Upon entering the Grand Floridian lobby at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida right now, you may feel like you walked into a construction zone. That’s because you have!
The Resort is getting a major face-lift that began with the announcement of a new alcoholic drink service bar in place of the more elegant giant birdcage decor that once stood where the bar is under construction. The bar is only the tip of the iceberg of the current overhaul underway.
A Stairway, A Lobby, A Tea Room – Oh My!
With a desire to check up on the construction progress for the lobby bar, I ventured over to the Grand Floridian Resort on Tuesday, September 16th, 2025.
I had just come from the Magic Kingdom on a “Friendship Boat” which meant entering the resort’s main building from the back entrance, near the Grand Floridian Café. Upon entering I was taken aback by the immediate meeting of “construction sheets” blocking off a sitting area and the Disney Vacation Club information desk.
A sign explaining the construction in the Grand Floridian Lobby at Walt Disney World – Photo Credit: Follow The Bradley’s Fun
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Yes, these were not the typical construction walls, but what looked almost like white bedsheets! This was the first time I have witnessed this method of blocking the public view from a construction area at Disney World. Upon walking a little further toward the Grand Floridian lobby, I began to realize a much greater transformation was taking place than a new bar in the lobby.
The Garden View Tea Room (shuttered since March of 2020) was also behind construction sheets, as well as the Grand Stair Case, and the reception desks at the front of the lobby sat behind construction walls. So, what all is happening at the Grand Floridian?
The Garden View Tea Room Closed For Half A Decade Is Finally Getting Attention
Prior to its closure in 2020, the Garden View Team Room operated as an elegant Disney Princess meet & greet experience for your little ones. An offering entitled “Disney’s Perfectly Princess Tea Party” allowed one child (ages 3 – 9) along with an accompanying parent to enjoy a selection of
food, tea, entertainment, a Princess meet and greet typically with Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) and a special doll & keepsakes for the child.
The Grand Floridian Lobby at Walt Disney World – Photo Credit: Follow The Bradley’s Fun
For the child and parent the experience was priced at $333.64 (not including tax or gratuity). Each additional child cost $235 and any additional adult was priced at $98 each. Outside of the character experience there were lesser priced tea services with snacks sometimes available. Will all of this return and if so, what will the prices be six years after the closure?
The cast members I asked about this were unable to provide answers. Behind the construction curtains and wall however, I could see signs of quite a bit of activity denoting change to the decor and setting of the area. All that Disney has confirmed is that the tea room is to “receive enhancements” as part of the lobby refurbishment.
Concept art for the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa Lobby – Disney Parks Blog
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No opening date has been given either, other than “construction will continue through at least November 2025.” Will The Garden View Tea Room open in time for the holidays this December? I can’t say, but from what I saw, that timeline seems doubtful.
Changes To The Grand Staircase May Trip You Up
The Tea Room was walled off, and to the right construction walls lined the perimeter of the new lobby bar. The small stairs to my left were open so I headed up for a better vantage point. I made my way past the Enchanted Rose Bar (yes, The Grand Floridian already has a bar adjacent to and just one floor up from the lobby) and around to the Grand Staircase, which was also entirely blocked from view by yet more white construction curtains.
Construction walls up in the Grand Floridian Lobby at Walt Disney World – Photo Credit: Follow The Bradley’s Fun
A “Pardon Our Pixie Dust” sign was staged at the front. I learned they are completely replacing the years worn carpet on the stairs and surrounding area, and have replaced the mural above the midway landing of the stairs. The former mural of “faux windows” has been replaced with artwork depicting the resort, with palm trees, pastel skies, water, a beach, and some birds adorning the background.
Currently the mural is out of view behind construction barricade. The staircase has since re-opened to the public. But on September the 16th, it was still shuttered, with the elevator facing it operating as an alternative.
Changes to the Lobby – Again
Just two years ago the lobby of the Grand Floridian was refurbished with new carpet and paint, but no plans for a bar were given at that time. With the announcement this year that a lobby bar was going in, that meant even bigger updates as a whole.
The construction of a new bar in the Grand Floridian Lobby at Walt Disney World – Photo Credit: Follow The Bradley’s Fun
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All of that construction is going on now, with vast portions of the lobby currently blocked off to guests. Cast member receptionists and concierge services are stationed at desks in what was an area for guests to sit and relax in the lobby while listening to the Grand Pianist.
The Grand Piano is no longer in the center of the lobby, but shoved against the outside of the 1st floor elevator. The former reception area sits behind construction barriers as well as a large part of the lobby where the bar is under construction. The “birdcage” design of the bar has taken shape to honor the decor that formerly adorned this area.
The necessity of yet another bar in the lobby, when one already existing just above, has been questioned at length by many. What’s not in question is the current condition of The Grand Floridian’s main building, and that condition is bad.
The Grand Let Down – Now Is Not The Time
The lowest rate I could find currently for a stay at the Grand Floridian is $845 per night plus tax, and rates only increase from there.
Despite the heavy construction disrupting nearly every part of the lobby, Disney is not offering any discounts to guests staying at the Grand Floridian.
The holiday gingerbread house at The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa Lobby in Walt Disney World – Photo Credit: M. Montanaro
On Disney’s website, little information is given about the construction outside of “the gingerbread display will not be available during the holiday season in 2025.”
For anyone planning a Disney trip at this time, I highly recommend an alternative accommodation to the Grand Floridian. I hope the changes turn out to be improvements, but other recent changes to the Disney resort, some even deemed “necessary downgrades” leave room for a great deal of doubt that the Grand Floridian will actually be better than before.
The Grand Floridian; via Wikipedia Commons
For now, all we can do is watch the walls go up, hope that Disney delivers something truly grand, and brace ourselves in case it’s just another downgrade wrapped in pastel paint.
How do you feel about the Grand Floridian lobby construction? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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