Upcoming Grand Floridian Closures

With construction of the Grand Floridian DVC well underway, we knew it was just a matter of time before a few things had to be closed temporarily. While they're at it, the GF decided to do some refurbishments at the same time. Here's a list of dining, pools, and shopping that will be affected over the coming months:

• The courtyard pool will close August 24 until sometime in December. They will be adding a zero entry feature. The beach pool will remain open for guests.


• Sandy Cove (shopping) will close from August 21 through December. But don't worry, there are numerous other shops throughout the GF.


• Narcoosee's is currently closed for a brief refurbishment and will reopen on July 22.


• Citricos will close just after Narcoosee's reopens, on July 23, and will reopen on August 5.


• The Beach Pool Bar is currently closed through August 24.


• Mizner's Lounge is also currently closed and will reopen July 14.


• Last, Gasparilla Grill will close on August 24 and reopen sometime in December.

I'm just glad my favorite eatery, the Garden View Tea Room, won't be closing!

Magic Kingdom Monorail Closure

Beginning today, the Magic Kingdom monorail beams--both express and the Resort beams--will be closing from 11:30 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. for maintenance. This schedule is expected to go through the end of the month. This closure is actually unrelated to the recent weather-related beam issues I told you about here.  Instead, this closure is to allow for construction on the Grand Floridian DVC property which is very close to both beams.

Stay tuned for updates on monorail and other closures.

Misc. Resort Rumors

Here are a few recent rumors--some from pretty reliable sources-- regarding expansion and refurbishment of Walt Disney World Resorts:

• You may have already heard that the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will be the next Disney Resort to get a Disney Vacation Club property. Sources say there is yet another DVC property planned for the old River Country property (RC was the first water park opened at WDW in 1976; it closed in 2001), but that announcement won't be made until sales of the GF DVC reach a certain point.


• The Polynesian Resort is in need of a serious rehab (something about asbestos...it was built in the 70s, after all). Considering the extent of the refurbishment, this will likely be more of a "rebuild," requiring the main building which houses check-in, restaurants, and shops to close for an extended period of time. Disney is expected to shift reservations to DVC properties that are often under-booked, such as Old Key West and Saratoga Springs. No time-frame was given for this rehab.


• In light of the opening of the Art of Animation Resort (coming Summer 2012), we're hearing that some of the other Resorts that can accomodate 5 guests will stop doing that--in particular, the Alligator Bayou section of Port Orleans Riverside, which offers a trundle bed that allows for an extra small child in the room. The trundle beds have never been highly publicized by Disney, and you aren't offered POR as an option if you try to book for a family of 5 on Disney's website. Still, this has been one of the most affordable options on property for a family of 5 until this announcement. I assume they won't begin denying families this option until Art of Animation is open.

That's about it for now. I'll keep you up on the latest rumors and gossip as I hear it!