Refurbishment coming to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort lobby

[JMcMahonEsq]

It's not about whether something is popular, it's whether it belongs where they're putting it. In the case of the GF lobby central focal point bar, it certainly does not belong there.

If something is popular, it means most people enjoy using it, and do think it belongs. Its hilarious that you have such an overinflated sense of self importance that you think you get to decide what belongs in what location, as opposed to the people who own the property, or all the guests who want it and are going to be using it

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

If something is popular, it means most people enjoy using it, and do think it belongs.

Is enchanted rose popular? It’s been pretty empty last few times I’ve passed it but that’s just every now and then.

 

[MisterPenguin]

They have been for generations... My only concern is not a lobby bar its that it will bottleneck that area even worse.

I get it!!

 

[LAM378]

To be fair, that lobby hasn’t been tranquil in years.

Sadly, you’re correct, and I’m sure the powers that be were thinking hard about that when they decided on the birdcage bar.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

Sadly, you’re correct, and I’m sure the powers that be were thinking hard about that when they decided on the birdcage bar.

Much more so than the attempt at a Beauty & the Beast bar upstairs, I am excited to see how the Birdcage bar turns out. For one thing, at least it is a Florida-based IP. For another, it lends itself to some interesting CM costumes.

 

[Dan Deesnee]

If something is popular, it means most people enjoy using it, and do think it belongs. Its hilarious that you have such an overinflated sense of self importance that you think you get to decide what belongs in what location, as opposed to the people who own the property, or all the guests who want it and are going to be using it

Something being popular doesn't mean that most people enjoy it. That's why there's 30 genres of TV shows and channels, etc.

You're on a forum to discuss things related to disney and it's parks / resorts. It's not about self-importance, it's about discussing the topic at hand.

Let's use your logic. Sports are popular too. Would it be acceptable for an open sports bar with TVs and music to be put in the middle of Grand Floridians lobby? Some guests would enjoy it and many guests love both drinking and professional sports.

If your answer is no, I would appreciate hearing your explanation as to why not.

 

[Disney Analyst]

A lobby bar belongs in a lobby… so by that virtue, if Disney hath decided a lobby bar needs be added, it certainly does belong where they are placing it.

Even if you don’t like it there.

 

[LAM378]

While this is no doubt a whole different animal, I just question the redundancy. Enchanted Rose is not a lobby bar like the birdcage will be, but it’s … a bar right off the lobby. The birdcage will bring GF’s bar count to 5, which seems like a lot. What does Y&B have, 3?

The birdcage bar will be immensely popular and rake in money, but I bet the bean counters wish they’d thought of it before they built Enchanted Rose.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

Something being popular doesn't mean that most people enjoy it. That's why there's 30 genres of TV shows and channels, etc.

You're on a forum to discuss things related to disney and it's parks / resorts. It's not about self-importance, it's about discussing the topic at hand.

Let's use your logic. Sports are popular too. Would it be acceptable for an open sports bar with TVs and music to be put in the middle of Grand Floridians lobby? Some guests would enjoy it and many guests love both drinking and professional sports.

If your answer is no, I would appreciate hearing your explanation as to why not.

yes being popular means most people enjoy it, or at least a commercially significant amount of people to the point where it makes sense for a business to offer the service.

As to using logic....is that what WDW is doing...putting a sports bar in the Grand Floridian? Listen if they marketing shows that a significant portion of the guests staying at the Grand Floridan would want and us one, then yes it's acceptable. Why wouldn't it be? Because you subjectively think there is some non-existent standard on what is and isn't acceptable? I don't think my subjective opinion matters at all to WDW. If the market dictates something is popular, whether I like it or not is irrelevant.

But of course WDW isn't putting a full sprots bar in the middle of the Grand. They are putting a bar that esthetics and style will likely fit the overall design of the building. Considering the look of the hotel is based of the Mount Washington Hotel, the Hotel Del Coronado, and other Victorian Era resorts, most if not all of which had seating areas in first level and lobby which had bars and alcohol service, its still completely keeping with the aesthetic and "intent" if one cares about such things, to have a bar available there for guests.

 

[jah4955]

They are putting a bar that esthetics and style will likely fit the overall design of the building. Considering the look of the hotel is based of the Mount Washington Hotel, the Hotel Del Coronado, and other Victorian Era resorts, most if not all of which had seating areas in first level and lobby which had bars and alcohol service, its still completely keeping with the aesthetic and "intent" if one cares about such things, to have a bar available there for guests.

It's a good thing Disney didn't build a hotel explicitly themed from the Prohibition Era...the "lobby bar" would have to be a speakeasy...in the basement...in Florida?

 

[Disney Analyst]

While this is no doubt a whole different animal, I just question the redundancy. Enchanted Rose is not a lobby bar like the birdcage will be, but it’s … a bar right off the lobby. The birdcage will bring GF’s bar count to 5, which seems like a lot. What does Y&B have, 3?

The birdcage bar will be immensely popular and rake in money, but I bet the bean counters wish they’d thought of it before they built Enchanted Rose.

Well who knows, perhaps changes will be coming to Enchanted Rose in the future once they have a lobby bar.

 

[LAM378]

Well who knows, perhaps changes will be coming to Enchanted Rose in the future once they have a lobby bar.

Perhaps! Can’t imagine what they’d do with it, though. Nothing makes as much money as a bar, even an underperforming bar. They slayed it with Trader Sam’s and Beak and Barrel, but I feel like they missed the mark in the middle there with ER. Go full-on BATB or don’t.

If it were up to me, I would have gutted ER and turned it into a tearoom, and used the current tearoom footprint for a birdcage bar along the back wall there. I’m not opposed to a lobby bar. I think conceptually it’s kind of neat. I just dislike how this is ruining the symmetry of the lobby. But I am not a Disney bean counter, and I know you can’t mark up tea the way you can alcohol!

 

[Dr.GrantSeeker]

Does everyone forget that there was literally a quaint little lobby bar called Mizner’s, also right off the lobby? Had they just referbished that space to compliment the lobby instead of using it for seating for ER maybe we wouldn’t even be here.

 

[James Alucobond]

Bell services has mercifully re-opened. It was pretty miserable floating next to the elevator. I think they're now down to one check-in desk impinging on the main floor, and the new desks look nearly complete. That alone will help to mitigate the chaos.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Bell services has mercifully re-opened. It was pretty miserable floating next to the elevator. I think they're now down to one check-in desk impinging on the main floor, and the new desks look nearly complete. That alone will help to mitigate the chaos.

They don't need a check-in desk. They have evil iPads now.

 

[DCBaker]

Photos from today:

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

The new check in desks look nice - the lighting fixtures look a bit modern in the photo but I like this look and I’d say it’s a nice improvement over the prior check in desk.