Refurbishment coming to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort lobby

[JMcMahonEsq]

Yeah…. Like Kona at Polynesian.

The space probably would get equal use but at different times. During the morning, i would see a coffee bar being a huge hit, but not so sure in the afternoon/evenings.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

The space probably would get equal use but at different times. During the morning, i would see a coffee bar being a huge hit, but not so sure in the afternoon/evenings.

A fancy coffee bar that also serves pre-Mixed drinks would be a win-win then!

 

[MisterPenguin]

Here is the ribbon cut from this morning

Shoulda had Disney bird characters M&G there!

Bonus points if they mime they are trapped in a cage.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

A fancy coffee bar that also serves pre-Mixed drinks would be a win-win then!

I could see that, or a full service bar with coffee/cappuccino machine. Either/or something with flex serviceability that would let you serve coffee before noon, and drinks after.

 

[Disney Analyst]

There’s nothing stopping them from offering coffee in the future, based on feedback or wanting to boost money in the mornings.

Although it would likely need to be simple drip, and tea etc. I can’t imagine they will install a full espresso machine.

Could easily serve coffee 6am-10am or something.

 

[LittleBuford]

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).

I still think the barstools are really ill-fitting, and, as others have noted, the tiles around the bar don't work very well either, but yes, they've done a decent job overall.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I can’t imagine they will install a full espresso machine.

“It’s kind of fun to do the impossible” ️

 

[jah4955]

“It’s kind of fun to do the impossible” ️

“It’s kind of fun to do the espressible”

 

[Disney Analyst]

“It’s kind of fun to do the impossible” ️

I mean unless they will redesign the entire bar to fit it in, but I doubt that. You don’t just throw a big espresso machine on the counter.

 

[easyrowrdw]

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

I agree. I don’t think the dark wood (or tile) fit the rest of the lobby. I think you could have white with the stained glass or other colorful accents to bring visual interest without it being such a contrast. The overall footprint doesn’t seem as obtrusive as I’d feared though so that’s good

 

[wajo]

Of course a lot of time was spent to design this new bar into the Lobby. My family 25 +years at the GF. This looks completely out of place in what was the best resort Lobby.
A low height partition wall parallel to the bar length a few feet away would have been better to distinguish the bar area and separate a bit from the Lobby seating. But to blend in the bar with the Lobby seating is really amateurish. The whole concept sorry to say trashed up this great Lobby. The elegance of the GF days when the orchestra was there and then the piano interaction was the best. Whatever management decisions were made to incorporate this was just a horrible mistake. Now the monorail bar patrons from all over the World will use this and completely change the ambiance of this resort .

 

[plutofan15]

Now the monorail bar patrons from all over the World will use this and completely change the ambiance of this resort .

Oh my! Now the great unwashed masses from the peon non-Grand Floridian resorts (not to mention the off-property hotel peasants - the horror!) might soil the ambiance for the upper crust elites! Whatever shall we do???

 

[jah4955]

Of course a lot of time was spent to design this new bar into the Lobby. My family 25 +years at the GF. This looks completely out of place in what was the best resort Lobby.
....... Now the monorail bar patrons from all over the World will use this and completely change the ambiance of this resort .

When I started "resort hopping" as part of the WDW vacations about 30 years ago it felt like a "best kept secret" because it seemed we were having this bonus experience that only us, and the respective hotels' guests had. Assuming my perception was true, one thing that's for sure is that those days are lonnnnng-gone...and forever. (At least) the Deluxe Resorts have long-since become "attractions" onto themselves, and Disney knows that and saw the opportunity to capitalize on that. Either that or put something in place to keep those "riffraff" without rooms out (like virtually every other hotel has been doing "forever.").

 

[MisterPenguin]

When I started "resort hopping" as part of the WDW vacations about 30 years ago it felt like a "best kept secret" because it seemed we were having this bonus experience that only us, and the respective hotels' guests had. Assuming my perception was true, one thing that's for sure is that those days are lonnnnng-gone...and forever. (At least) the Deluxe Resorts have long-since become "attractions" onto themselves, and Disney knows that and saw the opportunity to capitalize on that. Either that or put something in place to keep those "riffraff" without rooms out (like virtually every other hotel has been doing "forever.").

The tables in the lobby is a great place to relax and eat my peanut butter sandwiches.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Either that or put something in place to keep those "riffraff" without rooms out (like virtually every other hotel has been doing "forever.").

They’ve started doing that at the Disneyland Paris Hotel at the entrance- I was there over new years - very crowded time - and didn’t see any issue that needed to be fixed but of course I was part of the problem I guess?

 

[Casper Gutman]

It looks like they may be serving throughout the carpeted area, based on menus on the tables.

It’s a bar. It’s all a bar. If you want to sit in the lobby and not pay for booze, Disney wants it understood you’re being watched and aren’t particularly welcome.

Every inch must be monetized.

 

[Brian]

It’s a bar. It’s all a bar. If you want to sit in the lobby and not pay for booze, Disney wants it understood you’re being watched and aren’t particularly welcome.

Every inch must be monetized.

There is no requirement to purchase alcohol. It's an option.

Have you ever heard of just saying "No, thank you" when asked if a cocktail server could get you anything?

 

[Chi84]

It’s a bar. It’s all a bar. If you want to sit in the lobby and not pay for booze, Disney wants it understood you’re being watched and aren’t particularly welcome.

Every inch must be monetized.

Being watched?

 

[Casper Gutman]

There is no requirement to purchase alcohol. It's an option.

Have you ever heard of just saying "No, thank you" when asked if a cocktail server could get you anything?

Yup. And then you’re taking up a space that could be used by a paying customer - which, given that the server relies upon tips, can make one feel a bit of a heel.

 

[Chi84]

Yup. And then you’re taking up a space that could be used by a paying customer - which, given that the server relies upon tips, can make one feel a bit of a heel.

It’s a lobby. It’s not like going into a bar and not ordering alcohol, although I’ve done that at Disney. The servers didn’t make me feel uncomfortable at all.

I’ve followed your posts on a couple of threads and I don’t think most people have such extreme concerns about bars.