If you could redesign the Grand Floridian- what would you do

[safetymom]

I am going to attempt to do this for all the resorts through the next couple of months. Thought this would be interesting to see what people would change.

If you were in charge of a refurbishment of the Grand Floridian what would you change or what do you think is working well for the resort?

Looking forward to seeing the replies.

 

[goofie4goofy]

The only thing that comes to mind right now is that I would love to have better descriptions and pictures of rooms and categories. It is very confusing and it would be nice to see what the rooms look like. I have stayed in several different room categories in the GF RPC and all the rooms are diferent. I guess this should apply to all resorts.

I would liove a website like this www.travelhop.com I know they do this somewhat on the disney website, but more detail would be much appreciated!

I do have to say the GF was always our favoirte WDW resort. It started slipping a little (well a lot) but they have made a huge comeback, our stay this past Sept was teriffic

 

[lark]

I think the worst thing about the GF is the peninsula on which it sits. I'm assuming it's not man made, because it's difficult to believe that anyone would design it like that. The way it juts, and the "fingers" up top around the marina make the building placement sort of strange. I would have designed it to be more northeasterly facing, with long sides of buildings sort of going diagonally the other way. (This is very hard to explain, as I think about it.) But having BPK and Boca Chica at right angles and then the other 3 buildings sort of lined up at 45 degree angles is just sort of strange and definitely does not maximize the views for what should be some of the most prime real estate in the southern united states.

But that's a small thing. As for what I would do differently assuming the geometry is not going to change, probably not very much. It's in pretty good shape. The dormer rooms up top are a little silly, since families of 5 get disqualified from the highest floor, and they seem a little too much like attics for my taste, but to each his own.

 

[DiznEeyore]

I'd insulate the walls better, LOL!!

And I think I'd try to work out some way to keep corporate functions from "intruding" on regular vacationing guests. Maybe expand the convention facilities away from the regular guest areas of the resort.

We found all the business people milling around very un-vacationlike. And yes, I know it's a convention hotel, but we really didn't enjoy having to work around the corporate types at what should have been a relaxing resort (they were always having some function or other on this or that patio or outside Gasparilla's). With all the hub-bub and golf carts whizzing around, it wasn't as relaxing as it could've been.

 

[Pooh1219]

See, now I like the dormer rooms. I think they really add to the charm of the resort.

I would redesign access to the monorail - make it easier to get to instead of through the main building.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Honestly, I like the design and decorations at the GF. About the only thing that I would want to change is on the grounds. I would try and do something with that little canal that houses the EWP floats and finish the walkway to the MK.

 

[lark]

and finish the walkway to the MK.

Yes! Now that's a good answer. I read somewhere a while back that they do want to do this eventually, and build a bridge over the canal for the floats, but there's some kind of problem because of the safety perimeter that's needed for fireworks. I guess it's not a problem for the contemporary because of the direction in which they shoot the fireworks.

 

[DrTomorrow]

I'd make it all Dark Victorian: steam engines and wrought iron.

 

[teentoddlermom]

You hit the nail on the head, TammiMcMan! That is my only criticism of this wonderful resort! I heard that it is not to be continued becuase they need the canal to store the floats for the EWP.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

The only thing that comes to mind right now is that I would love to have better descriptions and pictures of rooms and categories. It is very confusing and it would be nice to see what the rooms look like. I have stayed in several different room categories in the GF RPC and all the rooms are diferent. I guess this should apply to all resorts.

I would liove a website like this www.travelhop.com I know they do this somewhat on the disney website, but more detail would be much appreciated!

I do have to say the GF was always our favoirte WDW resort. It started slipping a little (well a lot) but they have made a huge comeback, our stay this past Sept was teriffic

i agree with this i alwasy wnat an alice room and it took me forever to find one
i also think that they should start re doing rooms and that the sugar loaf lounge should be bigger

 

[Sammie]

Not a thing

 

[Ladyhawke10]

I would put in a jacuzzi by the waterfall pool--the one near the quiet pool is usually very full--and often I'm too cold to scurry from the waterfall pool all the way over to the quiet pool to warm up in the jacuzzi before going back to my room.

Other than that, I love everything else .

And funny that I absolutely love the dormer rooms (though we're just a family of 2), and I like walking through the main building to get to the monorail (we usually stop by the toy shop upstairs if it's not there yet). Different strokes...

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I would also love to see the MK walkway finished! But, it just isn't gonna happen.

One other thing - parking. Self parking is so far away that we always valet at the GF. But, they don't have enough valets working, as we always have to sit in the car (in a line) for a while before someone gets to us. Although, when we used to stay there often, a couple of the valets did remember us so they were always very quick to either take the car or bring it back.

 

[DisneyGeek2000]

I think the worst thing about the GF is the peninsula on which it sits. I'm assuming it's not man made, because it's difficult to believe that anyone would design it like that.

Seven Seas Lagoon is completely man-made - Bay Lake is natural.

GF was not the original resort planned for that area - from http://www.mouseplanet.com/mark/mg040721.htm :

"The Asian Resort was slated for the square plot of landfill built out into the Seven Seas Lagoon where the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa now stands. The legacy of the Asian Resort persisted in the name of the road past the Polynesian to the future site of the hotel - Asian Way - until the Grand Floridian was built on that land and the road's name changed to Floridian Way."

Michael

 

[gigi1313]

i've never stayed there, but i know it is very spread out... so i would advise the addition of moving sidewalks! LOL!

 

[HarryLeg]

I'd find a way to put it under one roof.

 

[lark]

Seven Seas Lagoon is completely man-made - Bay Lake is natural.

GF was not the original resort planned for that area - from http://www.mouseplanet.com/mark/mg040721.htm :

"The Asian Resort was slated for the square plot of landfill built out into the Seven Seas Lagoon where the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa now stands. The legacy of the Asian Resort persisted in the name of the road past the Polynesian to the future site of the hotel - Asian Way - until the Grand Floridian was built on that land and the road's name changed to Floridian Way."

Michael

Interesting. When you look at the set up of the GF from above, it actually does look like a retrofit a little. Not the most ideal use of the space.

 

[DisneyMomJen]

I love th GF and the only thing I would change would be to add 1 building of DVC.

 

[HMeyers]

we just returned from our 1st stay at the GF.I have 2 words----LOVED IT!!!!! It was our 10th ann. so we picked here for our 1st on-site stay.Now I can't imagine staying anywhere else!I can only think of parking to change.We did valet the whole time because we were just lazy and didn't want to drag 2 kids across the street.One day we saw a man completely freak out though because he came there for dinner and didn't want to walk that far or pay valet.Don't think its THAT big of a deal. What is it $7 a day or something like that.Oh- one other thing-a change machine in the laundry rooms.I'm an idiot so I kept forgetting to go to Gaspirilla BEFORE to get change.I have a feeling we'll be returning every Oct.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

I love th GF and the only thing I would change would be to add 1 building of DVC.

Wouldn't that be wonderful? I think that's the main reason I never give in to buying DVC, even though we go to WDW so much, because it isn't a good value for GF and that's our favorite place to stay! It's like, what, not a good value for GF.....so why bother