If the Grand Floridian Cafe is on your Walt Disney World dining list, you will want to plan around an upcoming closure. Disney’s Grand Floridian Cafe at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is temporarily closing for a refresh from mid-July through October 2026. The good news for fans of its popular brunch is that brunch is not going away during the closure. It is simply moving to a more upscale setting nearby. Here is everything you need to know, including the dates, where to eat instead, and how to plan your Grand Floridian dining around the refurbishment.

Grand Floridian Cafe Closure Dates

The Grand Floridian Cafe will temporarily close from mid-July through October 2026, with a reopening expected by mid-October 2026. Disney is calling the project a refresh, which typically means décor and design updates and possibly some menu or layout tweaks to bring the restaurant in line with the resort’s evolving look. Exact details on the updates have not been announced. As with any refurbishment, minor delays could push the reopening slightly later, so always confirm the current status before your trip.

Brunch Is Moving to Cítricos

The Grand Floridian Cafe is well known for its brunch, which is a somewhat unique offering among Walt Disney World restaurants. Rather than pausing brunch entirely during the closure, Disney is relocating it to Cítricos, another signature dining location at the same resort. Cítricos is typically open for dinner only, so expanding it to host brunch gives guests a more elevated atmosphere for their morning favorites.

Guests can expect access to popular brunch menu items during the relocation, including dishes like Floridian-style Eggs Benedict, Buttermilk-fried Chicken and Waffle, and the Grand Floridian Café Signature Burger. If brunch at the Grand is part of your tradition, you can still enjoy it from mid-July through October 2026, just at a different table.

Citricos at Grand Floridian Photo Credit: Disney

Other Grand Floridian Dining Stays Open

The closure affects only the Grand Floridian Cafe. Every other dining location at the resort remains open throughout the refurbishment, so you will have plenty of options without leaving the property. Restaurants and lounges that stay open include:

  • Narcoossee’s
  • 1900 Park Fare
  • Cítricos (now also hosting brunch during the closure)
  • Gasparilla Island Grill
  • Enchanted Rose
  • Victoria & Albert’s

That lineup covers everything from quick bites at Gasparilla Island Grill to a signature evening at Narcoossee’s and the ultra-fine-dining experience at Victoria & Albert’s, so the Grand still has a full range of dining during the refresh.

Chicken and Waffles from Grand Floridian Cafe Photo Credit: Disney

Part of a Larger Grand Floridian Transformation

The cafe refurbishment is one piece of a much larger, multi-year reimagining of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa that is set to continue through early 2027. Renovations are ongoing in select areas, including the resort’s covered entrance. Recent updates across the resort include a refreshed lobby, the addition of The Perch lobby bar, and the reopening of the Garden View Lounge tea experience. Because work is happening in phases, guests may see or hear refurbishment work during daytime hours and may need to take alternate walking paths around the resort.

How to Plan Your Grand Floridian Dining Around the Closure

  • Visiting mid-July through October 2026? Book brunch at Cítricos instead of the cafe, and expect a slightly more upscale setting for the same favorites.
  • Set on the cafe specifically? Plan your visit before mid-July or after the expected mid-October reopening, and confirm the status before you book.
  • Staying at the Grand? Lean on the other on-site options like Narcoossee’s, 1900 Park Fare, and Gasparilla Island Grill so you do not have to travel for a meal.
  • Booking brunch at Cítricos? Demand may be higher than usual while it absorbs the cafe’s brunch crowd, so reserve as early as you can.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Grand Floridian Cafe closing?

The Grand Floridian Cafe will temporarily close from mid-July through October 2026 for a refresh, with reopening expected by mid-October 2026.

Why is the Grand Floridian Cafe closing?

It is closing for a refurbishment, or refresh, as part of the larger multi-year reimagining of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa that continues through early 2027.

Can I still get Grand Floridian Cafe brunch during the closure?

Yes. Brunch will continue during the closure but will temporarily move to Cítricos at the same resort. Popular items like Floridian-style Eggs Benedict and the Buttermilk-fried Chicken and Waffle are expected to be available.

What other restaurants are open at the Grand Floridian during the refurbishment?

All other dining at the resort remains open, including Narcoossee’s, 1900 Park Fare, Cítricos, Gasparilla Island Grill, Enchanted Rose, and Victoria & Albert’s.

When will the Grand Floridian Cafe reopen?

Disney expects the cafe to reopen by mid-October 2026, though minor delays are always possible with refurbishments.

Will the menu change after the refresh?

Disney has not announced specific changes. A refresh typically involves décor and design updates and may include some menu or layout adjustments, but details have not been confirmed.

Grand Floridian Cafe Photo Credit: Disney

Book Your Grand Floridian Dining with MouseDining

Whether you are chasing one last cafe brunch before the closure or planning to try brunch at Cítricos during the refresh, the most popular Grand Floridian tables fill up fast, especially in summer. Head to MouseDining.com to set a dining alert and get notified the moment a reservation opens for your preferred restaurant, date, and party size, so your Grand Floridian meal is locked in no matter when you visit.

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