Grand Floridian to Open New Roadway Entrance on September 10
Published September 2, 2026 · Updated September 30, 2026
According to recent reports, Walt Disney World is preparing to open a new roadway entrance for Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort on September 10. Roadside signage directing drivers to the upcoming traffic shift has appeared along the resort area’s driving routes.
As of Wednesday, September 2, Disney has not officially announced the change or detailed exactly how traffic will flow. However, the update follows years of permitted roadwork connecting the resort to the ongoing World Drive North Phase III project.
Currently, drivers reaching the Grand Floridian are using a set of roundabouts on Floridian Way that opened to traffic on August 10. That shift routed vehicles onto newly constructed southbound lanes. It also left temporary connector driveways in place for the Grand Floridian, the upcoming Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and the Disney’s Fairy Tale Wedding Pavilion.
What we know
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort entrance — New roadside signage indicates a reconfigured entrance will open to traffic on September 10.
- Floridian Way traffic pattern — Guests currently navigate a set of roundabouts and temporary driveways that debuted on August 10.
- Permitted roadwork plans — Permits approved last November detail plans to extend the Grand Floridian’s main entrance by roughly 200 feet to connect to a new roundabout. Those plans also call for converting the existing Floridian Way into a one-lane exit route and building a separate entrance for the wedding pavilion.
- World Drive North Phase III — The broader roadway expansion project surrounding the resort area is not expected to be fully completed until December 2027.
Disney has not confirmed whether the September 10 shift will debut the permanent entrance layout outlined in those permits, or if it simply represents another temporary phase of construction.
What it means for your trip
- Follow the signs, not your GPS. Mapping apps frequently lag behind Disney World’s overnight traffic shifts. If you are driving or taking a rideshare to the resort, pay strict attention to the physical roadway signs rather than your phone’s directions.
- Budget extra travel time. With active construction and law enforcement in the area, traffic flow can be unpredictable. Pad your transit time by at least 15 minutes to avoid rushing to a hard-to-get dining reservation at Citricos or Narcoossee’s. If traffic makes you late and you lose your table, set a SupaPark Drop Watch to catch a cancellation for another night.
- Expect ongoing adjustments. Because the overarching road project will continue through late 2027, expect additional lane shifts and temporary routing if you are staying near the Magic Kingdom resort area over the next year.
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