Crews have finished their refurbishment of the Summerhouse at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, but work continues in the lobby and above Gasparilla Island Grill.
Grand Floridian Lobby
In the lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, crew members were in the two lifts, which were raised up to the ceiling.
So far, we’ve seen crews replace and repaint some of the paneling on columns between railings.
Paint cans were staged near the lifts during today’s work.
Plants were removed from the built-in planters at the front of the lobby so they wouldn’t be ruined by construction work.
Tarps were draped over the railing in front of the Monorail station, which has been blocked off by planters. The tarp is likely to protect it from wayward paint and construction debris.
The railings on the third, fourth, and fifth floors overlooking the lobby are blocked off.
One of the lifts had carried a crew member all the way up to a domed skylight in the lobby’s ceiling.
The other lift was positioned next to the fifth floor.
Crew members were repainting sections of the white ceiling.
Though a full remodel is planned for the lobby, it has reportedly been delayed to 2024.
Near the elevator bank and the closed Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, a couple of railings are covered in white tarps.
Grand Floridian Exterior Construction
From the windows of the lobby, we could see construction materials stacked behind construction walls outside.
Gasparilla Island Grill
There are construction walls and scaffolding all around Gasparilla Island Grill, although it remains open.
Signs point to Gasparilla Island Grill.
Workers are refurbishing the guest room balconies above the restaurant.
A fence covered in a white tarp blocks the crew entrance to the construction site.
A tunnel through the construction walls is for guests to reach Gasparilla Island Grill.
Around the corner, we can see into the construction site past a green fence.
There are stacks of more scaffolding poles.
Cinderblocks weigh down the construction walls and the bottom of the scaffolding.
How do you feel about the Grand Floridian Resort refurbishment? Let us know in the comments.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Refurbishment
Reportedly, when now-former CEO Bob Chapek took over the Parks & Resorts division in 2015, he felt that the Grand Floridian was not up to standards, so put in motion a major overhaul of the resort.
This began with the “Beauty and the Beast”-themed Enchanted Rose Lounge, which replaced Mizner’s Lounge. Cítricos followed with a new “Mary Poppins”-inspired design. When the Grand Floridian Spa reopened in January 2022, it was revealed that it, too, had been remodeled. All the rooms of the resort are still being updated and some “Mary Poppins” theming has been added throughout guest buildings.
Narcoossee’s was closed from June 2022 to April 2023, and reopened with a revamped interior and “land and sea” menu. Read our Narcoossee’s review.
1900 Park Fare, the character dining buffet location at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, is still closed for refurbishment. The restaurant has not reopened since it closed in March 2020 with the rest of Walt Disney World Resort due to COVID-19. When physical distancing measures were still in place, 1900 Park Fare was used as overflow seating for Grand Floridian Café for a short period of time.
In December 2022, Disney confirmed that the lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa would be refurbished but “will maintain the classic theming you know and love with some fresh new enhancements.”
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