Refurbishment coming to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort lobby

[TrainsOfDisney]

This isn't new, this isn't ground shattering changing for WDW and its pretty moronic to argue the addition of a single small bar at a hotel resort, that already has 3 other bars (Beaches Bar and Grill, the Courtyard Bar, and Enchanted Rose), on the property is "neutering everything that makes WDW special."

adding a bar isn’t the issue - adding a bar in the middle of the lobby will certainly change the vibe.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

adding a bar isn’t the issue - adding a bar in the middle of the lobby will certainly change the vibe.

will it change the vibe.....possibly. I would argue its still fundamentally a draw for people to sit around and talk, relax, away from the park and socially with other guest, similarly to the way you could sit and listen to the band play. Different to be sure but will still serve a similar purpose. However I would go along with you that it could change the vibe. But the ruination of all that is Disney???

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

However I would go along with you that it could change the vibe. But the ruination of all that is Disney???

I wouldn’t say that this alone is.. but the less Disney is “special” the less special it is. I’m all for live birds at the resort but AA’s would also be lovely and very special and unique.

 

[Dan Deesnee]

Invoking the Frozen head of Walt adds nothing as he's just another company IP these days

View attachment 884282

Everything about the Grand Floridan is post-Walt.

Www is post walt. I'm not sure you really understand what you're saying. You're basically making the argument that Walt's legacy, everything he stood for, his vision, his guidelines, etc should all just be tossed away because he's been gone for a very long time.

In other words, tell me you're someone who supported the destruction of rivers of America without telling me you're someone who supported it...

Your response shows that you don't get it. Maybe you will one day.

 

[Dan Deesnee]

First, Walt had a great idea, but the man is worm food, and has been for over 60 years.

Second, there are numerous resorts even in WDW that have bars. The contemporary the original of WDW resorts has a bars plural, both inside and serving the pool, the Poly has a bar, Yacht club has bars, as do every single park. This isn't new, this isn't ground shattering changing for WDW and its pretty moronic to argue the addition of a single small bar at a hotel resort, that already has 3 other bars (Beaches Bar and Grill, the Courtyard Bar, and Enchanted Rose), on the property is "neutering everything that makes WDW special."

And of course Third, these bar locations are not sitting empty. While not acceptable to you personally, apparently the people who are going to WDW find it acceptably, because WDW is building these types of offerings and their guests are using them.

Okay so using your own logic, if two out of every 10 guests wanted them to put a large beer kiosk right in front of the Magic kingdoms Castle they should do it because people want it and other beer kiosks and bars are crowded?

That is essentially what you're saying. Wdw is supposed to be different from other vacation destinations so mimicking things that are at other stock standard resorts not only doesn't make sense but it's self-destructive to what has made wdw so timeless all these years. People flock there precisely because it isn't the Marriott or Hilton experience.

Lastly and less important, you're wrong in saying that there's lots of other resorts at Disney that have bars similar to what they're doing at Grand floridian. The other bars or drink locations at some of the other resorts are tucked away either in the corner or out of the general public's View one in the center of the lobby.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

Okay so using your own logic, if two out of every 10 guests wanted them to put a large beer kiosk right in front of the Magic kingdoms Castle they should do it because people want it and other beer kiosks and bars are crowded?

That is essentially what you're saying. Wdw is supposed to be different from other vacation destinations so mimicking things that are at other stock standard resorts not only doesn't make sense but it's self-destructive to what has made wdw so timeless all these years. People flock there precisely because it isn't the Marriott or Hilton experience.

Lastly and less important, you're wrong in saying that there's lots of other resorts at Disney that have bars similar to what they're doing at Grand floridian. The other bars or drink locations at some of the other resorts are tucked away either in the corner or out of the general public's View one in the center of the lobby.

2 out of 10…. When is the last time you have been to WDW, or out in public in general? If you think that the percentage of people who would enjoy an adult beverage while back ar their hotel on vacation is only 20% well I think your blind.

As to good old Walt, he’s dead. His “vision” means nothing. His business model and ideals are 60 years old and mean less than nothing in this market. Just like no one who is shopping or selling Mustangs cares what Henry Ford may have thought.

As for what WDW should or shouldn’t be, I am not so full of my self or have delusions of grandeur to think what I may think WDW “should be” matters at all. What I do know is WDW is in the service industry and as business needs and should cater to the wants of its customers. That is an ever evolving thing based on societal wants/needs. People go to Disney because it appeals to what they want, and considering the amount of locations that serve adult beverages, and that those locations are EXPANDING, looking at it objectively I am betting my view of what society is looking for matches closer to what the business data is showing than yours.

Your final “point” that the location of the bar in the lobby is the ruination of all that is Mickey as opposed to the 2 bars by the grand’s pools and other public areas is too weak to even bother replying too

 

[James Alucobond]

While I agree that this shouldn’t be a bar (mostly due to sheer redundancy), the stream-of-consciousness multi-post complaints feel overdramatic. The refurbishment of this resort has generally been one of the better ones. The rooms have minimal, tasteful character touches, and the main building is mostly a palette swap. Though I wish the aviary were becoming something different, it’s at least becoming something after sitting abandoned for years. Honestly, if they killed Enchanted Rose, turned it into a quiet study or observatory, and restored a permanent Grand Floridian Orchestra space to the balcony, I’d be all aboard moving the bar downstairs.

 

[networkpro]

Www is post walt. I'm not sure you really understand what you're saying. You're basically making the argument that Walt's legacy, everything he stood for, his vision, his guidelines, etc should all just be tossed away because he's been gone for a very long time.

In other words, tell me you're someone who supported the destruction of rivers of America without telling me you're someone who supported it...

Your response shows that you don't get it. Maybe you will one day.

Your spiteful post ignores Walt's own words "Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world," You may not comprehend that his vison was not focused on static displays. In other words tell us why you are not a museum proponent and any change is not bad. Your response is petty and presumptuous. Maybe after 50 years of going to Walt Disney World several times a year my perspective is different than yours. Water (lakes, rivers, creeks, swamps) not uncommon in the south as were paddlewheel steam boats.

 

[Dan Deesnee]

2 out of 10…. When is the last time you have been to WDW, or out in public in general? If you think that the percentage of people who would enjoy an adult beverage while back ar their hotel on vacation is only 20% well I think your blind.

As to good old Walt, he’s dead. His “vision” means nothing. His business model and ideals are 60 years old and mean less than nothing in this market. Just like no one who is shopping or selling Mustangs cares what Henry Ford may have thought.

As for what WDW should or shouldn’t be, I am not so full of my self or have delusions of grandeur to think what I may think WDW “should be” matters at all. What I do know is WDW is in the service industry and as business needs and should cater to the wants of its customers. That is an ever evolving thing based on societal wants/needs. People go to Disney because it appeals to what they want, and considering the amount of locations that serve adult beverages, and that those locations are EXPANDING, looking at it objectively I am betting my view of what society is looking for matches closer to what the business data is showing than yours.

Your final “point” that the location of the bar in the lobby is the ruination of all that is Mickey as opposed to the 2 bars by the grand’s pools and other public areas is too weak to even bother replying too

So you think MORE than 20% of the Grand Floridians guests on average go to a bar at the resort? The bars would be overflowing with people. There are plenty of places to get a drink, putting a bar in the middle of the lobby of one of the most iconic resorts on property is a travesty.

But based on your words you don't understand why WDW is special. You may think you do, but your replies tell the real story.

And yes I've been to DL / WDW plenty of times and travel frequently in general.

Have a nice day...

 

[jah4955]

adding a bar isn’t the issue - adding a bar in the middle of the lobby will certainly change the vibe.

Maybe this was their plan all along for bulldozing that perfection that was the former Poly lobby? "Plop the bar here Mac! They'll need that (pre-mixed) tiki drink to de-stress from the travel!"

 

[MisterPenguin]

Lounge-lobbies are popular now.

 

[Horizons '83]

Lounge-lobbies are popular now.

They have been for generations... My only concern is not a lobby bar its that it will bottleneck that area even worse.

 

[Dan Deesnee]

Lounge-lobbies are popular now.

So are concerts, but everybody's complaining non-stop about the annoying music in one of Epcot's recently refurbished areas. It ruins the entire feel of the area and just doesn't seem like it belongs at all.

It's not about whether something is popular, it's whether it belongs where they're putting it. In the case of the GF lobby central focal point bar, it certainly does not belong there.

 

[DisneyFreak]

They have been for generations... My only concern is not a lobby bar its that it will bottleneck that area even worse.

Wait until the Gingerbread house and floor-to-ceiling tree go up for Christmas.

 

[Tuvalu]

Wait until the Gingerbread house and floor-to-ceiling tree go up for Christmas.

The gingerbread house will not be in the lobby this year. Word is still out on the tree.

 

[DisneyFreak]

The gingerbread house will not be in the lobby this year. Word is still out on the tree.

Any word on where the gingerbread house will be going instead?

 

[Horizons '83]

Any word on where the gingerbread house will be going instead?

I want to say in the conference center area.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

It's not about whether something is popular, it's whether it belongs where they're putting it. In the case of the GF lobby central focal point bar, it certainly does not belong there.

From a financial perspective it’s hard to blame Disney for adding a profit generator, especially since I think it’s something many guests will see as a plus, blaming them for the location is 100% valid though, placing a bar smack dab in the middle of a (formerly) tranquil lobby will completely change the vibe of the lobby. I don’t think they could have picked a worse location.

 

[Horizons '83]

From a financial perspective it’s hard to blame Disney for adding a profit generator, especially since I think it’s something many guests will see as a plus, blaming them for the location is 100% valid though, placing a bar smack dab in the middle of a (formerly) tranquil lobby will completely change the vibe of the lobby. I don’t think they could have picked a worse location.

To be fair, that lobby hasn’t been tranquil in years.

 

[Tha Realest]

If only they had underutilized or unused space adjacent to the main lobby on the first and second floors that could easily be repurposed into a popular bar area.