Grand Floridian’s Alice in Wonderland Splash Pad Nears Reopening
The Mad Hatter's hat is uncovered as the beloved Deluxe Resort water play area prepares to welcome families back.
Originally reported by Inside the Magic — full credits and sources below.
3 min read
Exciting progress is unfolding at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa as one of the resort's most charming family amenities prepares to welcome guests back. The whimsical Alice in Wonderland-themed splash pad, which closed unexpectedly for maintenance earlier this month, is showing clear signs of life as crews wrap up a quiet but extensive refurbishment.
If you have been keeping an eye on the courtyard, you’ll be thrilled to know that the giant water bucket shaped like the Mad Hatter’s hat has officially been unwrapped, shedding the heavy protective plastic that covered it for the last few weeks.
Take a look at the progress captured on-site, showcasing the newly uncovered play structure:
Down the Rabbit Hole of Maintenance
On August 12, 2026, the Alice in Wonderland aquatic play zone suddenly went quiet. Disney did not issue a formal announcement prior to the closure, which is standard practice for routine hotel maintenance. For families traveling with toddlers and young children, the sudden absence of this vibrant play zone was a tough break in the August heat.
During the initial phases of the work, the entire area was drained, the miniature slides were blocked off, and a construction lift was parked nearby to help workers access the upper levels of the structure. Beyond general aesthetic touch-ups, crews have been busy resurfacing the splash pad’s specialized safety flooring to ensure it remains a safe, slip-resistant environment for little ones.
With the plastic wrap finally gone from the centerpiece Mad Hatter bucket, the finish line is in sight. Visitors to the resort have spotted the large, colorful portraits of Alice, the White Rabbit, and the Mad Hatter sitting safely on the deck, ready to be bolted back onto their rightful spots on the structure. Though the water isn't flowing quite yet, the removal of heavy machinery and protective coverings indicates the project is entering its final stages.
Part of a Larger, Grand Transformation
While a splash pad refresh might seem like a minor blip, it represents another puzzle piece falling into place for Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The Victorian-style flagship resort has been undergoing a massive, multi-phase transformation expected to wrap up in early 2027.
This resort-wide evolution has already brought beautifully redesigned guest rooms, and in March 2026, guests celebrated the grand reopening of the stunningly reimagined Garden View Lounge, which blends classic Victorian elegance with subtle storybook nods to Alice’s adventures.
If you have a stay planned in the immediate future, do not let the construction fences deter you. The Grand Floridian's two primary swimming options—the sprawling, zero-entry Beach Pool and the more relaxed Courtyard Pool—remain fully open and operational.
In fact, Disney has quietly introduced a fantastic quality-of-life update at both pools: newly installed MagicBand readers. To help combat pool hopping and ensure that paying resort guests can actually find a lounge chair, you’ll now need to scan your MagicBand, MagicMobile pass, or physical Key to the World card to access the gated pool decks. It’s a highly requested change that should keep these premium swimming areas feeling like the peaceful sanctuaries they are meant to be.
Planning Your Stay
Because Disney operates these minor refurbishments on flexible timelines, there is no official reopening date listed on the Walt Disney World calendar. However, on-the-ground reports from resort cast members suggest that crews are aiming to have the splash pad fully functional by mid-September 2026.
This grand resort isn't the only deluxe property getting some love this year. The Grand Floridian's neighbor on the Monorail loop is currently executing a major Contemporary Resort exterior facelift (/blog/new-exterior-progress-as-contemporary-resort-facelift-powers-ahead-eefa7b), while over at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Kidani Village's gorgeous lobby update (/blog/kidani-villages-fresh-room-upgrades-get-a-gorgeous-lobby-makeover-d70b31) is well underway.
If you are traveling with young children who have their hearts set on sliding down the Mad Hatter's teacups, your best bet is to check in with the front desk upon arrival for the most up-to-the-minute operational schedule. In the meantime, you can easily hop on a water taxi or the Monorail over to [magic-kingdom] to enjoy other family-friendly cooling stations like the Casey Jr. Splash 'N' Soak Station in Storybook Circus.
Watching the resort's classic Victorian charm get polished alongside these playful storybook details is a great reminder of why the Grand Floridian remains such a beloved retreat. We can't wait to see the water dumping from that giant hat once again.