One of Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ outdoor dining areas is finally back after disappearing behind construction walls for much of the summer.
The Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge has reopened to guests following a project that began in late June. While the main Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant remained open, Disney closed its outdoor lounge as crews worked on a substantial makeover of the patio.
Guests can now see exactly what all that construction was about.
Disney has added a full covering over the outdoor dining area, complete with ceiling fans and decorative lanterns. Tables and chairs have returned as well, giving guests a newly upgraded place to take a break from the park.
Construction Started Back in June
Disney began the project on June 29.
With the patio unavailable, the walk-up bar temporarily relocated to the former Starring Rolls space. Meanwhile, crews got to work transforming the lounge.
The scale of the project became more apparent in July.
New support columns appeared around the patio by July 17, along with concrete footings capable of supporting a larger structure.
From there, construction continued for weeks.
Guests finally got a good idea of what the finished lounge would look like around the beginning of September. By September 1, Disney had installed the major pieces of the new structure, including its awning, ceiling fans, and lanterns.
The patio wasn't quite ready at that point, however, and remained closed behind barriers.
Now, Disney has officially welcomed guests back.
The Patio Is Fully Covered
The most important change involves the new covering.
Disney installed a large red awning over the patio, replacing the more exposed outdoor setup guests previously encountered.
The color also matches the existing entrance canopy, which helps the addition feel like part of The Hollywood Brown Derby rather than something Disney simply attached to the side of the building.
That's particularly important for a restaurant with such a recognizable theme.
The practical benefits may matter even more.
Outdoor dining at Walt Disney World can be tricky. Temperatures climb quickly, the sun can become intense, and rain can arrive with very little warning.
Having a covered patio gives guests considerably more protection from those conditions.
Disney went one step further by installing ceiling fans, which should help circulate air underneath the awning.
Decorative lantern fixtures with scrollwork add another layer of detail to the finished structure.
Guests Have Plenty of Seating Again
With construction complete, Disney has restored the lounge's tables and chairs.
Round tables covered with white tablecloths fill the patio. Black metal chairs can be found around the outer portion of the seating area, while red leather chairs with metal frames occupy areas closer to the middle.
It's a simple setup, but it fits the classic Hollywood style Disney has maintained at the restaurant.
Guests who aren't interested in sitting underneath the new covering haven't been completely forgotten, either. One table remains outside the protected portion of the patio.
The rest of the lounge, however, now benefits from the new overhead structure.
A Familiar Spot Returns to Hollywood Studios
One of the best things about Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge is its position along a nearby walkway.
Guests can sit down with food or drinks while still feeling connected to everything happening around Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It's also a convenient location for simply taking a break and watching the crowds go by.
The new covering shouldn't change that experience.
Instead, Disney has made the location easier to enjoy when the weather isn't perfect.
And although construction lasted for more than two months, the main Hollywood Brown Derby dining room continued operating throughout the work. Only the outdoor lounge was affected by the project.
Now, both options are available again.
Disney may not have completely reinvented Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge, but it didn't need to. By adding shade, fans, weather protection, and a finished structure that matches the restaurant, Disney addressed some of the biggest drawbacks of outdoor dining in Florida.
After spending the summer behind construction walls, the Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge is officially back in business.
