Grand Floridian Lobby Construction Update (Mid-August 2025)

We stopped in Disney’s Grand Floridian in mid-August and checked on the progress of the lobby’s massive re-imagining project. Things are moving along. Of course, we visited around check-out time when things are naturally busier. We were met with long lines of guests who were waiting to speak with cast members. These cast members were set up at makeshift reception desks situated in the few areas of the first floor that aren’t walled off. No seats were available, and plenty of people were waiting in the wings for someone to vacate.

Unlike the entrance work at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club, this construction is considerably noticeable. So if you’re planning a stay between now and then, it’s something you’ll want to consider. At this time, the refurbishment notice on Disney’s website does not list an actual end date.

Update: We visited the Grand Floridian shortly after this update and found that the top of the birdcage bar had been installed.

When you walk in the first-floor main entrance, you’re met with construction walls covering the former reception area to the immediate right. Hence, the reason makeship reception desks have taken up residency in the lobby.

Here is a wider view.

Continuing toward the center elevator, you can’t help but notice the grand staircase has been roped off, walled off, and sealed.

All of the decorative displays in the area have been removed.

On the opposite side of the lobby, the restrooms were unavailable. Signage asks guests to use the restroom that serves 1900 Park Fare and Grand Floridian Cafe.

Continuing upstairs, we get a bird’s-eye view of the lobby.

The new bar’s framework appears to have been installed. At this point, plumbing has likely been completed.

We can also see that the Garden View Tea Room has been walled off. It will be nice to see a proper tea room restored.

I am somewhat confident the new lobby will turn out to be as grand as it should. It’s long overdue for an update, and the once beautiful carpets are heavily worn. So all of the work is understandable. If only it hadn’t taken so long to get to this point.

For more, you might enjoy our photo post of the Grand Floridian lobby before the 2025 update. It’s also important to note that the resort will not offer a gingerbread house this holiday season. For an idea of what’s to come, Disney shared concept art and details for the new lobby here.

You might also like to browse our guide to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

More Planning

Resorts Gal specializes in Disney World Resorts, Characters, and Dining. Explore our resources, including our Disney World Resorts Guide. It provides an overview of everything you need to know about the Disney Resort Hotels. For dining, our Disney World Dining Guide is an excellent place to start. Our Disney World Transportation Guide is a wonderful resource for planning your routes. It’s one of our most popular resources. If you plan to meet characters in the parks, we have an updated list of Disney World Characters. It includes every available character meet-and-greet in the parks and where to find rare characters throughout the year. Lastly, our Disney Parks Guide provides a complete overview of all four theme parks and water parks.

In the Comments

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