Spirited News, Observations & Thoughts IV

[tissandtully]

Top of the World at BLT seems to be less successful than originally planned and BLT is significantly larger than VGF. I think that combined with the various options in GF resulted in no dedicated lounge.

TOTW is crippled by the fact that you have to be staying at BLT or on POINTS at at DVC resort, have read of people being turned away since they paid cash for their room. It's a great view though, really only gets busy during the fireworks, then it's a ghost town afterwards.

 

[ford91exploder]

Unless they calculated that the current Grand Floridian food and beverage offerings were being under-utilized and increasing revenue from these venues was one of their original motivations for building the DVC in the first place.

Bzzt, Wrong

Now GF mgmt gets to move the maintenance for F&B to the DVC members fees - I'd really love to see the housekeeping line for members fees, If BLT is any indication @ 11 Million for DVC housekeeping (yeah sure it cost that much...) GFV will be 20-25 million.

 

[ford91exploder]

I see what you mean now. They essentially moved the profits from the movie to their distribution arm to prevent paying substantial points to actors. They made money but accounting wise they moved it from one line to another. It makes sense.

And the profits KEEP moving as the Distribution arm made no money either...

 

[71jason]

Interesting side note to the Grand Fla DVC (@71jason can back me up)..... Turns out that Mizner's Lounge at the Grand Fla has been getting slammed nightly since the DVC opened up. Didnt see that coming.

I saw it coming, lol. Buying a burger for a friend last night, Gasparilla was busier than I've ever seen it, as well. Given the unseasonably warm weather, I imagine the pools have been slammed, too, tho I have no first-hand info to back this up. (Although the hot tub was empty last week around 1 am ...)

 

[71jason]

TOTW is crippled by the fact that you have to be staying at BLT or on POINTS at at DVC resort, have read of people being turned away since they paid cash for their room. It's a great view though, really only gets busy during the fireworks, then it's a ghost town afterwards.

This. Also, far larger than it needs to be. But to build a DVC without any amenities seems an overly drastic response to TotW underperforming.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

I long for the day when BLT and the Grand Flo Villas are torn down.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I saw it coming, lol. Buying a burger for a friend last night, Gasparilla was busier than I've ever seen it, as well. Given the unseasonably warm weather, I imagine the pools have been slammed, too, tho I have no first-hand info to back this up. (Although the hot tub was empty last week around 1 am ...)

There's a polar bear club joke in there but I'm not touching it.

 

[JenniferS]

I long for the day when BLT and the Grand Flo Villas are torn down.

Hope you're not holding your breath.

 

[asianway]

Bzzt, Wrong

Now GF mgmt gets to move the maintenance for F&B to the DVC members fees - I'd really love to see the housekeeping line for members fees, If BLT is any indication @ 11 Million for DVC housekeeping (yeah sure it cost that much...) GFV will be 20-25 million.

No. They cant do that, they would be setting themselves up to be sued.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Hope you're not holding your breath.

I am not, but I'd like to think if the right people were in charge that taste would matter.

 

[willtravel]

Sorry, I have not been able to keep up with FP and FP+. Have the old FP been taken down and the new FP+ put up.

 

[raymusiccity]

I long for the day when BLT and the Grand Flo Villas are torn down.

Gee whiz; lets just go back to the days when it was only the Magic Kingdom, a couple of hotels and a campground. Lots of topiary, no scooters and hardly any strollers.

 

[JenniferS]

Gee whiz; lets just go back to the days when it was only the Magic Kingdom, a couple of hotels and a campground. Lots of topiary, no scooters and hardly any strollers.

Well, I support you on the no scooters/no stroller initiative. Where do I sign?

 

[PhotoDave219]

This. Also, far larger than it needs to be. But to build a DVC without any amenities seems an overly drastic response to TotW underperforming.

Top of the World underperforms because you have to be staying there in order to go there..... or go to some sneakyness to get in. If anyone could get in, the place would be packed.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Sorry, I have not been able to keep up with FP and FP+. Have the old FP been taken down and the new FP+ put up.

Both systems exist simultaniously. Legacy fastpass still is in place. FP+ is still in beta testing.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Unless they calculated that the current Grand Floridian food and beverage offerings were being under-utilized and increasing revenue from these venues was one of their original motivations for building the DVC in the first place.

Thats the reason the quick service place was rehab'd about a year ago. Wildy Lodge DVC doesnt have F&B options.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

And none of this

 

[Captain Neo]

And none of this

Her shirt says "You better RED-NECK OGNIZE"

yea......this is why I don't go to Disney World anymore. Why make a better product that is going to attract upscale people when you don't have to do jack and attract hicks who are all too easily parted with their money?

 

[nytimez]

I realize this may be an unpopular opinion, but I really enjoyed my stays at BLT and I loved Top of the World - and am surprised to see it so empty whenever I'm there.

I think part - not all - of the problem, along with the staying-on-points thing, is that being up top and needing a chaperone to bring you there eliminates the sort of passing-through traffic a lot of hotel bars and lounges thrive on. You're not going to get a quick drink on your way in or out. And, someone coming to join you from another hotel isn't going to meet you at the bar.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

But all the lifestylers told me it's MAGICal cuz of Happiest Millionaire references!

Pictures? I have no shame in saying I'd agree with them on this one (provided said references are good enough).