*The Official VILLAS AT DISNEY'S GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT & SPA Group* + LOBBY CONSTRUCTION UPDATES!

[WishesQueen]

I'm really interested in seeing what they do with the tea room and how that space will be utilized going forward. With the new bar I wonder if it will be opened up for more regular seating instead of how it was used previously.

When I was there in August the cast members told me it was going to the Tea Room again, time will tell.

 

[MattB2G]

Looks really nice, can't wait to go back...... in 2027.

 

[BigBadBobbyH]

Here are some birdcage bar pics from this morning.

 

[mrsap]

Here are some birdcage bar pics from this morning.

Thank you for sharing!

 

[mrsap]

Wood Paneling Added to Birdcage Bar, New Bell Services Desk Opens at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort​

The birdcage bar has more wood paneling and framing, and the new Bell Services desk has reopened during the remodel of the Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa lobby.




The birdcage bar replaces the giant birdcage that used to sit across from the birdcage elevator. Over the past few weeks, the bar has gained dark wood grain frames around its top, matching the dark wood roof top.



Newly added this week are light wood frames that jut out slightly from the roof’s edge. These have an unfinished appearance so will likely be painted a darker wood color or be covered in paneling.


The light wood framing continues under the roof across the future ceiling of the bar. The wood is just below steel frames. We also spotted some eletrical wiring on the edge of the roof.





Meanwhile, there is new dark wood paneling on the front of the bar. These dark wood panels are clearly the final product for the bar’s exterior. They are set against red sheathing, just under the bar’s counter.



Underneath panels on the floor, we can still see the tile that was installeda few weeks ago. The paneling over the tile is to keep it protected during construction.


So far, the bar matches the concept art pretty closely. There is still a final element to be added to the roof as well as a back wall and more finishes.



On the opposite side of the lobby from the main entrance is the Garden View Tea Room, which has not operated since early 2020. The tea room has gained new ceiling light fixtures. Previously, it had unthemed ceiling lights and wall sconces. These new chandeliers appear to be silver with teardrop-shaped lights.



Over the construction walls, we also spotted new carpeting. The old carpeting featured a mainly red floral pattern. This new carpet is green with a white leafy pattern.


Some of the tea room’s furnishings are sitting in the zone just outside the room, including the Disney Cruise Line model ship, which is covered by white paper. There’s a group of lamps with white shades that appear to be new. Above the construction zone, the half-circle on the wall has been fully sanded and repainted white.



There used to be a shell-like decorative element here. According to concept art, it will be replaced by a new “GF” element. Most likely, the decorative shell on the other side of the lobby will also be replaced.



Work appears to be nearing an end on the check-in area. More wall paneling and trim have been installed since we last reported on the space. The walls are beige orange with white trim. As previously reported, there are new lights, old-fashioned key boxes, and a brown decorative “GF” panel.


From a vantage point on the reopened staircase, we also saw new desks. Like many recent resort refurbishments, Grand Floridian will now have several smaller desks instead of one long counter. The desks have a dark brown wood finish with subtle stripes and sunbursts on the front. It looks like their top counters and computers have yet to be installed.



Another new desk has been fully revealed — the brand new Bell Services desk. This is located in what was previously just a seating area cross from check-in. It has been blocked during the duration of the remodel but walls have come down, fully revealing the space. It has new carpeting, wallpaper, and a conference table.



Bell Services used to be located at the end of the check-in counter. The new desk is larger than the new check-in desks but is the same style.


The conference-sized table is dark wood. It’s surrounded by chairs with green upholstery and dark wood legs. The old carpeting had a large colorful design while the new is dark blue with a vine pattern.



A similar vine pattern is carved into the edge of the table. It also has built-in pop-up outlets. Curiously, there’s no sign of the cabinet we saw in this space just a couple weeks ago.


Instead of lights with lamp shades on the walls, there are new bronze vine-inspired light fixtures. They have bright glowing bulbs sitting atop sculpted flowers. The new wallpaper is off-white with a subtle pattern. The old wallpaper was the beige striped design that is being replacedthroughout the lobby.



A couple of crew members were working on the ceiling behind the grand staircase. They were in a lift within the atrium between the stairs and the lobby’s side doors.


The usual location of the Disney Vacation Club kiosk near Grand Floridian Cafe remains closed and blocked by white curtains. For now, the kiosk is by a staircase near Sandy Cove Gifts and Sundries.

 

[mamaofsix]

Wood Paneling Added to Birdcage Bar, New Bell Services Desk Opens at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort​

The birdcage bar has more wood paneling and framing, and the new Bell Services desk has reopened during the remodel of the Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa lobby.




The birdcage bar replaces the giant birdcage that used to sit across from the birdcage elevator. Over the past few weeks, the bar has gained dark wood grain frames around its top, matching the dark wood roof top.



Newly added this week are light wood frames that jut out slightly from the roof’s edge. These have an unfinished appearance so will likely be painted a darker wood color or be covered in paneling.


The light wood framing continues under the roof across the future ceiling of the bar. The wood is just below steel frames. We also spotted some eletrical wiring on the edge of the roof.





Meanwhile, there is new dark wood paneling on the front of the bar. These dark wood panels are clearly the final product for the bar’s exterior. They are set against red sheathing, just under the bar’s counter.



Underneath panels on the floor, we can still see the tile that was installeda few weeks ago. The paneling over the tile is to keep it protected during construction.


So far, the bar matches the concept art pretty closely. There is still a final element to be added to the roof as well as a back wall and more finishes.



On the opposite side of the lobby from the main entrance is the Garden View Tea Room, which has not operated since early 2020. The tea room has gained new ceiling light fixtures. Previously, it had unthemed ceiling lights and wall sconces. These new chandeliers appear to be silver with teardrop-shaped lights.



Over the construction walls, we also spotted new carpeting. The old carpeting featured a mainly red floral pattern. This new carpet is green with a white leafy pattern.


Some of the tea room’s furnishings are sitting in the zone just outside the room, including the Disney Cruise Line model ship, which is covered by white paper. There’s a group of lamps with white shades that appear to be new. Above the construction zone, the half-circle on the wall has been fully sanded and repainted white.



There used to be a shell-like decorative element here. According to concept art, it will be replaced by a new “GF” element. Most likely, the decorative shell on the other side of the lobby will also be replaced.



Work appears to be nearing an end on the check-in area. More wall paneling and trim have been installed since we last reported on the space. The walls are beige orange with white trim. As previously reported, there are new lights, old-fashioned key boxes, and a brown decorative “GF” panel.


From a vantage point on the reopened staircase, we also saw new desks. Like many recent resort refurbishments, Grand Floridian will now have several smaller desks instead of one long counter. The desks have a dark brown wood finish with subtle stripes and sunbursts on the front. It looks like their top counters and computers have yet to be installed.



Another new desk has been fully revealed — the brand new Bell Services desk. This is located in what was previously just a seating area cross from check-in. It has been blocked during the duration of the remodel but walls have come down, fully revealing the space. It has new carpeting, wallpaper, and a conference table.



Bell Services used to be located at the end of the check-in counter. The new desk is larger than the new check-in desks but is the same style.


The conference-sized table is dark wood. It’s surrounded by chairs with green upholstery and dark wood legs. The old carpeting had a large colorful design while the new is dark blue with a vine pattern.



A similar vine pattern is carved into the edge of the table. It also has built-in pop-up outlets. Curiously, there’s no sign of the cabinet we saw in this space just a couple weeks ago.


Instead of lights with lamp shades on the walls, there are new bronze vine-inspired light fixtures. They have bright glowing bulbs sitting atop sculpted flowers. The new wallpaper is off-white with a subtle pattern. The old wallpaper was the beige striped design that is being replacedthroughout the lobby.



A couple of crew members were working on the ceiling behind the grand staircase. They were in a lift within the atrium between the stairs and the lobby’s side doors.


The usual location of the Disney Vacation Club kiosk near Grand Floridian Cafe remains closed and blocked by white curtains. For now, the kiosk is by a staircase near Sandy Cove Gifts and Sundries.

I'm so glad they kept check-in desks instead of just having CMs with ipads wandering around! Awesome.

It's nice that the Bell Services table has charging outlets. If you're waiting for your room to be ready or for bags, it looks like a great place to sit and get work done if needed.