Grand Floridian shouldn’t allow non hotel guests

[StarCruzer]

What you need to be looking at is not spending power of Japanese citizens or US residents as a whole though, but rather those who visit WDW. This subset is likely quite different than the mean or median spending power per person for residents of either entire country. I do agree that quality is likely more important in Japanese culture overall though. Looking back at the original comment though, not sure how Japanese visitors were brought up; I heard much more French than Japanese on my last WDW visit.

It was brought up because the

1. Japanese parks put restrictions in place when a new hotel is constructed, to proactively prevent crowding of non-paying guests visiting and taking photos

2. They do this because culturally, they have a higher bar for quality experiences. TDR is a "locals" park in the sense that it is mostly frequented (and is geared to) Japanese people.

3. Because of the current economic situation, Japanese people are travelling more domestically than internationally (weak yen) and are more likely to visit places like TDR.

4. The economic situation, paired with already low salaries, mean that a bad expectation at TDR is more likely to result in locals deciding not to return.

5. Shanghai Disney is the newer park with a bigger draw in Asia for international visitors, so TDR depends more heavily on locals.

The reason this came up at all was bc the point I was trying to make: WDW has no need to provide a more comfortable experience to onsite guests at the GF. WDW guests/visitors at a hotel that expensive are either folks who are one and done (saves for years for the perfect vacay, or rich ASF and wanted the luxury Disney experience once before resuming their normal international vacations); DVC/APs who are too emotionally and financially invested to "quit" Disney, or FL locals visiting who weren't planning on spending anything at all.

TDR, by comparison, has no issue putting up temporary hotel access restrictions to allow paying guests to have a better experience.

All of this longgggg explanation is for why transportation manages to get so overcrowded in certain resorts during the holiday season. It is a problem that WDW could easily solve, but realistically won't lose business over--even if guests have a bad experience.

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk: A Nuerodivergent Person Uses Too Much Background Information to Make a Simple Point.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

It was brought up because the

1. Japanese parks put restrictions in place when a new hotel is constructed, to proactively prevent crowding of non-paying guests visiting and taking photos

2. They do this because culturally, they have a higher bar for quality experiences. TDR is a "locals" park in the sense that it is mostly frequented (and is geared to) Japanese people.

3. Because of the current economic situation, Japanese people are travelling more domestically than internationally (weak yen) and are more likely to visit places like TDR.

4. The economic situation, paired with already low salaries, mean that a bad expectation at TDR is more likely to result in locals deciding not to return.

5. Shanghai Disney is the newer park with a bigger draw in Asia for international visitors, so TDR depends more heavily on locals.

The reason this came up at all was bc the point I was trying to make: WDW has no need to provide a more comfortable experience to onsite guests at the GF. WDW guests/visitors at a hotel that expensive are either folks who are one and done (saves for years for the perfect vacay, or rich ASF and wanted the luxury Disney experience once before resuming their normal international vacations); DVC/APs who are too emotionally and financially invested to "quit" Disney, or FL locals visiting who weren't planning on spending anything at all.

TDR, by comparison, has no issue putting up temporary hotel access restrictions to allow paying guests to have a better experience.

All of this longgggg explanation is for why transportation manages to get so overcrowded in certain resorts during the holiday season. It is a problem that WDW could easily solve, but realistically won't lose business over--even if guests have a bad experience.

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk: A Nuerodivergent Person Uses Too Much Background Information to Make a Simple Point.

You've made entirely too many assumptions including cultural ones here to suit your stance as well as using a new hotel with direct access to a more than $2 billion expansion comparing it to a 36 year old hotel and gingerbread houses. To repeat that we're talking about gingerbread houses here. I think the comparisons to TDR are probably done now.

 

[nuhusky123]

The gingerbread house is in the main hotel lobby...not the DVC lobby, correct?
I'm confused why we might think that DVC should get some exclusive access to the main hotel lobby.

Now - as a per - could a "Welcome Home" reception once a week in December with a cocktail and private space next to the gingerbread house be nice for members - ABSOLUTELY. (One can dream...maybe this could be added if they have more exclusive tiers for the new program....probably the $799/year level...lol.)

No one has said dvc should get exclusive access. The argument is the main lobby is a mad house as is much of the resort right now due to non paid guests visiting, especially during the parties

Argument is access should be limited to adr and paid guests. Paid guests of gf and gfv

 

[eandt]

Grand Floridian lobby tonight at 6:15pm

View attachment 917784

Oh the horror!!

 

[Chuck S]

Is that normal for all of the hard ticket events?

It may become the new normal, when people are not using one of their park days to enter the MK earlier in the day.

 

[nuhusky123]

It may become the new normal, when people are not using one of their park days to enter the MK earlier in the day.

I think things will only get worse, much worse before Disney does much of anything to solve. I’m thinking poly tower comes online and next Halloween and Christmas the monorail line is a disaster

2026 post Christmas debacle of dads standing in line having a melt down Disney starts to look at solutions. Emphasis on starts

 

[Brian Noble]

Grand Floridian lobby tonight at 6:15pm

View attachment 917784

In honor of Josh. H from EasyWDW: "Feels crowded."

May his memory be a blessing.

 

[xdan0920]

Grand Floridian lobby tonight at 6:15pm

View attachment 917784

I spy a couple poors in the background. OP was right. Shut it down.

 

[Man-DeLorean]

Grand Floridian lobby tonight at 6:15pm

View attachment 917784

Good for you. Looks like you missed the crowds by a week.

I think things will only get worse, much worse before Disney does much of anything to solve. I’m thinking poly tower comes online and next Halloween and Christmas the monorail line is a disaster

2026 post Christmas debacle of dads standing in line having a melt

I think things will only get worse, much worse before Disney does much of anything to solve. I’m thinking poly tower comes online and next Halloween and Christmas the monorail line is a disaster

2026 post Christmas debacle of dads standing in line having a melt down Disney starts to look at solutions. Emphasis on starts

I think things will only get worse, much worse before Disney does much of anything to solve. I’m thinking poly tower comes online and next Halloween and Christmas the monorail line is a disaster

2026 post Christmas debacle of dads standing in line having a melt down Disney starts to look at solutions. Emphasis on starts

I think you’re spot on. With the addition of the Poly Tower, the monorail is going to be a disaster for GF guests. It’s not just the Poly guests to consider anymore; there’ll also be more people heading to the new restaurant for dinner and checking out the updated Poly grounds. It’s going to add a ton of congestion.

 

[atthebeachclub]

It was brought up because the

1. Japanese parks put restrictions in place when a new hotel is constructed, to proactively prevent crowding of non-paying guests visiting and taking photos

2. They do this because culturally, they have a higher bar for quality experiences. TDR is a "locals" park in the sense that it is mostly frequented (and is geared to) Japanese people.

3. Because of the current economic situation, Japanese people are travelling more domestically than internationally (weak yen) and are more likely to visit places like TDR.

4. The economic situation, paired with already low salaries, mean that a bad expectation at TDR is more likely to result in locals deciding not to return.

5. Shanghai Disney is the newer park with a bigger draw in Asia for international visitors, so TDR depends more heavily on locals.

The reason this came up at all was bc the point I was trying to make: WDW has no need to provide a more comfortable experience to onsite guests at the GF. WDW guests/visitors at a hotel that expensive are either folks who are one and done (saves for years for the perfect vacay, or rich ASF and wanted the luxury Disney experience once before resuming their normal international vacations); DVC/APs who are too emotionally and financially invested to "quit" Disney, or FL locals visiting who weren't planning on spending anything at all.

TDR, by comparison, has no issue putting up temporary hotel access restrictions to allow paying guests to have a better experience.

All of this longgggg explanation is for why transportation manages to get so overcrowded in certain resorts during the holiday season. It is a problem that WDW could easily solve, but realistically won't lose business over--even if guests have a bad experience.

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk: A Nuerodivergent Person Uses Too Much Background Information to Make a Simple Point.

Ok; I’m back on track here; thanks. This thread seriously blew up over a few days and I missed at least ten pages and the threads here didn’t connect for me as I didn’t realize the comparison was with Tokyo Disneyland. I did get lucky and have solid experience and background knowledge of Japan and Japanese language and culture and Tokyo Disneyland at least dating back many decades….

 

[Minnie1222]

Argument is access should be limited to adr and paid guests. Paid guests of gf and gfv.

How about just paid guests of the main building? Afterall, they are the ones directly affected by all the "chaos" in the lobby.

 

[Chuck S]

Be vigilant, Richard. Be sure none of the commoners break any pieces of the Royal Doulton with Hand Painted Periwinkles, whilst I usher Rose, Daisy and Onslow out the back door.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

As for the Poly Island Tower, people can have different takes on this and that's OK, but personally I'm not concerned at all. The maximum total new guest count (assuming every room is occupied at its max occupancy, which isn't realistic) is some 1,162 possible guests. Factor in actual room occupancy and guest movement spread over the course of the day in a myriad of ways, that dilutes down to very tiny number in terms of overall bus/monorail/boat capacity. Sure there’s the new (pretty small) restaurant and lookie loos, but still an almost imperceptible impact to the guest experience, in my opinion. More people, sure, but it’s not some monster new source of guests. The tower just isn’t all that big.

 

[RMDVC24]

No one has said dvc should get exclusive access. The argument is the main lobby is a mad house as is much of the resort right now due to non paid guests visiting, especially during the parties

Argument is access should be limited to adr and paid guests. Paid guests of gf and gfv

I know within the 31 pages (!) of this thread, this has already been discussed at length (forgive me for bringing it up again). To restrict access to only paid guests Disney will need to have Magic Band readers and/or cast members stationed at all points of entry to the hotel grounds and transportation loading/unloading areas. Will this not cause delays? Everyone will need to queue up to scan their bands. Undoubtably, there will be people who's Magic Band doesn't scan properly or whatever. There will be people who didn't know that there are now restrictions who will hold things up. Technical issues could crop up and halt the line.

Also, to implement this would be an additional cost to Disney. Guess who they will be passing those costs on to.

On top of all that, as you have said, Disney has made a lot of head scratching decisions lately. A lot of loyal Disney fans have, rightfully so, questioned whether or not to continuing vacationing at Disney locations. Would restricting access to resorts not be a PR nightmare for Disney? Disney is not subtly becoming only for the upper class. Middle and lower class families are already feeling like a Disney trip is not affordable. How will they feel when they are told they are no longer welcome to visit the deluxe resorts because the paying guests don't want them there?

You can advocate for a new policy all you want. I just don't see it happening.

I hope you don't take this as a personal attack. I mean no ill will to you or anyone else on this topic. I am truly enjoying this thread and the wide range of differing viewpoints.

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

I know within the 31 pages (!) of this thread, this has already been discussed at length (forgive me for bringing it up again). To restrict access to only paid guests Disney will need to have Magic Band readers and/or cast members stationed at all points of entry to the hotel grounds and transportation loading/unloading areas. Will this not cause delays? Everyone will need to queue up to scan their bands. Undoubtably, there will be people who's Magic Band doesn't scan properly or whatever. There will be people who didn't know that there are now restrictions who will hold things up. Technical issues could crop up and halt the line.

Also, to implement this would be an additional cost to Disney. Guess who they will be passing those costs on to.

I’ll answer this because this comes up a lot. Now, I’m not advocating for limiting visitors but I definitely think there should be priority access to transportation like the monorail and boats for guests staying on property so yes, likely the use of a magicband/card reader. I mean, sure it might add a few extra minutes, maybe. Sometimes technical issues do crop up, but I imagine the vast majority of the time it will be fine and probably much more help than harm, like it is in all the other places where we have to scan in.

And as for cost, we already pay so much, I think many would be happy if we had some priority of something we already pay for, even if it means a slightly higher fee/dues paying for another cast member or two.

You can advocate for a new policy all you want. I just don't see it happening.

Also, I’m highlighting your statement but many have said this here so I don’t mean to single you out, but this might be the most annoying thing people write on these boards. Of course, no change will happen just because a few disboarders are upset and want change. They barely do that when there’s legitimate claim and higher ups who demand it. This is the obvious take so all it does is come off as dismissive of people’s concerns, even if they’re not your concerns. I wish we’d stop doing that, in all conversations really.

 

[Sandisw]

Is that normal for all of the hard ticket events?

At the grand during December? Yes…I waited last year for a little bit heading to the party.

 

[nuhusky123]

I know within the 31 pages (!) of this thread, this has already been discussed at length (forgive me for bringing it up again). To restrict access to only paid guests Disney will need to have Magic Band readers and/or cast members stationed at all points of entry to the hotel grounds and transportation loading/unloading areas. Will this not cause delays? Everyone will need to queue up to scan their bands. Undoubtably, there will be people who's Magic Band doesn't scan properly or whatever. There will be people who didn't know that there are now restrictions who will hold things up. Technical issues could crop up and halt the line.

Also, to implement this would be an additional cost to Disney. Guess who they will be passing those costs on to.

On top of all that, as you have said, Disney has made a lot of head scratching decisions lately. A lot of loyal Disney fans have, rightfully so, questioned whether or not to continuing vacationing at Disney locations. Would restricting access to resorts not be a PR nightmare for Disney? Disney is not subtly becoming only for the upper class. Middle and lower class families are already feeling like a Disney trip is not affordable. How will they feel when they are told they are no longer welcome to visit the deluxe resorts because the paying guests don't want them there?

You can advocate for a new policy all you want. I just don't see it happening.

I hope you don't take this as a personal attack. I mean no ill will to you or anyone else on this topic. I am truly enjoying this thread and the wide range of differing viewpoints.

To echo on from Merlin does this mean total ban or property access. Pro and con to both. Also one needs to be practical. If stopping entry to gf this really only can happen at points of entry

Bus, train, boat. All are choke points of entry. Anyone can walk to gf and in the absence of building a wall no way to monitor walkers

But the choke points the cost could be negligible. Equip with hand held reader, the ones they issue in parks to check for deluxe hotel status plus one or two cast members

Could it add a bit of extra time sure but it would be far better than dealing with the current mess and wait

 

[Sandisw]

I think things will only get worse, much worse before Disney does much of anything to solve. I’m thinking poly tower comes online and next Halloween and Christmas the monorail line is a disaster

2026 post Christmas debacle of dads standing in line having a melt down Disney starts to look at solutions. Emphasis on starts

I agree that when crowds are heavy Disney needs to do a better job in offering guests of Poly and GF more options for transportation.

But, as long as they have the gingerbread house at the GF…been there 25 years now…it’s going to be crazy and guest who choose to stay there do have to go in expecting that craziness.

I still think once PVB tower opens they are going to need to do things because even just that is going to make monorail travel for GF guests harder,

 

[gsdweller]

I think the parks themselves are way too crowded. We should restrict who can go where in each park depending on what my personal plans are. Because I am important, and paid big money for my special 'important person' pass.

 

[RMDVC24]

I’ll answer this because this comes up a lot. Now, I’m not advocating for limiting visitors but I definitely think there should be priority access to transportation like the monorail and boats for guests staying on property so yes, likely the use of a magicband/card reader. I mean, sure it might add a few extra minutes, maybe. Sometimes technical issues do crop up, but I imagine the vast majority of the time it will be fine and probably much more help than harm, like it is in all the other places where we have to scan in.

And as for cost, we already pay so much, I think many would be happy if we had some priority of something we already pay for, even if it means a slightly higher fee/dues paying for another cast member or two.


Also, I’m highlighting your statement but many have said this here so I don’t mean to single you out, but this might be the most annoying thing people write on these boards. Of course, no change will happen just because a few disboarders are upset and want change. They barely do that when there’s legitimate claim and higher ups who demand it. This is the obvious take so all it does is come off as dismissive of people’s concerns, even if they’re not your concerns. I wish we’d stop doing that, in all conversations really.

Fair points.

Regarding the 'I don't see it happening' comment. It wasn't meant to be dismissive of the OP's opinions. (I know I have been arguing against them, but I truly do respect & accept their viewpoint.) All I meant is that I don't see Disney taking these measures regardless of any complaints they receive (which is what you noted in your response). I think to Disney this is a non-issue. The resorts and parks are full. Whatever the lightning lane systems are called now are selling out. DVC members couldn't wait to pay for the additional membership benefits yesterday. Why upset the apple cart?

Apologies if any of my messages have come across as confrontational or dismissive in any way. It's easy to misinterpret tone on these forums.