Grand Floridian shouldn’t allow non hotel guests

[Sandisw]

Logical but you have to go to ttc if you want to go to Epcot from any monorail resorts

No bus to Epcot for these resorts

Which is what they should add…just like they add them to RIv when the Skyliner is down.

If you add both MK and Epcot buses to GF and PVB during the holidays, exclusive to each one and not shared. that would go a long way to provide guests of those resorts an additional way to get to those parks and avoid the monorail if the line is long.

 

[cbailey1616]

Except that is going to increase the time for resort guests as well because they will have to scan everyone to make sure they are staying at the resort, which might increase times when currently there are not.

Since dining is open to all, and those coming to the monorail resorts to eat, must use that to get to any of the three, unless they drive.

So, it’s impossible to limit the monorail to just resort guests unless Disney prohibits dining at those resorts from non resort guests too.

Its far from impossible. You have all your reservations linked to your account. Dining and resort attendees can scan to enter the resort monorail queue. The technology is already there.

 

[eandt]

Logical but you have to go to ttc if you want to go to Epcot from any monorail resorts

No bus to Epcot for these resorts

Ok right forgot about that having only stayed at the Polynesian from which we could walk to both catch the Epcot Monorail and take in the splendor of the GF Gingerbread house

 

[eandt]

I like aulanis model of dvc getting sparkly ones

Easier to find the hotel peasants

 

[nuhusky123]

Ok right forgot about that having only stayed at the Polynesian from which we could walk to both catch the Epcot Monorail and take in the splendor of the GF Gingerbread house

Poly is awesome in that you can walk to ttc. Bit far for gf

 

[Sandisw]

Its far from impossible. You have all your reservations linked to your account. Dining and resort attendees can scan to enter the resort monorail queue. The technology is already there.

I added the dining comment to my post…so, yes, they could potentially do that.

But, then they are still changing the policy that the monorail resorts are no longer open to all guests and I don’t think they would or want that, because unless you drive, you would have no way to access without the resort monorail.

IMO, more effective and makes more sense to add buses and larger boats for the guests during busy times.

ETA: And I think that is a more likely request for guests to get Disney to do than trying to monitor the resort monorail all the time at 5 different locations.

 

[Chuck S]

Its far from impossible. You have all your reservations linked to your account. Dining and resort attendees can scan to enter the resort monorail queue. The technology is already there.

Remember that several restaurants on Property also book through Open Table. I don't think those would show up in MDE.

 

[eandt]

Poly is awesome in that you can walk to ttc. Bit far for gf

Good way to work off those gingerbread shingles and stollen (not stolen for all you non paying guests) bread

 

[nuhusky123]

Good way to work off those gingerbread shingles and stollen (not stolen for all you non paying guests) bread

It probably would be faster than waiting for the train sometimes.

 

[ShaneDJ]

Two families. They had two kids with Mickey ears on directly in front of my daughter. My daughter was young and couldn’t see the stage over the ears. I dared to ask the mom to have her kids take off the ears for the show

I was polite. Mom said no so put put my daughter on my lap. I was scolded by a cast member to remove her from my lap so I gestured to cast member about the ears

Cast member asked them to remove the ears and from there it became a thing

The moms were egging on their husbands and instigating the whole thing as the dads never actually saw or heard the exchange directly but they were more than happy to try to start a fight

I just left with my family as it wasn’t worth what was likely going to turn into something once the event ended

You did the right things. Sorry that happened to you.

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

Which is what they should add…just like they add them to RIv when the Skyliner is down.

If you add both MK and Epcot buses to GF and PVB during the holidays, exclusive to each one and not shared. that would go a long way to provide guests of those resorts an additional way to get to those parks and avoid the monorail if the line is long.

Think we could argue lower monorail fees in our dues since we’re asked to avoid it for parts of the year?

 

[princesscinderella]

I’m a little late to the party at 37 pages long, but I agree with the majority that the lobby should be open to all even if it does cause the occasional crowd build up. I bought at VGF day one for the original DVC building and will be staying there next weekend. I love people watching in the lobby while listening to the pianist.

We stayed at WDW in a treehouse for 4th of July during covid before the parks opened and the NBA used the GF for their quarantine quarters. We made dinner reservations at GFC and it was very eerie being in the lobby and the only other people in there were a few employees at the check in/concierge counters and a another employee whose job was literally to wipe down all the hard surfaces in the lobby. She literally was just cleaning already cleaned surfaces because there weren’t any guests touching anything. There were only two other families the whole time we dined that night at GFC. I much prefer the bustling crowd than an empty lobby.

Years ago there was an elderly lady who we would see every time we were in the lobby at GF, she was dressed to the 9’s like she was from the 40s with a hat included and a cart full of her Disney stuffed animals. She was so old she looked like she could have been a ghost haunting the GF. One night dining at V&As we asked about her to our waiter and he said she lived at a retirement home nearby and her aide would bring to to her happy place where she would just sit in the lobby moving around to different spots for hours a few times a week because it was her happy place. We always were on the look out for her and I hope to be like her one day when I’m old and gray, a non paying guest hanging out in the lobby of the GF on the regular.

 

[eandt]

Think we could argue lower monorail fees in our dues since we’re asked to avoid it for parts of the year?

Sure but then they will just raise the price of the gingerbread … Disney is getting your money either by train or confection

 

[intamin]

As much as I would've loved RIV to have this grand cavernous lobby like GF or Jambo or WL, examples like this make me glad it doesn't. I've seen what it's like when the monorail line extends into the building and wraps around the second floor and likewise with enchanted rose. It's miserable and I feel bad for the guests who are staying there that have to deal with it. We actually stayed at BLT last year and it was nice to have GF next door but not actually have to deal with those crowds during the majority of our stay.

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

Sure but then they will just raise the price of the gingerbread … Disney is getting your money either by train or confection

I accept this trade. Dues are a must, gingerbread I can occasionally skip in a fit of willpower

 

[Minnie1222]

Years ago there was an elderly lady who we would see every time we were in the lobby at GF, she was dressed to the 9’s like she was from the 40s with a hat included and a cart full of her Disney stuffed animals. She was so old she looked like she could have been a ghost haunting the GF. One night dining at V&As we asked about her to our waiter and he said she lived at a retirement home nearby and her aide would bring to to her happy place where she would just sit in the lobby moving around to different spots for hours a few times a week because it was her happy place. We always were on the look out for her and I hope to be like her one day when I’m old and gray, a non paying guest hanging out in the lobby of the GF on the regular.

Yes, I remember the lady and her stuffed animals. I always thought she was a special Grand Floridian character.
I remember Mr. Richard too. They are probably both in heaven now.

 

[justme0729]

I have been at the Grand Floridian two times in the past month at "non-peak" times (early afternoon/ late morning during a non-holiday week) and the monorail line was all the way to the staircase. I told myself that I wouldn't choose GF for a Christmas time trip for the same reason. It would be frustrating to wait that long in line every time you wanted to get on the monorail compared to the other resorts.

 

[princesscinderella]

Yes, I remember the lady and her stuffed animals. I always thought she was a special Grand Floridian character.
I remember Mr. Richard too. They are probably both in heaven now.

Our V&A waiter said that a lot of guests used to think they were married and she was waiting for him in the lobby while he worked. I hope they are now happy haunting the GF. My husband can’t resist telling the kids every time we go to the lobby that there used to be birds in the giant birdcage.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I like aulanis model of dvc getting sparkly ones

Easier to find the hotel peasants

If they leave their pool chairs… we just move their towels…. they don’t deserve the 30 minute grace period…..

 

[DonMacGregor]

I’m genuinely curious, why does Disney place all of their large gingerbread displays exclusively at the Deluxe resorts, but not at the Value or Moderate resorts?

Because the people there will try to eat them…