The controversial and long-awaited Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa lobby refurbishment, a remodel now years in the making, appears to have begun.
From this angle, we can see the construction walls that divide the refurbishment site from the currently operational portion of the lobby.
With a significant portion of the lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa now blocked off, the remainder of the lobby remains completely open to guests.
Once we went up to another level within the building, we got a clear view of what was going on inside the construction walls.
Piles of sandbags and wooden supports hold the construction walls in place. Several sheets of wood cover the lobby’s floor.
Crews are already actively working toward remodeling this portion of the lobby.
What appears to be a blueprint for this portion of the remodeling of the lobby is propped up.
A door for construction crews to use to access the refurbishment site can be seen among the construction walls.
A sign featuring Stitch indicates surfaces that remain coated in wet paint.
Back in December 2022, Disney confirmed that the lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa would be refurbished during the resort’s 35th anniversary, which will be celebrated on July 1, 2023.
A Disney Parks Blog post from December 15, 2022, states:
“The ongoing renovation will also include an upcoming refurbishment of the lobby, which will maintain the classic theming you know and love with some fresh new enhancements.”
Upon taking over the Parks & Resorts division in 2015, now-former CEO Bob Chapek reportedly felt that the Grand Floridian was not up to standards. Rather than shifting gears and focusing on another resort hotel, Disney decided to make some changes to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Those changes began with the Enchanted Rose Lounge in 2019, which replaced Mizner’s Lounge and was given a “Beauty and the Beast” theme. Cítricos then followed suit with a new “Mary Poppins”-inspired design. When the Grand Floridian Spa reopened back in January of this year, it had also been remodeled. Let’s not forget about the remodeling of all the guest rooms at the resort and the “Mary Poppins” theming that has been added throughout guest buildings.
Let us know what you think about a remodel of the Grand Floridian’s lobby in the comments below.
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I hope they go through the same company for the new rug … This might sound weird, but the rug that was there before felt expensive just walking on it. Cushiony?
And here we are 3+ years later and the Tea Room STILL has not reopened.
WHAT is the hold up? The room is literally sitting there unused.
Makes no sense whatsoever.
Ugh. Set to go there in two weeks. Is it really that annoying?
I feel like the furniture is already updated as we were there this weekend and it doesn’t match the rug at this point, and looks a little more modern but classic
Whatever is done it was ruined when they pulled the carpet out … the grand is amazing why touch that… it’s priceless DIsney is touching literally the greatest resort they have for no reason whatsoever…. But I’m down to see what it will look like. Excited for the future regardless Let’s Go don’t disappoint!!
The GF is my DVC home and I’ve grown up there since it has opened. I hope they are able to upgrade without making the change too overwhelming or uncomfortable. Obviously we all love those couches and the piano player….maybe they could bring back the orchestra! Hint hint