New Disney World permit shows plans to re-route Floridian Way and raises questions on future expansion near to Magic Kingdom

Oct 18, 2021 in "Magic Kingdom"

Posted: Monday October 18, 2021 10:35am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has filed a new permit with the South Florida Water Management District for the World Drive redevelopment project at Walt Disney World.

The World Drive project has been underway for several years and has brought new flyovers and roadways to improve the traffic passing near the Magic Kingdom and the area resort hotels.

This latest filing shows that Floridan Way will be re-routed across the Oak Trail Golf Course and behind a parking facility for Disney's Grand Floridian Resort. (Thanks to @danlb_2000 on the WDWMAGIC Forums for location the permit)

Notable, this frees up a piece of land north of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort in very close proximity to Magic Kingdom.

It is far too early to suggest that a new resort or an expansion to Disney's Grand Floridian is in immediate plans. Still, the roadway changes mean that Disney may have some long-term plans for that piece of land and need to move Floridian Way to achieve it.

Disney sparked new interest in Magic Kingdom area resort possibilities this past summer when a simple barrier and fence installed near the Seven Seas Lagoon suggested that Disney may once again be exploring building on perhaps the most valuable piece of unbuilt land at Disney World near to Disney's Contemporary Resort.


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ToTBellHop17 days ago

Disstevefan117 days ago

I love roundabout (traffic circles) for lower traffic situations, not so sure about high traffic situations.

Nthderivative17 days ago

The intersection of Seven Seas Drive and Floridian Way has been altered as of November 13th to allow for additional space for construction of the roundabout. The traffic flow haven't changed, just slightly moved.

NthderivativeAug 17, 2023

Tree clearing for phase 3 started this morning, in the area around the intersection of seven seas drive and Floridian way.

dmwJun 27, 2022

I LOVE Holey Moley!!!!

JoeCamelJun 23, 2022

That was the refrain I've heard so many times. Central shops is was able to do miracles.

BrianJun 22, 2022

It 'aint what it used to be, especially following COVID shutdowns.

Smiley/OCDJun 22, 2022

Don’t laugh but in the 70’s, Arnold Palmer used to own a chain of driving ranges and miniature golf courses, so anything is possible! Lol

SirwalterraleighJun 22, 2022

I can’t believe legal greenlit that… The cancer lawsuits are gonna be off the hook

JoeCamelJun 22, 2022

Yep - a briss Is there no one left in central shops? You know they can make anything........

monothingieJun 22, 2022

MisterPenguinJun 22, 2022

Hope they don't run into a windmill supply chain issue.

DCBakerJun 22, 2022

Update from Disney on the reimagining of Disney's Magnolia Golf Course - "In the coming months, Arnold Palmer Golf Management will be improving Disney's Magnolia Golf Course, as they reimagine holes 14 through 17 on the finishing stretch of the course. These course updates will be designed and overseen by Ken Baker, who has extensive design experience internationally and is currently the head of golf course design at One Club Limited. The details of the reimagined holes are not yet final and are subject to change. We will release updated information as it becomes final as the anticipation builds towards completion later this year. We plan to share status updates throughout this project and look forward to showcasing other enhancements to the golf experience at Disney's Magnolia Golf Course, as the current plan calls for a full reconstruction to all 18 of Disney's Magnolia Golf Course greens! Each of the four holes are anticipated to be reimagined primarily as follows: Hole 14 - Currently a par 5, will become a par 4, with a new green location Hole 15 - Currently a par 3, will shift location and become a long par 5, dogleg to the right Hole 16 - Will shift location and remain a par 4, but will now become a dogleg to the left Hole 17 - Currently a par 4, will become a par 3, with new tee box locations Holes 16 and 17 will be connected with a new wooden bridge through the forest. There will be several new fairway and greenside bunkers engineered to accommodate the shifting hole locations, and a selection of new teeing grounds suited to test each level of player. The changes to the holes will retain the par 72 traditional nature of the golf course." https://www.golfwdw.com/blog-1/361-walt-disney-world-resort-is-excited-to-announce-the-reimagining-of-disney-s-magnolia-golf-course

JoeCamelApr 24, 2022

No, it is a briss