Grand Californian Hotel Lobby

The pianist showed up and started a half hour medley. He started with Disney love songs (mixed with Hotel California and Hero), then transitioned to a swing/jazz set of songs including Makin’ Whoopie and Old Man River. The tile floor around the edge of the lobby is VERY comfortable to turn on without being too slippery. Yay!

Disney’s Grand Floridian (after Epcot Day 1)

We walked in on a waltz. After applause/recognition, they gave us Fly Me To The Moon and finished their set (they play half hour sets from 4 pm to 9:45 pm, alternating with a pianist) with a waltz medley of A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes/Once Upon A Dream.

After the set, the drummer/band leader (Pat) asked if we were coming tomorrow and to request anything we wanted.

Waltz turns

Inside turn right after follow steps forward on 1
Outside turn right after follow steps back on 1

Disney’s Grand Floridian Monorail Station (on the way to Epcot Day 1)

Not only does the Grand Floridian have live music, they play canned music almost all the time! We were waiting for the monorail to the Ticket Transportation Center (TTC) when a really decent tempo jazz number came on. Laura was wearing her suede shoes (I was in hiking boots) and wanted to dance (as did I).

While the 20’s charleston ended shortly after the monorail arrived, but before it did, we executed a stall into an outside turn which seems really simplistic, but was really exciting!

Disney’s Grand Floridian (after Disney’s Animal Kingdom)

There’s a live band that plays on the 2nd floor of the lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. When we first walked in, they were playing a good slow jazz. We walked up to the second floor, around behind the band to the balcony on their right and slow danced. When they finished, we applauded them and they looked genuinely appreciative (folks must take them for granted a lot). Then I shouted, “Swing it!” in the hopes that they would play something more upbeat. They did, but not before I had enough time to doubt and consider the possible rudeness of my actions. They played a very jazzy and upbeat version of “Sunny Side Of The Street”. It was awesome! We even got applause from some Cast Members on the first floor! We then thanked the band and headed off to Arabian Nights Dinner Theatre.