One of the Most INSANE WDW Rumors I've Heard, GF to be gutted

[rteetz]

Bolderdash! I don't buy it. There's all these rumors and gossip about CBR construction and the River Country rumors keep surfacing. I know Disney will do what they want especially if it means a profit, but I don't see them going to the studs and modernizing GF. I'd believe a second BLT would happen first. Disney has plenty of room to expand. Maybe if they want a newer more modern resort they'll just build that rather than mess with a WDW icon. IMO.

Um, permits have been filed for construction at CBR... it's happening there.

 

[KYMickey]

Looks like I'm one of the few of the opinion this might actually happen. Closing one wing at a time would be a major issue from what I've heard the occupancy is low enough that would affect how many people could be staying there. The only problem as mentioned earlier is doing the lobby itself. The last time we stayed there I agree with what other people said in the fact that it really wasn't a luxury hotel and the cost of the rooms was not justified by the amenities and service.

People keep talking about the seven-year cycle of redoing rooms at hotels. That is if just a refreshing of the rooms, new paint, carpeting and furniture. It's not a remodeled in any sense of the word. If this happens it needs to be a complete remodel down to the studs with complete rewiring, the replacement of all fixtures and possibly even change the room layouts (fewer larger rooms).

Time will only tell what's going to happen.

 

[Sweettears]

Which happens every 7-10 years at every resort. They rip out everything in the rooms and hallways. This really isn't anything new. It's extensive but nothing new.

I could see a major refurb in the normal sense of their usual time cycle. Otherwise, what is the motivation? They're not having trouble filling up the rooms at $600+ a night. The exterior is iconic and with the new matching DVC can't be altered. There isn't any justification from a business standpoint to rationalize a total gutting

 

[Sweettears]

I think it's safe to say that Disney would need to go farther than gutting a resort and updating it to make it luxurious. If having a luxury resort is what they want they also have to work on the amenities, and service. Four seasons is what it is partly due to the service. I don't think Disney will be able to be like a four seasons because of that reason.

Not to mention the Four Season reputation.

 

[dclpluto]

I'm not going to believe it until I hear it from a bus driver.

 

[Spridell]

I could see a major refurb in the normal sense of their usual time cycle. Otherwise, what is the motivation? They're not having trouble filling up the rooms at $600+ a night. The exterior is iconic and with the new matching DVC can't be altered. There isn't any justification from a business standpoint to rationalize a total gutting

Agreed. No way they change the outside look and from a business standpoint it's just a bad idea.

 

[rteetz]

I could see a major refurb in the normal sense of their usual time cycle. Otherwise, what is the motivation? They're not having trouble filling up the rooms at $600+ a night. The exterior is iconic and with the new matching DVC can't be altered. There isn't any justification from a business standpoint to rationalize a total gutting

The GF just had a refurb within the last 2-3 years.

 

[Sweettears]

That's what I am saying.

The GF just had a refurb within the last 2-3 years.

i agree. I may not be stating it clearly but I am agreeing with you.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

WDWNT is reporting that P&R Chair Bob Chapek is moving forward with plans to gut (completely demolish) the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and rebuild a "modern" luxury hotel.

Not only does the cost of this sound astronomical, the GF is one of their most popular and iconic hotels. I'm a huge fan and would not be happy about this. I know it does struggle with occupancy at times, but that is often attributed to the price point (which is often higher than the rates being charged at the nearby Four Seasons). Long story short, I think this won't happen.

Here's the story.

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2017/01/rumor...an-resort-gutted-become-modern-luxury-resort/

Thoughts?

If only they could figure out why it's hard to fill beds at the "deluxe" resorts...hmmm...a real enigma...

 

[Saratoga Springs Tom]

Um, permits have been filed for construction at CBR... it's happening there.

I'm aware of that. However it's a guess as to what exactly the end product will be. All sorts of rumors, when it's announced officially by Disney then it's real, sort of. How many times have plans changed over the years.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

This entire idea is...well...a word that will be censored...

They knew exactly what they were doing when they sold that land to gates and the playboy prince...they were pushing off the client they have no interest in serving.

But espn wasn't leaking oil then...so now I imagine all couch cushions are flipped looking for quarters.

That Chinese or French bill isn't cheap either...

But a demolition and rebuild? That's worthy of 0.5 seconds of discussion.

 

[rteetz]

I'm aware of that. However it's a guess as to what exactly the end product will be. All sorts of rumors, when it's announced officially by Disney then it's real, sort of. How many times have plans changed over the years.

Well permits are usually pretty firm. You have to file for new permits if there are changes.

 

[DizptchrAJ]

Well permits are usually pretty firm. You have to file for new permits if there are changes.

Permits have been filed but its not confirmed that it will be DVC, or even hotel rooms. (it most likely will be) until Disney confirms this is true we could expect anything there. LIke an NBA experience 2 -- to handle all the overflow from the one they are putting in the springs

 

[rteetz]

Permits have been filed but its not confirmed that it will be DVC, or even hotel rooms. (it most likely will be) until Disney confirms this is true we could expect anything there. LIke an NBA experience 2 -- to handle all the overflow from the one they are putting in the springs

True but it is some sort of hotel expansion. Height test balloons and the permits lead to it being a tower. The question does remain as to whether it will be DVC or not. It is quite likely it is though this is no restaurant or something like that.

 

[DizptchrAJ]

IMO, yes the GF is breathtaking when you first walk in. But if you start really scrutinizing everything you begin to see the age of the place. Which is understandable. I dont get the same sense as i do in WL. I walk in there and it is breathtaking. But if i scrutinize i just keep seeing more and more details that make me say wow.
But when i think someone thinks luxury hotel, they want bigger rooms, state of the art ammenities. I think it would be easier to accomplish that easier by starting new.
But only time will tell.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

IMO, yes the GF is breathtaking when you first walk in. But if you start really scrutinizing everything you begin to see the age of the place. Which is understandable. I dont get the same sense as i do in WL. I walk in there and it is breathtaking. But if i scrutinize i just keep seeing more and more details that make me say wow.
But when i think someone thinks luxury hotel, they want bigger rooms, state of the art ammenities. I think it would be easier to accomplish that easier by starting new.
But only time will tell.

I actually agree with that assessment...

But there has been no indication that disney has any desire to sink that kinda money on a new rack hotel.

First...and this is obvious but overlooked...they just built a dvc unit and they CAN'T demolish that or the hotel around it for 2 years. that idea is DOA.

Second...when they have problems filling rooms...they convert to dvc (explains a lot, don't it?)...which makes it less important what the services look like...as long as it maintains the expected level.

I expected dvc conversion there anyway...at least two buildings...sooner than later. Bank on it.

So that solves the occupancy problem.

And maybe chapek did ask why they lose out on the high rollers to the fours seasons...but that answer woulda been brief and indisputable. Disney has no interest in running that kind of operation...they never did.

They can't even commit to replacing the choo choos...why spend half a billion on a new hotel on it?

 

[andyman8]

And maybe chapek did ask why they lose out on the high rollers to the fours seasons...but that answer woulda been brief and indisputable. Disney has no interest in running that kind of operation...they never did.

Mmmm... That isn't really true anymore. It certainly was in the past, but they've changed their focus recently. In their most recent travel agency presentation, they actually named a number of upper income brackets as target markets. In fact, I think of the ones presented, these upper income brackets outnumbered the rest of the target audiences. Evidence of this new target audience of theirs can be found just by looking at all these new upsells from dessert parties to cabanas to even the revived MK late-night weddings.

Also, while the brand of Four Seasons definitely does attract the "high rollers," I'd also add that the Orlando property has a far more socioeconomically diverse clientele than many of FS's other resorts. It is not impossible to find a room there for at or just above $399 a night, while some of the Disney Deluxe Resorts are charging more than that. The FS definitely can shoot up in price during the busier times of year (usually surpassing even the GF's rack rate price point), but there are actually times when it's lower.

 

[Hoodie]

I could definitely see a gut and re-do. We stayed there years ago as a bucket list item, and frankly wasn't too impressed. I swear the GF has the thinnest walls on Disney Property! We had an Australian family with 2 little girls staying next door. They really liked Magic Kingdom, but thought Animal Kingdom was cool.

Mind you, we never actually met them. We heard their daily plans through the walls every morning.

If they gut, hopefully they fix the noisiness.

 

[focusondisney]

I think it's safe to say that Disney would need to go farther than gutting a resort and updating it to make it luxurious. If having a luxury resort is what they want they also have to work on the amenities, and service. Four seasons is what it is partly due to the service. I don't think Disney will be able to be like a four seasons because of that reason.

This exactly. The rooms were redone in the last few years & aren't as dated as some people are saying. And there was a pretty good debate when folks here on the Dis saw the new rooms. Many people were upset with the "fresh, modern" look & wanted the whimsical, only in Disney touches kept. People complained that Disney made the rooms look like any other upscale resort. Now we have complaints that the room decor isn't upscale enough?

The rooms at Disney certainly take more of a beating than other luxury resorts. I would think those resorts don't see the same number of families & kids in their rooms as Disney resorts do. So more wear & tear on the rooms for sure. But the service & amenities??? Yea, Disney is not on par with others in that regard. They haven't needed to be in the past. But people have more options for the same price point now. And location (the big selling point for Disney deluxe resorts) is starting to lose out to the amenities they can get else where. Even little things like more generous toiletries would be an improvement.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

To be it depends on what a "Gut and re-do" really means. If it is similar to what was done to the Poly (totally taking the lobby down the studs - which I believe partly was done due to asbestos - and re-imagining it, etc.) then I can see it and it might make sense - and I think would be a good idea ... keep the spirit of the hotel but freshen it up, make it more modern luxury, etc.. But anything close to a knock-down I just don't see happening (for the DVC points made and just how iconic the resort has become)

it would be interesting if they did built an entirely new resort that was truly upscale modern luxury ... but if that was the case I wonder if it would make more sense to just have the four-seasons run it or whatever (just be highly themed like other Disney hotels)