Resort Thread Disney's GRAND FLORIDIAN Resort & Spa + Construction Updates

[KJUtzig]

No, they did not.

View attachment 1041233

View attachment 1041236
View attachment 1041237

Thank you

 

[gottalovepluto]

Now that the tea experience is themed to Alice, did they change out the marble floor characters in front of the tea room?. I believe one was Mrs. Potts from Beauty and the beast. I'm not sure of the other.

Along these lines, did any of the marble work receive an update? (Aside from construction areas like the front desk)

 

[jeepnjudy]

I have never done the tea in the past. Does someone know what the booking window looks like for this i.e. 60+ days in advance if staying on property? I would love to take my mother to this!

 

[focusondisney]

I have never done the tea in the past. Does someone know what the booking window looks like for this i.e. 60+ days in advance if staying on property? I would love to take my mother to this!

Yes, it’s the same as any ADR.

 

[disneydreamer781]

I'm curious if this space would transition to a bar/lounge at night? From what I'm seen from photos, there doesn't seem to be a bar available so perhaps I've answered my own question. Wonder if they will rope it off in the evening or use it for seating for the Perch bar?

 

[trishadono]

I'm curious if this space would transition to a bar/lounge at night? From what I'm seen from photos, there doesn't seem to be a bar available so perhaps I've answered my own question. Wonder if they will rope it off in the evening or use it for seating for the Perch bar?

They did not in the past and since then the expanded Mizners to ER and added the Perch so they don’t need more bar space. Oh there’s also a bar area at Citricos.

It doesn’t get talked about but the bar at Citricos is a decent size, you don’t need a reservation AND the full menu is available. It’s been a nice spot for us on occasion.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Wonder if they will rope it off in the evening or use it for seating for the Perch bar?

Rope it off I suspect. I don’t think they’re going to want the wear and tear of an extended seating area on this fancier furniture. You’d end up with people treating it like the hotel lobby- luggage, feet, children amuck.

 

[disneydreamer781]

They did not in the past and since then the expanded Mizners to ER and added the Perch so they don’t need more bar space. Oh there’s also a bar area at Citricos.

It doesn’t get talked about but the bar at Citricos is a decent size, you don’t need a reservation AND the full menu is available. It’s been a nice spot for us on occasion.

That's true. I didn't think about that. It just seems that Disney has become so big on bars so that is where my mind was going. Thanks for the advice on Citricos because I never think of that. I'm not a big drinker but sometimes it's nice to have a quiet space for a nightcap.

 

[disneydreamer781]

Rope it off I suspect. I don’t think they’re going to want the wear and tear of an extended seating area on this fancier furniture. You’d end up with people treating it like the hotel lobby- luggage, feet, children amuck.

Good point.

 

[Lionezz]

I'm so excited the Tea Room is back! It looks even better in the photos than before. I'll definitely be booking a table next time we visit!

 

[mrsap]

Grand Floridian Construction Extended Through Early 2027 in Walt Disney World​

Disney has shared that construction at Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will now continue through early 2027, a significant extension of the original completion timeline.

In November 2025, Disney posted that the completion timeline for the Grand Floridian’s extensive refurbishment would be mid-2026. However, that has now been updated into next year:

Renovations at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will continue in select areas —including the porte cochere —through early 2027. Guests may see or hear refurbishment work during daytime hours or need to take alternate paths of travel.


Note that the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa website is still displaying outdated information which dates from late 2025, as it mentions the lack of a gingerbread display:

Please Pardon Our Pixie Dust

Renovations at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will continue in select areas through mid-2026. Guests may see or hear refurbishment work during daytime hours. Efforts will be made to minimize disruptions—and most pools, dining and other amenities will remain available for Guests to enjoy.

Due to these ongoing enhancements at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the gingerbread display will not be available during the 2025 holiday season.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Grand Floridian Construction Extended Through Early 2027 in Walt Disney World​

Disney has shared that construction at Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Floridian’s extensive refurbishment would be mid-2026. However, that has now been updated into next year:

Wonder if this extension means that the gingerbread house will not return for Christmas 2026?

 

[Peaseblossom36]

Most pools concerns me. Last year during our stay the Courtyard Pool was closed, I'm going to be so irritated if they close the Beach Pool or Splash area this time. I considered switching resorts a few times but didn't because it seemed like GF would be done with construction for a bit.

 

[trishadono]

Most pools concerns me. Last year during our stay the Courtyard Pool was closed, I'm going to be so irritated if they close the Beach Pool or Splash area this time. I considered switching resorts a few times but didn't because it seemed like GF would be done with construction for a bit.

Most pools

 

[aboveH20]

Nevermind

 

[mrsap]

The DVC website was updated:

 

[DL1WDW2]

I guess this explains availability has been popping up randomly.
Wonder if it will be actually focused on the DVC drop off or the Main Lobby Entrance .
I was excited to find DVC with points but now I am re-thinking .
Will definitely create more parking lot congestion across the street.

 

[dizneedoll]

Wonder if this extension means that the gingerbread house will not return for Christmas 2026?

I don't think that gingerbread house is ever coming back. I hope I'm wrong. But the closure last year due to refurbishment and now another extended refurb announcement just seems like Disney's quiet way of retiring it without actually saying it.

 

[bluezy]

It's currently 23 degrees with a wind chill of -20 at my house, so I'm focusing on our trip to DW in May today and I have a few questions. I've tried searching for these answers and either couldn't find an answer or found answers from several years ago that might not be accurate. A little background. This will be my 14th trip to Disney, but our first stay at a Deluxe resort. We're in a Resort Studio in Big Pine Key (paying cash, we're not DVC). For our last 10 trips, we've had between 2 and 5 of our children traveling with us, so we've always gotten 2 rooms at Pop Century or a suite at AoA. This is our first trip with no kids (though our "kids" are all over the age of 21 now). So while we're very familiar with how things run and where things are at those resorts, we're clueless for this resort (though we've eaten here and explored the resort several times on the last 2 trips). So, here are some of my questions that I could use help with:

1. At the Value Resorts, we've always borrowed a luggage cart from bell services to unload our car and take everything to our room ourselves -- not because we're cheap, just because we like to be in control of our stuff. Can we do this at the GF or do we have to let bell services do it?

2. Which self-service parking lot do we use? The one in front of the main building or the one in front of the DVC building? Or will the parking lot gate attendant send us to the specific lot we need to be in?

3. I typically do online check-in, but if we need to go to the front desk for something, do we go to the main lobby or go to the DVC building (again, we're paying cash. We're not DVC.)?

4. I'm assuming that if our room isn't ready when we arrive, we can leave temperature-sensitive food items with bell services and they'll hold them for us. Is that true? And once again, bell services at the main building or at the DVC building?

5. Any recommendations for room location requests? We booked a preferred view room at BPK and would like to be in a sort of quiet area of the building -- away from high traffic/noisy areas. I know the "quietness" thing really depends on the people in the rooms around you and that room requests are just that, requests, but if there are rooms that always have noise (from the lobby, from the housekeeping carts congregation area, etc.) I'd like to try and avoid those. I know AoA like the back of my hand. I know what areas we like to be in, so I know what rooms to request. This resort is a whole new ballgame for us.

Looking over these questions, I guess I really just need to know if we use the DVC amenities/services because we're staying in a DVC building, or do we need to use the main building services because we're not DVC members? Or can we use either?

Thanks for any help you can offer!

 

[dancergirlsmom]

Most pools concerns me. Last year during our stay the Courtyard Pool was closed, I'm going to be so irritated if they close the Beach Pool or Splash area this time. I considered switching resorts a few times but didn't because it seemed like GF would be done with construction for a bit.

I must have missed something. Are pools closing for refurb or something? I haven't seen anything about that. I have a long stay coming in August and certainly want the pool/pools available.