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The lobby overhaul is well underway at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and the latest construction update might upset some fans of this Victorian Disney Resort hotel.
Earlier this month, Walt Disney World Resort shared a first look at plans for an upgraded lobby area at its most luxurious Deluxe Resort hotel. It promises to include the resort’s first-ever lobby bar, inspired by the ornate gold bird cage that has welcomed guests for 36 years. The bar will include brass accents, breathtaking stained glass, and intricate woodwork. Stained glass displays and murals throughout the lobby will include bird motifs, paying tribute to the original golden cage that once housed a tree and several real birds.
Credit: Disney
Disney promised that the atrium’s architecture and Victorian feel, including its Victorian cage-style elevator and grand piano, would remain after the renovation. New furnishings and custom carpeting will bring the decades-old Disney Resort hotel a more modern feel.
The renovation is controversial, with many Disney Parks fans questioning whether Walt Disney World Resort will keep its promise of maintaining the lobby’s elegant charm. Some are frustrated with the new bar bringing more alcoholic beverages to the family-friendly vacation destination.
Credit: Disney
Nevertheless, Walt Disney World Resort is pushing forward with its lobby renovations at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Construction walls appeared in the lobby last week, surrounding the golden birdcage. Now, crews have begun disassembling the structure.
On April 19, X (formerly Twitter) user @FiBelleFi shared these photos of construction workers preparing to disassemble the birdcage:
Current status of the Grand Floridian lobby birdcage disassembly 😔
Current status of the Grand Floridian lobby birdcage disassembly 😔 pic.twitter.com/w0oOl9wpd2
— Belle (@FiBelleFi) April 19, 2025
On Wednesday, WDWNT shared this video of the birdcage after the roof and part of the base had been entirely disassembled. The entire cage structure will likely be gone by the end of the week.
Construction is underway at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. Workers are dismantling the iconic birdcage to make way for the new lobby bar inspired by the birdcage.
Construction is underway at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. Workers are dismantling the iconic birdcage to make way for the new lobby bar inspired by the birdcage. https://t.co/0oeFkGXbko pic.twitter.com/cPBlwLtJXx
— WDW News Today (@WDWNT) April 23, 2025
Work on Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is scheduled to continue through November 2025. Because of the construction, the Deluxe Resort hotel will not offer its annual Gingerbread House display this year. Other amenities, like pools and the Monorail, remain unaffected by the ongoing project.
What should Disney change about the lobby at the Grand Floridian? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Disney has losts its way with the continual addition of alcohol to the hotels and parks. Then they complain about the bad behaviors that always follows. Alcohol is not family friendly. The loss of guests that have had to deal with alcoholic fueled behavior as “Drinking Around the World”.
Walt and Roy are rolling over in their graves. The dream of Walt and Roy has died.