3 Game Changing Updates Announced For Disney Hotels This Week

Disney4me · Sunday at 06:30 PM

Are you keeping up with all the Disney changes?

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Disney World

Disneyland is turning 70, Disney World has major expansions coming, Disneyland Paris is rebranding, and more! To keep up with the news, we’re doing a round-up of the biggest Disney updates from this week.

Planning guide for the ultimate Disney vacation

Disney World is always changing, even in little subtle ways! This week, however, wasn’t so little! There are major changes coming to the Disney resorts, and we’re breaking it all down right here. Starting with one of Disney’s most popular and sought-after hotels, The Grand Floridian is about to get some major upgrades.

Grand Floridian Resort

Disney’s iconic Grand Floridian Lobby is getting a makeover! Disney will be refreshing the lobby, staircase, and front desk and introducing a brand-new lobby bar. The lobby will feature brand-new carpeting with Victorian-inspired borders and scrollwork, “featuring hand-drawn florals inspired by turn-of-the-century botanical studies.”

©Disney

The lobby has seen quite a bit of construction over the last few years, although we weren’t sure at the time what it was for outside of regular updates. The lobby will also be getting new furniture with botanical accents and inviting colors “to create an airy, garden-like atmosphere. ”

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Construction from 2023

To see more about the new lobby and bar, you can read our post below! Work on the lobby is expected to start this month and go through November 2025.

A NEW Bar Is Coming to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort!

Unfortunately, this big, exciting news takes us to some less-than-thrilling news. The Grand Floridian’s iconic Christmas Gingerbread House will not be returning in 2025!

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2024 Grand Floridian Gingerbread House

Disney shared that due to the construction of the new lobby and bar, they won’t be able to construct the famous gingerbread house that has been a tradition at the resort for the last 25 years. This is a major disappointment to many people who consider stopping by to see the craftsmanship and trying the treats a Christmas tradition.

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Cupcake Sampler from the Gingerbread House in 2023

We hope this tradition will return in 2026 because it will be sorely missed this year. Luckily, the other gingerbread displays that are found at different Disney resorts will be returning.

Find out more about the missing Gingerbread House here.

Finally, Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resort is getting in on the news of the week! This one is bittersweet because Shula’s Steakhouse is closing.

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Shula’s Steak House

This Disney World restaurant has been around since 1995 and was widely considered a hidden gem. The restaurant is being replaced by Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina! Chef Mina has received multiple Michelin Stars, and he currently operates over 30 restaurants worldwide.

Shula’s Steakhouse is accepting reservations through June 14th, 2025. The anticipated debut of Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina is mid-summer.

Discover more about the new restaurant here!

It was a big week for Disney World resort news, and we couldn’t be more excited about the new changes. As always, don’t forget to keep following DFB for all of your Disney news and updates.