*The Official VILLAS AT DISNEY'S GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT & SPA Owners & Lovers Group* - LOBBY REFURB BEGAN 4/14!

[OnThisMagicNight]

This has been the story for - literally - more than a year now. Last spring, it was "well, they won't do anything to the lobby around Easter," then it never got done over summer, then it was "well, definitely not around the Holidays," and now we sit here, just a few weeks before they'll start to decorate the lobby for Easter...

Not directing this comment at anyone here -- just pointing out the ridiculousness of this situation at VGF...

It's so true...here we go again . I wish they would just confirm their plans! I'm actually thinking of switching to another resort at my 7 month window anyway, but I'll be more motivated if there is any construction confirmed. After several years of construction projects there, I just don't feel like dealing with it (personal preference.)

 

[mamaofsix]

I think it's just an assumption at this point, since work was expected to start on the lobby this year.

Ah, I see. It seems like it's just the main address of the Grand listed on the permit, so really it could be the permit for the Courtyard pool work.

But fingers crossed it means the lobby!

 

[OnThisMagicNight]

Ah, I see. It seems like it's just the main address of the Grand listed on the permit, so really it could be the permit for the Courtyard pool work.

But fingers crossed it means the lobby!

I know they also announced the Convention Center was getting refurbished this year. I'm not sure if that has its own address or not. I'm definitely ready for the lobby to be finished already though (especially if it means they will bring back or do something with the tea room!)

 

[mrsap]

I know they also announced the Convention Center was getting refurbished this year. I'm not sure if that has its own address or not. I'm definitely ready for the lobby to be finished already though (especially if it means they will bring back or do something with the tea room!)

I saw this permit too…



And this one, showing as Conch Key Bldg.

 

[OnThisMagicNight]

I saw this permit too! Looks like the Convention Center address! Filed 1/11/25

View attachment 934049

Oh good catch! Alright, well then I think the other one has to be for the lobby.

 

[mrsap]

Oh good catch! Alright, well then I think the other one has to be for the lobby.

Sorry, corrected above. That was from last year.

ETA: Convention Center work is supposed to start sometime this summer.

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

We’re staying in August and got an email from Disney immediately after booking. Here’s a snippet:

In an effort to continually enhance the Guest experience here at the Walt Disney World® Resort, we often refresh our offerings and atmosphere. In preparation for your upcoming stay, we would like to make you aware of renovations that will be taking place during your visit. While we work our magic, you will see or hear construction around Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – including our lobby – during daytime hours.

 

[mrsap]

We’re staying in August and got an email from Disney immediately after booking. Here’s a snippet:

In an effort to continually enhance the Guest experience here at the Walt Disney World® Resort, we often refresh our offerings and atmosphere. In preparation for your upcoming stay, we would like to make you aware of renovations that will be taking place during your visit. While we work our magic, you will see or hear construction around Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – including our lobby – during daytime hours.

Yes, that email has been sent for the past year or so. It’s a standard email sent to everyone who books there.

 

[OnThisMagicNight]

Right now I'm booked for early November and I didn't get the email. I booked about 2 months ago so figured I'd have received it by now. Has anyone else booked for November or December gotten the email? Last time, I felt like I received that email within a few days of booking my reservation.

 

[mamaofsix]

Right now I'm booked for early November and I didn't get the email. I booked about 2 months ago so figured I'd have received it by now. Has anyone else booked for November or December gotten the email? Last time, I felt like I received that email within a few days of booking my reservation.

I can't speak to Nov / Dec. But we booked for October and did get the email.

 

[Jsharp13]

Question about Hollywood Studios. We are staying in a 2BR villa, so I guess that is the DVC section. We want to do early entry at HS. I know we can walk to main lobby and take the bus. However, can we also just get a Lyft? That will come right to the villa area correct? And, we will get dropped off at a ride share area at HS correct? We've used Minnie Vans for other routes, but wasn't sure I needed a Minnie Van necessarily for HS?

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

Question about Hollywood Studios. We are staying in a 2BR villa, so I guess that is the DVC section. We want to do early entry at HS. I know we can walk to main lobby and take the bus. However, can we also just get a Lyft? That will come right to the villa area correct? And, we will get dropped off at a ride share area at HS correct? We've used Minnie Vans for other routes, but wasn't sure I needed a Minnie Van necessarily for HS?

Yep, you can get a Lyft right from the villas buildings. I think Lyft has a distinction for which building too. And I believe you’re right, you’ll get dropped off at the rideshare area if it’s not a Minnie van.

 

[BlueGreen5]

Question about Hollywood Studios. We are staying in a 2BR villa, so I guess that is the DVC section. We want to do early entry at HS. I know we can walk to main lobby and take the bus. However, can we also just get a Lyft? That will come right to the villa area correct? And, we will get dropped off at a ride share area at HS correct? We've used Minnie Vans for other routes, but wasn't sure I needed a Minnie Van necessarily for HS?

100% certain that ride shares will pick you up and drop you off at the Villas building, as long as you pay enough attention to enter it correctly in the app. Whenever we were getting dropped off, we would also just tell our driver that we were in the Villas building, not the main building, so there was no confusion. There never was, but we made sure.

Unlike MK, the ride share drop off for DHS is no less convenient than the bus drop off, the boat launch, or the Skyliner. They all put you roughly the same distance from the gates, just in different spots.

 

[mrsap]

I'm not very good at interpreting the details - is there something on the form that references the lobby?

Wanted to update my response. I wanted to dig further.

I found a post showing recent permits on WDWMagic.com and it shows the permit was filed for the Main Building. This is how it’s posted:

Grand Floridian
4401 FLORIDIAN WY (GRAND FLORIDIAN MAIN BLDG 4 (1) (RM4001-4430)) - Buena Vista Construction Company - Provide labor, material and/or electrical for construction

Not sure that helps to prove anything, but wanted to share. I’ll keep this thread updated as any further details are posted.

 

[hockeydad21]

Please please please replace the olive green carpet in the main lobby with literally anything else

 

[Jsharp13]

100% certain that ride shares will pick you up and drop you off at the Villas building, as long as you pay enough attention to enter it correctly in the app. Whenever we were getting dropped off, we would also just tell our driver that we were in the Villas building, not the main building, so there was no confusion. There never was, but we made sure.

Unlike MK, the ride share drop off for DHS is no less convenient than the bus drop off, the boat launch, or the Skyliner. They all put you roughly the same distance from the gates, just in different spots.

Thanks this is so helpful. I know I can track busses in the app but I'm in favor of maximizing park time and minimizing wait and transportation, so to me it is worth it for this one park day, for early entry, just to get the Lyft!

 

[mamaofsix]

Wanted to update my response. I wanted to dig further.

I found a post showing recent permits on WDWMagic.com and it shows the permit was filed for the Main Building. This is how it’s posted:

Grand Floridian
4401 FLORIDIAN WY (GRAND FLORIDIAN MAIN BLDG 4 (1) (RM4001-4430)) - Buena Vista Construction Company - Provide labor, material and/or electrical for construction

Not sure that helps to prove anything, but wanted to share. I’ll keep this thread updated as any further details are posted.

Thank you so much - great information. This does give a lot of hope that it’s the main lobby’s turn!!

 

[mamaofsix]

Please please please replace the olive green carpet in the main lobby with literally anything else

I imagine they will replace it with something that matches the other new carpets in the building, such as the club level (shown here)?

 

[hockeydad21]

I imagine they will replace it with something that matches the other new carpets in the building, such as the club level (shown here)? View attachment 934201

Yeah, that’s beautiful. Hoping for something like that!

 

[mrsap]

Seven Seas Drive Temporarily Closed at Walt Disney World​

Both lanes of Seven Seas Drive between the entrance to the Polynesian Village Resort and the intersection with Floridian Way will be closed until February 4, 2025.



Highlighted in red is the stretch of road that will be closed temporarily. In order to get to the Polynesian Resort, guests must follow World Drive to the intersection at Wilderness Lodge and make a left turn.



The caution sign reads “SEVEN SEAS DR CLOSED – FOLLOW DETOUR AHEAD,” ensuring guests know that they will be re-routed for the coming days.



The detour takes guests on World Drive as if you were traveling to Disney’s Contemporary Resort, shown in blue above. This is the same way everyone travelled to the Polynesian until the Floridian Way connection was opened in late 2022.



Although the over-head signage on World Drives still directs guests left for the Polynesian and right for the Contemporary, the road to the right is the now only option to get to the Polynesian during the closure.

This closure is part of the project tore-route roads surrounding Magic Kingdom. The project aims to improve traffic flow heading into Magic Kingdom and surrounding resorts.