Walt Disney World's flagship hotel is currently in the middle of a sweeping six-year transformation of nearly every aspect of its property, all while remaining open to guests. While many changes have already been implemented, a few more are on the way, including one just announced for a table-service restaurant.
A popular Disney World restaurant will close for refurbishment soon, and one of its signature offerings will be temporarily relocated. Keep reading to learn how this closure may affect your Disney World dining planning. Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including changes at a Disney World value resort and remarks from Disney's new CEO about Lightning Lane policies.
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Grand Floridian Restaurant Refurbishment Coming
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is currently in an extended period of ongoing refurbishment, which will continue through early 2027.
As part of the ongoing work at this deluxe Disney World resort, Disney just added another project to the long list of refurbishment work. Grand Floridian Cafe, a table-service restaurant, will temporarily close starting in mid-July 2026 “for a refresh,” Disney says. The restaurant will reopen sometime in October 2026.
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Grand Floridian Cafe currently serves brunch and dinner. With brunch being a somewhat unique offering among Disney World restaurants, Disney has a short-term plan to continue serving it during Grand Floridian Cafe's closure. From mid-July through October 2026, brunch will temporarily be offered at Cítricos, another restaurant onsite at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Cítricos is typically only open for dinner.
The image above is of the classic dessert sampler from the restaurant. It is not currently on the menu, but we would love to see it return. Disney still features the image on their website for the hotel.
Details about what may specifically change as part of Grand Floridian Cafe's “refresh” have not been announced. Disney currently describes the restaurant as “elegant yet unpretentious.”
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Many Changes Happening at Grand Floridian Through 2027
Refurbishment work throughout Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has been ongoing since 2021 and has so far included overhauled standard guest rooms and Disney Vacation Club guest rooms, renovated restaurants such as Narcoosee's and 1900 Park Fare, and a completely transformed main lobby with upgraded furniture and flooring plus a new lobby bar called The Perch.
Just this week, The Garden View Lounge – Tea Experience reopened after being closed for six years. One of the final holdouts from the 2020 pandemic closure, The Garden View Lounge – Tea Experience returns with a new menu and an updated look, seen in the before-and-after shot above.
As Disney continues to update nearly every aspect of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa through 2027, specific projects may be added to the refurbishment calendar in addition to the specific items listed in this article. We'll continue to keep you updated on any incoming announcements here at Mickey Visit.
Disney is also in the process of refurbishing restaurants, pools, guest rooms, and more spaces at other Disney World hotels. See our coverage of 19 Disney World hotel closures and refurbishments coming in 2026 and 2027 for all the details.
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