(2014-2020) Disney's GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT & SPA + VILLAS Information & Questions

[Jack_Sparrow_NJ]

I'm shocked you can pay cash with a Taxi. But you have a very huge misconception about who is driving a Taxi. They are no more safe than a private car driver via ride share. They can be a criminal just like any other person. They can be new and get lost, just like any person. They are just like any person. You can feel sorry for them and pay more all you like but please, know who it is you are paying and learn if you think being in a Taxi is making you somehow safer. It's not.


No, not in any way shape or form. yes for Minnie Vans, as they are disney employees but not for regular private cars via Lyft. Disney only added on to the Lyft app for requesting a Minnie Van. There is no other agreement or partnership with the private car ride share.

June 18, 2019
Lyft Becomes the Official Rideshare Partner of Walt Disney World® Resort and Disneyland® Resort
Since launching in 2017, Disney’s Minnie Van™ Service Connected by Lyft has brought hospitality on wheels to over 1 million Guests visiting the Walt Disney World® Resort. Today, Lyft is strengthening its commitment to hospitality by announcing we are now the Official Rideshare of Walt Disney World® Resort and Disneyland® Resort. With this new relationship, Lyft and Disney Parks and Resorts will collaborate in a number of exciting new ways including an enhanced presence at Disney Resorts and an improved Minnie Van user experience through the Lyft app.
"This year, Lyft will continue to celebrate the magic of Disney by expanding Lyft’s presence at Walt Disney World® Resort and Disneyland® Resort” said David Baga, Lyft Chief Business Officer. “We've always been inspired by the extraordinary experiences that Disney provides for guests and we share a similar commitment to customer service. Working together will allow us to enhance the way guests experience the resorts.

 

[AngiTN]

June 18, 2019
Lyft Becomes the Official Rideshare Partner of Walt Disney World® Resort and Disneyland® Resort
Since launching in 2017, Disney’s Minnie Van™ Service Connected by Lyft has brought hospitality on wheels to over 1 million Guests visiting the Walt Disney World® Resort. Today, Lyft is strengthening its commitment to hospitality by announcing we are now the Official Rideshare of Walt Disney World® Resort and Disneyland® Resort. With this new relationship, Lyft and Disney Parks and Resorts will collaborate in a number of exciting new ways including an enhanced presence at Disney Resorts and an improved Minnie Van user experience through the Lyft app.
"This year, Lyft will continue to celebrate the magic of Disney by expanding Lyft’s presence at Walt Disney World® Resort and Disneyland® Resort” said David Baga, Lyft Chief Business Officer. “We've always been inspired by the extraordinary experiences that Disney provides for guests and we share a similar commitment to customer service. Working together will allow us to enhance the way guests experience the resorts.

I'm very familiar with the announcement. But it has nothing at all to do with private ride share rides. ONLY Minnie Vans

 

[ninafeliz]

I'm very familiar with the announcement. But it has nothing at all to do with private ride share rides. ONLY Minnie Vans

I never really thought about it until this discussion, but when I just actually read that announcement it does say Lyft will have an enhanced presence at Disney resorts and an improved user experience for Minnie Vans. Then later it mentions expanding Lyfts presence at WDW. I agree they don’t say what that means, but I think you saying that it has nothing to do with anything but Minnie Vans is a bit too much also. I agree with what you said about taxi drivers vs ride share drivers, but i don’t think the original poster had to be called out so strongly, they do have a reason and a Disney press release for their thoughts on Lyfts at Disney.

On a separate but related not, I was under the impression that taxi drivers still preferred cash even when they take credit cards, and have heard stories where the drivers often claim the cc machine is out of order just to get cash. This may have been in cities and not Disney, I can’t remember where I was reading and discussing this.

 

[Jack_Sparrow_NJ]

I never really thought about it until this discussion, but when I just actually read that announcement it does say Lyft will have an enhanced presence at Disney resorts and an improved user experience for Minnie Vans. Then later it mentions expanding Lyfts presence at WDW. I agree they don’t say what that means, but I think you saying that it has nothing to do with anything but Minnie Vans is a bit too much also. I agree with what you said about taxi drivers vs ride share drivers, but i don’t think the original poster had to be called out so strongly, they do have a reason and a Disney press release for their thoughts on Lyfts at Disney.

On a separate but related not, I was under the impression that taxi drivers still preferred cash even when they take credit cards, and have heard stories where the drivers often claim the cc machine is out of order just to get cash. This may have been in cities and not Disney, I can’t remember where I was reading and discussing this.

Drivers prefer cash fares for two reasons. The first is they get paid immediately. Often the car is owned by another person or organization and they have to wait for the cc transaction to settle before they get their percentage / tip. They also prefer cash because then it between them and their conscience what they report.

 

[AngiTN]

I never really thought about it until this discussion, but when I just actually read that announcement it does say Lyft will have an enhanced presence at Disney resorts and an improved user experience for Minnie Vans. Then later it mentions expanding Lyfts presence at WDW. I agree they don’t say what that means, but I think you saying that it has nothing to do with anything but Minnie Vans is a bit too much also. I agree with what you said about taxi drivers vs ride share drivers, but i don’t think the original poster had to be called out so strongly, they do have a reason and a Disney press release for their thoughts on Lyfts at Disney.

On a separate but related not, I was under the impression that taxi drivers still preferred cash even when they take credit cards, and have heard stories where the drivers often claim the cc machine is out of order just to get cash. This may have been in cities and not Disney, I can’t remember where I was reading and discussing this.

I can assure you private vehicle Lyft drivers get no special privileges and do not know the property better. That statement only addresses Minnie Vans

heck right now you still have to force the app to even recognize that Minnie Vans can go to MK. Tells you to go to ttc

 

[Jack_Sparrow_NJ]

I can assure you private vehicle Lyft drivers get no special privileges and do not know the property better. That statement only addresses Minnie Vans

Just curious how you know this to be the case? You are making quite a broad stroked statement??

Maybe you could comment on this as well:

Lyft’s new alliance with Disney Parks and Resorts will enhance the rideshare experience for Guests by expanding Lyft’s presence throughout Walt Disney World® Resort and Disneyland® Resort. With dedicated pick-up and drop-off areas and way-finding signage, Lyft and Disney are focused on improving mobility around the Resorts through reduced wait times.

 

[AngiTN]

I know because I used Lyft this week. They got nothing different than Uber

 

[ninafeliz]

I can assure you private vehicle Lyft drivers get no special privileges and do not know the property better. That statement only addresses Minnie Vans

heck right now you still have to force the app to even recognize that Minnie Vans can go to MK. Tells you to go to ttc

We’ve used Minnie vans from the MK and to the MK and didn’t have to force the app to do anything. I wouldn’t have even know to do that or to look to check.

 

[bethclayton]

I uploaded some GF videos from out trip earlier this month to youtube if anyone would like to take a look. They are short clips of the lounge and resort, part of the fireworks, and my personal favorite, the orchestra playing "The Muppet Show." Also, if you scroll down to the videos that I uploaded in 2013, I have video of the Grand Suite (a real treat!) and RPC.

https://studio.youtube.com/channel/..."columnType":"date","sortOrder":"DESCENDING"}

 

[WishesQueen]

Good Morning Everyone

I have been searching for availability to open for a Deluxe Garden View Room to open. The option has been unavailable for months, cast members assumed that there were refurbishing going on. Now, this morning the option is gone, does anyone have any info about this? Thanks everyone!

 

[Wood Nymph]

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[MommyGina]

Hi GF friends. Anyone have updates on the walkway from the walkway from GF to the MK?

 

[mrsap]

I did see an update online a couple days ago, but we cannot post a link to that website here. Still didn’t seem like a whole lot more was done, yet.

 

[AngiTN]

Hi GF friends. Anyone have updates on the walkway from the walkway from GF to the MK?

Just that it's still in process. I don't think they are far enough along to give a date yet.

 

[ninafeliz]

Hi GF friends. Anyone have updates on the walkway from the walkway from GF to the MK?

We rode by on the monorail today and it looks like there’s a lot more to be done. I had been hoping it would be open by this week when I first heard of it- obviously that didn’t happen! But my DH and I were commenting that it didn’t look as close as we would have thought when we saw the work in progress today. I’m not sure if these photos will be helpful- I took them while standing on a full monorail and trying to also look and see the progress myself!

 

[MommyGina]

We rode by on the monorail today and it looks like there’s a lot more to be done. I had been hoping it would be open by this week when I first heard of it- obviously that didn’t happen! But my DH and I were commenting that it didn’t look as close as we would have thought when we saw the work in progress today. I’m not sure if these photos will be helpful- I took them while standing on a full monorail and trying to also look and see the progress myself!View attachment 470565View attachment 470566View attachment 470567View attachment 470568

Thank you for the pictures!

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

Hi All, for those that have stayed here recently, for the refillable mugs, is there the option at GF to upgrade to the skyliner or Star Wars tumbler? We were just at Riviera and they had the option to, but of course I didn't see it until after I got the normal refillable one. Thanks!

 

[followthatmouse]

We rode by on the monorail today and it looks like there’s a lot more to be done. I had been hoping it would be open by this week when I first heard of it- obviously that didn’t happen! But my DH and I were commenting that it didn’t look as close as we would have thought when we saw the work in progress today. I’m not sure if these photos will be helpful- I took them while standing on a full monorail and trying to also look and see the progress myself!View attachment 470565View attachment 470566View attachment 470567View attachment 470568

Thank you for the photos and for the gymnastics it took to get them!

 

[ninafeliz]

Hi All, for those that have stayed here recently, for the refillable mugs, is there the option at GF to upgrade to the skyliner or Star Wars tumbler? We were just at Riviera and they had the option to, but of course I didn't see it until after I got the normal refillable one. Thanks!

Yes they have the metal Star Wars refillable mugs for $30, or $10 if you have the dining plan. No skyliner ones.

As an aside, they hold a lot more than the regular plastic ones and keep drinks much colder. The ice in my drink stays all night if I don’t dump it out. They are definitely worth the $10 more.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

Does anyone know the distance the walkway will be to the MK from GF?