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

[lockedoutlogic]

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.

I'm talking about how disney staffs and runs its hotels and the operation they run as compared to four seasons which has service standards. Disney doesn't have them.

That's why they can't run a hotel like four seasons. They would have to come up with a completely new, high paid operations model and they don't do that as the hotels are just feeders for the parks and other revenue sources. Luxury hotels don't operate like that...they are their for them and their core clientele...not to push you off grounds to make money.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

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.

...here endeth the discussion...

 

[rteetz]

From Orlando Theme Park News

"Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will host Cast Member meetings on Wednesday, Feb. 8 discussing suggestions for enhancing the Guest experience. This is very interesting, especially after the recent rumors that have been going around the web saying that the hotel might soon be completely gutted..."

 

[lockedoutlogic]

From Orlando Theme Park News

"Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will host Cast Member meetings on Wednesday, Feb. 8 discussing suggestions for enhancing the Guest experience. This is very interesting, especially after the recent rumors that have been going around the web saying that the hotel might soon be completely gutted..."

First: they could care less what cast members think.

Second: suggestions Implies "cheap" not capital investment, doesn't it?

 

[rteetz]

First: they could care less what cast members think.

Second: suggestions Implies "cheap" not capital investment, doesn't it?

If they didn't care at all what CMs think why would they even hold this meeting? I do agree that this likely won't lead to major investments.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

If they didn't care at all what CMs think why would they even hold this meeting? I do agree that this likely won't lead to major investments.

Dog and pony show...more than anything. Or perhaps the GM is on the chopping block and this is means to appease the higher ups.

True sorry: they had a guest services one of these back in a yesteryear In the convention center and the GM stood there and said they were completely revamping/refocusing their service to increase ratings. Anyone was free to submit ideas.

She was led out of the lobby in cuffs for embezzlement 3 days later...it was a hoot.

You never know

 

[Spridell]

I still cant figure out how this WOULD NOT be a money loser for Disney.

- Shutting down the entire hotel to gut = crazy crazy amount of money loss
- One building at a time? = I would still think money loss. Unless we know the actual figures of occupancy. Could the GF go months with some of their buildings closed? An insider would know that answer.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I still cant figure out how this WOULD NOT be a money loser for Disney.

- Shutting down the entire hotel to gut = crazy crazy amount of money loss
- One building at a time? = I would still think money loss. Unless we know the actual figures of occupancy. Could the GF go months with some of their buildings closed? An insider would know that answer.

Sure...they could take some building off line and gut them one by one...it would be a revenue loss...but a temporary one.
Is this the part where I point out they didn't build enough dvc there and there would be a line to get at more of it?

 

[DLgal]

I still cant figure out how this WOULD NOT be a money loser for Disney.

- Shutting down the entire hotel to gut = crazy crazy amount of money loss
- One building at a time? = I would still think money loss. Unless we know the actual figures of occupancy. Could the GF go months with some of their buildings closed? An insider would know that answer.

Disney's resorts as a whole are not operating at 100% occupancy. The rooms at the GF represent approximately 3% of the total room inventory on property. I am sure that taking 3% of the rooms offline will not hurt them. It will simply shift occupancy numbers at the other resorts to fill the void.

 

[rteetz]

Disney's resorts as a whole are not operating at 100% occupancy. The rooms at the GF represent approximately 3% of the total room inventory on property. I am sure that taking 3% of the rooms offline will not hurt them. It will simply shift occupancy numbers at the other resorts to fill the void.

Yes but operating at 100% capacity for resort is practically impossible. You can get to the low to mid 90s but its quite hard to get anything higher than that. If this does happen I also don't think they would take the entire resort down as once, it would be a phased thing much like when they do room refurbs.

 

[cwis]

If suggestions were to be made, here are some of the quick ideas that comes to mind.

1. Add CMs at check-in. Maybe give them iPads, so that they can sit anywhere with their guests. Nobody wants to wait on their *very first minutes* at the resort.
2. Every guests should be able to text the concierge for added convenience, not only CL guests.
3. Close one of the restaurant, and open a new signature restaurant that can only be booked by guests staying at the GF. This restaurant should also be available in room service.
4. Improve the coffee machine in the rooms, such as a nice Nespresso. Nice quality tea should be provided as well.
5. Remove Disney bathing products. Instead, use a known, recognized, luxury brand (I would vote Hermes)
6. Serve real Champaign from France in CL lounges.
7. Provide a DVD player in every room, with free rentals from reception.
8. Charge parking fees to cover some of the costs.
9. Five stars hotel are all about the service AND the location. Finish the pathway between the GF and the MK to provide guests an alternate option to go to the park.
10. Stop sharing buses between the Poly and the GF. A top-notch hotel does not share bus. On the same topic, provide direct transportation to the water parks.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

If suggestions were to be made, here are some of the quick ideas that comes to mind.

1. Add CMs at check-in. Maybe give them iPads, so that they can sit anywhere with their guests. Nobody wants to wait on their *very first minutes* at the resort.
2. Every guests should be able to text the concierge for added convenience, not only CL guests.
3. Close one of the restaurant, and open a new signature restaurant that can only be booked by guests staying at the GF. This restaurant should also be available in room service.
4. Improve the coffee machine in the rooms, such as a nice Nespresso. Nice quality tea should be provided as well.
5. Remove Disney bathing products. Instead, use a known, recognized, luxury brand (I would vote Hermes)
6. Serve real Champaign from France in CL lounges.
7. Provide a DVD player in every room, with free rentals from reception.
8. Charge parking fees to cover some of the costs.
9. Five stars hotel are all about the service AND the location. Finish the pathway between the GF and the MK to provide guests an alternate option to go to the park.
10. Stop sharing buses between the Poly and the GF. A top-notch hotel does not share bus. On the same topic, provide direct transportation to the water parks.

1. Employees and iPads cost money.
2. You don't pay enough for that...it's a $200 a night surcharge.
3. Woah...that's ALOT of money...and if you don't allow 51,000,000 visitors the ability to book it online 6 months in advance... a table might go empty and we'll have to pay a waiter without 4000% markup on their $3 hourly pay.
4. That one is doable
5. Disney products are produced cheaply as possible en mass for all stars. Reject:
6. Agree...but the cheap California stuff can be ordered en mass with higher upcharge...or in this case, to keep the lounge upcharge.
7. DVDs are kinda obselete...streaming and digital are outselling them already and it will only get worse.
8. You got it! Not to "cover"
Anything...just to charge them.
9. We could...but you booked anyway so what's in it for us?
10. We used to do this...made it a big point in like 2002...but we decided to shave pennies and you booked anyway.


I'm exaggerating shockingly little here..that's disney "resort" operations.

This is why the four seasons comparisons are just laughable. Not happening.

I tell you what: id give them credit if they tried...really i would...but they sell $750 rooms with little amenities staffed by minimum wage (or less) employees out of a centralized pool with no interview process...what are we talking about here?

 

[rteetz]

They sometimes do the iPad CM check in thing. That's how we checked in to the Beach Club Club level in 2016. I know they've gotten rid of some of that though even for Club level guests.

I don't think everyone should be able to text concierge. That takes away a perk from Club level and there are very few perks left.

The restaurant idea is just silly.

I wouldn't mind a kuerig or something.

Disney doesn't do the bathing products, they are H2O products. They are just in a Disney themed bottle usually.

Why France?

DVDs aren't the future.

Parking fees are likely coming.

Well it would have to be a drawbridge for the water pageant so more expense. Good idea but probably not gonna happen.

I've always found it amazing how deluxe share yet some mods and values don't. It's all about the money though.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Champagne is named for the region...if it comes from anywhere else it's "sparkling white wine"

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Deluxes don't have enough rooms to justify the bus...it's simple logistics...pulling more out of every bus driver and belcher

 

[yitbos96bb]

Yeah but the article isn't talking opulent gatsbyesque. I think maintains the theme. The article says Chapek wants modern like the Four Seasons.

I'd have to see what they do. I've never stayed in the regular rooms but the DVC rooms are gorgeous. If they remodeled to that standard then I think it would be all good. I don't want to see major changes in the grounds but that doesn't sound like a target. I hope the lobby doesn't change either. Poly is kind of ruined for me now since the renovation and removal of the feature. There was a smell in the poly lobby that is no longer there and for me, that just changes the feelings I had for it. I know that's strange but still. Absolutely love the DVCs at the GF and honestly along with Wilderness lodge is my favorite resort

The Grand Floridian will always have a soft spot in my heart - and while I agree that the grounds and the exterior of the building are beautiful as-is, the interior and rooms themselves definitely need some reworking. The only thing that screams "luxury" about those rooms is the price. The decor and linens are incredibly dated. And as for the spa - I won't drop a dime there when I can go to the Ritz or the Four Seasons for a extremely more modern spa experience for the exact (or less) amount than the Grand Floridian spa.

The decor throughout is incredibly disjointed ... Citrico's is sleek and modern-ish, Mizner's and Vicki & Al's is old-world formal, 1900 is ... cheesy grandma, almost pathetic with what feels like patio furniture inside. The lobby is swooping and perfect, but could still use some updates - make the chandeliers more grandiose, shine up the birdcages, swap out the carpet for something a little more "luxe". Really make it Grand. Opulent. Gatsby-esque.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Um Disney uses H2O products. They are a well known national brand

If suggestions were to be made, here are some of the quick ideas that comes to mind.

1. Add CMs at check-in. Maybe give them iPads, so that they can sit anywhere with their guests. Nobody wants to wait on their *very first minutes* at the resort.
2. Every guests should be able to text the concierge for added convenience, not only CL guests.
3. Close one of the restaurant, and open a new signature restaurant that can only be booked by guests staying at the GF. This restaurant should also be available in room service.
4. Improve the coffee machine in the rooms, such as a nice Nespresso. Nice quality tea should be provided as well.
5. Remove Disney bathing products. Instead, use a known, recognized, luxury brand (I would vote Hermes)
6. Serve real Champaign from France in CL lounges.
7. Provide a DVD player in every room, with free rentals from reception.
8. Charge parking fees to cover some of the costs.
9. Five stars hotel are all about the service AND the location. Finish the pathway between the GF and the MK to provide guests an alternate option to go to the park.
10. Stop sharing buses between the Poly and the GF. A top-notch hotel does not share bus. On the same topic, provide direct transportation to the water parks.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Yeah but the article isn't talking opulent gatsbyesque. I think maintains the theme. The article says Chapek wants modern like the Four Seasons.

I'd have to see what they do. I've never stayed in the regular rooms but the DVC rooms are gorgeous. If they remodeled to that standard then I think it would be all good. I don't want to see major changes in the grounds but that doesn't sound like a target. I hope the lobby doesn't change either. Poly is kind of ruined for me now since the renovation and removal of the feature. There was a smell in the poly lobby that is no longer there and for me, that just changes the feelings I had for it. I know that's strange but still. Absolutely love the DVCs at the GF and honestly along with Wilderness lodge is my favorite resort

I could see the angle In all this...

It's still a huge investment...unless this has been in the works for a long time.

You can't really take the lobby offline too much because it has that dvc unit now...it has to remain mostly functional.

But you could close a lodge or two at a time and gut them for modernization. It has been 30 years.

I also think you're looking at 2 converted to dvc...that's inevitable. Big pine and boca chica are practically begging for it.

Not impossible.

 

[yitbos96bb]

I could see the angle In all this...

It's still a huge investment...unless this has been in the works for a long time.

You can't really take the lobby offline too much because it has that dvc unit now...it has to remain mostly functional.

But you could close a lodge or two at a time and gut them for modernization. It has been 30 years.

I also think you're looking at 2 converted to dvc...that's inevitable. Big pine and boca chica are practically begging for it.

Not impossible.

I guess the big question is what Chapek means by Modern? I mean does that mean go away from the Victorian theming? That I hate. But if it means upgrade amenities etc like the TV mirrors in the DVC villas for example then I could dig that. I just don't want to see the GF lobby refurbed to look like the contemporary or four seasons. I like the opulent old time feel of that

 

[jpeden]

Off topic but the day Disney starts charging for parking/a resort fee is the day I start taking my business off property. If I'm going to be nickeled and dimed for an extra $25/$50 a night, I'll do it at a true four star hotel and for less $$ per night. I can give up the 30+ extra day booking window for FP.