Walt Disney World Resort has begun a project outside the borders of Magic Kingdom Park that is altering guest access to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Guests traveling to the Deluxe Disney Resort hotel will likely notice adjustments to the driveways and entrances as crews work to improve traffic flow and parking options.
For several months, construction crews have been focused on the Disney Resort’s Victorian-inspired lobby. In April, Walt Disney World Resort announced plans to modernize the space, removing the iconic golden birdcage and replacing it with a birdcage-inspired bar. The refurbishment will also include custom carpeting, elegant new furnishings, and stained glass features, while historic elements like the grand piano and Victorian cage-style elevator remain in place. The project is expected to finish by the end of 2025, though the annual life-size Gingerbread House display has been canceled this year due to construction constraints.
Attention is now shifting to the experience Disney Resort hotel guests have before entering the lobby. Disney recently filed a construction permit to update the entrance and parking areas for the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, which could include connecting to two new World Drive roundabouts. If approved, the project would also add a new driveway near the Wedding Pavilion and an additional Disney cast member parking area.
While the resort waits for approval from the South Florida Water Management District, crews have already begun work on Floridian Way, the road leading to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. According to photos from X (formerly Twitter) user @bioreconstruct, construction crews are widening and rerouting the roadway to improve traffic flow for guests and Disney cast members.
Aerial photos of the rerouting and widening of Floridian Way.
Aerial photos of the rerouting and widening of Floridian Way. pic.twitter.com/fniVv05tJE
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) August 17, 2025
The Magic Kingdom Resort area encompasses the Transportation & Ticket Center, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. These areas are known for heavy traffic, so the Grand Floridian improvements and ongoing driveway work at the Polynesian are expected to ease congestion for visitors and employees alike.
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