The Epcot Explorer's Encyclopedia

Disney has recently filed modification to their plans for the upcoming expansion of the Grand Floridian resort.  The new plans, filed over the 4th of July weekend, show more details about the new wing being added to the resort. Additionally, on can begin to guess the building’s purpose (DVC or otherwise) due to the design.

First off, a look at the revised plans submitted this past weekend:

You can click the image to enlarge.. and for comparison, the old plans from March of this year:

The other paperwork submitted with the modified plans explain the new submission – it is essentially a bit larger (by about half an acre) and thus takes up a bit more of the Seven Seas Lagoon which the site expands into. Subsequently Disney was forced to refile the paperwork if they wanted to continue with the project. Key note: Disney plans to continue with the project.

Now if you don’t want to scan the technical drawings for the changes between the two designs we’ll go ahead and point out some of the interesting details.

Notably, the porte-cochère is better defined in the updated plans. You can see the covered entryway and even hints of a landscaping element that could possibly even be a fountain. Also, a series of small paths have been added to connect the building to the health club. These paths appear to be marked with circular planters in the middle, much like the current design of other areas of the Grand Floridian Resort.

Additionally, the connections to the existing wedding pavilion are fleshed out, and pargo parking has been increased to allow for four spaces instead of the original two. The expansion into the Seven Seas Lagoon appears to be primarily because of a fire access routed added around the perimeter of the building, seen in dark gray above. It’s noteworthy that the plans overall call for the new building itself to have a separate lot from the Grand Floridian, as well as calling for the creation of a new lot for the wedding pavilion.

While fairly self-explanatory, it’s worth pointing out that the new building will be connected to the existing Grand Floridian monorail station by a covered walkway. Also, note the large rockwork structure adjacent to the existing Grand Floridian pool – it does not exist in the old plans. If this is a new pool or spa addition remains to be seen. Furthering the idea of the expansion as a separately gated entity (as many DVC sections of existing resorts have been recently) there is also the new entrance driveway and marquees that match the current Grand Floridian’s design.

And finally, our favorite little bit – plenty of handicap parking spaces. Not that these are surprising or new, but rather we found it interesting that they’d be marked with the icon in the parking lots.