Disney's Grand Floridian Lobby Walls Go Up as Major Refurbishment Project Starts

Gallery / 6 Photos
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort Lobby Refurbishment - April 14, 2025

Posted: Monday April 14, 2025 7:45am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Work is officially underway in the lobby at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa as part of the multi-phase refurbishment project announced earlier this year. Construction walls are now installed in the main lobby, with the area surrounding the resort’s iconic birdcage fully walled off.

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort Lobby Refurbishment - April 14, 2025

This marks the beginning of an extensive renovation to refresh the Grand Floridian’s lobby. The project runs through November 2025 and includes updates to finishes, furnishings, and the addition of a new Victorian-inspired lobby bar.

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa New Lobby Concept Art

Despite the construction, several seasonal offerings remain in place. The Grand Cottage treat shop is still available, offering house-made sweets and packaged goodies. The annual Easter Egg display is also still available, showcasing hand-decorated chocolate eggs crafted by Disney pastry chefs.

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort Lobby Refurbishment - April 14, 2025

Guests should expect changes to traffic flow in the lobby area, and some noise during daytime hours, but most resort amenities—including dining and pools—remain available.

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort Lobby Refurbishment - April 14, 2025

Discuss on the Forums

Get Walt Disney World News Delivered to Your Inbox

Chef idea Mickey`=4 minutes ago

This guy's got ideas!!!!! I myself mentioned coffee, tea, in a real mug, sip sit with family. So alcoholics get another setting but non drinkers are told to go to the quick service to fill in a plastic reusable cup like a child. Smmm

trainplane32 hours ago

Fun thing from Eddie:

Chef idea Mickey`=2 days ago

It has, I had thought it would made sense after. Disney hasn't announced it would start after clearly!

Chef idea Mickey`=2 days ago

No your not wrong either, after all if they were to finish this in November, then I don't see why we can't get the Gingerbread House set it up in December or for December. Thank you for the clarification. 🙂

Disone2 days ago

Okay. I misunderstood this statement. It seemed like you were asking why If construction ended in November why they couldn't have the gingerbread house in December. The answer is because it takes so long to set it up. I get it that wasn't your intent. Sorry. Hummmm, construction is not starting after Easter, it has already started even with the Easter cottage still present in the lobby. Overall it'll be about 6 and 1/2 to 7 months long which when you think about it, Disney hasn't been recently known for doing any construction projects at any type of record-breaking speed. So to rip out the bird cage and its foundation build a bar while also keeping access to the restaurants in the lobby, ripping out the carpeting and replacing it, repainting everything. While not damaging the marble floor that they are to keep..... 6 to 7 months seems just about right. Maybe even a little fast by their standards.

Chef idea Mickey`=2 days ago

I was referring to why the refurb will take so long, not about when do they usually take time to put up the Gingerbread House.

TheCoasterNerd2 days ago

I just hope they FINALLY take down the tarps and painters tape on the domes

Disone2 days ago

**** Gingerbread house construction would have started in late October well ahead of the projected end of the construction for the lobby enhancement itself which isn't until mid-november.

Chef idea Mickey`=2 days ago

Starts construction late October? I thought this construction was between after Easter until November.

Disone2 days ago

It's opens in early November and starts construction even earlier in late October.

Chef idea Mickey`=3 days ago

After seeing the concept art it looks odd why it would take so long to get this refurbishment done. Besides the Bar is like the only major change to me. Didn't they already change the ground floors and painted the ceilings. Just a new carpet, seating, and some palm tree plants seems like that's all they have to do. Unless they are painting stuff again.. They said until November so it's funny no Gingerbread House because isn't it complete December?

James Alucobond3 days ago

Monkey's paw: It's now the Long Island Iced Tea Room, serving as extra seating for the bar.

jmuboy3 days ago

I want the tea room back and this is the time to do it!

Tony the Tigger5 days ago

I think you just answered your own question: the lines are not as long during non-holiday season - because - it’s non-holiday season, which will always have significantly less traffic. That’s precisely their job. …which generates sales of gingerbread slabs all season, so I’m not seeing your point. Can they sell roof slabs of gingerbread without the house? Sure, but it isn’t going to go as well.