Basin
(photos below)

The Basin White store in the Grand Floridian is outfitted like a giant bathroom--it looks very different from the former Bally store that used to occupy this space. Similar in style and merchandise offerings to the Downtown Disney Marketplace Basin location, Basin White is designated as an "upscale" version. There is no overlap in product offerings between the two, according to a cast member at Basin White who Aronda interviewed on the afternoon of Sunday, March 18, 2007. 

While at first glance the soaps, Bath Bombs, shampoo bars, and other items may look like those found at the Downtown Disney location, the fragrances are different, often using rarer, more luxurious materials. In addition, the Bath Bombs, for example, at Basin White are dipped in shea butter to make them more moisturizing than their Downtown Disney counterparts. Bar soaps are wrapped in tissue paper instead of the cellophane of Downtown Disney's bars.

The decor here is very "bathroom," with hexagonal black and white tiles on the floor, white tile backsplashes for the handwash sinks, and even a tiny clawfoot tub in which Bath Bomb demonstrations are given. The shelves are backlit, with bright, clean white finish to show off the brightly colored products. Additionally, the store's floor space has been increased over that used for Bally by opening a wall to a former stockroom--the storage area is now located elsewhere in the Grand Floridian! The shelves inside the display windows are scheduled to be lit from below, though they weren't ready when Aronda stopped by.

Basin White opened in November 2006, but closed down after the holiday season ended for a full remodel. It reopened in mid-March 2007 with its new look. If you're a fan of high-quality bath essentials, be sure to stop by Basin White, even if you're not staying at the Grand Floridian. You're sure to find a sweet-smelling bath treat for yourself--and maybe something to take home as a gift for a friend.

Storefront, on the monorail level in the Grand Floridian

Sign with the new "Basin White" name

Plenty of unique soaps and products

A small clawfoot tub--with working plumbing!

It looks dark, but the store is very well lit--even many of the shelves are backlit

While the small princesses make their own crowns, bigger princesses 
(and princes too!) can make their own baskets filled with Basin White goodies

Handwash sinks complete the bathroom-like decor here

Earlier Info (November 24, 2006):
Basin has opened a new location in Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in the space previously occupied by Bally, the leather goods store. The store fixtures look to be the same as those used in the Bally shop, with soaps and other Basin products displayed on the shelves where the hags and wallets once sat. The inventory here does not look to be as comprehensive as at Basin's Downtown Disney location, but of course this is a smaller venue.

On Thursday, November 23, Aronda's team stopped in and talked to the cast member on duty, who mentioned that while the merchandise is the same as that offered at their Downtown Disney location at this time, Basin's plan is to incorporate a more upscale product line here after the new year. The current setup is to get them through the holiday season. She also informed us that there are plans to enlarge the shop and redecorate to some degree. We're looking forward to it!

The window display here features quite a few holiday-themed soap offerings--with Christmas designs and flavors. These soaps are the "loaf" type, sliced and wrapped as individual bars and sold by weight. The Christmas trees decorated with Basin soap as ornaments is very clever, and worthy of stopping by to see even if you don't need any soap. Of course, Basin soap--whether holiday-edition or regular stock--makes a perfect gift for almost anyone, and it's affordable too!!

Front entrance of Basin's Grand Floridian store. Entering the GF from the monorain station,
head to the left and you'll see it where the Bally store used to be

A small store space, but we've been told that some expansion is in the works for after the new year

A good selection of Basin products are available here, but the inventory
is not as comprehensive as at the Downtown Disney location

The sales counter looks a bit improvised, but the cast member working
here told us that they were going to work through the holidays before revamping
the product line--and the store fixtures too!

The ever-popular Bath Bombs on shelves in jars here. Plenty of flavors are available

Note the gift sets packaged on the lower shelves. Perhaps the perfect gift for someone on your list!

Holiday-themed soaps are available here. The trees are decorated with Basin soap ornaments!

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