Where to Get Your Mickey Waffles and Brunch During the Grand Floridian Cafe Refurbishment
The Grand Floridian Cafe closing for refurbishment in mid-July 2026 means big changes to your summer Disney dining. Here are the dates and brunch alternatives.
If you have a Walt Disney World vacation planned for the second half of this year, it is time to take a close look at your dining strategy. A massive dining shake-up is heading to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The popular, fan-favorite Grand Floridian Cafe closing window has been officially set, with the restaurant scheduled to undergo a multi-month refurbishment beginning in mid-July 2026.
The closure is part of Walt Disney World’s extensive, multi-year reimagining of its flagship resort property, an overhaul that was recently extended to continue through early 2027. While losing a reliable casual dining gem during the peak summer travel season is tough news for families, Walt Disney World isn’t leaving breakfast and lunch fans entirely out in the cold.
The Closure Timeline & Reopening Targets
According to the official construction notice posted by Walt Disney World, the Grand Floridian Cafe will temporarily close its doors starting mid-July 2026, with a tentative reopening scheduled for October 2026. While Walt Disney World has not published an exact calendar date for the final day of service, internal booking calendars show a telling shift. The restaurant lists normal operating hours through Sunday, July 19, 2026. On Monday, July 20, 2026, the calendar abruptly pivots to show brunch-only availability. This shift strongly hints that construction crews will begin scaling operations or putting up walls right around July 20.
Walt Disney World is officially calling this project a “refresh.” For theme park insiders, a refresh typically means a cosmetic overhaul. We should think brand-new carpeting, updated drapes, modernized tables and chairs, and refreshed wall decor to match the lighter, brighter aesthetic found in the resort’s recently updated main lobby. We don’t anticipate a complete structural rebuild, meaning the restaurant should hit its mid-October target. However, experienced Walt Disney Wplanners know to keep a buffer in mind through early November just in case timelines slip.
Brunch is Moving Upstairs to Cítricos
Photo by Jon Self
The Grand Floridian Cafe is highly regarded for its unique, casual brunch lineup, featuring staple crowd-pleasers like the Buttermilk-fried Chicken and Waffle and Floridian-Style Eggs Benedict. Fortunately, you won’t have to skip these morning favorites. To accommodate the closure, Walt Disney World is temporarily expanding the hours of Cítricos, located just one floor up. Cítricos is traditionally a signature dining location open exclusively for dinner. From mid-July through October 2026, it will open its doors early to play host to the relocated casual brunch crowd.
Plan Ahead: Since Cítricos will be absorbing the entire morning and early afternoon crowd from the Cafe, reservations are expected to be incredibly competitive. If your vacation falls during this window, you will want to lock in your Cítricos brunch dining reservations exactly 60 days out from your trip.
Grand Floridian Cafe Closing: What Else is Impacted at the Resort?
The Grand Floridian Cafe closing impacts only that specific restaurant. All other dining venues across the resort property will remain fully operational during the project. You can still book reservations and enjoy meals at:
- Narcoossee’s (Signature dining)
- Victoria & Albert’s (Fine dining / Michelin-starred)
- 1900 Park Fare (Character dining buffet)
- Gasparilla Island Grill (Quick-service)
- Enchanted Rose and The Perch (Lounge and bar options)
Keep in mind that because this project coincides with ongoing exterior renovations, including heavy work on the resort’s covered entrance (porte cochère), guests visiting the resort during the day may see or hear construction crews. Also, they should be prepared to navigate alternate paths of travel around the property.
For more theme park-related news and information, visit MSM News. As always, eat like you mean it!
Expertise. Ease. Value.
Ready for your bucket list trip? Our trusted partner, MEI-Travel, will handle the planning so you can focus on the memories. They offer free vacation planning services and have nearly 20 years of experience creating memorable vacations.
Contact for a fee-free, no-obligation quote today.
