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.
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Another bar? Really? What a shame that the first thing Disney thinks of for any sort of revamp is alcohol. Can’t wait to stroll in to this iconic hotel, feeling like royalty, only to see men and women in shorts and flip flops sitting on bar stools while some bartender is starting the blender for frozen margaritas. By the pool? Yes. In the lobby? No! Anything for a buck though, right?
Ugh! ANOTHER BAR?!? There’s one right upstairs! Disney makes a lot of money selling booze, but this is just getting ridiculous! The lobby is used for the Easter and Christmas decorations. Will those events be more crowded or just cancelled due to less space because of the bar? More creativity when remodeling and expanding spaces would be welcome, Disney.
I am with the top two comments……I am sick and tired that everywhere I look there is another bar. Isn’t there a bar upstairs where that wonderful band used to play? I am so done.
You could have introduced a new look but kept most of the same iconic items. Definitely another place people can get alcohol isn’t necessary. Remember Mr. Disney wanted a “happy place” but not because you’re using alcohol to be happy!!!
Really bad business decision.
Sad, hope they don’t just totally do away with the Gingerbread House now.
I will reserve judgment until I see it. I have no problem with the removal of the bird cage. No one I have ever known has been excited about the prospect of seeing the bird cage nor missing it upon return home. One positive about the new bar is that the original bar few people knew of(imo only) . This one will be more frequented by foot traffic. I think the new carpet will show how seamless the bar fits in the lobby,
Brian, perfect. Can you tell me how the renovation is going? Is it finished yet?