Disney’s Grand Floridian Refurbishment Tracker
Disney’s Grand Floridian has undergone several refurbishments over the years, from routine room renovations to larger projects that have significantly changed the resort and its footprint. This page serves as a running timeline of those changes, focusing on what current refurbishments might affect your stay.
We’ve organized refurbishment notices and construction updates in a chronological timeline so you can quickly see what’s been completed, what is in progress, and what’s changed recently. When available, we’ve included links to more detailed updates for additional context.
If you are planning a stay at the Grand Floridian, this timeline can help you understand the resort’s current state and how recent work may affect your visit. You may also enjoy looking back at changes over the years.
Grand Floridian Refurbishment Updates
We’ve listed resort refurbishment dates below in order of most recent.
October 2026 Updates
Disney’s Grand Floridian Cafe is set to reopen on November 2, 2026. The restaurant has been closed since mid-July for a complete refurbishment. We have a before-and-after look at the updated Grand Floridian.
August 2026 Updates
While not announced, we saw that the Alice in Wonderland-themed aquatic play area was closed for refurbishment on a visit to Disney’s Grand Floridian. During this visit, we also noticed that MagicBand readers had been installed at the resort’s pool gates. (Update: This project is now complete.)
June 2026 Updates
Disney World has announced that the Grand Floridian Cafe will temporarily close starting July 20th. Starting July 20th, the restaurant’s brunch service will still be available at Citricos on the 2nd floor of the resort’s lobby. During the refurbishment, the restaurant’s brunch menu, which combines breakfast and lunch items, will be offered daily at Citricos between 7:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. For more details, see the official closing date announcement for Grand Floridian Cafe.
March 2026 Updates
Disney World announced that the Grand Floridian Cafe will undergo a refurbishment this summer. Starting this July, the resort’s popular table service restaurant will temporarily close for a refresh. During the closure, brunch will be available at Citricos. This initial announcement didn’t offer an official closing date for the restaurant.
February 2026 Updates
This month brings notice that the Grand Floridian’s refurbishment has been extended through 2027. It was previously scheduled to end in mid-2026. You can read the full announcement extending the work through 2027 for more details.
November 2025 Updates
Walt Disney World extended the current resort refurbishment through mid-2026. Per this notice, guests may see or hear work during daytime hours. Efforts will be made to minimize disruptions, and most pools, dining, and other amenities will remain available for Guests to enjoy.
November 5th: Walt Disney World announced that the new Perch Bar at Disney’s Grand Floridian will open on November 10th. Read the complete opening announcement for The Perch.
November 5th: Walt Disney World announced that the Garden View Lounge would return in 2026. The space will undergo a refurbishment between now and then.
November 5th: Photo Report of the progress on the new bar in the Grand Floridian’s lobby: Grand Floridian Lobby Bar Updates (Chevron Tile, Blue Marble Counters, and More Stained Glass)
October 2025 Updates
October 27th Photo Report of the progress of the Perch Bar being installed in the resort’s lobby: Stained Glass Panels Added to Lobby Birdcage Bar at Disney’s Grand Floridian
October 13th Photo Report: This report strictly focuses on updates to the resort’s lobby, including new carpet and furnishings. See more: Grand Floridian Lobby Renovation Photos (October 2025)
August 2025 Updates
First Look: Grand Floridian’s Birdcage-Themed Bar Takes Shape: This update shares photos of when the top of the birdcage had been placed over the existing frame of the new lobby bar at the Grand Floridian. S
Grand Floridian Lobby Construction Update (Mid-August 2025): This update shares photos of changes and the progress of the lobby’s refurbishment, including a closed-off check-in area.
June 2025 Updates
The Grand Floridian Gingerbread House Will Not Return in 2025: On June 19th, Disney World announced that the Grand Floridian’s famous gingerbread house would not return for the holiday season.
March 2025 Updates
Disney’s Grand Floridian Lobby and Other Resort Areas to Receive Enhancements: Disney has announced a start date for the resort’s lobby renovation.
January 2025 Updates
Courtyard Pool and Bar at Disney’s Grand Floridian to Close for Routine Refurbishment in 2025: Preview dates for the Courtyard Pool’s closure.
2023-2024 Updates
1900 Park Fare reopened on April 10, 2024, after being closed since 2020 during the Pandemic. The restaurant was completely remodeled. We have a review of breakfast at 1900 Park Fare if you want to learn more about the experience and characters.
Narcoossee’s reopened in the Fall of 2023 after an extensive refurbishment.
We didn’t report any individual refurbishment notices before 2025. However, we did keep an ongoing photo report of the work that was completed between late 2022 and 2024. You can view that photo report here: 2023-2024 Renovation and Refurbishment Progress at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
Fun Fact: Disney’s Grand Floridian celebrated its 35th anniversary on July 1, 2023!
2022 Updates
Big Pine Key was updated from a regular hotel building to a Disney Vacation Club building. It opened in June of 2022 and offers a unique room type called resort studios. You can view a first look at the concept of the new rooms here. The resort also began debuting updated rooms at the same time. Work around the resort was completed one building at a time.
2021 Updates
Citricos, a signature restaurant at Disney’s Grand Floridian, reopened in July 2021 after an extensive remodel.
2020 Updates
The walkway between Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and the Magic Kingdom opened. Guests can now walk between the Grand Floridian and Magic Kingdom.
2019 Updates
The Enchanted Rose Lounge opened on the second floor of the Grand Floridian’s lobby. It replaced the former Mizner’s Lounge.
2017 Updates
Gasparilla Island Grill, the resort’s primary quick service restaurant, reopened in early 2017 after an extensive refurbishment.
2013 Updates
The Villas of Disney’s Grand Floridian opened on October 23, 2013. This Disney Vacation Club addition to the resort opened with 106 units ranging from studios to grand villas.
Other
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa officially opened on June 28, 1988, offering over 800 accommodations.
For more notices across the resorts, see our Disney Hotel Refurbishment Schedule. To learn more about the resorts, see our guide to the Disney World Hotels. You might also like our overview of dining at Disney World. Need to know how to get around? Our beginner’s guide to transportation at Disney World is one of our top resources.
For touring the parks, see our Disney World Rides and Attractions guide. It links to attraction guides for all four theme parks. If you’re just getting started, you might like our Disney World Vacation Planning Guide. It brings together the resources you need to plan your visit. Check back with ResortsGal.com for more updates.
In the Comments
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