Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has begun refurbishment of its porte cochère entrance. Construction walls now partially enclose the arrival area, with scaffolding visible behind them.
What’s Happening
The porte cochère is the covered entrance where guests arrive and depart by car, bus, or rideshare. The area also houses the monorail station on the second floor.
Construction walls have gone up around the entrance, though it remains open for guest access. The Disney World website warned this refurbishment was coming.
Several roof panels appear to have been removed, suggesting structural work is underway. Disney hasn’t mentioned any monorail station closure, indicating service will continue during construction.
Scope of Work
Current work appears limited to ground level but could expand to the second floor as the project progresses.
A marker has appeared across the road from the porte cochère, possibly indicating a temporary structure may be erected during refurbishment. Nothing has been confirmed yet.
The porte cochère represents a crucial first impression point—every arriving guest passes through this covered entrance when checking in.
Broader Grand Floridian Refurbishment
The porte cochère is the latest phase in comprehensive renovation work continuing through early 2027. Multiple resort areas have been or remain under construction.
Completed renovations:
- Lobby (reopened October 2025 with new carpeting and furniture)
- The Perch lobby bar (reopened November 2025)
Currently under refurbishment:
- Porte cochère entrance
- Mary Poppins fountain in the Villas lobby
Reopening soon:
- Garden View Tea Room (March 19, 2026)
The Six-Year Closure
The Garden View Tea Room has been closed for 6 years, shuttering when the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. Its March 19 reopening marks a significant milestone in the Grand Floridian’s return to full operational capacity.
The tea room offers afternoon tea service in an elegant Victorian setting with tea selections, finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries. The six-year closure represents an extraordinarily long period for a Disney dining venue to remain unavailable.
Guest Experience Impact
As Disney’s flagship resort, the Grand Floridian commands premium pricing reflecting its prestigious status, Victorian theming, monorail access to Magic Kingdom, and comprehensive amenities.
Extended refurbishment through early 2027 creates challenges for maintaining the luxury experience guests expect. Construction walls, scaffolding, and blocked-off areas can detract from the polished, seamless environment promised at top-tier pricing.
The porte cochère refurbishment particularly impacts arrivals since the entrance creates the crucial first impression when guests reach the resort. Construction at this touchpoint risks undermining expectations, even though the entrance remains functional.
Maintaining Operations
Despite ongoing construction, the Grand Floridian continues normal operations, including seasonal programming. Easter egg displays are currently appearing throughout the resort, demonstrating Disney’s effort to maintain premium guest experiences despite refurbishment work.
The phased approach allows the resort to remain open throughout construction rather than closing entirely. However, this creates an extended timeline as work must proceed around operating hotel functions.
Timeline to Completion
Construction is scheduled to continue through early 2027, meaning guests booking stays through the end of 2026 and into early 2027 should expect some level of ongoing refurbishment work.
The specific areas under construction will shift as different phases complete and new work begins. Completion of major lobby work, The Perch bar, and the upcoming Garden View Tea Room reopening demonstrates steady progress.
The porte cochère represents one of the final major elements requiring attention before the Grand Floridian returns to its pre-construction condition.
For guests planning Grand Floridian stays in the coming months, it’s worth considering that the entrance area will be under construction, though access remains available and the monorail continues operating.
