Disney's GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT & SPA Information & Questions + Construction Updates

[BlueGreen5]

Hello everyone...should I assume the silence on construction updates means nothing new is happening yet in the lobby?

 

[mrsap]

*Construction Notes*

Updated 5/21/24

​

*5/20/24 - M. Mouse Mercantile NOW CLOSED for Refurbishment at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort. Expected to Reopen July 13.


*Work has NOT started on the lobby as of today.


*4/29/24 - M. Mouse Mercantile Closing for Refurbishment at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort Starting May 13 to Mid-July


As of 4/17/24, the only visible construction at The Grand was located outside the Main Building. Pictures taken during my trip last week can be viewed below. According to emails sent to guests, as well as blogs, work on the Lobby should begin soon. NO DATES HAVE BEEN GIVEN AS FAR AS START OR COMPLETION DATES. As information becomes available, I will be sure to update this thread (Page 1 included). No information has been given regarding any additional work at this time. I’d appreciate anyone who has trips coming up, if they’d kindly post any new construction indoors or out. I’d love to keep this thread as up to date as possible. Thanks so much!!!

Current Lobby State: REFURBISHMENT HAS NOT STARTED.

EMAILS SENT TO GUESTS

Letter Sent to Guests:

Dear Guest,

In an effort to continually enhance the Guest experience here at the Walt Disney World® Resort, we often refresh our offerings and atmosphere. In preparation for your upcoming stay, we would like to make you aware of renovations that will be taking place during your visit. While we work our magic, you will see or hear construction around Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – including our lobby – during daytime hours.

Letter sent to International Guests:

"Dear Guest,

Since March 2022, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has been undergoing a period of enhancement to continuously improve the magic of this fantastic Resort.

Walt Disney Travel Company International have just been made aware that some aspects of this ongoing period of enhancement will continue to take place during your stay through 2025. This will include some minor work where the lobby will be undergoing some enhancements but will remain fully accessible. We would like to take the opportunity to assure you that these minor enhancements will not deter from the comfort and luxury of your stay at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

We wish to confirm that all amenities, including dining, shopping, spa, and recreation including all pools and water play areas will be open for your enjoyment. We’d like to remind you about just some of the many incredible experiences at this Resort."

 

[sdk1231]

I just rented patio seating at the Courtyard pool for our stay in July but really wanted the ones by the splash pad like you mentioned. The CM said that there was no option for those that they could see and they checked the calendar for weeks after my stay as well. Is there a trick to getting the patio at the Beach pool that me or the CM aren't privy to?

To clarify... there is no poolside patio at the Beach Pool that I know of, only those 4 or so cabanas. The patio we rented (a couple of years ago now) was at the Splash Pad. If you asked about it recently and were told that poolside patio is only available at the Courtyard pool, my guess would be that they decided to discontinue having them at the Splash Pad. I could understand that, honestly. Our dedicated CM wait staff was having to run back and forth to the Beaches pool bar for drinks.

 

[sdk1231]

Hello everyone...should I assume the silence on construction updates means nothing new is happening yet in the lobby?

Talked to my CM daughter yesterday. You are correct. Nothing happening yet.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

To clarify... there is no poolside patio at the Beach Pool that I know of, only those 4 or so cabanas. The patio we rented (a couple of years ago now) was at the Splash Pad. If you asked about it recently and were told that poolside patio is only available at the Courtyard pool, my guess would be that they decided to discontinue having them at the Splash Pad. I could understand that, honestly. Our dedicated CM wait staff was having to run back and forth to the Beaches pool bar for drinks.

I think you are correct and this is the case. We will keep the Courtyard Patio and go back and forth between pools when wanting the Splash pad. Thanks!

 

[No_strings]

Not sure what may have changed since our last stay at GF (about 1 year ago), but one small thing that switch since COVID is the way you order food at Gasparillas. I prefer the old days of ordering food at the counter. Last time we were there, they still had one person with a tablet taking orders, and together with the mobile ordering (which I do like), just feels like a less than personal touch. Maybe they can revisit how they do it or go back to the old way. Yes, silly small comments, but it’s the details that keep us coming back. What do you all think?

 

[WishesQueen]

Not sure what may have changed since our last stay at GF (about 1 year ago), but one small thing that switch since COVID is the way you order food at Gasparillas. I prefer the old days of ordering food at the counter. Last time we were there, they still had one person with a tablet taking orders, and together with the mobile ordering (which I do like), just feels like a less than personal touch. Maybe they can revisit how they do it or go back to the old way. Yes, silly small comments, but it’s the details that keep us coming back. What do you all think?

Agreed, sometimes you just want to explain what you want. Mobil ordering doesn't allow some of the changes that I know they make and have made of us. The Poly quick service was still old school last year for us. So much nicer

 

[mrsap]

Not sure what may have changed since our last stay at GF (about 1 year ago), but one small thing that switch since COVID is the way you order food at Gasparillas. I prefer the old days of ordering food at the counter. Last time we were there, they still had one person with a tablet taking orders, and together with the mobile ordering (which I do like), just feels like a less than personal touch. Maybe they can revisit how they do it or go back to the old way. Yes, silly small comments, but it’s the details that keep us coming back. What do you all think?

Not sure when you were there last, but during our trips in August, November and this past April, I ordered in person at the register. There was no one there with a tablet.

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

Is it still possible to walk from GF to Poly with the path closed and is it easy?

 

[Dave006]

@0FF TO NEVERLAND

No there is no safe way to walk between the GF and Poly with the path closed. It passes through the Island Tower construction area. The resort launch for MK runs from the GF dock to the Poly dock.

Dave

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

@0FF TO NEVERLAND

No there is no safe way to walk between the GF and Poly with the path closed. It passes through the Island Tower construction area. The resort launch for MK runs from the GF dock to the Poly dock.

Dave

So you can’t do the street way anymore? I remember I did that last time the path was closed

 

[Dave006]

Do you mean crossing Floridian way and walking on the Shades of Green side of the street and then crossing back at the Poly?

This was part of the temporary path that Disney setup but they closed it.

Dave

 

[mrsap]

Is it still possible to walk from GF to Poly with the path closed and is it easy?

It has been closed for a while. This sign has been in the DVC lot. I’d take the boat or monorail over.

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

It has been closed for a while. This sign has been in the DVC lot. I’d take the boat or monorail over.

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Forgot about the boat. Thanks

 

[PaintsWithAllTheColors]

You're awesome! Thanks for the detective work! I'm keeping the Courtyard pool for now but maybe if you pop over there you can tell me if that's worth it haha. Just kidding no more doing my dirty work...enjoy your trip and thanks again!!

ah! so sorry for not responding to this earlier, in truth I missed this or I totally would have! I'll be honest, I didn't spend any time at the Courtyard pool but whenever we walked by it looked very nice as well! in fact, my almost 2.5 year old was way overwhelmed by the splash pad and for him, the little shoot-ups of water at the courtyard pool would've been a more enjoyable experience. You have to walk through large/intense sheets of water to get to the slides and I wasn't allowed to go down the slides with him (which I understand), so for us, the splash pad ended up not being somewhere we spent much time. Instead, we just stayed in the main Beach pool area. Also, no hot tub at the Beach pool sooo there's that if you're hot tub people haha. My husband and I hoped to sneak down to the hot tub from the villas building while the grandparents held down the fort with the sleeping toddler in the room, but we were simply lazy to head all the way to the courtyard pool at the time.

 

[brockash]

ah! so sorry for not responding to this earlier, in truth I missed this or I totally would have! I'll be honest, I didn't spend any time at the Courtyard pool but whenever we walked by it looked very nice as well! in fact, my almost 2.5 year old was way overwhelmed by the splash pad and for him, the little shoot-ups of water at the courtyard pool would've been a more enjoyable experience. You have to walk through large/intense sheets of water to get to the slides and I wasn't allowed to go down the slides with him (which I understand), so for us, the splash pad ended up not being somewhere we spent much time. Instead, we just stayed in the main Beach pool area. Also, no hot tub at the Beach pool sooo there's that if you're hot tub people haha. My husband and I hoped to sneak down to the hot tub from the villas building while the grandparents held down the fort with the sleeping toddler in the room, but we were simply lazy to head all the way to the courtyard pool at the time.

Thanks for the info. about the hot tub. That's disappointing. One of my favorite things about CR and BC/YC is that you can sit in the hot tub and watch your kids at the main pool.

 

[wdwshelby9]

Have all of the hotel water view rooms been renovated now? We are thinking about switching our June trip to GF but I am puzzled by the fact that the Disney website has not updated their room photos.

 

[mrsap]

Have all of the hotel water view rooms been renovated now? We are thinking about switching our June trip to GF but I am puzzled by the fact that the Disney website has not updated their room photos.

Yes. All rooms have been renovated, but for some reason Disney likes to take their time updating the room photos on the website.

 

[trishadono]

Stopped at GF Cafe for lunch yesterday, going home day. Dh and I took a break and the kids went to Epcot for a few rides.

The salad was so good. Odd looking BLT but dh said it was surprisingly good. They gave us biscuits and not bread ? Tasty at least!

The 2nd floor shop is closed but otherwise you wouldn’t think any construction going on.

 

[kylenne]

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Stopped at GF Cafe for lunch yesterday, going home day. Dh and I took a break and the kids went to Epcot for a few rides.

The salad was so good. Odd looking BLT but dh said it was surprisingly good. They gave us biscuits and not bread ? Tasty at least!

The 2nd floor shop is closed but otherwise you wouldn’t think any construction going on.

I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad meal at GFC.