Construction walls have taken over the porte cochère of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, blocking off the entrance to Disney's most prestigious resort while guests continue to pay premium rates. The area, which includes the monorail station on the second floor, makes for a less-than-ideal first impression, with scaffolding looming behind the barriers.
Disney has announced that construction will continue through early 2027, meaning guests during that time can expect ongoing refurbishment work. While access to the entrance remains open, the Disney World website cautions that the porte cochère may be further enclosed as work progresses.
They Removed the Roof Panels
It appears several roof panels have been removed from the porte cochère structure, indicating that the refurbishment will address structural or weatherproofing issues in the covered entrance area that protects arriving and departing guests from Florida weather. Disney has not mentioned any closure of the monorail station, despite construction affecting the entrance area that houses the elevated monorail platform on the second floor, suggesting that monorail service will continue operating throughout the work.
Work for now appears to be limited to the ground level, where the porte cochère provides a covered vehicle drop-off and pick-up area, but it could rise to the second level as progress continues and workers need to address upper portions of the structure. A marker appears on the other side of the road from the porte cochère, possibly indicating that a temporary structure might be erected during the refurbishment to provide weather protection for guests, although nothing has been confirmed yet.
The Broader Disney Construction Mess
The remaining construction extending into 2027 includes various areas of the resort beyond just the porte cochère, with the Grand Floridian undergoing a comprehensive refurbishment that addresses multiple buildings and facilities. The lobby reopened in October 2025 with new carpeting and furniture, refreshing the main lobby space, while The Perch lobby bar followed in November 2025.
The Mary Poppins fountain in the lobby of The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is also currently blocked off for refurbishment, indicating that even decorative elements are receiving attention during this renovation period. Construction has not prevented the Easter egg displays from appearing throughout the resort, as Disney continues to operate seasonal programming despite ongoing work.
The Disney Tea Room Finally Reopening After Six Years
The last area awaiting reopening is the Garden View Tea Room, which has been closed for six years, having shut down at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and remained shuttered through the subsequent years. The tea room will reopen on March 19, 2026, marking a significant milestone after being unavailable to guests for the entire pandemic and post-pandemic period.
The six-year closure represents an extraordinarily long period for a Disney dining venue to remain shuttered, reflecting how the pandemic fundamentally disrupted operations and how long it has taken Disney to restore full service levels. The Garden View Tea Room offers afternoon tea service in an elegant Victorian setting with tea selections, finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries.
The Disney Flagship Resort Problem
As Disney's flagship resort, the Grand Floridian sets the standard for luxury accommodations at Walt Disney World and commands premium pricing that reflects its prestigious status and monorail access to Magic Kingdom.
The extended refurbishment period creates challenges for maintaining the flagship resort experience, as guests paying top-tier prices encounter construction walls and scaffolding that detract from the polished luxury experience they expect.
The porte cochère refurbishment particularly impacts guest arrivals, as the entrance is the first physical touchpoint when guests arrive at the resort, shaping a crucial first impression. Construction walls and scaffolding at the entrance risk undermining that first impression, even though the entrance remains open and functional.
