Disney’s Hollywood Studios Loses Original Feature of Legendary Brown Derby Restaurant
The individual patio umbrellas that have shaded diners at the Hollywood Brown Derby for decades are officially a thing of the past, as Disney’s Hollywood Studios nears the end of a months-long transformation of the restaurant’s outdoor space.
A Longstanding Fixture of Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The Hollywood Brown Derby has welcomed guests since Disney’s Hollywood Studios first opened on May 1, 1989. Modeled after the iconic hat-shaped restaurant that once operated in Los Angeles, the Table-Service dining location has remained one of the park’s most recognizable culinary destinations for more than three decades.
Tracking the Construction Timeline
The refurbishment first became visible in June, when rolling planters and barriers went up around the patio adjacent to the restaurant’s main entrance, an area normally used by the Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge. What initially looked like simple repaving work grew into something bigger once Walt Disney World Resort began refinishing the building’s exterior wall.
It soon became clear that the project’s real goal was replacing the patio’s original umbrella-based shading with a permanent structure.
The Project’s Final Stretch
According to a WDWNT report from August 31, the construction appears to be wrapping up. Rolling planters remain around the patio, but progress is now visible above the barriers surrounding the space.
Just a week prior, crews had put up the framework for a new awning over the patio area. That structure is now covered in red fabric that matches the restaurant’s other awnings. Disney cast members have since further furnished the space, adding fans, decorative golden beams, and new light fixtures beneath the overhang.
What Guests Can Expect in the Meantime
The Hollywood Brown Derby’s main dining room has remained open throughout construction, operating without disruption. The Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge is still welcoming guests, though it’s currently confined to the smaller side patio on the opposite side of the building while the main patio renovation continues.
Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t announced a firm completion date, but the recent pace of work suggests the space could reopen before long.
Have you ever dined at the Hollywood Brown Derby? Share your experience with Disney Dining in the comments!
