Credit: DisneySomething has been shifting at Walt Disney World—and it’s not just happening inside the parks. Over the past few years, Disney has been quietly transforming its resorts in ways that feel just as significant as any new attraction announcement. Hotels that once felt frozen in time are now evolving, piece by piece, into something more modern.
At first glance, it all feels subtle. A refreshed lobby here. A redesigned room there. Maybe a new dining concept tucked into a familiar space. But when you start connecting the dots, a bigger picture begins to emerge—Disney isn’t just updating these resorts. It’s rethinking them.
And now, one of the most iconic resorts on the property has undergone changes that go far beyond a simple refurbishment. Some of its most recognizable features are gone, replaced with something new. Whether that’s exciting or a little bittersweet depends on how you look at it.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Takes Center Stage
If there’s one resort that represents classic Walt Disney World elegance, it’s Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. For decades, this flagship hotel has been known for its Victorian charm, grand lobby, and timeless atmosphere. Walking inside always felt like stepping into a different era.
That’s exactly why these recent updates stand out so much.
Beginning in 2025, Disney launched a major refurbishment of the Grand Floridian’s lobby and surrounding areas. The project has been extensive, with construction continuing through 2026 and even stretching into early 2027 in some areas.
And this wasn’t just about fresh paint or minor upgrades.
The lobby itself—arguably the heart of the entire resort—has been redesigned. New furniture, updated flooring, and a reimagined layout have already debuted, giving the space a more modern feel while still maintaining its classic identity.
But the biggest changes go deeper than décor.
Major Changes Arrive in 2025
The transformation really picked up momentum throughout 2025, when construction walls went up, and some of the resort’s most recognizable features disappeared.
One of the most talked-about removals was the Grand Floridian’s iconic birdcage structure in the lobby. This centerpiece had long been part of the resort’s visual identity, serving as a focal point for guests entering the space. During refurbishment, it was completely removed to make way for a new layout.
At the same time, other classic areas were temporarily closed or reworked. The Garden View Tea Room, a longtime favorite known for its traditional afternoon tea experience, was taken offline as part of the larger redesign. Thankfully, this classic experience has returned, even if it’s not exactly the same.
Even the check-in experience shifted, with temporary desks installed as Disney reimagined how guests enter and interact with the lobby.
All of this signaled something bigger: Disney wasn’t just refreshing the Grand Floridian—it was redefining what the space would become.
New Additions and Updates Continue Into 2026
As construction moved into 2026, the resort began revealing what would replace those original elements.
One of the most noticeable additions has been a brand-new lobby bar, known as The Perch, which opened as part of the ongoing redesign. It brought a more social, lounge-style energy into a space that had traditionally leaned quiet and formal.
Meanwhile, the Garden View Lounge is set to return with a refreshed design and a new experience, blending the resort’s classic tea service with new touches to appeal to modern guests.
Elsewhere, updates to rooms, décor, and shared spaces have continued throughout the property. Disney has emphasized that most amenities will remain available during construction, even as work continues in phases through 2026 and beyond.
And the Grand Floridian isn’t alone.
Across Walt Disney World, multiple resorts are undergoing similar transformations. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort continues to see updates tied to its expanded offerings. At the same time, refurbishments at resorts like Animal Kingdom Lodge and Port Orleans Riverside reflect a broader push to modernize guest spaces across the property.
The Trade-Off: New Energy vs. Classic Charm
This is where things get complicated—and where opinions start to split.
On one hand, these updates bring undeniable benefits. The refreshed spaces feel cleaner, brighter, and more aligned with how guests use resorts today. New lounges, updated furnishings, and reimagined layouts create a more flexible experience that works for a wider range of visitors.
There’s also something exciting about seeing Disney invest in its resorts again. For a while, many of these spaces felt maintained rather than reimagined. Now, they’re evolving in real time.
But on the other hand, there’s no ignoring what’s been lost.
The removal of original elements, like the lobby birdcage, or the temporary disappearance of longstanding experiences, like the tea room, changes how the resort feels. These weren’t just decorative pieces—they were part of the Grand Floridian’s identity.
Even seasonal traditions have been impacted. During refurbishment, the resort’s famous gingerbread display was unavailable for the 2025 holiday season, removing a beloved tradition that many guests return for each year.
For longtime fans, that’s a tough trade.
Because while the resort may look more polished than ever, it doesn’t feel the same. And for a place built on nostalgia, that difference matters.
A New Era for Disney Resorts
The Grand Floridian’s transformation is just one piece of a much larger shift happening across Walt Disney World.
Disney is clearly moving toward a future where its resorts aren’t just places to sleep—they’re destinations in their own right. That means updated dining, redesigned social spaces, and environments that feel more dynamic than traditional.
At the same time, that evolution comes with difficult decisions. Keeping everything the same isn’t realistic, especially as guest expectations change. But every update risks losing something that made these places special in the first place.
The Grand Floridian now sits right at the center of that balance.
It’s still recognizable. It still carries that signature elegance. But it’s also undeniably different.
And as more projects continue through 2026 and beyond, one thing is becoming clear: Walt Disney World isn’t just transforming its theme parks. Its resorts are entering a new era, too—one in which the past and future constantly compete for space.