The Alice in Wonderland (1951)-themed splash pad at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has reopened after a month-long closure, but Central Florida Disney Park guests returning to the attraction will immediately notice one signature feature is gone for good.
Closure Began Alongside Broader Resort Renovations
Walt Disney World Resort closed the splash pad in August as part of a larger series of refurbishment projects underway throughout the Deluxe Disney Resort hotel. During the closure, crews drained the splash pad entirely, removed decorative character portraits from the area, and wrapped the structure’s iconic Mad Hatter hat in construction materials.
As is typical of routine refurbishments, Walt Disney World Resort didn’t share specific plans for the splash pad in advance. The Central Florida vacation destination’s official website, however, has continued warning guests about ongoing construction throughout the Magic Kingdom Resort Area 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.”
The Mad Hatter’s Signature Splash Is Gone
The splash pad reopened to guests on October 1, and WDWNT confirmed a major change upon visiting: the Mad Hatter bucket, long known for periodically dumping large volumes of water onto unsuspecting Walt Disney World Resort guests, no longer functions that way.
Instead of tipping to release a sudden rush of water, the tophat is now permanently bolted in place at a slight angle, allowing only a small, continuous trickle of water to spill out rather than the dramatic dump guests previously experienced.
Apart from that change, the rest of the Alice in Wonderland-themed splash pad appears largely unchanged. The refurbishment seems to have centered mainly on replacing the area’s flooring, addressing years of wear from water exposure, weather, and heavy guest use.
Have you ever stayed at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa? Share your favorite memories with Disney Dining in the comments!
