Grand Floridian shouldn’t allow non hotel guests

[nuhusky123]

Easy fix there for sure, just don’t make a stop at TTC on that line … be interesting to watch how long would it take the non paying ‘freeloading gingerbreaders’ to realize they are just going around in circles …

Yes but then how do gf guests get to from Epcot?

 

[nuhusky123]

Number 1 unless stated xyz is only available to hotel guests.

Who books a hotel thinking they and only they get access to the entire hotel by means of paying for a room? That is like the very definition of entitlement which I know you've not liked people pointing out.

Help me understand why non paying guests get common areas

 

[nuhusky123]

Private property that has been opened to the public by the owner of that property.

You may want Disney to restrict access during the holidays and that is fine, and you should share that with but also be aware many guests don’t want to see that happen.

And the inverse may occur, the property owner may restrict access

 

[sndral]

I doubt that DVC folks selling their VGF contracts will move the mouse’s accounting needle, however, cash guests choosing to not book the GF might, as pointed out by a PP Disney needs to sell a lot of gingerbread to make up for unbooked $1000+ a night rooms.

In California, they were having issues with non-Disney resort guests, Disneyland hotel guests, and Pixar Place guests using the exclusive Grand Cal entrance to DCA.

So, what did they do? They gated the walkways and added security to tell people they could only go into the Grand Cal lobby from the main entrance if they are guests at GC. They also opened a separate pathway right by the DVC wing at Grand Cal with another security gate to DCA exclusive to anyone staying at any of the 3 Disney resorts.

Now, people can still overrun the Grand Cal lobby by exiting DCA into the resort or by entering through Downtown Disney…. but they at least added options to alleviate some of the congestion.

So YES, Disney told paying guests of the Disneyland Hotel and Pixar Place that they could NOT just waltz over into the main Grand Cal entrance to use it as a cut through to DCA in the mornings. That is a benefit for paying guests of GC and VGC.

I remember when the CA entrance was for GC only in the past - it was lovely, but when I stayed at the Grand Californian 2+ years ago, (& paid just south of $1000 a night for the privilege of staying there) I swore I would not return because the lobby was such a madhouse, especially the GC entry into CA, but also the security check points for DTD & DL which snaked through the hotel & it’s grounds, if they’ve addressed those issues, then perhaps I’ll be back.
If GF cash guests respond on their exit surveys as I did on my GC exit survey, perhaps Disney will implement some crowd control measures like a dedicated LL type entry for hotel guest access to the monorail & boats during high demand times, then lookyloos can decide whether they want to queue in the equivalent of a 7DMT standby line to wander around the GF lobby & buy a gingerbread shingle & hotel guests can have reasonable access to MK & Epcot.
I own at the VGF & typically stay there during the holidays & can remember waiting in one ridiculously long line in the main lobby for the monorail which reminded me of what the Poly monorail lines were like right after the luau dinner show let out. The MK park close monorail madhouse I avoid, opting to boat or, now that they have completed the path, walk. I am concerned about transportation for my visit in a couple of weeks, but more so because of the Poly tower & all of those additional folks using the monorails, boats & especially the buses because they pick up at the Poly first.

 

[hockeydad21]

Unsubstantiated Rumor: Disney, in response to complaints, will be installing a new transportation system in development for NASA for the exclusive use of GF and VGF guests to a dedicated Magic Kingdom entry point.

View attachment 917694

Beam me up!

 

[erionm]

Easy fix there for sure, just don’t make a stop at TTC on that line … be interesting to watch how long would it take the non paying ‘freeloading gingerbreaders’ to realize they are just going around in circles …

How would monorail resort guests get to the Epcot monorail if the resort line skipped the TTC? Buses don't run from the monorail resorts to Epcot unless the monorail is down.

 

[RMDVC24]

In my story I am especially when I’m paying

But do you have a legit reason why non paying guests should get access?

Far as I can tell, your 'legit' reason for not wanting non-paying guests in the hotel is because it negatively affects YOUR vacation. You can talk about gingerbread houses and transportation all you want, but at the end of the day all I'm hearing from you is 'I pay a lot of money to stay at the Floridian, and I want everything to be suited to my needs so I can have the best vacation.' Maybe you should consider that families who stay off property or at the value resorts are maybe not paying the same dollar amount we do, but the relative cost of their vacation is just as much as anyone's. Why shouldn't they get to experience the wonderful Christmas decorations at the Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club or any other resort? Why should the hotel lobby only 'belong' to the paying guests? As I've said in my previous post, my family loves visiting the different resorts on non-park days. It's a wonderful experience. Why should that be taken away because it negatively affects you?

The debates about transportation and ways to alleviate congestion are all valid and very interesting to read. However, the comments that basically say 'we spend lots of money so get out of my hotel' are a little disappointing in my humble opinion.

BTW, in my story I am the main character. I want the non-paying guests there. That is my legit reason.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Help me understand why non paying guests get common areas

I'm sorry if in this now 23 page thread you don't understand I don't know how I can or anyone else can. You don't have to like it, obviously you don't but to claim not understanding well again sorry can't help you there.

Maybe in the future because this does seem near and dear to you is for you book only hotels where ever you vacation that promise exclusive access to all the hotel grounds for just hotel guests of that specific hotel. I'd be looking for that nugget if I were you, we all have something that is important to us when booking hotels you just need to narrow your field a lot to find what you're looking for. Buying out a hotel may also be an option. When we stayed in a castle in Germany back in May a medical insurance group actually bought it out for several days before our stay and up to 10am of the day of our stay, I'm so happy we didn't get kicked out but hey it would be the way to ensure the grounds are yours and yours alone...but come to think of it the attached golf course was available to hotel guests and members of the golf course...I'm not sure the buyout prevented golfers from golfing

 

[eandt]

How would monorail resort guests get to the Epcot monorail if the resort line skipped the TTC? Buses don't run from the monorail resorts to Epcot unless the monorail is down.

Jump on the TTC line I guess …. I’m a lowly freeloading AK bus rider and BWV walker so that problem is above my pay grade to figure out

 

[DisnEElove]

Did you really NOT expect it to be crowded on Thanksgiving week? It has always been crowded historically.

We booked a reservation for Thanksgiving dinner with family. The restaurant called to confirm a couple days prior. I expected it to be crowded, but what I didn't expect was for them to not be able to accommodate our reservation along with about 10-15 others. They didn't have enough food, and what they did have was 2.5 hrs late. Same here with buying into GF. They confirm our reservations but have issues accommodating us on some of the amenities.
Almost every where that's open during the holidays will be crowded. Should you choose to move if your neighbors invite so many people to their house that your family has no where to park every year, or will you contact your HOA to see what can be done. For those who chose not to move, they might be happy to find that the rules for parking on your lawn might be relaxed for the holidays. The answer shouldn't always be to avoid. There's only so many places to run. Instead, advocate for IMPROVEMENT-especially where you've a vested financial interest.

 

[nuhusky123]

Far as I can tell, your 'legit' reason for not wanting non-paying guests in the hotel is because it negatively affects YOUR vacation. You can talk about gingerbread houses and transportation all you want, but at the end of the day all I'm hearing from you is 'I pay a lot of money to stay at the Floridian, and I want everything to be suited to my needs so I can have the best vacation.' Maybe you should consider that families who stay off property or at the value resorts are maybe not paying the same dollar amount we do, but the relative cost of their vacation is just as much as anyone's. Why shouldn't they get to experience the wonderful Christmas decorations at the Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club or any other resort? Why should the hotel lobby only 'belong' to the paying guests? As I've said in my previous post, my family loves visiting the different resorts on non-park days. It's a wonderful experience. Why should that be taken away because it negatively affects you?

The debates about transportation and ways to alleviate congestion are all valid and very interesting to read. However, the comments that basically say 'we spend lots of money so get out of my hotel' are a little disappointing in my humble opinion.

BTW, in my story I am the main character. I want the non-paying guests there. That is my legit reason.

You are not a paying guest, why should you and your family consume amenities you are not paying for?

 

[MsChristy12]

Now, of course there are cultural factors at play: Japanese tourists generally don't have as much money to throw around

Wow...this comment takes the cake...whaaaat??! where did that even come from? cultural factors?!? Based on what? Please enlighten all of us....

 

[AstroBlasters]

Far as I can tell, your 'legit' reason for not wanting non-paying guests in the hotel is because it negatively affects YOUR vacation. You can talk about gingerbread houses and transportation all you want, but at the end of the day all I'm hearing from you is 'I pay a lot of money to stay at the Floridian, and I want everything to be suited to my needs so I can have the best vacation.' Maybe you should consider that families who stay off property or at the value resorts are maybe not paying the same dollar amount we do, but the relative cost of their vacation is just as much as anyone's. Why shouldn't they get to experience the wonderful Christmas decorations at the Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club or any other resort? Why should the hotel lobby only 'belong' to the paying guests? As I've said in my previous post, my family loves visiting the different resorts on non-park days. It's a wonderful experience. Why should that be taken away because it negatively affects you?

The debates about transportation and ways to alleviate congestion are all valid and very interesting to read. However, the comments that basically say 'we spend lots of money so get out of my hotel' are a little disappointing in my humble opinion.

BTW, in my story I am the main character. I want the non-paying guests there. That is my legit reason.

Ah, so you are saying you feel ENTITLED to see the Christmas decorations at other resorts and you don’t want anyone to take that ENTITLEMENT away….

 

[tjkraz]

Would start to pickup post lunch and get busy around dinner

So we're talking, what, 5-8pm? I took this photo on an afternoon last December. Are there more people in the lobby than a typical Thursday? Sure. But it doesn't seem crowded to the point of disenfranchising GF guests.

Biggest question is Who is crowding the lobby? What if the vast majority are actual real live paying GF guests as I’m sure that property is sold out during the holidays … wouldn’t that be ironic? Also how does anyone know that Disney hasn’t cut some of the train boat and bus schedules which might cause the transportation issues at certain times of the day?

I guess that's the $64,000 question. It's probably a combination of both. Not to mention guests staying at the Poly and Contemporary who you really can't filter from the resorts monorail. Especially during a MVMCP night when a disproportionate number of MK-area resort guests are headed to one specific park during a condensed time frame. Are some stopping at the GF on the way for a photo and a gingerbread shingle? Yeah, probably. And whether they exit the monorail at the GF or just stay on until MK doesn't help other GF boarders one bit.

Would a separate monorail queue help? Probably to some degree. But the logistics of setting up and managing separate queues, scanning guests and having different procedures at different times of the day would make it a frustrating process for most. And it won't save much time if the majority of riders are MK monorail hotel guests.

We're living in an age where Disney is raked over the proverbial coals for every service reduction, real or perceived. I don't see them enacting any policies which could generate headlines like "Disney blocks guests from visiting popular holiday landmark" or "now you need a FastPass to ride the monorail." Especially not when the upside is limited to some guests spending 10 fewer minutes in line for the monorail on an MK party night.

 

[Lumpy1106]

Help me understand why non paying guests get common areas

This is not a new complaint. I was one of the unwashed who had the audacity to enjoy the waterfalls and the dancing water show at the original Disneyland Hotel. We were staying at the campground - that was where the M&F parking structure now stands.

The DH guests complained about it then, looks like the GF guests do now. Both the waterfalls and the dancing water show are long gone because they lacked popularity. Just sayin...

 

[kps7795]

How would monorail resort guests get to the Epcot monorail if the resort line skipped the TTC? Buses don't run from the monorail resorts to Epcot unless the monorail is down.

The problem is not during the daytime, but at night when Epcot has already been closed since 9:00. After a certain point in time, there are no more guests coming from Epcot going back to GF so there is not a need for the monorail to stop at the TTC.

 

[AstroBlasters]

This is not a new complaint. I was one of the unwashed who had the audacity to enjoy the waterfalls and the dancing water show at the original Disneyland Hotel. We were staying at the campground - that was where the M&F parking structure now stands.

The DH guests complained about it then, looks like the GF guests do now. Both the waterfalls and the dancing water show are long gone because they lacked popularity. Just sayin...

They had a campground at Disneyland?

 

[nuhusky123]

So we're talking, what, 5-8pm? I took this photo on an afternoon last December. Are there more people in the lobby than a typical Thursday? Sure. But it doesn't seem crowded to the point of disenfranchising GF guests.

View attachment 917700



I guess that's the $64,000 question. It's probably a combination of both. Not to mention guests staying at the Poly and Contemporary who you really can't filter from the resorts monorail. Especially during a MVMCP night when a disproportionate number of MK-area resort guests are headed to one specific park during a condensed time frame. Are some stopping at the GF on the way for a photo and a gingerbread shingle? Yeah, probably. And whether they exit the monorail at the GF or just stay on until MK doesn't help other GF boarders one bit.

Would a separate monorail queue help? Probably to some degree. But the logistics of setting up and managing separate queues, scanning guests and having different procedures at different times of the day would make it a frustrating process for most. And it won't save much time if the majority of riders are MK monorail hotel guests.

We're living in an age where Disney is raked over the proverbial coals for every service reduction, real or perceived. I don't see them enacting any policies which could generate headlines like "Disney blocks guests from visiting popular holiday landmark" or "now you need a FastPass to ride the monorail." Especially not when the upside is limited to some guests spending 10 fewer minutes in line for the monorail on an MK party night.

Funny thing. I went to gf last year exact same week. I didn’t find gf half as bad as this year

 

[eandt]

So we're talking, what, 5-8pm? I took this photo on an afternoon last December. Are there more people in the lobby than a typical Thursday? Sure. But it doesn't seem crowded to the point of disenfranchising GF guests.

View attachment 917700



I guess that's the $64,000 question. It's probably a combination of both. Not to mention guests staying at the Poly and Contemporary who you really can't filter from the resorts monorail. Especially during a MVMCP night when a disproportionate number of MK-area resort guests are headed to one specific park during a condensed time frame. Are some stopping at the GF on the way for a photo and a gingerbread shingle? Yeah, probably. And whether they exit the monorail at the GF or just stay on until MK doesn't help other GF boarders one bit.

Would a separate monorail queue help? Probably to some degree. But the logistics of setting up and managing separate queues, scanning guests and having different procedures at different times of the day would make it a frustrating process for most. And it won't save much time if the majority of riders are MK monorail hotel guests.

We're living in an age where Disney is raked over the proverbial coals for every service reduction, real or perceived. I don't see them enacting any policies which could generate headlines like "Disney blocks guests from visiting popular holiday landmark" or "now you need a FastPass to ride the monorail." Especially not when the upside is limited to some guests spending 10 fewer minutes in line for the monorail on an MK party night.

Unless they restrict those parking at TTC from riding the monorail to the MK the fine folks at the GF are gonna need to deal with the ‘peasantry’ among us … what if nobody got off the monorail at GF during busy times would that alleviate the transportation issue or would there be a full monorail every time it passed the GF platform allowing no one to get on?

 

[Chuck S]

You are not a paying guest, why should you and your family consume amenities you are not paying for?

What amemities are you refering to? The entire Tranportation system is open to the public, the restaurants and shops (including the gingerbread cookie purchase line) are open to the public, and the pools are gated, requiring room key/magic band for entry. Just walking/standing in a lobby is not an amenity, but if you wish to consider it so, were you not also using that amenity...so how was it denied to you?