The very unusual lady in the lobby of the Grand Floridian

[Laketravis]

Did anyone else notice the very unusual (I'm being polite) older lady sitting in the lobby of the Grand Floridian for days?

We first saw her sitting in a chair on the second level a couple of days before Thanksgiving. Then we saw her in a chair on the lower level the next day, the following Saturday, and several days this week.

She was always dressed the same and had a piece of luggage with some holiday items in bags.

I had no idea what to think of this - at first we didn't think she was even real but one night we saw another guest approach her and they had a short conversation. I took a picture of her but am reluctant to post it.

Just thought it was bizarre, to say the least.

 

[davedmaine]

Did anyone else notice the very unusual (I'm being polite) older lady sitting in the lobby of the Grand Floridian for days? We first saw her sitting in a chair on the second level a couple of days before Thanksgiving. Then we saw her in a chair on the lower level the next day, the following Saturday, and several days this week. She was always dressed the same and had a piece of luggage with some holiday items in bags. I had no idea what to think of this - at first we didn't think she was even real but one night we saw another guest approach her and they had a short conversation. I took a picture of her but am reluctant to post it. Just thought it was bizarre, to say the least.

She's been there for years. When I see her, I immediately think, "her name was Lola..."

 

[Laketravis]

She's been there for years. When I see her, I immediately think, "her name was Lola..."

Seriously? Is she a CM and some sort of holiday addition?

She creeped DS9 out big time. He likened her to Chucky.

 

[DebbieB]

That's the "Teddy Bear Lady". We saw her in May. This post was from almost 6 years ago and she's still there. I personally think her family should encourage her to move on with her life rather than sitting in a hotel lobby reminiscing of days gone by.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2040919

 

[chloelovesdisney]

She's a nice lady that has been hanging out there for many years. Her sister is a poster here I believe.

 

[mrsbicewdw]

The resorts have more "residents" than you would think, I learned that working there. There was an older lady who stayed at YC for more than half the year and would only allow one particular mousekeeper to clean her room.

 

[disneydude365]

so she sits in the hotel lobby? get over it its her life if that pleases her what does it bother you? she's not hurting anyone, and yet you were scared of her? you don't know her story people shouldn't be so quick to judge disney may be all that offers her something in life.

 

[hddanis]

She the teddy bear lady. Her story is actually rather sweet.

https://collinsrace1.wordpress.com/2014/07/06/the-teddy-bear-lady-of-the-grand-floridian/

 

[Laketravis]

so she sits in the hotel lobby? get over it its her life if that pleases her what does it bother you? she's not hurting anyone, and yet you were scared of her? you don't know her story people shouldn't be so quick to judge disney may be all that offers her something in life.

Dude, get over it. I asked a question, and unlike you several people had a helpful answer.

 

[Laketravis]

She the teddy bear lady. Her story is actually rather sweet.

https://collinsrace1.wordpress.com/2014/07/06/the-teddy-bear-lady-of-the-grand-floridian/

Thanks! This is good to know, and a really great story. We weren't sure what the deal was, that's why I asked. Now I can share this with DS and he'll understand. He might even want to go back and give her one of his stuffed animals.

 

[grannyminnie]

She has the bears with her because she and her husband used to give bears to the kids when they were at the hotel. In that regard, the bears are her dear husband still with her.
Incidentally, she has a wonderful sense of humor!!

 

[HopperFan]

Dude, get over it. I asked a question, and unlike you several people had a helpful answer.

You asked more than a question. You said something very cruel (below) before giving anyone a chance to share her story. Disney embraces her visits and that's all that matters.

Laketravis - "She creeped DS9 out big time. He likened her to Chucky."

 

[xiphoid76]

Thanks for posting this question!!!! And thanks to the link for the story.
We stayed there a few months ago and I was enjoying the lobby and said to my husband how much I loved the decor and "they even have actresses here dressed as old ladies just sitting in the lobby". He said she wasn't an actress but a guest. Then we saw her each day of the visit and realized she was not a cast member. I thought she was just staying there when we were there - neat to know that she has been there for years. So cool!

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

You asked more than a question. You said something very cruel (below) before giving anyone a chance to share her story. Disney embraces her visits and that's all that matters.

Laketravis - "She creeped DS9 out big time. He likened her to Chucky."

Poster simply said what happened with the poster's son. It isn't cruel.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Poster simply said what happened with the poster's son. It isn't cruel.

.

Eh. He said some other things that didn't seem so nice, and that weren't a child's perspective:

Did anyone else notice the very unusual (I'm being polite) older lady sitting in the lobby of the Grand Floridian for days?
[Snip]
Just thought it was bizarre, to say the least.

 

[whitney250]

She the teddy bear lady. Her story is actually rather sweet.

https://collinsrace1.wordpress.com/2014/07/06/the-teddy-bear-lady-of-the-grand-floridian/

Aww, she does seem like a sweet lady We may have to make a special trip over the GF when we go next time, my grandmother would LOVE to sit and chat with her!

 

[Laketravis]

.Eh. He said some other things that didn't seem so nice, and that weren't a child's perspective:

We saw a woman dressed in a very unusual manner, wearing a very unusual amount of makeup, with a very unusual hairstyle, with a very unusual type of luggage, sitting in the same chair in the hotel lobby every single day we were there over a two week period. Our first thought was that it might be a cast member assigned to do so for the holidays as some sort of Grand Floridian period actor (a hypothesis that is no more illogical than the actual story in a world staffed with costumed actors).

So yes, I thought it was a bit "bizarre", asked about it, and received a very nice explanation from others. No need to pontificate.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

.

Eh. He said some other things that didn't seem so nice, and that weren't a child's perspective:

Are you kidding?

There is a 70 something woman, with OCD, sitting in a hotel lobby every day, for years. She sits with her suitcase and fully decked out for traveling. But she doesn't ever travel. She just sits there.

Sorry, but I don't find that normal. In fact, I find it bizarre.

Now, after hearing the story, yes, some people might think it is sweet. But it still doesn't make it normal. If it was, no one would ask about her.

 

[L&Lfan]

She reminds me of Baby Jane Hudson.

 

[Nayan]

Are you kidding?

There is a 70 something woman, with OCD, sitting in a hotel lobby every day, for years. She sits with her suitcase and fully decked out for traveling. But she doesn't ever travel. She just sits there.

Sorry, but I don't find that normal. In fact, I find it bizarre.

Now, after hearing the story, yes, some people might think it is sweet. But it still doesn't make it normal. If it was, no one would ask about her.

I'm surprised they haven't kicked her out for loitering, sweet story or not.