Walt Disney World maintenance teams are actively performing construction across many Disney resorts right now. Earlier this year they closed one of the top restaurants at the flagship resort for a major refurbishment. Now, we have information on when this project is going to be wrapping up and the reopening date for the location.
While the location has been closed, they have offered a unique pop-up replacement. We have details on the closure and the likely extent of the work that just happened. Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including the newest Disney World popcorn buckets and a new Haunted Mansion merch collection.
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Disney World Reopening Grand Floridian Restaurant
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is finally wrapping up a sweeping renovation project that has stretched on in different parts of the resort. The work started in 2021 and will wrap up in 2027. The resort work has included the refresh of the Cítricos restaurant, room reimaginings, and the huge lobby overhaul that introduced a new bar. They also introduced a refreshed version of the popular tea service that had been closed for six years.
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Part of the construction plan also has Disney refreshing the Grand Floridian Cafe, a table service restaurant that is located just off the lobby of the hotel.
The work on the restaurant began on July 20, 2026. During the closure period, the restaurant’s popular brunch offering has been held at Cítricos. There was no replacement for the restaurant’s dinner offering. At the time Disney stated that the restaurant work would last through October 2026. Now, we have visibility into when the restaurant is very likely to reopen.
Here’s the current text on the Walt Disney World website for the Grand Floridian with the most up to date closure information for the resort:
“Renovations at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will continue in select areas, including the covered entrance, through early 2027. Guests may see or hear work during daytime hours and may need to take alternative routes.”
“From mid-July through October 2026, Grand Floridian Cafe will temporarily close for a refresh. During this time, brunch will continue to be offered at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, but it will temporarily move to Cítricos. All other dining locations at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will remain during the renovations.”
“This holiday season at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Guests can enjoy elegant seasonal décor and festive offerings, along with new miniature gingerbread displays featured throughout the resort. To help keep the lobby flowing smoothly for resort Guests, the traditional large gingerbread house will not be offered this year.”
There are also now listed advanced dining reservation slots available for the restaurant starting on November 2, 2026. Operating hours are also now listed from 5 pm to 9 pm on the website for the restaurant starting on November 2, 2026. Prior to this, brunch hours are listed for the restaurant but that is for the temporary location.
Disney has not officially announced that this is the restaurant opening date, but based on this we can expect that current plans dictate that the restaurant will reopen at the latest by this date. We could see it reopen even earlier if they are ahead of schedule. Of course construction plans could also change and this could be delayed.
The length of this refurbishment and the comment of “refresh” has us wondering what will be changed at the restaurant when it reopens. Currently Disney describes the restaurant as “elegant yet unpretentious.” The photos in this story are from early June 2026. It will be interesting to see if the restaurant design and menu shifts when the location reopens.
We may also get a formal update from Disney about the restaurant ahead of the reopening if both the interior and menu changed.
Other Changes at Disney World Hotels Right Now
There are plenty of other changes happening now around Walt Disney World.
As part of the six-year refurbishment of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney reintroduced The Garden View Lounge – Tea Experience earlier this year. We have a full look at that experience.
Next door at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, widespread construction is impacting guests with scaffolding and equipment taking up large portions of the hotel’s grounds. See that update from earlier this summer.
Disney recently announced a 2027 refurbishment for Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and shared more details on the replacement for a popular restaurant Disney’s BoardWalk.
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