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

[OnThisMagicNight]

Link to the official announcement from Disney...
https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/first-look-at-disneys-grand-floridian-lobby-renovation/

I have mixed feelings. The new carpet looks nice and it's good to hear that they are "approaching this refurbishment with great care and focus in maintaining the heart and story of the Grand Floridian" (sounds like they heard the feedback!) I don't love the idea of a bar right smack in the middle of the lobby though, even though the birdcage concept is cool. (Hope the carpet holds up...I'm picturing spilled drinks!) Looking forward to finding out what's going on with the tea room...

We actually moved our trip this fall to Copper Creek, but I was going to add on 1 night at the beginning of our trip at VGF (because we miss it!) Mainly because we are always there when they are building the gingerbread house. Now I'm thinking I will just waitlist somewhere else. It's a shame they won't have everything wrapped up in time!

 

[Cfabar1]

Mostly good… the rumors of where this was initially going were quite dire… I’m glad to hear. I think the bar makes a lot of sense, given how social the lobby is. I suspect it will do really well. I hope that the decorations continue to be just as elegant and beautiful around the holidays.

I’ll be curious to see when work begins, and I am surprised it will take until Christmas - maybe it won’t start until later. I’ll be curious to see with the addition of the bar how the Christmas decor goes long term. Perhaps the pianist will have to play on the piano off to the side. Also curious to see if they keep the same check-in counters.

Would be great to see Mary Poppins return to the resort for sporadic walkthroughs like how Chip & Dale do at Riviera.

I continue to think they could do something interesting with the area at the second floor that currently serves as a Photo area.

It will be great to see the Tea room renovated. Perhaps afternoon tea will return and they will augment the activities offerings!

 

[PolyRob]

Also curious to see if they keep the same check-in counters.

I love how the rendering completely avoids that entire section

 

[han22735]

Looks great but that poster that thought the lobby was already too busy and should just be for guest staying there will now have to battle the bar crowd trying to grab a drink oh boy! LOL

 

[OnThisMagicNight]

https://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/di...025,-alternate-locations-being-considered.htm

"Although this holiday tradition will not be in its usual location, we understand that Disney is currently exploring other spots around Walt Disney World to host the Gingerbread House this year."

 

[PolyRob]

https://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/di...025,-alternate-locations-being-considered.htm

"Although this holiday tradition will not be in its usual location, we understand that Disney is currently exploring other spots around Walt Disney World to host the Gingerbread House this year."

 

[mrsap]

Grand Floridian Lobby Enhancements to Begin Next Week

In terms of a timeframe, guests can expect construction to begin soon! The work is expected to begin on Monday, April 14th. The work is expected to take place in phases, meaning that portions of the lobby will be closed to guests at times, likely affecting walkways and seating areas.

Construction is expected to be noticeable during daytime hours, but all pools, dining, and other amenities will remain available. The Garden View Tea Room will also receive enhancements, and Disney will share more details at a later time.


The most notable disruption during the work will be that the renovation will continue through the end of the year, meaning that the popular Grand Floridian Gingerbread House will not be available this year.

 

[jjk0125]

Based on the rendering, I am not seeing 6 months worth of work.

 

[OnThisMagicNight]

Grand Floridian Lobby Enhancements to Begin Next Week

In terms of a timeframe, guests can expect construction to begin soon! The work is expected to begin on Monday, April 14th. The work is expected to take place in phases, meaning that portions of the lobby will be closed to guests at times, likely affecting walkways and seating areas.

Construction is expected to be noticeable during daytime hours, but all pools, dining, and other amenities will remain available. The Garden View Tea Room will also receive enhancements, and Disney will share more details at a later time.


The most notable disruption during the work will be that the renovation will continue through the end of the year, meaning that the popular Grand Floridian Gingerbread House will not be available this year.

Wow, so they aren't even going to wait for the Easter Cottage to come down! And if that's the case....then why didn't they start in January?! They could have started on the front desk portion or the stairs at least. This is going to be interesting to track.

 

[marmentrout85]

OF COURSE they just had to scrap the gingerbread house on the year we're having our first-ever holiday VGF stay.

 

[Royal Consort]

Tokyo Disneyland Hotel really nails the Victorian theme and I was hopeful some influences here were incorporated such as replacement of the chandeliers with elegant alternatives and the cleaning of the stained glass.

However, I'm realistic enough to recognise Disney would never budget the amount needed to achieve this and that a light refresh was more likely.

I have mixed feelings on the bar: it could give elegant cocktail vibes in the evening but realistically Disney is trying to monetise all usable space. At least if it's a cage they can lock the unruly drunk people inside.

I have been fearful of the modernisation of the Grand and although the furniture isn't entirely in theme, it's not the de-themed disaster I've been concerned about. Perhaps the carpet tones could have been lighter to maintain consistency with the room decor but I'm not against this concept art.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Can we please stop with all of the alcohol…..

Tell me which survey came back with “I would love to stay at the Grand Floridian, but my main issue is there aren’t enough places close by to drink”.

Do they really want more functional alcoholics on a monorail crawl loitering in the lobby?

 

[Genie+]

Can we please stop with all of the alcohol…..

Tell me which survey came back with “I would love to stay at the Grand Floridian, but my main issue is there aren’t enough places close buy to drink”.

Do they really want more functional alcoholics on a monorail crawl loitering in the lobby?

Yeah between the pirate’s lounge, spaceship earth lounge and now the bird cage lounge…

Maybe rename it WaltDisneyLoungeWorld

 

[Cfabar1]

Can we please stop with all of the alcohol…..

Tell me which survey came back with “I would love to stay at the Grand Floridian, but my main issue is there aren’t enough places close by to drink”.

Do they really want more functional alcoholics on a monorail crawl loitering in the lobby?

I think it is more about giving the people who sit in there for hours on end something to do while they wait for their rooms or their flights... and making money off of it... plus with the orchestra gone, the lobby is theonly place to listen to music and have a cocktail...

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

I’m feeling neutrally optimistic about this change. The lobby definitely needs some refresh, especially the carpet and furniture. But I really hope they utilize the bar space well and make it a coffee bar/cafe in the mornings and early afternoons like RIV has. That would be a fantastic addition and something all the deluxe resorts need imo.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I think it is more about giving the people who sit in there for hours on end something to do while they wait for their rooms or their flights... and making money off of it... plus with the orchestra gone, the lobby is theonly place to listen to music and have a cocktail...

How many bars (including pool bars) can they already get to with their feet or boat/monorail within 15-20 minutes?

 

[AstroBlasters]

I’m feeling neutrally optimistic about this change. The lobby definitely needs some refresh, especially the carpet and furniture. But I really hope they utilize the bar space well and make it a coffee bar/cafe in the mornings and early afternoons like RIV has. That would be a fantastic addition and something all the deluxe resorts need imo.

I’d be on board with a coffee bar with a real espresso machine….

 

[Royal Consort]

I’d be on board with a coffee bar with a real espresso machine….

This was a determining factor in buying Riviera. Grand Floridian desperately needs espresso.

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

Can we please stop with all of the alcohol…..

Co-sign, in general. Epcot is obnoxious with it these days IMO.

That said, I’d love to grab a sweet tea or Diet Coke (or Americano!?) and enjoy the piano and airiness of the lobby.

Concept art feels cluttered to me.

 

[PolyRob]

I’m feeling neutrally optimistic about this change. The lobby definitely needs some refresh, especially the carpet and furniture. But I really hope they utilize the bar space well and make it a coffee bar/cafe in the mornings and early afternoons like RIV has. That would be a fantastic addition and something all the deluxe resorts need imo.

I’d be on board with a coffee bar with a real espresso machine….

This was a determining factor in buying Riviera. Grand Floridian desperately needs espresso.

Doesn't Gasparilla offer this? Le Petit Cafe may be bigger, but you can still get espresso and espresso-based drinks at GF.