Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has opened its newest lobby addition ahead of schedule. The Perch, a new bar located inside the iconic hotel, began a soft opening this week despite previously being slated to officially launch on November 10.
Guests arriving at the resort found the venue operating with a full menu and seating available. Some shared images of the new space online, with one visitor posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, “FYI – the Perch [at] the Grand Floridian is soft opening today and is beautiful!”
The Perch has soft opened at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa! The brand-new lobby bar officially opens on November 10. pic.twitter.com/Ev7bz3u023
— Drew Smith (@DrewDisneyDude) November 8, 2025
The Perch serves champagne by the glass or bottle, as well as wine and beer. Two signature cocktails are currently featured: the Coffee Rum Sazerac ($17.50) and the Floridian 75 ($22). A non-alcoholic Blueberry and Basil Iced Tea, made with lemon, blueberry, and basil tea, is also available.
The bar’s design includes detailed woodwork, herringbone tile flooring, and custom stained glass panels that shift appearance with natural light throughout the day. The space appears intended as a relaxed lounge area directly off the lobby, offering views of the resort’s central atrium.
FYI – the Perch [at] the Grand Floridian is soft opening today and is beautiful!
FYI – the Perch ant the Grand Floridian is soft opening today and is beautiful! pic.twitter.com/Sg1lQY1rXR
— TheDBCPod (@TheDBCPod) November 8, 2025
The Perch Marks a Larger Refresh For the Grand Floridian
The early opening comes amid an ongoing, divisive, multi-year refurbishment at Disney’s Grand Floridian. The resort has been gradually updating guest rooms and public spaces, introducing softer color palettes and materials described by Disney as a “lighter, more timeless” take on Victorian design.
Recent additions include a new impressionist-style mural above the lobby staircase, depicting the resort as it may have appeared at the turn of the century, framed by royal and sabal palms. The mural adds warmer tones to the lobby’s bright, open space.
A newly installed atrium carpet also brings additional storytelling to the lobby. Inspired by the Victorian “Language of Flowers,” the pattern references hospitality, joy, and grace through floral motifs native to Florida’s subtropical landscape.
The Grand Floridian Convention Center has already been redesigned to match these updates. The Garden View Lounge, which has been closed since 2020, is set to reopen in early 2026 with a refreshed design and a new tea service that incorporates “whimsical Disney touches.”
A Change Sparking Mixed Reactions
The arrival of The Perch has prompted varied responses among guests. Some have praised the addition as a refined and welcome enhancement to the lobby experience. Others say the change marks a noticeable shift away from the ornate Victorian theming the resort has been known for since it opened nearly 40 years ago.
The new bar is more streamlined and modern than much of the Grand Floridian’s original décor. Its cleaner lines and neutral tones contrast with the layered patterns and elaborate details the resort previously emphasized.
This shift has sparked discussion about how Disney hotels are evolving stylistically. Longtime visitors who associate the Grand Floridian with traditional luxury have questioned whether the resort is moving closer to contemporary high-end hotel trends, similar to how its value resorts have embraced a clean, minimalist, “hospital”-esque aesthetic.
The conversation has also overlapped with broader guest concerns about alcohol availability on Disney property. In recent years, several incidents involving intoxicated visitors — including altercations with cast members and attempts to climb structures in EPCOT's World Showcase — have led some guests to express reservations about expanding bar spaces.
Others view The Perch as an appropriate addition to a deluxe hotel environment rather than a park setting, noting that the Grand Floridian has long offered upscale dining and lounge service.
Are you excited to visit The Perch at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa?
