While most associate Disney World with the four main theme parks and two water parks, the wider resort and entertainment complex around Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista also includes 25 official hotels for those who want to take the themed Disney experience beyond the park doors.The first two themed hotels, the Contemporary Resort and Polynesian Village Resort, were opened at the same time as Disney World itself in 1971. In 1988, the Grand Floridian Resort launched on the Seven Seas Lagoon, inspired by Victorian-era beach resorts that began popping up on the east coast of Florida in the late 19th century.The five-star resort that has its own stop on the Monorail connecting the different parks is, to this day, Disney World’s flagship and most opulent hotel. The brick-red roof gables visible from a distance signal the start of a Disney vacation just as much as the purple road signs, noted by WDWMagic, on the highway leading to the parks.Café at Grand Floridian Resort and Spa closes until October 2026As it nears the 40-year anniversary of its opening, the iconic Grand Floridian needs regular refurbishments to keep it looking as fresh.The Grand Floridian Café is a casual table-service restaurant located on the first floor of the hotel and overlooking the pool and garden; it was designed as a Victorian-style tea room serving as the focal restaurant inside the hotel.Related: Disney theme park closes dozens of rides for disturbing reasonAt the start of June, Disney World confirmed that it will close the Grand Floridian Café for a monthslong refurbishment. Guests who passed through the resort on July 20 reported that the café has now been closed down, with construction barriers keeping guests away from the area.On its website, Disney writes that the dining establishment will be closed from mid-July until October 2026, although in my experience, construction at the resort tends to run a little longer than announced.Since the Grand Floridian was the only restaurant serving table-service brunch, this menu was moved to the Cítricos restaurant, inspired by “Mary Poppins,” on the second floor of the resort. Normally, Cítricos serves Floridian cuisine with a Mediterranean influence during dinner hours, in more of a fine-dining setting across from the Michelin-starred Victoria & Albert’s restaurant.
The Grand Floridian Café is the central casual restaurant at the iconic Disney World resort.Disney
Guests see first closed signs: “Grand Floridian Café and restrooms are closed for refurbishments””PARDON OUR PIXIE DUST,” the signs on the barriers visible to guests read. “Grand Floridian Café and restrooms are closed for refurbishment. For brunch service, please join us at Cítricos — located upstairs on the second floor. Additional restrooms are located near the lobby or upstairs on the second floor.”More Travel News:Airline to launch unusual new flight to Cayman Islands from the U.S.There is a very cool Irish version of swimming pigs in the BahamasUnexpected country is most luxurious travel destination for 2026Low-cost airline launches easier way to get to Sri LankaThe 1900 Park Fare buffet restaurant also remains open during the renovations, as the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa undergoes more extensive work that includes building a new path to the pool and general renovations to the external facade of the hotel building.Related: 32-year-old theme park to close water ride forever after summer season