) line up with an improved or really enjoyable guest experience.

 

[Lewisc]

Around the start of Covid the swan and co switched from Disney busses to mears or some private bus co for all buses to from swan

Because it’s no longer Disney bus they have to go to ttc

My best guess is Marriott didn’t want to pay Disney whatever they were paying and opted to save $ with private bus co

Massive devaluation of staying at swan imo

There was rumors and speculation which suggested Disney was short bus drivers and didn't offer bus service to them the 3 Marriott resorts.

 

[cheryl.UK]

Well, all I can say is, it we had not been able to visit resorts, I would not have been introduced to DVC and my life would be far sadder. Yes, I get it there are lots of people in the deluxe resorts at Xmas, thanksgiving, easter etc but ask yourself this, would they bother decorating the resorts to the level they do just for hotel guests? Probably not. Would that diminish hotel guests' experience , yes.

 

[hockeydad21]

Around the start of Covid the swan and co switched from Disney busses to mears or some private bus co for all buses to from swan

Because it’s no longer Disney bus they have to go to ttc

My best guess is Marriott didn’t want to pay Disney whatever they were paying and opted to save $ with private bus co

Massive devaluation of staying at swan imo

100% a devaluation for swalphin. And BC/BW guests have every right to be pissed off at Swalphin people using the BC/BW transportation to magic kingdom. I equate this to non-guests sneaking into Disney pools or people pool hopping when it’s no longer allowed. It’s bull that paying guests have to take it on the chin while Disney just lets others mooch of their transportation and pools.

At some point the tipping point will come.

 

[DVCPAT]

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

If you over indulge on the gingerbread shingles and decide to take a nap on the lobby couch, make sure your belly is covered up. It looks like a train station in the lobby during peak visitor hours.
Behind the staircase seems to attract the bleacher creatures

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Well, all I can say is, it we had not been able to visit resorts, I would not have been introduced to DVC and my life would be far sadder. Yes, I get it there are lots of people in the deluxe resorts at Xmas, thanksgiving, easter etc but ask yourself this, would they bother decorating the resorts to the level they do just for hotel guests? Probably not. Would that diminish hotel guests' experience , yes.

I also think because DVC is a more unique timeshare program because the locations are much more limited (primarily in WDW too) the way you get people to buy in probably has to take on a different line than others. I mean how many people do timeshare tours just for the hotel loyalty points or a heavily reduced trip? We almost did a Hilton one earlier this year to Hawaii (but that location in Hawaii was an AWFUL location so declined). We also almost did a Hyatt virtual timeshare offer back in spring but opted not to, I think that would have been just points provided can't remember. But other companies can more rely on those methods to get interest.

Exposure to other resorts by means of visiting them certainly can impact interest (both positive and negative) in a resort (both DVC and non-DVC resorts/parts of a resort). Back in 2022 when we were at Disney for a Disney wedding (which we made a whole vacation out of it) that was the first time I had been to AKL because even though we had stayed at All-Stars back in 2017 I hadn't thought about visiting AKL itself. Our first time there was because we were there for the wedding and AKL was one of the pick up points for the shuttle (the wedding being held at AK park before park opening) and the second was that evening when we had dinner reservations for Sanaa which was fantastic by the way! Someday I'll try Boma. The lobby area of AKL is beautiful and I had been wishing we had stayed there (where our other DISer friends chose to stay). Had we not visited Riviera via the Skyliner from Epcot for that coffee and to chill I doubt that Riviera would be on my list of places that I could eventually choose to book but I really ended up liking Riviera's grounds. And so on.

 

[Sandisw]

One difference this year than last is the 1900 Park Fare reopened….that is a lot of those with dining reservations who were not there last year.

Maybe that has also played a role in people saying it wasn’t this busy last year.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Just because the wider public isn’t speaking out doesn’t mean they aren’t feeling the same issues. Many guests may not bother to complain online or may not be as vocal, but that doesn’t imply satisfaction. In fact, it could suggest apathy or a resignation to the status quo—something far more concerning than vocal complaints. People are often reluctant to voice dissatisfaction unless they feel there’s an outlet or a reason to do so, which is why these message boards are so important. They provide a platform for real feedback.

It also bears mentioning that the “general public” visitor is often on an aspirational, once-in-a-lifetime visit, or at best visits once every few years or even less frequently.

That guest may not have a baseline or reference point by which to compare their experience and to appreciate a change in their experience relative to what it might have been had they visited prior to the change.

In other words, you don’t know what you’re missing if you never had it.

 

[nuhusky123]

They are still considered Deluxe though right for the evening extra hours?

I agree though having to go to the TTC first has probably led to overcrowding/overusage of Disney's bus usage for those resorts.

Yup deluxe

 

[Lewisc]

I equate this to non-guests sneaking into Disney pools or people pool hopping when it’s no longer allowed

Pool hopping is not allowed. Free use of Disney transportation is allowed.

You're equating a real rule with a fake (Karen) rule.

Your point is bogus, fraudulent

 

[DebbieB]

In the interest of research ;-), I took the monorail around after MK today around 4:00. Just stopped at Poly and GF. Both were very busy. GF appeared to have weddings going on also. Lines for the monorail at both resorts. I ended up taking a Lyft back to Boardwalk rather than take the monorail to get a bus. Traffic was crazy, I guess people arriving for the party. The Boardwalk lobby was very busy also when I returned. Tis the Season.

Tomorrow I head home and can put this in perspective. I’d rather have these “issues” than sit in rush hour traffic.

 

[DonMacGregor]

I'd be curious what people think about the fact that GFV owners pay a portion of their transportation dues towards upkeep of the Monorails (as do all Monorail resort owners), even though a few of the "experts" on here are certain that the Monorail is "public transportation", free to be used by anyone, guest and visitor alike ("available to the public" and "publicly funded" are two vastly different things). In fact, every resort pays a portion of operating costs for those modes of transportation serving that resort, be it buses, boats, the Skyliner or the Monorail.

If it is "public transportation" (again available to the public, but not publicly funded), and paid for by everyone who visits WDW, or lives within the greater geographical Central Florida region (through food and merchandise purchases, property taxes, whatever as some have suggested), and free to be used by anyone who chooses to do so, then why place an additional burden on the DVC owners at a particular resort? And, if you DO place that additional burden on those owners, then why would it be impractical to reserve some portion of those modes of transportation for people who are specifically paying for their upkeep and use?

In 2024 VGF owners paid $2.7 million towards transportation that anyone visiting WDW for any reason whatsoever enjoyed for free. Now, it certainly can be argued that the owners could potentially utilize that transportation more than non-owners/non-guests, but it could also be conversely argued that locals (and in particular AP holders) could (and likely do) utilized the WDW transportation system orders of magnitude more than DVC owners who might visit their resort once or twice a year.

As for the congestion once in the resorts, well that's just something you can either adapt to, or deal with through the scheduling of your vacations, but access to the Monorail (or other transportation) in a timely manner seems not to be an out of order request.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Unfortunately, that decision-making process doesn’t always (often?) line up with an improved or really enjoyable guest experience.

Make that 90-95% of the time. See all of Disney's skip the line offerings as examples.