One of Disney’s most iconic restaurants is suddenly surrounded by construction walls.
If you’re heading to Disney’s Hollywood Studios soon, you may notice a familiar landmark looking a little different. Disney has quietly kicked off an exterior refurbishment at The Hollywood Brown Derby, with construction already visible around the restaurant’s popular outdoor lounge. While Disney hasn’t officially announced the project, several noticeable changes suggest more than just routine maintenance is underway.
Construction has officially begun outside The Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where rolling planters and scrim now surround the restaurant’s outdoor patio. The work appears to be focused on the exterior of the building and the adjacent Brown Derby Lounge, one of the park’s most popular spots for cocktails and light bites.
The rolling planters wrap around all three sides of the patio, blocking much of the lounge from guest view. Behind them, scrim has been attached to the patio fencing, signaling that refurbishment work is actively underway.
Major Changes Already Visible
Guests familiar with the restaurant may immediately notice that several exterior features have already been removed.
The signature red awnings that lined the restaurant’s exterior wall have been taken down, leaving behind visible half-circle outlines where they were previously installed. In addition, the large patio umbrellas that normally provide shade for guests dining outdoors have also disappeared.
According to cast members working at the Brown Derby Lounge, a larger permanent shade structure is expected to be installed over the patio. While Disney has not confirmed those plans publicly, the current construction activity certainly seems consistent with that possibility.
What This Means for the Brown Derby Lounge
Although operating hours for the Brown Derby Lounge continue to appear on the official Walt Disney World website, it’s unlikely the outdoor location will be serving guests while construction continues. We speculate that the lounge could remain unavailable for at least the next few weeks as work progresses.
Disney has not announced a timeline for the refurbishment or shared exactly what improvements guests can expect once the project is complete.
For now, the work appears limited to the restaurant’s exterior, and Disney has remained quiet about whether any additional enhancements are planned.
An Iconic Hollywood Studios Dining Location
The Hollywood Brown Derby remains one of the signature table-service restaurants at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Inspired by the legendary Brown Derby restaurants of Hollywood’s Golden Age, the location is known for its elegant atmosphere, celebrity caricatures lining the walls, and fan-favorite menu items like the famous Cobb Salad and Grapefruit Cake.
The adjacent Brown Derby Lounge has also become a favorite stop for guests looking to enjoy cocktails, wine, beer, and small plates without committing to a full dining reservation.
As Disney continues transforming Disney’s Hollywood Studios with projects like Monstropolis, the new Walt Disney Studios area, and recent entertainment additions, even long-standing classics like the Brown Derby continue receiving updates to enhance the guest experience.
We’ll continue watching this refurbishment closely and update you as soon as Disney announces exactly what’s changing and when guests can once again enjoy the refreshed outdoor lounge.
Construction projects are happening all across Walt Disney World, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios continues to see some of the biggest transformations at the resort. Be sure to check back with us for the latest Disney World construction updates, dining news, attraction announcements, entertainment changes, and everything happening around Disney Parks.
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