The road into the Magic Kingdom area is about to change again. A traffic shift tied to the World Drive North Phase III project will route guests onto a new stretch of Floridian Way starting August 10, 2026. Here is a look at what is opening, how it affects resort access, and where the larger project stands.
The August 10 Traffic Shift
Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Administrator Stephanie Kopelousos announced the shift during a recent CFTOD Board of Supervisors meeting. The change moves guests onto a newly built section of Floridian Way and marks the next step in a project that has been underway for a while.
The plan puts all guest traffic into the southbound lanes that have already been constructed between the Magic Kingdom parking lot and the entrance to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. With drivers using that side of the road, crews can turn their attention to building the northbound lanes. Both directions of travel should already be in place from the Grand Floridian roundabout north to the project’s upper connection point.
Roundabouts Along the Corridor
Roundabouts are a central feature of the redesigned roadway. Two of the three planned roundabouts are already installed and ready to handle the coming traffic shift.
The third roundabout sits at the southern end of the project, near the Magic Kingdom parking lot. Crews have not built it yet, and it is the next major piece of work on the schedule. Because that roundabout and other roadway segments are still to come, the layout you see on August 10 is a step along the way rather than the finished product.
Resort Access During the Work
To keep guests moving while construction continues, crews have installed temporary connector driveways. These driveways maintain access to three key spots: the main entrance of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and the Grand Floridian wedding pavilion.
Think of these driveways as bridges that fill the gap until the permanent roadway is complete. If you are heading to any of those three locations, plan on using the temporary driveways as the primary way in for now. As the final roundabout and the northbound lanes take shape, further adjustments to these access points are possible.
The Permanent Plan for Entrances
The temporary setup points toward a more finished design down the road. Under an approved permit, the Grand Floridian Resort’s main entrance will eventually connect directly into one of the project’s permanent roundabouts.
The wedding pavilion is also set for a change. Plans call for a new entrance located south of the current one. Until that work wraps up, the temporary driveways keep the existing entrances functional while the surrounding roads continue to shift.
How Seven Seas Lagoon Fits In
Part of preparing for this shift involved cutting off the Seven Seas Lagoon connection to World Drive and Floridian Way. That change cleared the way for the new lane configuration to take effect.
For guests, this is a reminder that the area is an active work zone with a road network in transition. Familiar routes may not look or function the way they did on past visits, so it helps to pay attention to signage as you drive through.
Where the Larger Project Stands
The August 10 shift is one milestone in a project that has grown longer than first planned. The World Drive North Phase III work was delayed by roughly 15 months, which pushed the completion date to December 21, 2027.
That means additional roadway and roundabout construction will continue well past this summer. Guests should expect the corridor to keep evolving through late 2027 as each phase is finished and the permanent layout comes together.
Final Thoughts
The Floridian Way lane shift on August 10 moves the World Drive North project into its next stage while keeping resort entrances open through temporary driveways. With one roundabout still to build and the full completion set for December 2027, drivers in the area should stay alert and allow extra time as they travel to the Magic Kingdom, the Grand Floridian, and the Polynesian. Watching for updated signage will make each trip through the construction zone smoother.
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
