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Disney World Reveals Replacement for Grand Floridian Resort Coming Soon

Walt Disney World Resort is moving forward with another significant project at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa — and this one reaches beyond the hotel itself to connect two of the Magic Kingdom area's most prestigious Deluxe resorts.

A Parking Overhaul at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Exterior of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Credit: Disney

On Monday, Walt Disney World Resort filed an application with the South Florida Water Management District to modify the parking lot and driveway areas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, connecting the updated infrastructure to the nearby World Drive North Phase 3 project. @wdwmagic shared an aerial image highlighting the affected areas on X (formerly known as Twitter):

Grand Floridian's parking lot is getting a significant overhaul. Plans filed with the South Florida Water Management District show a 3.40-acre expansion covering DVC and Wedding Pavilion parking, plus a connector near Island Tower.

The filing outlines two distinct construction zones. The larger covers 3.40 acres and is described as the “Proposed Grand Floridian Parking Lot Expansions Limits of Construction,” encompassing select areas including the Disney Vacation Club exclusive parking lot and the Wedding Pavilion parking lot along Floridian Way. The second zone covers 0.20 acres and is labeled the “Proposed Connection Limits of Construction,” targeting a parking lot near the Island Tower DVC building at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort next door.

What Disney Is Building

Grand Floridian Wedding Pavilion
Credit: Disney

Walt Disney World Resort plans to reconfigure parking areas to add capacity for guests while creating a continuous parking corridor running from the DVC building at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa to the Island Tower DVC building at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort.

The project also includes a covered walkway that will connect the DVC guest rooms at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa directly to the Wedding Pavilion, adding a weather-protected path between two of the resort's most-used destinations for guests celebrating special occasions.

Grand Floridian Wedding Pavilion
Credit: Disney

No completion date was included in the filing.

What Guests Need to Know

Walt Disney World Resort has flagged the DVC Parking, Wedding Pavilion Parking, the Health Spa, the Wedding Pavilion, and the Island Tower DVC building as the areas most directly affected by the proposed construction. Guests driving to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa should be prepared for possible alternate routing when road and parking lot work gets underway. The Front Desk can provide the most current guidance on parking options during any given stay.

A beach at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
Credit: D23

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has been under construction for over a year, with the Monorail and most other resort amenities continuing to operate normally throughout. The Grand Floridian Café will close for its own refurbishment on July 20, with Cítricos stepping in to offer breakfast and brunch service during the closure.

Has construction ever impacted your stay at a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort hotel? Disney Fanatic would love to hear from you in the comments! 

Jess Colopy

Jess Colopy is a Disney College Program alum and kid-at-heart. When she’s not furiously typing in a coffee shop, you can find her on the hunt for the newest Stitch pin.

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