Orlando Sentinel reporting Grand Floridian Spa closes 9/19 for 18 months

[Mouse Skywalker]

From the Orlando Sentinel:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-grand-floridian-spa-closing-20110805,0,97843.story

Walt Disney World is shutting down the spa at its most expensive resort for 18 months as the company embarks on an expansion project at the hotel.

The spa – one of two full-service spas in Walt Disney World – will close as of Sept. 19.

"We are in the early stages of an expansion project at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa," Disney spokesman Bryan Malenius said Friday. The spa will "temporarily close this fall as part of a planned renovation."

The Grand Floridian is known as one of the top spots to stay on Disney property. With nearly 900 rooms, the Victorian-themed hotel has standard room rates that begin at $440 a night.

Disney would not share details about the expansion project Friday, but there has been speculation that the building will be used for Disney Vacation Club time shares.

 

[wdwscout]

Oooo... A new DVC resort on its way!!

Now they can deny this until it opens! (just like BLT)

 

[dansyr2514]

Yay! If it means DVC at GF

 

[k5jm]

i think the answer is yes, to DVC...

 

[WaltD4Me]

I wish the DVD was going in at the Poly instead.

 

[k5jm]

I wish the DVD was going in at the Poly instead.

I wish they had a DVD at the Poly, also!

 

[timmac]

Much as I love staying at DVC properties, and even think that in concept a DVC at GF would be kind of neat in some ways... I have mixed feelings.

I'm kind of getting tired of the trend of adding DVC units to every deluxe property (think about it, they've covered _almost_ all of them now)... it increases crowd levels for many of the centralized facilities (think restaurants, sitting areas, and in some cases pools) and indirectly erodes at the experience for "regular" hotel guests.

 

[disneyholic family]

no spa for 18 months at the Grand Floridian resort & spa?

are they going to lower the rates for those 18 months, when you'll be staying at the Grand Floridian resort & no spa?

 

[WaltD4Me]

no spa for 18 months at the Grand Floridian resort & spa?

are they going to lower the rates for those 18 months, when you'll be staying at the Grand Floridian resort & no spa?

good one!


Oh....wait...........you were serious.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I hope they announce it for real soon. My credit card is burning a hole in my wallet.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

I hope they announce it for real soon. My credit card is burning a hole in my wallet.

I can help you with that! Come on one of my super-exclusive ABD trips... Adventures by Davey that is...

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I can help you with that! Come on one of my super-exclusive ABD trips... Adventures by Davey that is...

If I weren't starting a new job on Monday, I would be tempted.

 

[Iggipolka]

Much as I love staying at DVC properties, and even think that in concept a DVC at GF would be kind of neat in some ways... I have mixed feelings.

I'm kind of getting tired of the trend of adding DVC units to every deluxe property (think about it, they've covered _almost_ all of them now)... it increases crowd levels for many of the centralized facilities (think restaurants, sitting areas, and in some cases pools) and indirectly erodes at the experience for "regular" hotel guests.

I'm a little puzzled as to how DVC units "erode" the experience for non-DVC members since in many cases, the additional buildings include added pools, dining & shopping areas.

I'm excited for DVC to be added to the Grand Floridian & can't wait to book a stay there.

 

[Joshua_me]

no spa for 18 months at the Grand Floridian resort & spa?

are they going to lower the rates for those 18 months, when you'll be staying at the Grand Floridian resort & no spa?

I imagine they'll offer a "dedicated vehicle" to and from the spa at Saratoga Springs. (Which has always been the best spa on property) Love the spa, hate that subdivision... er, resort I mean.

Still, that's kind of a hassle for guests.

What's next ? They'll close the hot tubs and workout facilities at The Poly ?

 

[disneyholic family]

I imagine they'll offer a "dedicated vehicle" to and from the spa at Saratoga Springs. (Which has always been the best spa on property) Love the spa, hate that subdivision... er, resort I mean.

Still, that's kind of a hassle for guests.

What's next ? They'll close the hot tubs and workout facilities at The Poly ?

it's more than a 'kind of hassle'.....it's not at all the experience they're expecting and paying for.....it would be one thing if they're warned in advance, but from what i've read on the boards, there has been no warning...on the contrary when people have asked reservations about it, they deny any knowledge..

when i've stayed at the GF, i've loved getting up early in the morning for a walk to the GF spa to use the gym.....it's a nice lovely walk that takes only a few minutes....and is very quiet and peaceful...
instead i'm going to have to get a shuttle to shlep me over to SSR, drop me at the gym there, then bring me back?

the transaction time alone will make it an impossibility....i assume just going there and back will be a half hour and anything but peaceful....

and by the way, i've always hated the spa at SSR....i much much much prefer the spa at GF....
but the point is, i'm paying to use the spa at the Grand Floridian resort and spa.....
not the Grand Floridian resort and SSR spa....no one pays to be dragged across WDW....

and without being told in advance?

i would not be a happy camper.....

fortunately, i'm slumming it this time....pop century...

 

[Joshua_me]

the transaction time alone will make it an impossibility....i assume just going there and back will be a half hour and anything but peaceful....

Well, goodness...

I suppose I should have mentioned that the "dedicated vehicle" will probably not involve a mule and a cart, but your point is well taken.

It is completely unfair not to tell future resort guests ahead of time of the upcoming construction, especially when it will impact their vacation experience in such a major way.

My vote still goes for the SSR having the best spa, but of course that is just my subjective opinion.

And, keep in mind as well I have no concrete knowledge that the SSR will actually be involved in any way. Simply pure conjecture on my part.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

My kids had there heart set on doing the 'My First Facial' and 'My First Manicure.' I wonder if they will offer those services unique to GF spa elsewhere during the closure.

 

[disneyholic family]

Well, goodness...

I suppose I should have mentioned that the "dedicated vehicle" will probably not involve a mule and a cart, but your point is well taken.

It is completely unfair not to tell future resort guests ahead of time of the upcoming construction, especially when it will impact their vacation experience in such a major way.

My vote still goes for the SSR having the best spa, but of course that is just my subjective opinion.

And, keep in mind as well I have no concrete knowledge that the SSR will actually be involved in any way. Simply pure conjecture on my part.

i'm sure you're right....perhaps they'll provide some sort of dedicated vehicle to get people over to the spa and back...
and maybe they'll also give guests some sort of voucher in compensation? or maybe not...

 

[timmac]

I'm a little puzzled as to how DVC units "erode" the experience for non-DVC members since in many cases, the additional buildings include added pools, dining & shopping areas.

At AK one could make that argument, but even then, there's still only a single CS to serve a greater number of patrons. That technicality aside, I think what happened with AKL->AKV was fairly well done. Initially some rooms were converted, which didn't change the overall occupancy. Then, when Kidani was added, there was new shopping/dining/pool to go with it.

At WL, BC, and BW, I'm not aware of any new dining that was added... I'm not certain about pools and shopping, so I don't want to say anything inaccurate, but I'm not thinking there were many substantial additions.

I probably overstated it a bit to say that the experience is eroded for others, would be better for me to say that adding DVC simply makes resorts larger and common areas busier then they were already... now there's more people using the same spaces.

 

[disneyholic family]

At AK one could make that argument, but even then, there's still only a single CS to serve a greater number of patrons. That technicality aside, I think what happened with AKL->AKV was fairly well done. Initially some rooms were converted, which didn't change the overall occupancy. Then, when Kidani was added, there was new shopping/dining/pool to go with it.

At WL, BC, and BW, I'm not aware of any new dining that was added... I'm not certain about pools and shopping, so I don't want to say anything inaccurate, but I'm not thinking there were many substantial additions.

I probably overstated it a bit to say that the experience is eroded for others, would be better for me to say that adding DVC simply makes resorts larger and common areas busier then they were already... now there's more people using the same spaces.

there are definitely more people using the main pool area....for example at the BC/YC...before it was just BC/YC, but now you also have the people from the villas....
i think you're right that it erodes the regular hotel guest experience...

at WL, the main pool was too small to begin with (for the size of the hotel), adding the villas only exacerbated the situation....
and the food court there was beyond small before the villas, so the villas didn't help...

so i think you're right..