PHOTOS - Walls up at at the proposed DVC Villas location at the Grand Floridian

[MoonMouse1]

Personally I think that that the concerns are a little overblown

Tell that to me when my November wedding comes around and the beach is torn up and I have to pay almost $3,000 for Cinderella's coach and can not even take the beautiful path along the water...and instead have to take an "alternate path".

And tell that to me when my cocktail hour is at the Summerhouse which overlooks the beach and construction site.

Yeah...I'm not very happy about this. And the worst part is Disney Weddings will not tell their brides anything about this. I can understand them not saying anything about Bay Lake Tower...but this seriously affects us future brides and they are acting like they have no information on it at all. I am having a 200 person wedding and will be spending a very large amount of money, and if I had known that construction would be going on around the Wedding Pavilion I probably would have made other arrangements.

I am still holding out hope that they will not make that much progress between now and November...but that hope is slowly fading...

 

[Captain Chaos]

Personally I think that that the concerns are a little overblown, so I am looking forward to the project.

What? Disney fanboys overblowing concerns and bashing projects before anything is announced or construction started??? Surely you jest.....

 

[menamechris]

What? Disney fanboys overblowing concerns and bashing projects before anything is announced or construction started??? Surely you jest.....

Not for nothing - but rarely are announcements made before construction starts. Especially when they know it could be an unpopular response. And I personally don't think fanboys will be the only ones disappointed if this turns out to be a mistake.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Tell that to me when my November wedding comes around and the beach is torn up and I have to pay almost $3,000 for Cinderella's coach and can not even take the beautiful path along the water...and instead have to take an "alternate path".

And tell that to me when my cocktail hour is at the Summerhouse which overlooks the beach and construction site.

Yeah...I'm not very happy about this. And the worst part is Disney Weddings will not tell their brides anything about this. I can understand them not saying anything about Bay Lake Tower...but this seriously affects us future brides and they are acting like they have no information on it at all. I am having a 200 person wedding and will be spending a very large amount of money, and if I had known that construction would be going on around the Wedding Pavilion I probably would have made other arrangements.

I am still holding out hope that they will not make that much progress between now and November...but that hope is slowly fading...

I'm so sorry. I don't think you should even be paying full price if a huge aspect of the experience (the beach, that path along the beach from GF, etc) you booked might not even be there during your wedding.

I'm sad about this too. It's really going to take away that secluded feel that you get when you're halfway between GF and Poly. It's not about whether the building is DVC or not - it's just the fact that a very large building will be taking away something that made that area special.

 

[puntagordabob]

This project is happening. They've already started replacing the windows of the wedding pavilion with stained glass ( not the Cindy castle window ) to hide the construction.

Nice info ty for sharing!

First they over built Yacht and Beach and now this. I'd stayed there before and during construction of the DVC. I saw what it looks like after. Why not just build new resorts for the DVC owners? Stop ruining what had charm.
.

I disagree that the addition of the Beach Club was a "detriment" to the Yacht Club... in fact I believe the addition actually Plussed the resort for all..

I know people will hate me for that post, but its all in good humor....
and if you feel this was directed at you and you arent a beautiful person, then you know I am not directing it to you..again I said it in good humor..too bad we have to post disclaimers about the mood of our posts....
.

Disclaimers in our messages...hahaha thats really funny!

I am worried about how this will look. Right now the resorts are so perfectly separated - almost as if they are on their own islands. I have a feeling this is really going to mess with that... Be that as it may - they seem to be giving the DVC folks what they want..

IMHO the Wedding Pavillion is the end of the GF resort so this addition only completes the look and will up the capacity of the resort a bit too..

If the DVC is constructed to completely appear like it was part of the original resort then I think this addition will compliment the resort....and by adding Villas it will open up opportunities for everyone (DVC and Cash Guests) to have larger rooms and the use of kitchen facilities.... It will also add another pool and other items to the resort that we can only speculate on at this point.

As for the Wedding interuptions...for what you pay for that honor I am certain Disney will go over and beyond to make the weddings affected by the construction extra magical somehow.... if they dont then that would be a problem....but at this point it seems proper to assume that they will make it right!

IMHO DVC has a good track record...they spend the money to do it correctly...and if there is a problem (sink placement in BLT for example) they spend the money to make it right. I think the end product will be exceptional....

Referring to the previous posters wish that they would construct a new DVC from the ground up with no prior resort connection I agree!!!! I am sure the resort would be incredible.

As for the Poly DVC idea.... same as any other DVC.....IF it is done right then it would be a big PLUS for the Poly, not a negative at all!!!

I know there are problems at WDW......but in my humble opinion DVC (though you personally may or may not like the concept) is one of the things that is done correctly time and time again....and while DVC may not be perfect it is Pretty Damn Good IMHO.

 

[RSoxNo1]

I wonder how long Disney will deny that they're building this.

 

[Biff215]

This should be a nice addition to the resort. The GF doesn't really do it for me theme or atmosphere-wise, so I don't really see my family using the kind of points it will take to stay there. But adding new options can never hurt the value of my membership!

I get that it bothers some when DVC adds on to existing resorts, but it's really hard to argue with. All of the things that make a Disney resort great are already typically there (theme pools, restaurants, shopping, etc.) and DVC usually does a good job adding to that.

DVC's two tries at standalone resorts (OKW and SSR) are clearly their least popular. We avoid these resorts at all costs in favor of the "resort feel" you get at the existing deluxe resorts. To each his own I guess!

 

[COProgressFan]

Tell that to me when my November wedding comes around and the beach is torn up and I have to pay almost $3,000 for Cinderella's coach and can not even take the beautiful path along the water...and instead have to take an "alternate path".

And tell that to me when my cocktail hour is at the Summerhouse which overlooks the beach and construction site.

Yeah...I'm not very happy about this. And the worst part is Disney Weddings will not tell their brides anything about this. I can understand them not saying anything about Bay Lake Tower...but this seriously affects us future brides and they are acting like they have no information on it at all. I am having a 200 person wedding and will be spending a very large amount of money, and if I had known that construction would be going on around the Wedding Pavilion I probably would have made other arrangements.

I am still holding out hope that they will not make that much progress between now and November...but that hope is slowly fading...

So sorry to hear about this. I know this has a terrible effect on weddings, especially during construction. The fact that the weddings dept. isn't mentioning this to guests is terrible and shows no respect for the folks shelling out big $$ for weddings.

And even when the construction is done, this will still affect the wedding pavilion. One of the major highlights of the WP is the feeling of seclusion and isolation from the rest of the resort. It's a beautiful setting that is peaceful and private. That beach is also a very popular spot for wedding photos. The best that future brides/grooms can hope for is lots of landscaping to separate the wedding pavilion from the new expanded parking areas and enormous building which will sit right next to it.

 

[puntagordabob]

I wonder how long Disney will deny that they're building this.

BUILDING WHAT? :ROFLOL:

DVC's two tries at standalone resorts (OKW and SSR) are clearly their least popular. We avoid these resorts at all costs in favor of the "resort feel" you get at the existing deluxe resorts. To each his own I guess!

Not a real fan of Saratoga....but I do find Old Key West very charming and nice....we have learned to always book in the Hospitality House category! Olivia's is a "Best Kept Secret" and the Community Hall is a blast! Also has the most secluded and best (according to my kids!) basketball courts at WDW!

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Not for nothing - but rarely are announcements made before construction starts. Especially when they know it could be an unpopular response. And I personally don't think fanboys will be the only ones disappointed if this turns out to be a mistake.

If they believed that the overall response to a major capital expenditure was going to be negative, do you really think they would build it? It might not have the full seal of approval from this group and other mega fans, but I believe that the overall response will be extremely positive.

 

[mp2bill]

Such a shame! It was a beautiful, peaceful area, one of my favorites on property. I was still hoping they wouldn't actually do it, but I suppose money talks. At least the beach on the Poly side of the Wedding Pavilion will still be there.

I don't understand. Will this really bring in that many more people? I've stayed at the Wilderness Lodge villas and haven't been annoyed at the number of people staying there

 

[Captain Chaos]

Not for nothing - but rarely are announcements made before construction starts. Especially when they know it could be an unpopular response. And I personally don't think fanboys will be the only ones disappointed if this turns out to be a mistake.

But, let's be real... I'm not saying ALL Disney fanboys get up in arms, but, when hints of possible additions to come are given, there is a group of people that right away complain... Their reactions are typically overblown as is the case here... Already that segment is saying the resort will be ruined, blah blah blah without seeing:

1) concept art
2) any construction proving DVC is coming
3) the finished product

 

[DocMcHulk]

I wonder how long Disney will deny that they're building this.

"There are NO walls going up near the Grand Floridian!"

 

[jakeman]

Have you ever stayed at the GF or taken the peaceful walk from there to the Poly? Or gone to an event at the wedding pavilion?

These things might change your perspective. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, of course, but I don't think the concerns are overblown at all.

Yep. I have.

You're right, it might change my perspective and you know what? I don't really care.

It's a place and places change. I proposed to my wife on that beach and if a building is put there it doesn't change the fact that I'm still happily married. It also doesn't change my memory of proposing.

Tell that to me when my November wedding comes around and the beach is torn up and I have to pay almost $3,000 for Cinderella's coach and can not even take the beautiful path along the water...and instead have to take an "alternate path".

And tell that to me when my cocktail hour is at the Summerhouse which overlooks the beach and construction site.

Yeah...I'm not very happy about this. And the worst part is Disney Weddings will not tell their brides anything about this. I can understand them not saying anything about Bay Lake Tower...but this seriously affects us future brides and they are acting like they have no information on it at all. I am having a 200 person wedding and will be spending a very large amount of money, and if I had known that construction would be going on around the Wedding Pavilion I probably would have made other arrangements.

I am still holding out hope that they will not make that much progress between now and November...but that hope is slowly fading...

Your wedding planner probably didn't know about it and probably does not have very much information about it.

I'm sure with enough prodding they will let you out of their contract if it really is such an issue.

However, since I'm feeling preachy about weddings right now, what's more important, getting married or your wedding?

We were supposed to have ours outside but it rained. We got married in front of our buffet table in the reception hall, and I would do it again, because getting married was important...not the wedding.

So sorry to hear about this. I know this has a terrible effect on weddings, especially during construction. The fact that the weddings dept. isn't mentioning this to guests is terrible and shows no respect for the folks shelling out big $$ for weddings.

They didn't do it when the castle was a cake either. And that was back in the magical 90s when everything was rainbows and unicorns.

And even when the construction is done, this will still affect the wedding pavilion. One of the major highlights of the WP is the feeling of seclusion and isolation from the rest of the resort. It's a beautiful setting that is peaceful and private. That beach is also a very popular spot for wedding photos. The best that future brides/grooms can hope for is lots of landscaping to separate the wedding pavilion from the new expanded parking areas and enormous building which will sit right next to it.

No, one of the major highlights of the wedding pavilion is you can still park there and walk to the monorail without having to go through a security booth.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

No, one of the major highlights of the wedding pavilion is you can still park there and walk to the monorail without having to go through a security booth.

I heard that the wedding pavilion will become gated as part of this new construction, so people won't be able to park there anymore.

 

[Master Yoda]

THIS is exciting. Poly-DVC next?

I know Disney wants to but there is simply no room for it without knocking down an existing structure.

 

[jakeman]

I heard that the wedding pavilion will become gated as part of this new construction, so people won't be able to park there anymore.

Well in that case, down with the DVC!

 

[TinkerBelle8878]

Tell that to me when my November wedding comes around and the beach is torn up and I have to pay almost $3,000 for Cinderella's coach and can not even take the beautiful path along the water...and instead have to take an "alternate path".

And tell that to me when my cocktail hour is at the Summerhouse which overlooks the beach and construction site.

Yeah...I'm not very happy about this. And the worst part is Disney Weddings will not tell their brides anything about this. I can understand them not saying anything about Bay Lake Tower...but this seriously affects us future brides and they are acting like they have no information on it at all. I am having a 200 person wedding and will be spending a very large amount of money, and if I had known that construction would be going on around the Wedding Pavilion I probably would have made other arrangements.

I am still holding out hope that they will not make that much progress between now and November...but that hope is slowly fading...

I'm not that familiar with the aspects of the wedding pavillion but would you be able to move stuff to the Poly beach and have the wedding there? If they're not confirming or denying anything, what if you point blank said you wanted an alternate venue because the one that you signed a contract for is now compromised?

 

[puntagordabob]

"there are no walls going up near the grand floridian!"

:roflol:

 

[yankspy]

Great news. I have to disagree that this is a negative. I keep reading about how peaceful and quiet that area is and I am wondering how that will change. I have stayed at the GF a couple of times and have attended weddings there as well. Even during busy times, that entire resort is quiet and peaceful. I do not think a DVC building will change that.

I think many are just upset about another DVC being built which I do not understand either. What is wrong with opening up one of the best resorts on property to the loyal die hard fans?