2023 Renovation and Refurbishment Progress at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

This article shares a timeline of the renovation and refurbishment progress at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort in 2023.

Disney’s Grand Floridian is undergoing a multi-year renovation and refurbishment. So far, we’ve seen several completed projects, including new rooms and other updates around the resort.

With that said, considerable updates are still planned for Disney’s Grand Floridian. Perhaps, the most notable is the upcoming refurbishment of the lobby.

Below, we’ll look at what changes are coming to the Grand Floridian in the coming year and what’s already been completed. Then, moving forward, we’ll update this article as we see significant changes occur.

This article was last updated on February 23, 2023.

Grand Floridian Buildings Completed to Date

As of late February 2023, the following buildings at Disney’s Grand Floridian have been completely refurbished and are now open.

• Conch Key
• Boca Chica
• Big Pine Key
• The Villas Grand Floridian

Conch Key is the most recent building to reopen. This building sits on the water directly across from Narcoossee’s and near the resort’s boat dock.

Boca Chica sits directly behind the Courtyard Pool. Rooms in this building face out to Seven Seas Lagoon on one side and the pool on the other.

In the photo below, Boca Chica is the building on the left side, sitting behind the pool.

Big Pine Key has also been completed. However, rooms in this building were converted to resort studios for Disney’s Vacation Club. This new room type is specific to this building.

Lastly, work at the Grand Floridian Villas is complete. Since this was the newest addition to the Grand Floridian, it didn’t undergo near as much construction as the other buildings on the property.

Grand Floridian Buildings Under Renovation

We visited Disney’s Grand Floridian during the last week of February and found the following buildings under construction:

• Sugar Loaf
• Sago Cay

Sugar Loaf is closest to the Grand Floridian’s main building. Formerly, all Sugar Loaf rooms were dedicated to club level.

However, it’s unclear whether or not this building will remain exclusive to concierge guests. Grand Floridian is unique because it has an additional club-level offering in the main building.

Sago Cay sits on the opposite side of the Captain’s Shipyard Marina across from Sugar Loaf. This building is closest to Gasparilla Island Grill and the walkway to Magic Kingdom.

Other Construction at Disney’s Grand Floridian

As of this update, there are a few other construction updates for Disney’s Grand Floridian. They include:

• Narcoossee’s Restaurant
• Walkway from Grand Floridian to Magic Kingdom

Narcoossee’s has been closed for a complete renovation since last summer. However, it was recently announced that the restaurant would reopen with a new menu on April 1, 2023.

Additionally, as of mid-February, the walkway between Disney’s Grand Floridian and Magic Kingdom temporarily closed. On our visit, the walkway appeared closed due to the extensive work being completed on Sago Cay.

The walkway begins immediately next to Sago Cay and is expected to reopen by late Spring. In the meantime, guests will need to take the monorail or the resort’s boat service to Magic Kingdom.

Related: Grand Floridian Transportation Options

On another note, a new DVC Tower Hotel is under construction between the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian. Therefore, the former scenic walkway between the hotels is closed.

Unfortunately, you’ll have to take the construction pathway between the resorts, which requires crossing the main road twice. If traveling from the Grand Floridian to the Polynesian, you might take the resort boat to the Poly and then monorail back to the Grand Floridian.

Related: Polynesian DVC Tower Construction Updates

Upcoming Construction at Disney’s Grand Floridian

One of the reasons we decided to start this timeline is because of the upcoming construction expected at the resort’s main building. It is anticipated that construction will begin in the main building when work is finished at Sago Cay and Sugar Loaf.

We know for sure these items will undergo refurbishment:

• Grand Floridian Main Building Rooms
• Grand Floridian Lobby

Last December, Disney announced the resort’s lobby would receive an update. Their article stated that the lobby “will maintain the classic theming you know and love with some fresh new enhancements.” (Disney Parks Blog)

Additionally, the following items have not been mentioned. But we assume they will be refurbished with the rest of the main building:

• Garden View Tea Room (off the back of the lobby)
• 1900 Park Fare (Character Dining that hasn’t reopened.)

What’s Already Been Completed at Disney’s Grand Floridian?

As you may know, Disney’s Grand Floridian celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2023. Therefore, extensive work has been completed around the resort over the last five years that led to this renovation.

Here are some of the changes.

Rooms

Unfortunately, we haven’t stayed at the Grand Floridian since the rooms were refurbished. We’ll plan a new stay when the construction dust settles.

Here is a look at one of the newer rooms. Many of the rooms feature touches of Mary Poppins in the design elements. So far, these rooms have received rave reviews.

Villas Lobby

Here is a look inside The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian. Their lobby received new rugs and furnishings this last year.

These photos were taken around the holidays. If you’ve visited the Villas before, you might tell the color palette was changed to a light blue on the upper floors.

And if you haven’t ever visited, I would encourage you to stop in on a future visit to see the Mary Poppins fountain in the center of the lobby.

Gasparilla Island Grill

Gasparilla Island Grill, the Grand Floridian’s counter service, was significantly refurbished in 2017. We stopped in recently and discovered they have lots of new menu items.

So we’ll have a new review of Gasparilla Island Grill out in the next day or two. Surprisingly, the menu is much improved.

Enchanted Rose Lounge

In 2019, the Enchanted Rose Lounge debuted at Disney’s Grand Floridian. Inspired by Beauty and the Beast, it’s one of the nicest lounges you’ll ever visit.

When Enchanted Rose opened, it was a tell-tale sign of what was to come at the resort. Unfortunately, however, those changes were significantly delayed as we headed into the next few years.

Related: Enchanted Rose Lounge Review

Citricos

Citricos is one of the Grand Floridian’s signature restaurants. It’s located on the second floor of the main building, only a few steps away from Enchanted Rose Lounge. Citricos was completely renovated and reopened with Mary Poppins theming in 2021.

Victoria and Albert’s, immediately next door to Citricos, also reopened from an entire refurbishment in 2022.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, these construction updates were helpful in planning your next trip or visit to Disney’s Grand Floridian. Make sure to check back often for updates!

For more information about the resort, all of our articles are listed in our resort guide:

• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

You might also enjoy the following:

• Disney’s Boardwalk Refurbishment and Construction Updates
• Walt Disney World Hotel Refurbishment Schedule

In the Comments

What do you think of the construction progress at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa? Would you plan a stay here during the refurbishment?