Very unhappy with Grand Floridian's room refurbishments; anyone share my sentiments?

[ACL2000]

Hello all, first post here! I just got back from my wonderful honeymoon at the Grand.. Longtime fan and guest since the first year it opened in 1988.

Am curious, what does everyone thinks of the 2013 room refurbishments? My opinions come from a long history of memories my family and I have personally with the resort, so I'm kind of a traditionalist and a bit bias.

I'm very disappointed and saddened that the design team chose such a drastic option. I feel it was a huge mistake. The design team managed to rip out the signature Victorian style and elements that made the resort special.

Rather then focus on the subtle upgrades, they decided to completely redesign them to what I feel is bland and lacking the true character of what made the GF's decor special. This extends to common areas as well.

Many may love it and I still enjoyed being back "home" after several years. Place still has that wonderful smell I've known since I was a child.

We stayed in RPC and my wife loved every second of it. She didn't even want to go to the parks much! We topped our honeymoon out with dinner at VA's

First off, the new colors and patterns woven into the carpet, furniture and wall coverings are totally mismatched. The paisley reds, aluminum frames and light blues have too many competing elements which lack cohesion.

It seems too modern and edgy to for the resort. Has an Art Deco and Oriental feel to it, a theme one would likely see at the Contemporary rather then the GF. Looks cheaply thrown together in response to stiff competition with the new luxury offerings like the Four Seasons and the DVC Villas.

The GF's common areas, known for its soft peaches, wrought iron sconces, tasseled floral pattern curtains and lamp shades have been abandoned. Especially saddening to me was the loss of the iconic sconces, in place since opening day. The old originals matched the chandeliers. What's next, replace them too?!

The good news is many of the old ones remain now though mostly on the first floor of the lobby.

Any hotel and resort will need occasional upgradss from time to time, however signature elements should never be replaced, as any renovation should enhance rather then detract from the classic atmosphere. Curious to see what others think. Thanks for any input!

 

[trishadono]

If you look at the Grand thread back in 2013 you will see many people agreed with you.

Online the pics were hard to tell but in person I really liked it. I didn't care for the chest between the beds or swirly mirror on the wall but I loved the red roof color getting pulled into the room.

Personally the lack of comforters looks boring and not as cozy to sleep but I do enjoy getting clean bedding with triple sheeting.

The smell is amazing, isn't it? Glad you enjoyed RPC and hopefully a wonderful honeymoon too.

 

[ACL2000]

If you look at the Grand thread back in 2013 you will see many people agreed with you.

Online the pics were hard to tell but in person I really liked it. I didn't care for the chest between the beds or swirly mirror on the wall but I loved the red roof color getting pulled into the room.

Personally the lack of comforters looks boring and not as cozy to sleep but I do enjoy getting clean bedding with triple sheeting.

The smell is amazing, isn't it? Glad you enjoyed RPC and hopefully a wonderful honeymoon too.

Yes, It most certainly is! I found some commentary back from when the Villas were completed, but didn't want to resurrect old threads. So I figure'd i'd make a new thread seeking more current opinions.
I think the inspiration for the curtains most certainly came from the roof.

What I have noticed is that many resorts in general now seem to be eliminating comforters across the board. My wife wanted to take home the "Once upon a Time" pillow.

 

[AdamEfimoff]

delete

 

[MsThumper]

I like the refurbishments. The previous decor was the main thing that kept me from wanting to stay there. I never saw it in person, but the pictures were a real turn off.

I finally got my dream to stay at GF in January of this year, and I loved it. Even DH loved it. If I could have my bedroom at home look like the room we stayed in, I would love it.

I also like that the resorts have done away with the old nasty quilted bedspreads.

We prefer the location of the Epcot resorts, but if the GF were located at EPCOT, it would be my favorite resort, and I'd happily stay there more often.

 

[Jordan Ramsey]

I agree. It supposed to be the nicest hotel on Disney property but the rooms don't give off that vibe. I rather stay at Polynesian or Beach Club.

 

[Sue M]

I think all the resort refurbs have become more generic. A small thing, but I was most upset about the lamps, and the bench by the foot of the bed taken away.

 

[BlueSkies]

I agree OP...while the new decor has grown on me...kind of...and as trish mentioned..I do like the reds and some of the warmer tones..we totally miss the charm and Disney whimsy of the older decor...
As for the common areas...ugghh...awful..I agree 100 %..the colors don't blend...and the carpet......thankfully..when they replaced the lobby carpet they did stay more with tradition...
Funny you should mention the sconces..it's one of the first things that I noticed in RPC ...and like you have no idea why they would change them out...
Overall...much of the victorian feel is gone ..particularly in the rooms...but not in the lobby...thank goodness....
Still..the GF is a beautiful resort...and we are hoping..maybe next rehab will bring back more of the original charm!

I think all the resort refurbs have become more generic. A small thing, but I was most upset about the lamps, and the bench by the foot of the bed taken away.

Exactly how we feel...all of those nice touches..particularly the mickey lamp..oh and the wall paper...both in the room..and the hallways...

 

[Nancyg56]

I really like the room now. I know others find the rooms generic, but I find them calming after a day in the parks.

 

[GrrArrgh]

I love the way the rooms look in the villas -- if the regular rooms were refurbished to match, I think I would like them as well. In fact, I wish they would re-cover or replace (preferably replace) the couches in the lobby. They're worn, shabby, and uncomfortable. I didn't even like sitting on them for the 15 minutes we were waiting for our tea time.

 

[ACL2000]

Beside's the competition from newer resorts, and the villas I can't see any practical reason why they'd decide to make such drastic changes. The rooms and common areas were still sparkling clean, well thought out. Most furniture was in good shape. Was cheery, bright and traditional while still being modern. Other then the basic marketing desire to "keep up with the Mickeys" and the DVCs, I could see no reason whatsoever to gut it out and replace it all like they did.

Eliminating the sconces in the lobby was especially sacrilegious and absolutely unnecessary. I really wish I and others could communicate with GF upper management decision makers and let them know how much of a mistake they've made and to emphasize to them how important preservation of it's original Victorian furnishings are. I consider the Grand Floridian a "historical" property in many ways. It may only be a four star resort, but the experience and magic of the place puts it ahead of the simple categories used for hotel rankings.

The carpeting and newer furnishings (outer buildings) FEELS like something that one would see in any regular luxury resort hotel. We as WDW guests pay astronomical fares for the uniquely magical experience of staying at a Disney resort property. For a GF RPC room now, its around 900 bucks a night. I could stay at any Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton, real five star resorts at that price! So these little details matter when considering spending such money, we expect to get what we pay for.

The pressure to compete has motivated them to make changes in the resorts they otherwise wouldn't have. The style or "theme" as it was designed to be, isn't enough anymore it seems. WDW resort execs are content to and seem to be constantly looking to compete directly with five star chain hotels like the Four Seasons.

Thats the problem in essence and I think a problem more unique to the Grand then other Disney resorts. Due to the GF's unique position as the flagship resort, they feel the pressure, that they must use it as the benchmark.

 

[ACL2000]

I love the way the rooms look in the villas -- if the regular rooms were refurbished to match, I think I would like them as well. In fact, I wish they would re-cover or replace (preferably replace) the couches in the lobby. They're worn, shabby, and uncomfortable. I didn't even like sitting on them for the 15 minutes we were waiting for our tea time.

I agree. I felt the same way when taking the refurbishments into account, the Villas are very nicely done. Though I wish the Villas had never been built. Some furniture in the lobby has become worn down for sure and those should be recovered or replaced with similar ones.

 

[Scott MC]

I am somewhat with the OP in thinking the new design doesn't really capture the Victorian elegance that the resort is supposed to evoke, but I will say that having seen the rooms back in 2009, and then in 2014, the rooms DO look much more elegant in person than they do in pictures. The room was really very comfortable as well. I would gladly stay there again. I really missed though the subtle Mickey-head, pineapple wallpaper in the hallways.

I think as one poster said, you'll notice all the deluxe resorts are going this "white-washed" route, and I think the reason has to do with the fact that there's now a Four Seasons and an Waldorf nearby, that at times (especially the Waldorf) have rates far lower than Disney deluxes. And at those resorts, as much as we love our Disney, I'm sure you'd really learn what "First Class Service" means. I think the cleaner, plainer rooms at WDW deluxes is an attempt to compete with these non-Disney high-end hotels and keep the rooms full. Non Dis members, which is probably about 98% of travelers, who are used to staying at local Sheratons, Westins, heck, even Holiday Inns, probably looked at those heavy, heavily printed comforters and thought "I"m paying 500 bucks for THIS?" If it weren't for the transportation, for us, it would be an absolute no-brainer to stay at the Waldorf, as on our most recent trip (August), rooms at the Poly and BC, where we stayed, were rack-rated at $475 and $375 respectively, whereas, on Priceline, I could get a room at the Waldorf for $179.

But back to the GF, I agree that the rooms at the Villas did a much better job being modern, without losing the Victorian touches. I really hope they incorporate that design into the next rehab at the GF....which I assume is up for a soft-goods refurb within the next 2-3 years.

Also...have they yanked the roll pillows in GF rooms? There was a great red and purple roll pillow on both beds when we stayed there in 2014, and I"m not seeing it in recent pics. I wonder where those go?

 

[Deb & Bill]

I think they are keeping the theming to the outside of the building and lobby areas (including dining, etc) for nearly all the renovations. The rooms are all going to generic hotel look with a tiny bit of theme to them.

 

[toonaspie]

The rooms could use more Victorian detail but I understand the change. It's not necessarily a hotel room thing. The current trend in home design is "less is more", keeping detail to only certain areas such as crown molding. When you overdo the details, it can start to look pretty tacky and distracting. The former room design might be more true to the Victorian theme but would be considered less appealing now. I agree that the new rooms are a bit underthemed. Having done a google search, it is possible to balance elegant Victorian theming while still being tasteful to current home design trends.

 

[100acreHiker]

We stayed both before and post refurb and I much prefer the updated, clean looks. On our first stay, I did not care for the comforters and grandmotherly vibe. I remember thinking that I "got" why the resort as a whole was their flagship and most expensive property, but I did not get why the rooms were so frumpy looking. I sort of half expected there to be one of those crocheted dolls that sit atop toilet paper rolls in the bathroom.

That said, I DO love the elegance and Victorian charm of the resort itself in the common areas and main building, but I'm a fan of triple sheeting and clean lines and the room was just right for me.

 

[Nancyg56]

Beside's the competition from newer resorts, and the villas I can't see any practical reason why they'd decide to make such drastic changes. The rooms and common areas were still sparkling clean, well thought out. Most furniture was in good shape. Was cheery, bright and traditional while still being modern. Other then the basic marketing desire to "keep up with the Mickeys" and the DVCs, I could see no reason whatsoever to gut it out and replace it all like they did.

Eliminating the sconces in the lobby was especially sacrilegious and absolutely unnecessary. I really wish I and others could communicate with GF upper management decision makers and let them know how much of a mistake they've made and to emphasize to them how important preservation of it's original Victorian furnishings are. I consider the Grand Floridian a "historical" property in many ways. It may only be a four star resort, but the experience and magic of the place puts it ahead of the simple categories used for hotel rankings.

The carpeting and newer furnishings (outer buildings) FEELS like something that one would see in any regular luxury resort hotel. We as WDW guests pay astronomical fares for the uniquely magical experience of staying at a Disney resort property. For a GF RPC room now, its around 900 bucks a night. I could stay at any Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton, real five star resorts at that price! So these little details matter when considering spending such money, we expect to get what we pay for.

The pressure to compete has motivated them to make changes in the resorts they otherwise wouldn't have. The style or "theme" as it was designed to be, isn't enough anymore it seems. WDW resort execs are content to and seem to be constantly looking to compete directly with five star chain hotels like the Four Seasons.

Thats the problem in essence and I think a problem more unique to the Grand then other Disney resorts. Due to the GF's unique position as the flagship resort, they feel the pressure, that they must use it as the benchmark.

But I am not sure that everyone feels the way that you feel. Personally, I am much happier with changes made in teh rooms, and my contact with WDW would be much different that yours would be. I love teh theme of the resort itself, but when I close my door, I want restful and relaxing, and the old furnishing were not that to me. Frumpy does nto even come close in my opinion.

I am not criticizing your opinion. I respect it. What I am saying that for everyone who agrees with you, there is one who does not.

 

[Sparkly]

I much prefer the clean white sheets look in hotels then the bedcovers! I like how neat and clean it looks, it reassures me that the bed I'm about to get into doesn't have any questionable marks or worse, stains!!!

As for GF, I've never stayed there myself, but I quite like the new room look. I'm looking forward to the villas next September especially as I love the look of them.

 

[ACL2000]

I love the way the rooms look in the villas -- if the regular rooms were refurbished to match, I think I would like them as well. In fact, I wish they would re-cover or replace (preferably replace) the couches in the lobby. They're worn, shabby, and uncomfortable. I didn't even like sitting on them for the 15 minutes we were waiting for our tea time.

I much prefer the clean white sheets look in hotels then the bedcovers! I like how neat and clean it looks, it reassures me that the bed I'm about to get into doesn't have any questionable marks or worse, stains!!!

As for GF, I've never stayed there myself, but I quite like the new room look. I'm looking forward to the villas next September especially as I love the look of them.

Hotels across the county are ditching comforters/bedcovers for the "clean sheets" look for the reasons you mentioned I believe. Also in an effort to conserve water and save in costs of washing all of them.

Completely understand this but now hotels, to compensate for the lack of them are draping these little colored throw blankets at the base of the beds.

 

[ACL2000]

But I am not sure that everyone feels the way that you feel. Personally, I am much happier with changes made in teh rooms, and my contact with WDW would be much different that yours would be. I love teh theme of the resort itself, but when I close my door, I want restful and relaxing, and the old furnishing were not that to me. Frumpy does nto even come close in my opinion.

I am not criticizing your opinion. I respect it. What I am saying that for everyone who agrees with you, there is one who does not.

I watched the DIS program episode on the GF where one mentioned it was too frilly like staying in grandma's house, sometimes the old rooms being the butt of jokes. Wasn't the first time I heard the grandma's house analogy in describing them.

Incidentally there was a time in the mid to late 90's where the rooms were a lot frilier and had much busier color patterns in the walls and bedspreads.
A far cry from the original dark pink and white striped wallpaper days.