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

[disneyfan123]

Mickey DVC Member Merch Collection Debuts at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort​

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Click the link to see detailed pics of the items!

Nice, I really like some of those shirts and have been looking for DVC merch for a while now. Might grab that spirit jersey; it usually my thing but I really like that one!

 

[PolyRob]

I am not a fan of the wood tone they’ve gone w/ for the new bar - it reminds me of cheap flat pack furniture - I think white would look better, but I’m not an interior designer, so what do I know .

I think it looks like leftover panels from the exterior of PVB IT

 

[PolyRob]

Mickey DVC Member Merch Collection Debuts at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort​

View attachment 1011434

Click the link to see detailed pics of the items!

I got excited thinking there was an exclusive VGF item! Sadly no Still nice though!

 

[OnThisMagicNight]

I got excited thinking there was an exclusive VGF item! Sadly no Still nice though!

I get upset each time I see new DVC resort specific merchandise released and I'm reminded AGAIN that there is nothing for VGF! What a missed opportunity!

 

[PolyRob]

I get upset each time I see new DVC resort specific merchandise released and I'm reminded AGAIN that there is nothing for VGF! What a missed opportunity!

Yes! I was hopeful we'd get something after all the new Big Pine Key contracts, but still nothing specific for the villas.

Kinda jealous of VGC and RIV since they got these mugs with the DVC logo on the handle. I'd buy that in a heartbeat for VGF (assuming it's microwave and dishwasher safe)!!!

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

Mickey DVC Member Merch Collection Debuts at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort​

View attachment 1011434

Click the link to see detailed pics of the items!

Ohh nice can’t wait to check it out in a couple weeks

What I really want from the merchandise team is one of those really pretty luggages in a carry-on size! I don’t want to ruin that lovely bag by letting it get tossed all over an airport and under a plane. I’m always tempted by one and then realize it makes no sense. And I know they can make different sizes, I’ve seen the briefcase size one at RIV but that’s also too small. I need my Goldilocks bag.

 

[mrsap]

Elevator Blocked by Curtains, New Light Fixtures Installed at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort​

Since our last construction update, new light fixtures are being tested behind the check-in desks at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, while another elevator has been blocked by some curtains.

Elevator Closed​

When arriving at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort via monorail, guests will be greeted by a new gold sign saying “Please Pardon our Pixie Dust” and pointing to the elevators on the left side. The sign is due to the iconic birdcage-style white elevator on the right side being temporarily blocked.



This elevator near the large staircase on the right side of the lobby has been completely blocked by some white curtains on poles. The curtains wrap completely around the base of the elevator on the ground floor, and an additional row of curtains blocks the entrance on the second floor.


A lift was parked in this area behind the curtains, so we expect to see some work on the elevator shaft or nearby walls in the future. At the moment, there were no crew members in the area.

Garden View Tea Room​

Looking down at the rest of the lobby, the left side near the new birdcage bar is still wrapped in construction walls. The Garden View Tea Room, however, is not.



During our last update, the Garden View Tea Room was still blocked by solid construction walls, similar to those around the bar. The walls have now been removed and replaced with shorter white curtains.


Since the curtains are a bit shorter, it is easier to get a look at the work going on inside this space. The new carpet we noticed last time has been covered by a mixture of wood panels and either blue or bright yellow plastic, possibly to keep it from getting damaged. The pile of furnishings sitting outside the room has been reduced in size, though there are still plenty of ladders and equipment.

Birdcage Bar​

Progress also continues on the birdcage-style bar that is replacing the actual lobby birdcage. The sides of the counter now have new dark wood paneling that matches the color of the wood roof framing.


Over the past few weeks, the bar has gained dark wood grain frames around its top, matching the dark wood roof.



The short white walls that resemble new planters extend out from the back of the bar. These are now much longer, and extend almost to the edge of the construction walls.



By the roof, there is a new flat piece of board covering the steel frame. There are also some more wood panels staged on top of the roof board, so it may get covered in more wood to match the rest of the exterior.



Some planks and metal bars are sitting on top of the bar counter, while more ladders and other equipment items are staged nearby.


A section of the floor panels added to protect the new tiles has been chipped back, revealing more of the herringbone pattern near the front. We saw most of this pattern around the sides of the bar, and this confirms the same tile extends around the front as well.

Check-In Desk​

The construction walls around the check-in area were already replaced with curtains a few weeks ago, similar to the Tea Room. Paneling and wall trim were installed, as were some old-fashioned key boxes, new desks, and gold pendant light fixtures.



We noticed that the walls had some decorative wall panels behind the desks, which at the time we thought were purely ornamental. Now, however, it has been revealed that these panels to either side of the key boxes are actually accent lights.


As seen from a higher vantage point, the panels have pink-tinted lights that run down the whole fixture, with the floral detailing in gold over the top. These are not too bright, so they add color to the space, while the hanging fixtures provide more of the functional white light.


We also noticed some early computers and cables are beginning to get staged on the desks, so this check-in area might be getting even closer to completion.

Convention Center Roof​

As one other construction update, the roof work on the nearby Convention Center building appears to now be complete. All of the scaffolding and construction walls have been removed from around the building.



The roof appears how it did prior to the refurbishment, except the red color is now less faded.

 

[OnThisMagicNight]

The light up wall panels are so pretty!

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Yes! I was hopeful we'd get something after all the new Big Pine Key contracts, but still nothing specific for the villas.

Kinda jealous of VGC and RIV since they got these mugs with the DVC logo on the handle. I'd buy that in a heartbeat for VGF (assuming it's microwave and dishwasher safe)!!!

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It’s both microwaveable and dw-safe - my RIV one is now on regular rotation!! Definitely a miss to not have these for every resort.

 

[PolyRob]

It’s both microwaveable and dw-safe - my RIV one is now on regular rotation!! Definitely a miss to not have these for every resort.

That's great to hear!

 

[mamaofsix]

The light up wall panels are so pretty!

Agreed! I love this new look, with darker wood tones and ornate accents. Still very Victorian, but not in the "1990s" way it was before. Gorgeous.

 

[mrsap]

Check-In Reopens, Carpet Torn Up During Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Lobby Remodel​

While the check-in area has reopened at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, more of the lobby’s center has been blocked off and crew members have started removing carpet.

The refurbished check-in area has new desks, replacing the single long counter that used to fill the space.



What was previously an extension of the check-in counter is now a lounge area. A former lounge area across from check-in reopened last month as the new Bell Services station. The walls in this space were re-done with new wallpaper and the tall windows got new curtains.


There’s a new couch, ottomans, and a short table and chairs for kids. The new carpeting here is blue with gold filigree.



The ottomans have green cushioned seats and watercolor-inspired exteriors. The furnishings give an idea of what other new furniture coming to the lobby may look like.



The check-in desks have dark brown wood finishes with gold bases. Subtle striped and sunburst designs are on the fronts.



This decorative panel featuring the resort’s GF logo was installed about a month ago. It has a wood grain finish with leafy filigree.



It hangs above a gold accent stripe and old-fashioned wood boxes built-into the walls. The new golden light fixtures were installed a few days ago.


Illuminated panels shine pink behind the desks. They feature dark Victorian-style patterns.



There are four desks, each with two computers, for a total of eight check-in stations. The tile flooring was also replaced.


White curtains now block about half of the lobby’s central lounge area. They extend from the construction walls around the birdcage bar around the birdcage elevator across the lobby. The elevator is closed for now.



All of the carpet has been torn up from this blocked-off area. Crew members were working on cleaning the floor before new carpet can be installed. All of the planters remain in the area.



When we visited on Monday morning, large rolls of possibly the new carpet were staged behind the elevator. In the photo above, you can also see the edge of the old carpet where it was torn away.


Disney revealed the lobby would get new carpeting when they released concept art for the remodeled lobby. For comparison, below is a photo of the old carpet from July 2025, side by side with the concept art.



The concept art shows a green carpet with Victorian-inspired borders and scrollwork, and light-colored florals inspired by turn-of-the-century botanical studies.


There’s more faux wood paneling on the birdcage bar. It now has a solid wood grain roof below the cage-style frame.



Additional wood grain elements have also been installed along the edge of the roof, creating a small decorative overhang. These don’t yet line the entire roof, leaving some framework exposed on one side.



The beginning of a counter has been installed on the front of the bar. This appears to be a long piece of plywood. It will be covered by paneling later.



The planters jutting out from the back of the bar have mostly been cleared out. It looks their interior walls were cleaned and sanded.



There is now dark wood paneling and red trim around all three sides of the bar. A few weeks ago, chevron tiling was installed on the floor but it is mostly covered by protective paneling while crew members work.

 

[mrsap]

Some additional pics…​

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New Check-In Area Opens as Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Refurbishment Continues​

As you can see from our photos, the beautiful check-in area has received quite the glow-up amidst the current refurbishment!

We can see the addition of brand-new desks and décor to make a warm, welcoming environment for guests, all very fitting with the elegance and splendor of the Grand Floridian’s aesthetic!

I don’t know about you, but those light fixtures really remind me of beautiful engagement rings. This whole area is ever-so traditional in feel, yet still carrying that fairytale Disney magic we’d expect from such an iconic hotel!

As well as the refreshed check-in area, we’re also seeing a swanky new bell services desk and area.

What lucky guests to be checking into the Grand Floridian today!

Arriving at a hotel after a long day’s travel can be tiring for kiddos, which is why Disney hotel lobbies all include a cute, designated children’s area for them to kick back and relax.

Upon arriving in the newly-refurbished Grand Flo lobby today, we loved seeing the new children’s area here in the reception, which features plenty of child-sized seats and entertainment features for littles to enjoy!

These stools are ever so sweet, all perfectly lined up in front of a big television playing Mickey Mouse cartoons.

There’s even a sweet little table for activities, and not forgetting larger chairs for the grown-ups to sit, too!

We love this sweet detail, and would happily sit and enjoy Mickey and friends on TV while taking a break from check-in!