If you haven’t stayed at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in the past few years, it’s time for another visit! The lobby, amenities, and resort rooms have all been updated, giving it a fresh, luxurious feel. With the re-opening of The Garden View Lounge later this March, the Grand Floridian lobby will finally be completely refurbished and open for the first time since 2020.
While the resort room refurbishment (non-Disney Vacation Club Villas) is not brand new, it’s worth noting how stunning the changes are. The rooms are now airy with luxe details and Disney touches. Plus, the configuration and use of storage makes the rooms feel much bigger.
When you first walk in, you are greeted by a vanity with a large mirror, wall outlet including USB and USB-C outlets, bench seating, and a marble table to use for work, getting ready, or storing your theme park gear at the end of the day. The decor includes a nice mix of warm blues, gold accents, and whimsical wallpaper prints. The rooms feel less 1990’s Victorian and more modern/ Florida seaside.
Most Disney Resorts are switching from carpet to wood flooring giving it a sleek, more clean look. However, the combination of the chevron patterned wood floor and rug under the beds adds warmth to the room. It’s also so nice to have under the bed storage perfect for luggage.
We also love that the Grand Floridian’s new rooms have drawn inspiration from Mary Poppins in its art work and furnishings. Mary Poppins feels like the perfect fit with its Edwardian setting and the fact that the earnings from Mary Poppins largely funded the building of the Magic Kingdom. Fun details include the penguins and parrot umbrella found in the print on both the bolster bed pillows and lampshade on the bedside table. Also be sure to take a special look at the chandelier, you’ll find one of the penguins perched amongst the birds on top.
There is one dresser underneath the TV with four substantial drawers that hold more than you would expect. The sofa also converts to a single bed, giving the room space for up to 5 guests. Of course, we adore the water color print of Cherry Tree Lane and Mary Poppins flying in with her parrot umbrella.
To the left of the beds are two closet areas, both with ample space. The left closet is lighted with space for hanging clothes, a full-length mirror on the back of the door, and a pair of robes to make your Deluxe Resort stay feel truly Deluxe! The right closet features a safe, a hair dryer, clothes steamer, and four shelves.
Back towards the door there is a coffee station with a Keurig single cup coffee maker, mini beverage fridge, and a storage shelf above for snacks and Resort Refillable mugs. You’ll also notice the blue damask wallpaper features a scene from Mary Poppins Returns when Mary, Jack, and the Banks children hop into one of the chalk drawings.
The bathroom maintains the airy, luxe feeling with a lighted gold mirror, oversized marble vanity with double sinks and storage underneath, blue tones, and more Mary Poppins water color art.
The bathroom itself and the sink area are both separated by sliding doors and most rooms feature a large walk-in shower. The shower itself has a large overhead and detachable shower head options and of course the famous Disney shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.
Grand Floridian Lobby Refurbishment
The Grand Floridian’s main lobby has undergone a long refurbishment that changed the textiles, layout, and amenities. The lobby’s large stained glass domed ceiling and Victorian chandeliers remain the centerpiece. However, the tones have switched to more blues and greens to give it more of a beachy Florida feel.
The lobby is now arranged in a more conversation-friendly way with more seating areas and added palm trees to make it feel still grand but a little more intimate. The most notable change is the addition of The Perch which is designed to mimic a large bird cage that would have been popular in homes during the turn of the century. The Perch serves a small selection of wines, beer, and two signature cocktails. It does make the towering lobby feel like more of a gathering place.
The updates to Disney’s Grand Floridian are stunning and somehow make the resort feel more impressive and more welcoming at the same time. To learn more about the Grand Floridian Resort rooms, watch our full room tour below.
