" Cat Lady" at the Grand Floridian

zurgandfriend

Well-Known Member
I have seen her sitting in the lobby of The Grand Floridian the last couple of times we stayed there. I always smiled when I saw her but never spoke to her as I did not wish to bother her. Next time I'll say hello. Thanks for telling her story.
 

sbkline

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Sorry the other 'thread' was closed. That is a new term to me.

The lady who is always at the Grand Floridian Hotel is my sister, Lynn, who lives near there and is definitely Not homeless.

Her late Husband, Bruce, used to be there often, too, but would often go off and do other things while Lynn listened to the music.

She takes her bags of teddy bears with her everywhere and has for many many years.

Lynn has a terrific sense of humor, but she does hear the beat to a different drummer, as the old saying goes.

Bruce suddenly passed away from a brain aneurysm October of 2007, which was a shock to all of us. He had a fantastic sense of humor as well, and the two of them couldn't have been more perfectly matched.

Lynn will be 67 in March, so she isn't as old as some thought. I am 65, and at times, websites like this one are somewhat of a struggle for me to figure out how to use, so I hope you will be patient with me.

Even as a child Lynn was rather overly imaginative. I remember when one night she got me to drag her into our closet so she could pretend she was a doll and 'catch' all of the toys come 'alive' when the rest of us were asleep. She was probably around 7 or 8 at the time. She was dissappointed the next morning that none had come to life, but she reasoned it all out that the toys must have realized that she was really a human and not a real toy.

So, Lynn is not homeless, but she is OCD. One day she will no doubt tire of going to the GF and go off into something else.

She and Bruce used to love to hand out teddy bears to children, but only after asking the children's parent's permission first. They have been going to Disney since it opened, and have spent a small fortune there, taking 4 kids there very often, spending almost more time in the place where people camp than at their own home, renting golf carts. So, if anyone thinks either of them were or are freeloaders, they are very wrong.

The person who wrote #43 on the original site about my sister needs to learn compassion for those less fortunate than she is. With the way the world is today, she could be homeless right now. I hope that is NOT the case, but if it is, I can't help but wonder if she would even give a thought to what she wrote about homeless people when many thought Lynn might be, and she really didn't like the idea of Lynn being in the hotel if she was homeless. I seem to remember that she didn't even want Lynn there if she wasn't a guest at the hotel. My goodness, don't you think there are literally thousands of people that go into these hotels to eat in the restaurants, or listen to the music, etc. It is a public place.

Lynn has a LOT of friends at the hotel, as well as a few like the above person, who resent her being there daily.

Who is she hurting? No one.

At any rate, I hope this satisfies everyone's curiosity. Thanks to all of you who were kind in your remarks about her.

Lynn's Sister,
Tracy Joan
Nashville, TN

Very interesting story, thanks for sharing. And sorry for the "weirdo" comment. That may have been a poor choice of words.
 

kane47

Well-Known Member
She is a very nice lady. My father strikes up a conversation with her every time he goes. She is always pleasant and happy Like the door man, it is always nice to see a familiar face when we go to our favorite resort.
 

coachwnh

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
I believe the paste above (no, I didn't write it, it is a direct copy from somewhere else) is what you were looking for
I had read that same post after we saw her in February when we stayed at the GF. I so wanted to say hello after I read that. My wife had heard the story about her and I did a quick search and saw the post. This summer Ill be sure to say hello.
We were there for 10 days, but only saw her twice.
 

docdebbi

Well-Known Member
wow, last time i stayed at GF, i noticed her. but from up on a balcony, couldn't see too many details. but she was definitely noticable. Not running around in a hurry and in shorts and play clothes.
none of my family was with me then, and when i tried to explain what i thought i saw, they all thought i had had a few too many that day! so glad to know i wasn't imagining things, and that she really has a nice little story. the kind of person you'd want to meet and greet. bless her and may her visits give her comfort.
 

disneygirl76

Carey Poppins - Nanny and Disney Enthusiest
We just got home yesterday from 5 nights at CSR followed by 6 nights at GF. During our stay at the Grand Floridian, my wife and I noticed that there was always this particular lady sitting in a chair or on a couch on the second floor. She was very eccentric looking, had a fake cat or two and some luggage, and she would just sit there. She sat so still and quiet that I thought she was a mannequin at first. Is she a regular fixture there? Do they pay someone to play the role of an eccentric old cat lady, or did we just happen to visit at a time when some weirdo was staying there? lol

YES! We saw here in September and couldn't figure out what the heck was going on!!!!!
 

tare

Well-Known Member
I am so glad and enlightened to have heard that story. I think it is so heartwarming and I would love to meet her or just day hi someday. Thx for sharing the story!!!
 
I went to Disney World in December (2013), I've been going to the Grand Floridian since I was 4. I remember always seeing Carol Lynn every time I went. Carol Lynn is two separate names (this is what she told me) so I guess you can call her Lynn. I will admit I was scared of her at first but one day after my visit in 2012 I decided to google her. It turns out many wanted to know about this lady and who she was. This past year I decided to go and talk to her. She used to sit down stairs but she now sits upstairs near the stairs. "I'm moving up in the world" is what she told me. I went by myself when the band was playing. I was hesitant at first but then I started to talk to her. I started off our conversation by commenting on how well the band was playing. After that I sat down next to her and we started to talk and I will admit it was enjoyable! She told me about how her husband that passed away, stories of the Grand Floridian, stories of when she was my age, told me about the band, and she made many jokes in between. She told me about how she has the nick name teddy bear which she said with a smile and how people talk about her on the internet. She said that she never seen what people have posted about her but from what she has heard it has been all nice things. She never told me why she carries around all those teddy bears but I honestly didn't want to bother her abut it ether. Lynn is very sweet and funny to talk too, I honestly can't wait to see her next year! P.S. If you do talk to her, have her mention the story about cheerleaders it is worth hearing LOL!
 

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