- Mar 13, 2024
- 8,649
- 36
Several Disney World restaurants are going through some major changes in 2026.
Lobster Thermidor Burger
From menu overhauls to refurbishments of their physical spaces, these dining locations are going to look pretty different by the end of the year. That’s why we’re bringing you the whole list — so you can be prepared when making food decisions for your Disney World trip!
Starting out the list, we have some happy news! Garden View Lounge at the Grand Floridian reopened earlier in 2026 after a six-year closure due to the pandemic. Prior to its reopening, the space was refurbished to match the new look of the Grand Flo’s lobby.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Magical Guides-Afternoon-Tea-Tower-The-Garden-View-Lounge-—-Tea-Experience-Grand-Floridian-Resort-Spa-Disney-World-Photo-Mar-26-2026-3-17-18-PM-1-4032-x-3024-700x562.jpg
Tea Party Tart
The reopened tea experience here is $79 per adult and $49 for children, though there are some add-on upgrades available. It’s now themed to Alice in Wonderland with character-inspired beverages and bites. Reservations can be challenging to snag since it’s a rather small space, so make sure you’re ON it if you want to dine here for your trip!
A big year for lounges in Disney World! Crew’s Cup Lounge is the lounge associated with Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club Resort. It closed in February 2026 to get a refurbishment and reopened in mid-May. You can dine here daily from 4 PM to 11 PM.
Crew’s Cup Lounge
The interior of the lounge got a refresh, but not much changed with the style of the decor — it’s still as cozy as we remember. And as for the menu, all of our favorites remain available! You can snag the delicious Yachtsman Signature Bread Service, as well as Prime Rib Sliders (we LOVE), a few salads, Lobster Bisque, and more.
Currently, through August 2026, Yachtsman Steakhouse is closed. This is the main restaurant attached to the Crew’s Cup Lounge, and it’s a signature dining location with American, steakhouse-inspired dining. During its closure, the restaurant will be refurbished.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20250623-Magical Guides-_-Yachtsman-Steakhouse-_-Yacht-and-Beach-Club-_-Disney-World-Deluxe-Resort-Photo-Jun-23-2025-5-31-10-PM-5712-x-4284-700x525.jpg
Yachtsman Steakhouse
A reopening date hasn’t yet been revealed, but if you’d like to go after it reopens, we highly recommend reservations. Also, keep in mind that this dining location has a dress code.
Grand Floridian Cafe is the premier brunch spot at (you guessed it!) Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is closing for a refurbishment from mid-July through October 2026. During that time, brunch will continue to be offered, but you’ll need to go to Citricos upstairs for the menu.
Mickey waffle with chicken? Yes, please!
Dinner service will not be offered during the closure. After most of the Grand Floridian has been updated in the past few years, we’re not surprised to see another closure on the schedule. 1900 Park Fare got redecorated while it was closed during the pandemic, as well as Citricos and Garden View Lounge. It’s likely that Disney will also give this restaurant decor updates to fit with the new Grand Floridian theming.
This spot may have just opened at the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort in 2024, but it’s already getting some updates. Wailulu Bar & Grill is under construction through late June, as some work is done on the roofing of the restaurant. During the construction, the restaurant has remained open.
Wailulu Construction
You may see and hear construction outside while this project is ongoing. The bar will only offer walk-up service every day until 5 PM during this construction period, and seating will not be available. However, seating will resume from 5 PM through close.
Outside of Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at the main part of the Polynesian Village Resort is Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace. This outdoor patio restaurant offers water views and fun drinks, but it’s temporarily closed through June at least. There’s no reopening date listed on the website at this time.
Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace
If you want a drink during the closure, you can head inside to Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto or go indoors and upstairs to the Tambu Lounge. The pool bars also remain open at this hotel.
Diamond Horseshoe in Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom is typically a table service spot where you can order a Thanksgiving-inspired feast. However, for the summer months, this restaurant has closed to be transformed for Cool KIDS’ SUMMER.
Bullseye!
Until September 8th, this spot is home to Jessie’s Roundup, where you can see Jessie, Woody, Bullseye, and friends as they dance, perform, and interact with fans. It’s a limited-time offering, so dining service is expected to resume in fall 2026.
One of Disney World’s most popular spots (and hardest-to-score reservations) is ‘Ohana at the Polynesian Village Resort. The Polynesian is currently undergoing extensive exterior maintenance, and during that time, views from the windows at ‘Ohana may be obstructed.
The ‘Ohana dinner skillet!
This is important to note as many folks plan to dine at this restaurant during fireworks, hoping to get a glimpse of Happily Ever After and Cinderella Castle. If that’s your goal, you might want to wait until construction is complete. Currently, there’s no set end date on the Disney World website.
Over at Disney Springs, the cupcake store, Sprinkles, closed earlier this year. The dining spot was known for its variety of flavorful cupcakes and its cupcake ATM. It was a nationwide chain, and all locations shut down.
We’ll miss you!
The old location briefly played host to a Black Tap CrazyShakes pop-up from March 2nd through June 1st. Now, the restaurant is still vacant as we await its next occupant.
And finally, we’re heading to Animal Kingdom. When DinoLand U.S.A. shut down earlier this year, Restaurantosaurus closed with it. That spot was the park’s quintessential “burgers and chicken tenders” restaurant, and Disney decided to move many of the menu items over to Harambe Market in Africa.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Magical Guides-Harambe-Market-Foods-Africa-Animal-Kingdom-Photo-Feb-02-2026-11-38-24-AM-4032-x-3024-700x525.jpg
Harambe Market
The menu now has a mix of American and African-inspired fare. It’s a great blend for picky and adventurous eaters!
Those are some of the big restaurant changes that hit Disney World this year. For more dining updates, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media!
Which of these dining changes is going to impact your trip? Let us know in the comments!
Lobster Thermidor Burger
From menu overhauls to refurbishments of their physical spaces, these dining locations are going to look pretty different by the end of the year. That’s why we’re bringing you the whole list — so you can be prepared when making food decisions for your Disney World trip!
Garden View Lounge
Starting out the list, we have some happy news! Garden View Lounge at the Grand Floridian reopened earlier in 2026 after a six-year closure due to the pandemic. Prior to its reopening, the space was refurbished to match the new look of the Grand Flo’s lobby.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Magical Guides-Afternoon-Tea-Tower-The-Garden-View-Lounge-—-Tea-Experience-Grand-Floridian-Resort-Spa-Disney-World-Photo-Mar-26-2026-3-17-18-PM-1-4032-x-3024-700x562.jpg
Tea Party Tart
The reopened tea experience here is $79 per adult and $49 for children, though there are some add-on upgrades available. It’s now themed to Alice in Wonderland with character-inspired beverages and bites. Reservations can be challenging to snag since it’s a rather small space, so make sure you’re ON it if you want to dine here for your trip!
Crew’s Cup Lounge
A big year for lounges in Disney World! Crew’s Cup Lounge is the lounge associated with Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club Resort. It closed in February 2026 to get a refurbishment and reopened in mid-May. You can dine here daily from 4 PM to 11 PM.
Crew’s Cup Lounge
The interior of the lounge got a refresh, but not much changed with the style of the decor — it’s still as cozy as we remember. And as for the menu, all of our favorites remain available! You can snag the delicious Yachtsman Signature Bread Service, as well as Prime Rib Sliders (we LOVE), a few salads, Lobster Bisque, and more.
Yachtsman Steakhouse
Currently, through August 2026, Yachtsman Steakhouse is closed. This is the main restaurant attached to the Crew’s Cup Lounge, and it’s a signature dining location with American, steakhouse-inspired dining. During its closure, the restaurant will be refurbished.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20250623-Magical Guides-_-Yachtsman-Steakhouse-_-Yacht-and-Beach-Club-_-Disney-World-Deluxe-Resort-Photo-Jun-23-2025-5-31-10-PM-5712-x-4284-700x525.jpg
Yachtsman Steakhouse
A reopening date hasn’t yet been revealed, but if you’d like to go after it reopens, we highly recommend reservations. Also, keep in mind that this dining location has a dress code.
Grand Floridian Cafe
Grand Floridian Cafe is the premier brunch spot at (you guessed it!) Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is closing for a refurbishment from mid-July through October 2026. During that time, brunch will continue to be offered, but you’ll need to go to Citricos upstairs for the menu.
Mickey waffle with chicken? Yes, please!
Dinner service will not be offered during the closure. After most of the Grand Floridian has been updated in the past few years, we’re not surprised to see another closure on the schedule. 1900 Park Fare got redecorated while it was closed during the pandemic, as well as Citricos and Garden View Lounge. It’s likely that Disney will also give this restaurant decor updates to fit with the new Grand Floridian theming.
Wailulu Bar & Grill
This spot may have just opened at the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort in 2024, but it’s already getting some updates. Wailulu Bar & Grill is under construction through late June, as some work is done on the roofing of the restaurant. During the construction, the restaurant has remained open.
Wailulu Construction
You may see and hear construction outside while this project is ongoing. The bar will only offer walk-up service every day until 5 PM during this construction period, and seating will not be available. However, seating will resume from 5 PM through close.
Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace
Outside of Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at the main part of the Polynesian Village Resort is Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace. This outdoor patio restaurant offers water views and fun drinks, but it’s temporarily closed through June at least. There’s no reopening date listed on the website at this time.
Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace
If you want a drink during the closure, you can head inside to Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto or go indoors and upstairs to the Tambu Lounge. The pool bars also remain open at this hotel.
Diamond Horseshoe
Diamond Horseshoe in Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom is typically a table service spot where you can order a Thanksgiving-inspired feast. However, for the summer months, this restaurant has closed to be transformed for Cool KIDS’ SUMMER.
Bullseye!
Until September 8th, this spot is home to Jessie’s Roundup, where you can see Jessie, Woody, Bullseye, and friends as they dance, perform, and interact with fans. It’s a limited-time offering, so dining service is expected to resume in fall 2026.
‘Ohana
One of Disney World’s most popular spots (and hardest-to-score reservations) is ‘Ohana at the Polynesian Village Resort. The Polynesian is currently undergoing extensive exterior maintenance, and during that time, views from the windows at ‘Ohana may be obstructed.
The ‘Ohana dinner skillet!
This is important to note as many folks plan to dine at this restaurant during fireworks, hoping to get a glimpse of Happily Ever After and Cinderella Castle. If that’s your goal, you might want to wait until construction is complete. Currently, there’s no set end date on the Disney World website.
Sprinkles
Over at Disney Springs, the cupcake store, Sprinkles, closed earlier this year. The dining spot was known for its variety of flavorful cupcakes and its cupcake ATM. It was a nationwide chain, and all locations shut down.
We’ll miss you!
The old location briefly played host to a Black Tap CrazyShakes pop-up from March 2nd through June 1st. Now, the restaurant is still vacant as we await its next occupant.
Harambe Market
And finally, we’re heading to Animal Kingdom. When DinoLand U.S.A. shut down earlier this year, Restaurantosaurus closed with it. That spot was the park’s quintessential “burgers and chicken tenders” restaurant, and Disney decided to move many of the menu items over to Harambe Market in Africa.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Magical Guides-Harambe-Market-Foods-Africa-Animal-Kingdom-Photo-Feb-02-2026-11-38-24-AM-4032-x-3024-700x525.jpg
Harambe Market
The menu now has a mix of American and African-inspired fare. It’s a great blend for picky and adventurous eaters!
Those are some of the big restaurant changes that hit Disney World this year. For more dining updates, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media!
Join the Magical Guides Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
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Which of these dining changes is going to impact your trip? Let us know in the comments!
