Refurbishment coming to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort lobby

[Nunu]

I'm curious (and a bit worried) about the Christmas Tree. I think it'd probably fit in it's usual spot, but imo, it'd impact the flow of the lobby, making it feel too crowded at times.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

So we aren’t allowed to discuss perceived and actual value or quality of the experience or product?

Sure you are. People are allowed to talk about how they think the Earth is flat if they want. Being allowed to talk about something doesn't render it any less stupid.

Now talking about actual value or quality of the experience or product could be an interesting discussion. But that wasn't what was happening to the post I responded to. First, its awfully hard to discuss an experience or product...when you haven't actually experienced the service or product. Second, value is such a subjective measure of a service that it someone renders any discussion moot.

But again that wasn't what i responded too. Someone just repeatedly posting that a for profit business, is looking to make money, or a "cash grab" when it offers new services (especially services the poster hasn't experienced) is in the flat Earth territory.

 

[wdwmagic]

Here are some more photos from today

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

't what i responded too. Someone just repeatedly posting that a for profit business, is looking to make money, or a "cash grab" when it offers new services (especially services the poster hasn't experienced) is in the flat Earth territory.

Cash grabs exist though. Within Disney parks there are things that are a complete loss - like all the free stickers and buttons they give out every day - and then there are charges that get into cash grab territory.

I’m not saying this bar is one…. You’d expect drinks to be expensive at the grand and you’d expect this very small bar to have a limited menu since there is a larger full bar just steps away.

For me, I wish they would have made it a coffee bar since the walk to the cafe is further than the walk to enchanted rose but it was not to be!

But you do understand the concept of a cash grab existing I’m sure.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

But you do understand the concept of a cash grab existing I’m sure.

The entire purpose of a for profit business is to make as much money as possible. Every decision the business makes is centered around that. Even certain loss leader type offers are done, not to lose money, but to either bring in more customers and promoting spending elsewhere, or as good will/customer retention measures. So no this idea that something that the business is doing is a "cash crab" doesn't make any sense as a concept related to for profit operations, when literally everything the business does is to facilitate making money

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Even certain loss leader type offers are done,

Right…. So there’s a line. On one end of the line is a loss leader, the other is a cash grab.

 

[jah4955]

It's a little jarring to see that dark wood, stained glass, etc. and then a bunch of people sitting there in t-shirts and baseball hats.

Not that that's a Disney problem, or a problem at all -- they're certainly not going to require a dress code in a hotel lobby, nor should they -- just a bit of a weird juxtaposition. But that's generally true of themed spaces in general; it's not like it's something unique to this bar.

If you want jarring watch the 1956 "Disneyland USA" featurette. Virtually everyone's "dressed to the nines" for a theme park! Walt wanted Disneyland away from the beach so people wouldn't visit in swimsuits (and that was 1955 swimsuits), and fast forward to today (further description unnecessary). I don't want to exactly return to those days (WAY TOO HOT)...but perhaps some happy compromise somewhere in the middle between then and now? Not holding my breath, but I think the "top-shelf" restaurant experiences would be enhanced by a basic dress code. But I've heard that in comparable experiences (luxury cruises, etc), dress codes have all but gone the way of the dodo.

You reminded me of a favorite family Disney story (but this one before I was born). My late great-aunt decided to spend her day at WDW pouting on a Main Street bench in the mid-70's...absolutely appalled that women dare wore shorts!

 

[James Alucobond]

For me, I wish they would have made it a coffee bar since the walk to the cafe is further than the walk to enchanted rose but it was not to be!

In the long run, I think a coffee bar would be far worse for lobby traffic than this will ultimately be after the first week passes.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

In the long run, I think a coffee bar would be far worse for lobby traffic than this will ultimately be after the first week passes.

So it would have been more popular?

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

Wouldn't it match everything better if the bar were white?

 

[James Alucobond]

So it would have been more popular?

I think it would be treated like a drive-thru Starbucks, particularly in the morning, rather than a thing to walk up to, grab a drink, and relax in the lobby.

 

[Trueblood]

Apologies if this has already been discussed, but has there been any chatter of cocktail waitresses in the lobby?

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I think it would be treated like a drive-thru Starbucks, particularly in the morning, rather than a thing to walk up to, grab a drink, and relax in the lobby.

Yeah…. Like Kona at Polynesian.

 

[LittleBuford]

I don't want to exactly return to those days (WAY TOO HOT)...but perhaps some happy compromise somewhere in the middle between then and now?

The shift happened so long ago that the “then and now” framing doesn’t quite work. As you yourself noted with your fun anecdote, outfits had become a lot more casual by the 1970s, so we’d have to go back more than 50 years to get to a point where shorts and T-shirts weren’t ubiquitous.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Wouldn't it match everything better if the bar were white?

I actually think from a design perspective, you want it to stand out. It brings visual interest to the space. If it was painted to match the walls it would be very jarring (imo).

 

[Disneydad1012]

Apologies if this has already been discussed, but has there been any chatter of cocktail waitresses in the lobby?

I saw a tik tok stating that yes there is someone working the area for drinks.

 

[LittleBuford]

I actually think from a design perspective, you want it to stand out. It brings visual interest to the space. If it was painted to match the walls it would be very jarring (imo).

More than that, dark brown wood is much more in keeping with old-fashioned bars than white would be.

 

[Disney Analyst]

More than that, dark brown wood is much more in keeping with old-fashioned bars than white would be.

I personally think the updated lobby hall area is just gorgeous.

My only issue is the check in counter light fixtures (an easy future fix).

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

Right…. So there’s a line. On one end of the line is a loss leader, the other is a cash grab.

No. Everything is done to make money.

 

[wdwmagic]

Here is the ribbon cut from this morning