Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has welcomed back a beloved splash pad feature after a month-long closure, though Walt Disney World Resort guests will notice one key change to how the attraction operates.
A Month of Construction at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Walt Disney World Resort closed the Alice in Wonderland (1951)-themed splash pad at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in August, part of a broader wave of refurbishment projects happening throughout the Deluxe Disney Resort hotel. During the closure, water was drained from the splash pad, decorative character portraits were removed, and the iconic Mad Hatter hat topping the structure was wrapped in construction materials.
Disney never detailed specific plans for the splash pad itself, which is typical for routine refurbishment work. However, the resort's official webpage has continued warning guests about ongoing renovations throughout the property:
“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.”
A Notable Change to the Splash Pad
The splash pad reopened to guests on October 1. WDWNT visited the Deluxe Disney Resort hotel afterward and confirmed a significant change to the attraction's signature feature: the Mad Hatter bucket, once responsible for periodically dumping large amounts of water on guests below, is now fixed in place and no longer functions the way it originally did.
Rather than tipping over to release a sudden burst of water, the tophat now sits bolted at a slight angle, allowing a smaller, steady stream of water to spill out continuously instead.
Beyond that adjustment, the Alice in Wonderland-themed splash pad doesn't appear to have undergone any other major changes. The refurbishment seems to have focused primarily on replacing worn flooring in the area, addressing years of damage from water exposure, weather, and general guest use.
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