So if I’m reading between the lines correctly… you aren’t a fan.
Gotta love the mish mash they have turned GF into. Bravo, clueless execs!
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News Cítricos to reopen July 15 reimagined to the whimsy and elegance of Mary Poppins Returns
- Thread starter DCBaker
- Start date
So if I’m reading between the lines correctly… you aren’t a fan.
Gotta love the mish mash they have turned GF into. Bravo, clueless execs!
The Visionary Soul
Well-Known Member
Eh, only the exterior looks like The Del. The interior was 100% Beverly Hills in the 80s. Same architectural firm even. When in Beverly Hills you should really check out The Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. The similarities are striking.
With a price to back up Disney’s version of “fancy”. Ugh.
The Visionary Soul
Well-Known Member
Just realized that you forgot about the random Disney characters in the marble floors they imported from the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and the Alice in Wonderland Interactive Water Feature. And the Mary Poppins fountain in the other building. Just so we’re clear and on the same page I believe none of it makes any sense at all.
The Visionary Soul
Well-Known Member
Oooo, you’re quite perceptive, aren’t you?So if I’m reading between the lines correctly… you aren’t a fan.
Gotta love the mish mash they have turned GF into. Bravo, clueless execs!
Well at least they got rid of the jazz brass band. I mean that really cuts down on the confusion.
Parker in NYC
Well-Known Member
It may surprise some who question recent British arrivals, but the resort has had Mary Poppins and Alice for decades. Beauty and the Beast is ridiculous but I’ll defend the Mary Poppins additions.
Oooo, you’re quite perceptive, aren’t you?
I have had practice deciphering cryptic clues.
But in all seriousness, the honesty is a breath of fresh air.
The Visionary Soul
Well-Known Member
Yeah, get rid of the one thing that people liked, an actual orchestra, and replace it with a single pianist that plays on a limited schedule. Cause that’s a great idea… but it’s in alignment with The Grand Californian’s lobby entertainment offerings, so that makes sense. The hotel has always had more to do with California then Florida anyways so why not?
The Visionary Soul
Well-Known Member
It never should have. That’s my point. This just adds to the mess it already is.
TrainsOfDisney
Well-Known Member
It’s not a replacement - it’s a cut. The pianist was always there and would alternate with the band so there was constant live entertainment in the afternoon and evenings.
The Visionary Soul
Well-Known Member
That’s a fair point. But let’s also keep the spare piano in the corner where the concierge should be or something. Cause who cares at this point? Clearly Disney doesn’t.
DonaldDoleWhip
Well-Known Member
Disagree - I think Victorian-era characters integrated into Disney's Victorian-style resort is probably the least offensive character overlay we could ask for.
Maybe the misalignment was in GF's original 1988 theme ("inspired by Old Florida's beach resorts") instead of simply being a modern interpretation of a Victorian-style hotel, but the character integrations don't bother me at all, Enchanted Rose aside.
Even Cinderella manages to feel at home here, due to the iconic glass carriage that serves the Wedding Pavilion. Certainly beats Snow White and the dwarves hosting a dinner at Wilderness Lodge.
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
Yuck. “More Disney” nonsense.
The Visionary Soul
Well-Known Member
You’re confused. There’s nothing about The Grand Floridian that is Victorian. The Grand Floridian should have never been built as it is with that name. All the “Victorian” influence you’ve been brainwashed into believing is based on marketing at the time and a few paintings on the walls. And Snow White should be kicked out of Wilderness Lodge. Trying to justify one mistake with another is a logical fallacy.
DonaldDoleWhip
Well-Known Member
The exterior architecture is clearly Victorian-inspired. Is it 100% as ornate and detailed as a Victorian-era building? No, but it's enough to evoke the theme.
That's no different than the other deluxe resorts, setting aside AKL, WL, and maybe Polynesian.
For as long as I can remember, the monorail spiel approaching GF has described it as "a Victorian-style hotel." That's absolutely fair game as far as I'm concerned, as are the character motifs such as Mary Poppins and Alice in Wonderland.
The Visionary Soul
Well-Known Member
No it’s not. At best it’s based on The Del, which is decidedly not a good example of Victorian architecture. If anything it may fit into Queen Anne (a subset of Victorian, I’ll give you that), but it’s the exception to the rule. That’s why it’s so historic. Regardless, we were talking interior. Nothing Victorian about it.
Also, I find it funny that you just went down a list of the only Deluxe resorts at WDW that I really enjoy. Never cared for the Epcot Deluxe resorts that much… but they do seem to have a bit more cohesiveness than The Grand Floridian. I’ll set aside The Contemporary because that’s it’s own masterpiece, and honestly, The Incredibles overlay probably fits that resort just as well as anything before it, maybe even more so.
DonaldDoleWhip
Well-Known Member
Yep, I've seen the Del and know what it looks like. I actually think its exterior is kind of ugly and that the GF improves on it (setting aside the Villa building, which is hideous).
That said, the Del was built in 1888 and is still considered to be a "wooden Victorian beach resort." That's absolutely what the GF is meant to evoke. Is it the quintessential example of Victorian architecture? No, but very few elements of WDW represent the quintessential version of their inspiration. There are a few exceptions in there, like Morocco in Epcot being impressively ornate, but that knock isn't unique to GF. I just think it's an easier target because the theme is more played out, boring, and typical.
Still, it's what we ended up with, and I don't think the addition of Mary Poppins or Alice hurt it. Even think they'd be a net positive addition to the rooms.
wedenterprises
Well-Known Member
I would concede the enchanted rose as-is if they bring back the orchestra in the same spot. Otherwise at the very least update the exterior colour scheme (and the furniture in the old orchestra pit)