Scaffolding has been removed from around the Sago Cay building at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa as refurbishment of the building wraps up.
Sago Cay Construction
Sago Cay is near the start of the walkway to Magic Kingdom, which was closed for several months due to construction. The walkway recently reopened.
During refurbishment of the building, the stairwell was completely reconstructed with new stairs and white paneling.
Work was also done on the balconies.
The land around the building is worse for wear following construction. A digger is still on site, as is a golf cart carrying some plants, as landscaping gets underway.
Many of the red shingles on the Sago Cay roof were also replaced and work was done on the chimney at the center of the building.
New trees were staged for planting in the building’s entryway when we rode by on the Monorail.
It looks like some black tarps are still on one balcony.
The refurbishment of Sago Cay’s exterior was similar to what we’ve seen on many Grand Floridian Resort buildings. The design has remained the same, it was just refreshed.
However, the interior was refurbished, too. All of the Grand Floridian Resort guest rooms are being updated.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Refurbishment
Reportedly, when now-former CEO Bob Chapek took over the Parks & Resorts division in 2015, he felt that the Grand Floridian was not up to standards. The comparisons to a Four Seasons didn’t befit the current state of Walt Disney World, and so it was no longer suitable as the flagship resort. But rather than shift focus to another resort hotel, the company decided to make changes.
The major overhaul of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort began with the Enchanted Rose Lounge, which replaced Mizner’s Lounge. It was given a “Beauty and the Beast” theme. Cítricos followed with a new “Mary Poppins”-inspired design. When the Grand Floridian Spa reopened in January 2022, it was revealed that it, too, had been remodeled. All the rooms of the resort are still being updated and some “Mary Poppins” theming has been added throughout guest buildings.
Narcoossee’s was closed from June 2022 to April 2023, and reopened with a revamped interior and “land and sea” menu. Read our Narcoossee’s review.
1900 Park Fare, the character dining buffet location at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, is still closed for refurbishment. The restaurant has not reopened since it closed in March 2020 with the rest of Walt Disney World Resort due to COVID-19. When physical distancing measures were still in place, 1900 Park Fare was used as overflow seating for Grand Floridian Café for a short period of time.
The Grand Floridian Resort’s lobby will also be updated in the near future.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will celebrate its 35th anniversary on July 1, 2023.
How do you feel about the ongoing refurbishment of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa? Let us know in the comments.
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