[RUMOR]: Grand Floridian Resort to Be Gutted to Become Modern Luxury Resort

[21stamps]

I know they want to raise the quality, but raising the quality does not mean having to change to a modern theme. The Grand Floridian theme success on nostalgia. Nostalgia can be easily manipulated. They can make us rethink what we think "Victorian" looks like.

Opinions right now are that GF is dated feeling, which means Victorian as it would be conceived of in the 1980s. I don't think they will change the elegance, but they will go in a direction that feels more 2017. I'm not worried.

I posted photos of a classic, historic, gorgeous, hotel that has gone "modern". But it's not the same "modern" as a lot of people here are wanting. There are several Florida hotels, especially those by Henry Flagler, that successfully show how to modernize that type of property. You don't need to erase the essence of a resort when doing so.

 

[Disone]

Also, I don't know that Disney Deluxe Resorts were ever truely Luxury Resort. When I was kid, I wanted to stay at them not because I thought they were 1st class and I was going to be pampered, but rather because they were an extention of the theme park, a means to stay in the Disney Bubble of themed fantasy beyond the schedule park closing. Today I think most of them still do a very good job of that. Grand is more luxurious then the others in the same lot, but it's still a theme entertainment experience in a hotel setting.

 

[Party of Two]

We really hope this isn't true, we stayed here a couple of years ago and for first timers it felt SO Grand which I guess is the point. I could see the point in refurbing the rooms etc but not 'Gutting' the entire resort.

 

[21stamps]

Also, I don't know that Disney Deluxe Resorts were ever truely Luxury Resort. When I was kid, I wanted to stay at them not because I thought they were 1st class and I was going to be pampered, but rather because they were an extention of the theme park, a means to stay in the Disney Bubble of themed fantasy beyond the schedule park closing. Today I think most of them still do a very good job of that. Grand is more luxurious then the others in the same lot, but it's still a theme entertainment experience in a hotel setting.

Your last paragraph- exactly. People here have compared GF to The Breakers. Boca Raton Resort. Four Seasons. and the Waldorf nearby.

First of all, these resorts are amazing (never stayed at this particular Four Seasons but it looks great), but I don't know if these same people are realizing their price points. If you do a Breakers type renovation on GF, how much do you think a room will be per night? I can guarantee that it would be at least several hundred more than now. Probably starting at $1k for a standard view. This wouldn't make sense for Disney to do that. They are very different types of vacations. Every Disney resort is casual. You can go to the restaurants after a day in the park. Would anyone really want that to change? Do they want to double the price of the restaurants?

Secondly, I've already said that I don't think GF and Four Seasons are in direct competition, I don't think the Waldorf is either. Waldorf is my go to vacation hotel, but not for Disney. Especially not the Waldorf near Disney property. It's nice, but again, there's no monorail going above the pool, you can't hop on a launch and go to Poly or MK. You have to take a bus if you want a break from the park. And- no view or sounds of Magic Kingdom. The view and the convenience is why I would think most people choose the monorail resorts. Even more so for Poly and GF.
In 2015 we did 15 nights in Florida. Half Disney, half Key West. Disney- Poly, didn't even consider the Waldorf. Key West- Casa Marina (which is a Waldorf), didn't consider anything else. Same when we're in Boca Raton.

A theme park vacation is different. I think people either want luxury and to be away from the crowds at WDW. Or, they want the convenience and views, while at a nice resort with good amenities. I don't think the bulk of people expect GF to be a Waldorf...and I think most, including myself, are ok with that.

 

[Lets Respect]

I haven't read the whole thread yet but I suspect this rumor is half right
My guess is that it's the CR that is coming down
That's right leveled
New hotel and more DVC

 

[wdwfan22]

The service at the Disney Resorts is far below standard 4 star service outside the Disney bubble.

And while the Grand Flo is better maintained than the other 2 monorail resorts, that's not saying much. My last stay at the Poly was a horror show (moldy wallpaper, urine stained mattress, etc).

I now recommend the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton at The Grande Lakes Resort to anyone contemplating staying at a Disney "Deluxe".

I'll agree to disagree with you regarding service. I do recommend the Ritz at Grande Lakes, but not the JW Marriot. The JW Marriott is not well maintained also it is priced normally around what a Disney moderate resort is.

 

[wdwfan22]

While that may be, what is 4* at Walt Disney World is 3* everywhere else in the world. They've become a theme park with rooms. The service is abysmal. Want to talk to the front desk from your room phone? The operator isn't allowed to connect you. Instead, you'll talk to a central call center, so you're getting the same service as somebody at the All-Star resort. Last time I was there, I wanted to extend my trip a night. They were utterly clueless in how to complete a routine hotel function. They called three different people, quoted me a rate three times my current one and just made the whole experience entirely inhospitable. Took me calling the reservations center from my cellphone to book a new reservation, for the same room category and price I was at previously.

None of this speaks to the problem with dining reservations that all luxury resorts have at WDW. Nowhere else in the world are you unable to go down to the hotel's restaurant at your leisure for breakfast. At WDW, your $600/night doesn't guarantee you a spot at breakfast, beyond the quick service eatery. Table service must be decided months in advance.

Rooms and amenities therein are outdated and purely basic. Disney doesn't even send their VIPs to the GF Disney spa, but rather the Waldorf's.

The Four Seasons and the Waldorf Astoria Orlando (both on-property) blow Walt Disney World hotels out of the water in terms of room quality, guest service and overall amenities. There isn't even a comparison. Even the pool at the Four Seasons is nicer than anything Disney has to offer.

I disagree with several statements you have made. I stay at Disney Deluxe Resorts often and have never had a problem extending a stay (just recently extended a stay at Polynesian in November by 3 nights and Grand Floridian in August of last year.) I find Guest Service at the Front Desk to be on par with other four star resorts. Disney has always responded to every request I have ever made, so i can't fault the Guest Service.

While dining can be a problem at some restaurants at dinner time, we always are able to be seated for breakfast with no questions asked or lengthy wait. I can only see breakfast being an issue if you were trying to book a character meal. I may make one or two dinner reservations in advance but the rest are normally same day, and I've never had any issues at any time of the year getting into a signature restaurant or even the World Showcase restaurants. We always eat table service for breakfast and dinner and never have not been able to get into a restaurant.

As for the Four Seasons/Waldorf, they are classified as a five star hotel so service and amenities will be quite different then what you would receive at Disney. As I said in a previous post the problem with Disney Deluxe Resorts is they are priced at 5 star level, and don't deliver 5 star service.

 

[21stamps]

As for the Four Seasons/Waldorf, they are classified as a five star hotel so service and amenities will be quite different then what you would receive at Disney. As I said in a previous post the problem with Disney Deluxe Resorts is they are priced at 5 star level, and don't deliver 5 star service.

Right. Location is what is driving the price. Not a luxury resort. If someone wants to be at the front gates of MK within 7 minutes of walking out of their hotel room, or sit on their balcony and watch the EWP and Wishes, or swim in a pool with a monorail going overhead and MK in the background- then they will pay for GF.
If luxury is their only motivation, then they'll pay for the Four Seasons.

It's really no different than having a 1200 sq ft $500,000 condo in the city vs a 3000 sq ft $500,000 home in the suburbs.

 

[COProgressFan]

While dining can be a problem at some restaurants at dinner time, we always are able to be seated for breakfast with no questions asked or lengthy wait. I can only see breakfast being an issue if you were trying to book a character meal. I may make one or two dinner reservations in advance but the rest are normally same day, and I've never had any issues at any time of the year getting into a signature restaurant or even the World Showcase restaurants. We always eat table service for breakfast and dinner and never have not been able to get into a restaurant.

I think you have been lucky with breakfast reservations. In my experience, while they tend to be a bit more accommodating at resorts for breakfast than other meals, many times sit down locations have told us we couldn't be accommodated. For "Disney people" like us, we know the ins and outs of reservations, so we asked anyway, knowing that it might not be available. For people who might not be as familiar, its disappointing that they can't accommodate you for breakfast at the hotel restaurant, even if you are willing to wait a bit.

 

[The_Jobu]

I think we're all missing the REAL problem with the GF...

Charging $25 to refill my teapot during afternoon tea. I've had high tea all over the world and I've never been charged for a refill. Nickle and diming people after charging a hefty feel doesn't feel luxurious, it makes them seem cheap.Yes, I'm still bitter. Also the tiaras are too small.

Other than that, I thought the GF ambience/service was fine for a 4-star. Turning into a 5-star sounds like it would cost a lot more than it would be worth, better to spend that on the parks.

 

[DDLand]

Your last paragraph- exactly. People here have compared GF to The Breakers. Boca Raton Resort. Four Seasons. and the Waldorf nearby.

First of all, these resorts are amazing (never stayed at this particular Four Seasons but it looks great), but I don't know if these same people are realizing their price points. If you do a Breakers type renovation on GF, how much do you think a room will be per night? I can guarantee that it would be at least several hundred more than now. Probably starting at $1k for a standard view. This wouldn't make sense for Disney to do that. They are very different types of vacations. Every Disney resort is casual. You can go to the restaurants after a day in the park. Would anyone really want that to change? Do they want to double the price of the restaurants?

Secondly, I've already said that I don't think GF and Four Seasons are in direct competition, I don't think the Waldorf is either. Waldorf is my go to vacation hotel, but not for Disney. Especially not the Waldorf near Disney property. It's nice, but again, there's no monorail going above the pool, you can't hop on a launch and go to Poly or MK. You have to take a bus if you want a break from the park. And- no view or sounds of Magic Kingdom. The view and the convenience is why I would think most people choose the monorail resorts. Even more so for Poly and GF.
In 2015 we did 15 nights in Florida. Half Disney, half Key West. Disney- Poly, didn't even consider the Waldorf. Key West- Casa Marina (which is a Waldorf), didn't consider anything else. Same when we're in Boca Raton.

A theme park vacation is different. I think people either want luxury and to be away from the crowds at WDW. Or, they want the convenience and views, while at a nice resort with good amenities. I don't think the bulk of people expect GF to be a Waldorf...and I think most, including myself, are ok with that.

Crowds at theme parks don't preclude the addition of upscale rooms. The monorail and boat transportation can easily coexist with a luxury hotel.

There are upscale hotels in New York City, a place with distinctive draws and high levels of crowds. Some people want escape when they go back to their hotel. More refined design and better service doesn't mean that setting and theme have to be lost.

A well designed building with a message is not inherently a place that can't offer superior service. There are some hotels that are bit more niche and may not totally fit the desires of an upscale audience, but Grand Floridian has storytelling that could easily translate to an even more upscale environment while also being familiar enough for most the audiences.

That's what Grand Floridian's role has always been. Being a slightly less over the top/unusual hotel perfectly blending storytelling with upscale service and design. In recent years things have been allowed to deteriorate, but a theoretical pivot will refocus a hotel that has lost that very focus.

That's good.

You're correct it may lead to a price increase that leaves it accessible only to hedge fund dads, but better the flagship of Walt Disney World be an aspirational hotel that sets the standard for quality than a dated hotel with bad service.

I'll just stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge...

 

[DDLand]

I'll also add that I'm tired of Walt Disney World getting a pass for their hotel management. "It's an extension of the parks" is not an excuse for mediocrity. Walt Disney World has tens of thousands of hotel rooms with additional management obligations for thousands more. They're small when compared to Marriott, but hardly insignificant enough to justify their cavalier attitude.

They need to pivot.

I'll also just add there's a certain irony justifying bad service and dated design with theme parks. I thought Disney parks were supposed to have unmatched service and quality of environments.

 

[WDWdream97]

Opinions right now are that GF is dated feeling, which means Victorian as it would be conceived of in the 1980s. I don't think they will change the elegance, but they will go in a direction that feels more 2017. I'm not worried.

If they are gonna keep the Victorian theme but modernize, I do not see a problem. I originally red the report as them wanting to remove the Victorian decore and change it into a swank modern hotel.

 

[righttrack]

The issue at hand is the footprint of these resorts, all of them, not just the GF. Most of them were cut when expectations were lower. The GF in the grand scheme of WDW is a 5 star+ resort. Compare it to the real world, today, and maybe it's a 3 1/2. Back to the footprint concept. There is space, the size of the buildings and the space between them and the floor room layout. WDW would have to eliminate rooms in some of these resorts to create a larger, more deluxe room. They would have to eliminate seats at dining and other benefits to make the experience more deluxe. To do so, they can't exactly double the price. They don't want to give up the guests. Working from footprints cut in the 70s, 80s, 90s only gets you so far.

My prediction is they will continue push more and more guests searching for a truly deluxe experience into DVC. You can only bling out the existing room/floor/building footprint only so much without losing money. Were I WDW, I'd be building another hotel of the level of WL or AKL, with equivalent themeing. Those are the places that truly get sold out first. Those are the places where memorable resort experiences are most often had. Those are the unique ones.

 

[wdwfan22]

I think you have been lucky with breakfast reservations. In my experience, while they tend to be a bit more accommodating at resorts for breakfast than other meals, many times sit down locations have told us we couldn't be accommodated. For "Disney people" like us, we know the ins and outs of reservations, so we asked anyway, knowing that it might not be available. For people who might not be as familiar, its disappointing that they can't accommodate you for breakfast at the hotel restaurant, even if you are willing to wait a bit.

We average about 5 times a year as Disney Resort Guests and never have had a problem (we are normally a party of 4) finding a table service restaurant for breakfast or dinner. That's why i always laugh when i hear people say they can't get a reservation, because obviously they aren't really trying. Granted some restaurants may be harder to obtain but normally you can get what you want. We do however tend to pick more of the signature restaurants for dinner, but that is our preference.

 

[Scuttle]

While the villas may look similar on the outside, the rooms are much nicer, not just larger. Better furnishings, split bathroom, free standing soaker tub in 1 bedrooms, etc.

They'd still have to change theme. It does seem unlikely they'd gut and re-theme the resort a couple years after building a DVC. Not buying this "fake news".

 

[articos]

If they are gonna keep the Victorian theme but modernize, I do not see a problem. I originally red the report as them wanting to remove the Victorian decore and change it into a swank modern hotel.

Look to what they did for the new DVC wing.

 

[Siren]

Here is a recent review from Trip Advisor of a loyal Grand Floridian guest who cancelled his reservation for the Four Seasons. Disney is definitely losing guests to the Four Seasons.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUse..._Resort-Orlando_Florida.html#CHECK_RATES_CONT

This is why Disney does extend any of their resort perks to Four Seasons to guests despite being on property.

 

[Bocabear]

We average about 5 times a year as Disney Resort Guests and never have had a problem (we are normally a party of 4) finding a table service restaurant for breakfast or dinner. That's why i always laugh when i hear people say they can't get a reservation, because obviously they aren't really trying. Granted some restaurants may be harder to obtain but normally you can get what you want. We do however tend to pick more of the signature restaurants for dinner, but that is our preference.

You must have a magic charm or something... we tracvel there a few times a year and almost ALWAYS have a problem getting reservations at the restaurant we want...Maybe you make your plans further out than we do, but there is definitely a challenge to getting into restaurants at WDW...Unless you want to eat at the Port Orleans or Saratoga Springs restaurants...

 

[wdwfan22]

You must have a magic charm or something... we tracvel there a few times a year and almost ALWAYS have a problem getting reservations at the restaurant we want...Maybe you make your plans further out than we do, but there is definitely a challenge to getting into restaurants at WDW...Unless you want to eat at the Port Orleans or Saratoga Springs restaurants...

I don't know we normally make our reservations for dinner in the afternoon at the pool and never have trouble getting into the restaurants we want. We normally go for places like the California Grill, Citricos, Yachtsman Steakhouse and the world showcase restaurants. There is always restaurants available. I've never had trouble getting into any of them. For breakfast for example last visit we stayed at Grand Floridian and could always get into the cafe every morning without a reservation. We did do breakfast at the Garden Grill one morning at Epcot but was able to make that reservation the night before.