FULL LOOK at the NEW Grand Floridian Hotel Changes at Disney World

Disney is refurbishing one of their most iconic hotels.

Construction in the Grand Floridian began in April 2025

The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has been Disney World’s premier resort for over three decades. The hotel, which opened in 1988, is described by Disney as a “timeless Victorian-style marvel (that) evokes Palm Beach’s golden era,” and that theme has long extended to the hotel’s lobby. However, now that grand lobby is being refurbished.

According to Disney, the new lobby’s staircase and front desk will be “refreshed with a mix of botanical accents and inviting colors to create an airy, garden-like atmosphere, and the lobby as a whole will “feature beautiful new carpeting with Victorian-inspired borders and scrollwork featuring hand-drawn florals inspired by turn-of-the-century botanical studies. Updated furnishings will blend rich finishes and brass accents with cozy, welcoming fabrics, plus a few playful touches inspired by Florida’s natural beauty and Victorian decorating trends. “

©Disney

One of the most striking elements of the concept art Disney has released of the new Grand Floridian lobby is the massive lobby bar, which Disney describes as “paying tribute to the resort’s Victorian roots with intricate woodwork, stained glass, and brass accents.” However, the bar’s existence is coming at a cost as it is replacing the belted birdcage, which had occupied prime space in he resort’s lobby for decades, and even actually held real birds at one point.

Grand Floridian, with the birdcage in the bottom left.

When taking a closer look at the new bar, one can see several tributes to the classic birdcage are being included in the new lobby bar. For starters, its overall shape and design is reminiscent of the cage, and there are even “colorful birds in the stained glass and murals throughout the atrium!”

©Disney

While the birdcage’s metamorphosis into a bar does represent a major change, the concept art – – backed by Disney’s own description of the refurbishment – – indicates that some of the lobby’s other iconic elements will remain, including the grand piano, lush seating areas, and the classic Victorian cage-style elevator that fans “know and love. “

©Disney

The Grand Floridan Resort & Spa is in the midst of a massive lobby renovation that will see a brand new lobby bar inspired by the departed birdcage, however the core elements of the resort and its vibe will remain in place. Stay tuned to DFB for more Walt Disney World’s evolution.

What Is “Sleep Tourism,” and Should Disney Hotels Join the Trend?

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.

Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

Are you excited for the new Grand Floridian lobby bar? Let us know in the comments below!