Refurbishment coming to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort lobby

[jah4955]

Edison/Enzo's ring a bell ?

was waiting for that post...I was referring to hotel lobbies...plus it was an attempt at a bit of humor...

 

[Animaniac93-98]

The whole check in area looks very McMansion to me, but that's been a common theme with WDW interior design of late

 

[James Alucobond]

To be honest, those lighting fixtures really bother me. They clearly don't fit the time period of the resort and still seem to have been chosen and approved precisely because of their very distinctive design. It seems to me that there should be someone who catches these kinds of anachronistic additions and sends the designers back to the drawing board.

I know some will feel it is a small detail that doesn't matter, but those small details were traditionally what Disney theming was all about and why they were better than their competitors.

The fixtures and hardware in general have been the worst thing about several of the recent makeovers, plus some of the furniture incorporates matching hardware and finishes. That said, though it's disruptive, I typically find it the least upsetting of the changes because it's usually the least permanent. A refresh of pretty much any level will see all of them cycled out again, hopefully either under better supervision or at a time when ornamentation is back in style.

 

[castlecake2.0]

I think a lot of times the things being replaced aren’t any closer/further from the time period/theming than what they are replacing if you really look at it, it’s just we become so used to what was there before that it feels off.

 

[Bocabear]

I think a lot of times the things being replaced aren’t any closer/further from the time period/theming than what they are replacing if you really look at it, it’s just we become so used to what was there before that it feels off.

I would say they kicked the can pretty hard down the timeline this time... Uber modern light fixtures in what was designed to be a 19th century Seaside Resort is jarring and awful. The bar is fine...there is a lobby bar at the Hotel Del Coronado....and most every other major hotel in the world... But jumping to modern styled light fixtures and a super contemporary check in area is pretty damn bad... Another page from the Marriott school of Hotel Design... People chose to stay at these expensive resorts for the immersive beautiful theming... They are doing everything they can lately to remove all placemaking and thematic design....and I am not sure why... that is what people remember....That is what people photograph and post to their instagram accounts....not another normal "anywhere USA" modern hotel lobby... The Grand Aloft Hotel.... Boo!

 

[Nunu]

The light fixtures do stick out as being a bit too modern.

I'd never guess it's The Grand Floridian just by looking at these new light fixtures. They have nothing to do with the Victorian-style themed resort.

People making design decisions like these are clueless. Probably the same team that chose the Home Depot mosaic tile for the Morocco pavillion's fountain refurbishment.

 

[Casper Gutman]

I am typically a complainer on most things Disney has done in the last 20ish years, but this one isn't a hill to die on. I don't have a problem with the light fixtures and if I did, it wouldn't be post worthy.

You’re posting about a post about the light fixtures. It is literally less meaningful then the original post.

Oh, and it’s not about the light fixtures. It’s about a design philosophy that has diminished almost every one of Disneys themed hotels and resulted in the construction of generic blobs like the Lakeside, Riviera, and DVC towers. It’s not a minor issue.

 

[Casper Gutman]

I’d like to remind some posters that your unthinking loyalty to The Brand does not actually exempt you from forum rules.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

As to shades of white, i would say bragging about using 5 different shades of white is pretty dumb

If you’ll say that about John Hench we clearly won’t get along! Haha.

 

[KDM31091]

So how many think the gingerbread house never returns? I think it seems unlikely. It wasn’t monetized , so they don’t care.

 

[James Alucobond]

So how many think the gingerbread house never returns? I think it seems unlikely. It wasn’t monetized , so they don’t care.

It was one of the few gingerbread displays that was monetized in some way, actually.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

So how many think the gingerbread house never returns? I think it seems unlikely. It wasn’t monetized , so they don’t care.

If $11 for a gingerbread cookie and a line longer than dole whips isn’t “monetized” I don’t know what is!

(It was a good cookie though… not gonna lie)

 

[KDM31091]

That’s true, I guess it was. Still don’t think it’s coming back though but who knows.

 

[Ayla]

I’d like to remind some posters that your unthinking loyalty to The Brand does not actually exempt you from forum rules.

I wouldn't be so sure.

 

[LittleBuford]

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.

They’re giving me Deco vibes if anything. It’s a shame, because the mural and carpet work well.

 

[bunns]

Unpopular opinion, I like it.

Done think garden view lounge is coming back as just that, a lounge that offers more seating which may be needed if bar is popular, or tea rooms coming back for afternoon tea. Baffles me there isn’t afternoon tea at the GF

 

[jmuboy]

I really like the new grand staircase

And there ARE elements of the new check in area I like. The lighting is just not of those things I think look good. I do think the new check in counters with the burlwood looks good. And, what I believe are the wood key boxes behind them, also works as well. Both work to add some contrast and break up all the white.