Grand Floridian shouldn’t allow non hotel guests

[Man-DeLorean]

My family and I just returned from a 7-night stay at the Grand Floridian this past week for Thanksgiving. The lobby was consistently crowded, and we often had to wait for a second, and sometimes even a third, monorail. I completely understand that many people want to visit the resort to see the Christmas decorations, and I know that selling gingerbread is a revenue generator. However, I believe priority should be given to resort guests when it comes to boarding the monorail. After all, one of the main reasons you're paying a premium price to stay at this resort is for its amenities and transportation.

A simple solution could be offering GF resort guests wristbands or cards for priority boarding. After all, only guests staying at the Beach/Yacht Club are allowed access to Stormalong Bay, so it seems fair to extend similar privileges for monorail access during peak times.

 

[DisnEElove]

<sigh> You're reading a whole lot into my post that wasn't directed at you, specifically, but rather to the thread as a whole, which IS about exclusivity. There was a reason I limited my quote to the "favourite resort" part.

When you quote someone in your reply, you are essentially respondng to their statement. That's why we receive notifications that someone has quoted us. If it wasn't meant for me, maybe don't quote me. No harm done though. But even the OP further clarified their statement. Most of us are not wishing to make things entirely exclusive, but changes need to be made nonetheless so that we can enjoy it too! I'm guessing most of you read the title of the post and get instantly defensive to the point that you don't really read through the evolution of the thread. People are offering ideas on how visitors can sight-see but staying guests/adr guests can still enjoy as well.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

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My family and I just returned from a 7-night stay at the Grand Floridian this past week for Thanksgiving. The lobby was consistently crowded, and we often had to wait for a second, and sometimes even a third, monorail. I completely understand that many people want to visit the resort to see the Christmas decorations, and I know that selling gingerbread is a revenue generator. However, I believe priority should be given to resort guests when it comes to boarding the monorail. After all, one of the main reasons you're paying a premium price to stay at this resort is for its amenities and transportation.

A simple solution could be offering GF resort guests wristbands or cards for priority boarding. After all, only guests staying at the Beach/Yacht Club are allowed access to Stormalong Bay, so it seems fair to extend similar privileges for monorail access during peak times.

So I don’t necessarily disagree with this but for those arguing for implementing this kind of solution, would it be consistent across all modes of transportation? How do you deal with shared modes (like the skyliner) that have both deluxe, value and non-guests utilizing it? Are guests staying at RIV given equal priority to CB even though they may have paid more? (Note: I’m not arguing they should - just pointing out the slippery slope…)

 

[Sandisw]

Problem is Disney is starting to upset the guests who pay for the deluxe experience

Personally I’m now fully decided that at the end of next year I will sell my gfv contract.

Some? Sure..but I bet there are plenty of guests who are not upset about it and would go out on a limb to say it would be seen as a bad move on Disney’s part.

I can say there are guests who stay at WDW specially because of the ability to soak in the magic of it all, which includes a trip to GF….and I probably contribute to it as I recommended it as a must do during a holiday visit.

But I do understand that the experience is no longer a positive one for you and that does impact a trip.

 

[nuhusky123]

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So I don’t necessarily disagree with this but for those arguing for implementing this kind of solution, would it be consistent across all modes of transportation? How do you deal with shared modes (like the skyliner) that have both deluxe, value and non-guests utilizing it? Are guests staying at RIV given equal priority to CB even though they may have paid more (Note: I’m not arguing they should - just pointing out the slippery slope…)

Isn’t Disney all bout creating and selling premium offerings to those who can afford them?

Lightening lanes cost money and purchased by those who can afford

Lightening lane premium again purchased by those who can afford

The custom tours that cost an arm and leg but purchased by those who can afford

Same applies for hotel classes. Moderate, deluxe etc

Why shouldn’t a deluxe guest get skylines priority over value guests? If you as a guest value the priority boarding pay for deluxe. If you prefer to save a few $ go value resort

 

[Sandisw]

I have no recollection of that ever happening. If there are written accounts of how it was managed at the time (forum posts, blogs) would be curious to read.

As for the monorail, it's hard to hypothesize about the need for change without really understating the system and its passenger flows. The theory is that the monorail is being overloaded due to guests coming to GF to see the gingerbread house, et al. Given the direction the train moves, you would have people coming from MK, Contemporary, TTC and Poly all riding that resorts monorail to the GF to view holiday decor. Well, if there really are an excessive number of people arriving via train, they should be freeing up a lot of capacity for more passengers to load at GF with every train that arrives.

If 100 people disembark from the resort monorail at the GF, it means there's space for 100 to get on. Things continue to flow.

If that's not happening, it makes me question other factors. Was it an Extended Evening Hours night or MVMCP? We're assuming that a couple hundred people loitering around the GF lobby means many were non guests. But it's a 1000 room hotel. It doesn't take a huge percent of actual resort guests headed to MK during the evening window to cause transportation to back-up. Adding more queues and scans isn't going to help the flow much if 80-90% of the riders are actually hotel guests. But the change in procedures will frustrate many people, both guests and non-guests.

The closed walking path between Poly and GF is undoubtedly a huge issue. One that may be resolved in about 2 weeks. If people really are riding the monorail to tour decor (or coming over for a meal, etc), walking from Poly to GF is a very easy trek. But it hasn't been available for more than a year.

At the times in question, there may have been unplanned problems with the express monorail which caused traffic to spike for the resort monorail.

I'm unclear how we're even judging the ratio of guests to non-guests. Yes, the lobby is busier during the holidays. But a big portion of that increase is probably resort guests themselves, who have similar reasons to visit more often and spend more time in the lobby. I really hope it's not "I could tell they didn't belong here" or "I overheard a family talking about driving from Kissimmee."

It was a long long time ago that happened with showing you were a guest…i remember having to do it in the 80s?

 

[Man-DeLorean]

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So I don’t necessarily disagree with this but for those arguing for implementing this kind of solution, would it be consistent across all modes of transportation? How do you deal with shared modes (like the skyliner) that have both deluxe, value and non-guests utilizing it? Are guests staying at RIV given equal priority to CB even though they may have paid more (Note: I’m not arguing they should - just pointing out the slippery slope…

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So I don’t necessarily disagree with this but for those arguing for implementing this kind of solution, would it be consistent across all modes of transportation? How do you deal with shared modes (like the skyliner) that have both deluxe, value and non-guests utilizing it? Are guests staying at RIV given equal priority to CB even though they may have paid more? (Note: I’m not arguing they should - just pointing out the slippery slope…)

This issue isn't about whether the resort is classified as value, moderate, or deluxe. My point is that there are ways to put controls in place so guests who are paying for a specific accommodation can have access to certain amenities. Are you suggesting that everyone should have equal access to Stormalong Bay? This policy is unique to this resort—no other pool has this type of restriction. They are the only resort pool that limits access, and I don't have an issue with that. If I paid to stay at the resort, I should be able to enjoy the pool with my family.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Isn’t Disney all bout creating and selling premium offerings to those who can afford them?

Lightening lanes cost money and purchased by those who can afford

Lightening lane premium again purchased by those who can afford

The custom tours that cost an arm and leg but purchased by those who can afford

Same applies for hotel classes. Moderate, deluxe etc

Why shouldn’t a deluxe guest get skylines priority over value guests? If you as a guest value the priority boarding pay for deluxe. If you prefer to save a few $ go value resort

I specifically said I wasn’t disagreeing with the suggestion - just posing the question about whether there would be consistency.

 

[nuhusky123]

Some? Sure..but I bet there are plenty of guests who are not upset about it and would go out on a limb to say it would be seen as a bad move on Disney’s part.

I can say there are guests who stay at WDW specially because of the ability to soak in the magic of it all, which includes a trip to GF….and I probably contribute to it as I recommended it as a must do during a holiday visit.

But I do understand that the experience is no longer a positive one for you and that does impact a trip.

I’d wager Sandi not a single gf guest would complain about fixing this problem and in fact they would welcome such improvements to a point where they might spend more $ at gf

The only people who would complain are non hotel guests and why would upsetting them honestly matter? If they are not paying to stay at the resort what is the harm of upsetting them?

 

[Sandisw]

Just want to add that the Gingerbread House is built for the specific purpose of attracting guests who will shop there.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

This issue isn't about whether the resort is classified as value, moderate, or deluxe. My point is that there are ways to put controls in place so guests who are paying for a specific accommodation can have access to certain amenities. Are you suggesting that everyone should have equal access to Stormalong Bay? This policy is unique to this resort—no other pool has this type of restriction. They are the only resort pool that limits access, and I don't have an issue with that. If I paid to stay at the resort, I should be able to enjoy the pool with my family.

Again - I’m not arguing one way or the other. I’m just pointing out that there are potential inconsistencies with the suggested policies.

 

[Sandisw]

I’d wager Sandi not a single gf guest would complain about fixing this problem and in fact they would welcome such improvements to a point where they might spend more $ at gf

The only people who would complain are non hotel guests and why would upsetting them honestly matter? If they are not paying to stay at the resort what is the harm of upsetting them?

I love that we can visit other resorts and the hustle and bustle of the GF during the holidays does not bother me.

Again, the house is there to be a destination for WDW guests to experience and not only for GF guests….so, I can’t say I’d want to be restricted from visiting in December and stopping others doesn’t currently impact me in a way that bothers me.
ETA. Rephrased another way…if Disney asked me as frequent guest of GF and owner if I would want to see people restricted from visiting during the holidays I would say a resounding no.

 

[DisnEElove]

You are putting words in my mouth. A number of posters have implied or overtly said this is about elitism. That’s grossly unfair

I paid for a product and I’m not getting access to that product because wdw is giving it away for free to others thereby reducing the value of my $ and enjoyment of that product

No one just has a right to go to gf or any wdw hotel because it’s a wdw hotel or because they went when they were five so now they have an inherited right as adults, that’s hogwash

This isn’t a communist country. We are a class based country and based on those values you get access to what you pay for

If you fly delta can you sit in first class if you buy an economy class ticket? No

If you buy a Honda civic but see a Mercedes g wagon in the grocery store parking lot are you allowed to swap cars? No

So why is it ok for people who have not paid for the gf amenities to use them at the cost of paid guests?

I remember seeing that 'elite much" (or something similar to that) comment and it was the reason I joined the conversation.
I see similar comments in forums where some resale-only members call direct members idiots for paying the higher prices to buy-in, but then get very touchy when Disney talks about new benefits for direct members. Thank God it's not everyone.

 

[DisnEElove]

.

So I don’t necessarily disagree with this but for those arguing for implementing this kind of solution, would it be consistent across all modes of transportation? How do you deal with shared modes (like the skyliner) that have both deluxe, value and non-guests utilizing it? Are guests staying at RIV given equal priority to CB even though they may have paid more? (Note: I’m not arguing they should - just pointing out the slippery slope…)

I dont particularly stay at RIV, so is there a huge issue with RIV guests being able to board the skyline during the Christmas holidays?

 

[Sandisw]

You are putting words in my mouth. A number of posters have implied or overtly said this is about elitism. That’s grossly unfair

I paid for a product and I’m not getting access to that product because wdw is giving it away for free to others thereby reducing the value of my $ and enjoyment of that product

No one just has a right to go to gf or any wdw hotel because it’s a wdw hotel or because they went when they were five so now they have an inherited right as adults, that’s hogwash

This isn’t a communist country. We are a class based country and based on those values you get access to what you pay for

If you fly delta can you sit in first class if you buy an economy class ticket? No

If you buy a Honda civic but see a Mercedes g wagon in the grocery store parking lot are you allowed to swap cars? No

So why is it ok for people who have not paid for the gf amenities to use them at the cost of paid guests?

First, GF is owned by Disney and they have the right to set whatever rules they want for their hotels.

As owners, we get to access those hotels because we are WDW guests as well. We should not expect that our ownership gives us more rights when it comes to things outside of DVC.

So, whether some like it or not, and it is okay to not like the policy that WDW has in place for visiting other resorts, they do it because they want to encourage.

As I said, the Gingerbread House is built to be an an experience at WDW during the holidays and a place to sell merchandise. It’s not built solely for the enjoyment of GF guests.

Disney has chosen to open their hotels to everyone whether you stay there or not and it has to be because it’s of benefit to do so.

Now, it certainly impacts the travel and Disney should have more boats, etc to go to/from the park for guests since monorail can only hold so much…

I know they do limit…did last year…that ordering food from Gasprillas was limited to resort guests only…so they do try.

Again, I simply am fine with it and it is why we bought VGF.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

My point is that there are ways to put controls in place so guests who are paying for a specific accommodation can have access to certain amenities.

Outside of the roasting marshmallow activity that someone mentioned is there something else that only guests of Grand Floridian are supposed to have access to that is spoken about in this thread? Everything else I've seen mentioned (but I may not have paid enough attention to) is something that everyone has access to and is actively encouraged by Disney to partake in.

People stay at these resorts for all sorts of reasons including simply that's where the availability was, hard to say that some amenity is strictly something the collective masses were paying specifically for; some may stay there for the ambience, some for the proximity, some for the monorail access which can get them to Epcot too, some it's just a Deluxe resort that allows them the evening extra magic hours, etc.

Not that I'm advocating for it but if you go to Tokyo Disney their monorail by law has to charge a fee for everyone in order to use it because it's considered a mode of transportation. I rather doubt people would want that to be something at WDW but it might help some of the squabbling over monorail access by removing a perceived ownership of a mode of transportation.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

I dont particularly stay at RIV, so is there a huge issue with RIV guests being able to board the skyline during the Christmas holidays?

No, it’s a year-round challenge because RIV is the last stop on the route towards EPCOT. So depending on the season/time of day, you will often need to wait while guests from CB, POP, and AofA (and of course, non-guests) fill the cars.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

An electronic sign currently up on World Drive heading towards MK made me think of this thread:

“Grand Flo Gingerbread Park at MK”

 

[Man-DeLorean]

Outside of the roasting marshmallow activity that someone mentioned is there something else that only guests of Grand Floridian are supposed to have access to that is spoken about in this thread? Everything else I've seen mentioned (but I may not have paid enough attention to) is something that everyone has access to and is actively encouraged by Disney to partake in.

People stay at these resorts for all sorts of reasons including simply that's where the availability was, hard to say that some amenity is strictly something the collective masses were paying specifically for; some may stay there for the ambience, some for the proximity, some for the monorail access which can get them to Epcot too, some it's just a Deluxe resort that allows them the evening extra magic hours, etc.

Not that I'm advocating for it but if you go to Tokyo Disney their monorail by law has to charge a fee for everyone in order to use it because it's considered a mode of transportation. I rather doubt people would want that to be something at WDW but it might help some of the squabbling over monorail access by removing a perceived ownership of a mode of transportation.

Outside of the roasting marshmallow activity that someone mentioned is there something else that only guests of Grand Floridian are supposed to have access to that is spoken about in this thread? Everything else I've seen mentioned (but I may not have paid enough attention to) is something that everyone has access to and is actively encouraged by Disney to partake in.

People stay at these resorts for all sorts of reasons including simply that's where the availability was, hard to say that some amenity is strictly something the collective masses were paying specifically for; some may stay there for the ambience, some for the proximity, some for the monorail access which can get them to Epcot too, some it's just a Deluxe resort that allows them the evening extra magic hours, etc.

Not that I'm advocating for it but if you go to Tokyo Disney their monorail by law has to charge a fee for everyone in order to use it because it's considered a mode of transportation. I rather doubt people would want that to be something at WDW but it might help some of the squabbling over monorail access by removing a perceived ownership of a mode of transportation.

There’s no squabbling, and I never said that non-resort guests should be denied access to the monorail. Do you really think people stay at the Grand Floridian simply because "that was the only availability"? As you may know, Tokyo Disney is owned by the Oriental Land Company, and they also restrict access to the new Fantasy Disney Springs Hotel for non-guests, unless they have a dining reservation. The basic principle is that, in any resort experiencing overcrowding of a particular hotel amenity (whether it’s a bus, monorail, Skyliner, pool, etc., at a Deluxe, Moderate, or Value resort), guests who are paying for the experience should be given priority.

 

[crazycatlady]

Outside of the roasting marshmallow activity that someone mentioned is there something else that only guests of Grand Floridian are supposed to have access to that is spoken about in this thread? Everything else I've seen mentioned (but I may not have paid enough attention to) is something that everyone has access to and is actively encouraged by Disney to partake in.

People stay at these resorts for all sorts of reasons including simply that's where the availability was, hard to say that some amenity is strictly something the collective masses were paying specifically for; some may stay there for the ambience, some for the proximity, some for the monorail access which can get them to Epcot too, some it's just a Deluxe resort that allows them the evening extra magic hours, etc.

Not that I'm advocating for it but if you go to Tokyo Disney their monorail by law has to charge a fee for everyone in order to use it because it's considered a mode of transportation. I rather doubt people would want that to be something at WDW but it might help some of the squabbling over monorail access by removing a perceived ownership of a mode of transportation.

It's not a "perceived ownership" of the monorail and boats, it is the ONLY way resort guests of the GF can get to the MK since there is no bus service. Sure, you can walk, but that is not an insignificant distance on a trip that already includes a lot of walking and why should the people who pay the very high rates to stay at a monorail resort for close access to the MK have to walk just to get to there?

I have seen a lot of complaints on the DIS over the years from people staying at all resorts about long waits to get back to their resorts at the end of the night, but this was ALL DAY from every park to get back to the GF last December. No matter what time we left a park, if we were lucky enough to get on the first bus that came, it was almost definitely standing room only and jam packed.

As I said above thread, I would never want Disney to limit access to the resorts because we love to visit all of them, but there has to be better solutions for the crowds for transportation and quick service restaurants during busy times.