We recently reported on new construction walls erected inside the lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, which was scheduled for a remodel to match the new, modernized style.
Reports now indicate that the walls and equipment are in place to begin the remodel of the guest rooms in that building. WDWNT’s sources also report that the lobby remodel is being delayed until 2024.
The concierge level rooms on floors 3, 4, & 5 will be remodeled to match the new look of the resort. See a full tour of a remodeled room here. The construction walls surround a staging area for equipment to be raised up to the different floors. A crane should be arriving soon. The crew has laid wood flooring over the existing floor to protect it from the crane.
They will also be working on the high pillars and dome ceiling. This is likely what is depicted on the blueprints spotted at the site.
Reportedly, the lobby remodel was scheduled to begin earlier this spring. They were unable to meet that schedule. Rather than start construction and interfere with the giant gingerbread house the resort builds annually, the remodel was delayed.
The remodel of the rooms in building 5 is also delayed.
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.
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 the resort, and so it was no longer suitable as the flagship location. 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.
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