Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the crown jewel of Disney World’s luxury resorts, has been undergoing a significant refurbishment process since late 2021. The resort, beloved for its Victorian-era elegance and waterfront vistas, has embarked on a multi-year renovation project to further enhance its guest experience.
A Grand Makeover In Progress
The refurbishment process was first confirmed by Disney in December 2022, marking the resort’s 35th year with a promise of a refreshed look.
Big Pine Key Building & New DVC Resort Studios
One of the first places we saw this renovation take place was on the Big Pine Key building. Back in March 2022, the conversion began to transform the 202 hotel rooms into Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Resort Studios.
Victoria & Albert’s, Citrico’s Makeovers
Next, we saw the AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Award winning restaurant, Victoria & Albert’s, completely revamped. Guests can expect the same exceptional service and exquisite cuisine that Victoria & Albert’s is known for, now enhanced by its refined interiors.
Back in March of this year, Narcoossee’s was also reopened with a refreshed look and menu that fit perfectly with the next generation theming seen elsewhere at Grand Floridian.
Grand Floridian Lobby
Now that we’ve caught up to present day, we turn our attention to the lobby. The grand lobby, known for its opulent chandeliers and live musical performances, is one of the main areas currently under refurbishment. While a long-awaited refurbishment has been teased for quite some time, the work currently taking place in the lobby is slated to be more of an up-keep, rather than a radical transformation.
Currently, much of the lobby has been sectioned off, with plywood protecting the flooring from the work taking place. This partitioning has moved from the front of the lobby towards the tail end as crews work on maintaining the balconies and railings on the floors above.
Main Building Scaffolding
One of the most noticeable updates is the scaffolding that has been erected to refurbish the balcony of the main building just outside the Grand Floridian Cafe and Gasparilla Island Grill. The renovation work has moved around the exterior of the main building over the last few months. It was first seen over the entrance to Gasparilla Island Grill, across from the marina, but has now migrated its way around the main building to allow crews to refurbish the balconies over the Grand Floridian Cafe.
Renewed Spaces, Same Disney Magic
Although the resort is currently under construction, guests can still expect the same level of service and magic Disney is known for. The Disney World website reassures visitors that despite the ongoing renovations, the resort remains fully operational.
The refurbishment of the Grand Floridian is not just about aesthetic updates. It is about preserving the resort’s timeless charm while adapting to the modern needs of the next generation of guests. The new rooms and other completed projects are testaments to this commitment.
What Lies Ahead?
While Disney has yet to announce an official end date for the refurbishments, one thing is clear: the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is evolving, always creating new reasons to stay at this beautiful resort. As it embraces change, it continues to offer its guests an unforgettable stay filled with luxury, comfort, and a dash of Disney magic.
Stay tuned to the DVC Shop blog for more updates on the Grand Floridian’s grand makeover!
If you’d like to view confirmed reservations for rent at Grand Floridian, you can experience Disney’s Deluxe resorts for less, even without being a DVC member! If you’re interested in becoming a member, and joining the DVC family, you can save thousands by shopping from our current resale listings for Grand Floridian.
Grand Floridian
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
