New X-Mas Decor at the Grand Floridian

[WDW Manager]

The new christmas decor is up, and the new tree is the ugliest tree I have ever seen. I love christmas at disney, and this year somebody really dropped the ball. If you see the tree this year, everyone should make a point of complaining. THere is nothing "GRAND" about this tree compared to last years. A cast member told me that the tree was 10 feet shorter, and has 45,000 LED lights on it. The Cast member also said that they have had many complaints about the tree (and it had not even been up for 24 hours).
TO make things worse....THe tree isnt even straight!!!!!!!

If anyone is listening that works for the Christmas Department.....PLEASE,PLEASE,PLEASE.....Bring back the old tree!!!!!!

 

[llebrekniT]

Oh no! We have saved for 2 years to get to stay at GF during Christmas and a big part of that decision was based on the decorating there AND the tree! We had dinner there 3 years ago at Christmas and it was the biggest the kids (or us) had ever seen. We made plans then to definetly stay one year. Please keep us up to date if they make any improvements!

 

[Poohs Pal]

This is THE one resort that had the biggest WOW factor for me!!!! Guess i'll have to wait and see. Susan

 

[madcoco]

Was over there Monday and have to agree. Imho it was a bit of a letdown. Why the change

 

[purplebelle]

I've never seen GF's trees in person. How is it ugly this year? What's ugly about it---really thin and shabby???

 

[Jen D]

Okay, someone get over to the GF lobby with a digital camera, stat!

 

[gtrist4life]

Alright, am I gonna have to be forced to change our first night plans?
We arrive on Friday the 12th and have a PS for 1900 Park Fare for an early dinner. I was hoping we would be wowed by tree and decorations. Should I change plans?

Peace G4L

 

[WDW Manager]

Something else that I really dislike about the new tree is that every decoration in the building in done with white / Clear Lights (Very Classy), the New tree has Yellow lights. The giant mirrors from years past are gone, the bird cages are still there, just smaller; and there are flower arrangement that look like there were just thrown into the tree. I hate saying this, but the new tree looks like martha stewart was drunk when doing the decorations.
The tree is much shorter, thinner, and has a funny shape to it.
If you have plans to go and stay at the GF, DO IT!!!!! but the decorations are without a doubt a let down from last year.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by WDW Manager
The new christmas decor is up, and the new tree is the ugliest tree I have ever seen. I love christmas at disney, and this year somebody really dropped the ball. If you see the tree this year, everyone should make a point of complaining. THere is nothing "GRAND" about this tree compared to last years. A cast member told me that the tree was 10 feet shorter, and has 45,000 LED lights on it. The Cast member also said that they have had many complaints about the tree (and it had not even been up for 24 hours).
TO make things worse....THe tree isnt even straight!!!!!!!

If anyone is listening that works for the Christmas Department.....PLEASE,PLEASE,PLEASE.....Bring back the old tree!!!!!!

Thanks for sharing. Welcome to the forums as I see you are new. Are you staying at the Grand Floridian right now? Or do you work there?

Obviously you are familar with the trees of the past due to your description. Do you know why they decided to change it? The cast member that told you there had already been complaints, di they mention why the change.

I love their decorations and hate to see the change.

 

[LvsTnk]

Sad to hear, that tree had been absolutely beautiful!

 

[WDWgirls]

Why would they mess with perfection!! We were there last year for Christmas and were blown away with the decor. Even my kids were in awe of that tree. How disappointing. I'm going back this year and I was debating on where to eat dinner (1900 Park Fare or Whispering Canyon) well, I just made PS for Whispering Canyon. Hopefully enough people will complain that they will change it. I agree - someone get a digital camera over there!!

 

[madcoco]

Okay, someone get over to the GF lobby with a digital camera, stat!

Had camera 1st battery died while at the BC taking pictures and thought the backup was charged.What a dummy

 

[Pluto2003]

and he wondered if they chopped off/ dismantled and disguarded the bottom part of the tree because it was worn. Maybe the tree will get shorter every few years until it is just 10 feet tall! Saves money over buying a new tree.....Sorry to hear it is not so impressive. I will just have to see for myself on my upcoming trip!

 

[stink]

I am really bummed to read this post. We are staying at the GF for the first time for 4 nights in December. We have visited the Grand on prior non-Holiday stays at Disney but we picked to stay at the GF specifically for this trip because of the great reviews of the Grand Christmas decorations. Our favorite resorts are the Y&B & Wilderness Lodge. I hope this trip doesn't turn into "I wish we were at the Y&B pool or in the lobby of the WL. Also I'm bummed out because there are no Osbourne Lights.

 

[MinnieGi]

What a shame! We have seen the GF decorated for Christmas on two trips and were very impressed with that tree and all the other decorations. Are they still going to put up the life size gingerbread house?

 

[The Land and Sea Guy]

My family has stayed at the GF the week before x-mas every year for the last 5 years. Awesome decorations and the tree is undiscribable. Every year though, my DW comments to me that the decorations are in decline. Cut backs and less decor. It does not in the least shock me to read this post about the change in the tree. But, I think us DIS'ers can do something about it. Lets all start calling the resort and bombard them with our feelings. But first, I think we need a picture post on here. Any other thoughts on calling or other way. Maybe this Dis board can get last years tree back! I'm bummed about this because my parents will be with us and it is there first trip to the MK.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Sad to hear they made a change for the worse...................but for all those who are going make sure you keep things in perspective and don't worry. For those of us who have seen the GF decorations of years past the new tree may be disappointing. However, if you've never been (and don't have last year to compare to) I'm sure the decorations will knock your socks off. I assume they still have the gingerbread house?

Hey, maybe now the WL will take the top spot for Christmas decorations. It was always a close second, IMHO.............................A shame the GF had to mess with the perfection they had.

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

I too am bummed. Last Christmas while visiting the GF we heard a rumor that they were going to change the tree this year. I remember thinking... How could they make it better? Now I know, they couldn't make it better. BooHoo. I will miss the old tree. When we are there this year, I will make a point to say something about it. Maybe they will bring the old one back for next year.

 

[mandasbutterfly]

I will be at the Grand Floridian this weekend. I am kinda bummed about the news of the decorations as we were really looking forward to them. I am glad for the warning so that I wouldn't be as disapointed when I got there. I have never seen the decoartions there except for in pictures so hopefully since I have never seen them it won't be as bad for me. My sister is letting me borrow her digital camera so I will take pictures and maybe I will find a way to post them so you all can see them. Thanks for the warning although I am very sad about this.

 

[jerseydizdreamer]

... I have to admit that aside from its size, the GF tree (which I saw two years ago) didn't really blow me away. Huge? Yes! Well decorated... I didn't particularly think so. I found the large mirrors and birdcages to be, well, not particularly Christmas-y (although I'll grant that they were totally in keeping with the decor of the hotel). For me, the best tree (outside of the parks) has always been in the lobby of the Wilderness Lodge. That said, I will be interested to journey on over to the GF and see what all the fuss is about!

Richard

(Braced for the flaming)