Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, one of the most luxurious hotels at Walt Disney World Resort, is undergoing an extensive lobby renovation. The overhaul is well underway, and guests are already noticing changes to the iconic hotel. The renovation has been described as a modernization effort retaining the Disney Resort’s famous Victorian charm while introducing upgraded touches like customized carpeting and luxurious furniture.
Some things are staying, like the grand piano and the Victorian cage-style elevator. However, the iconic golden birdcage that once housed real birds is being removed from the center of the lobby. In its place, Disney is creating a birdcage-inspired bar–the first-ever lobby bar at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. This new feature will retain the bird motif, with polished brass and stained-glass murals, keeping some ties to the original birdcage structure.
Earlier this year, construction walls were erected around the birdcage as Walt Disney World Resort began disassembling the structure to make way for the new bar. Guests watched the work from the second floor, where they saw crews laying the foundation for the upcoming bar. In addition to the bar work, crews have also been busy installing new wallpaper and flooring in other parts of the lobby. Some pathways have been temporarily blocked to allow for these updates.
As of August 6, the construction has ramped up. Although the bar itself hasn’t been built yet, reports from WDWNT suggest that construction crews are actively working in the area. In addition to the birdcage, several lobby areas, including the PhotoPass studio and the grand staircase, have been blocked off with construction walls or curtains.
In addition to the lobby renovations, work is also taking place on the roof of the Convention Center at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Although Disney has not shared specifics about the renovations for the Convention Center, they have confirmed that it will be updated alongside the lobby.
Disney has not yet disclosed a timeline for the bar’s completion or when the lobby will be fully finished, but work is expected to continue through 2025. One downside to these renovations: the Grand Floridian’s life-sized gingerbread house display, a holiday tradition, has been canceled for this year.
The gingerbread house is nearly complete at the Grand Floridian! 🎄✨✨
WaltDisneyWorld 💗
Which Disney Resort hotel needs a lobby overhaul next? Share your thoughts with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
