Disney's Grand Floridian Parking Expansion Gets Green Light from Florida Water Authority

Disney has received environmental permit approval for its planned parking modifications at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

The South Florida Water Management District issued Individual Environmental Resource Permit No. 48-117108-P on August 7, 2026, to Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. The permit covers the "GF Parking Modifications" project in Orange County and expires August 7, 2031.

Grand Floridian Parking Expansion Plans - June 2026

The permit authorizes construction and operation of a stormwater management system serving 3.6 acres of the Grand Floridian property. The project covers parking lot infrastructure and driveway modifications that connect to the World Drive North Phase 3 project currently underway nearby.

Grand Floridian Parking Expansion Plans - June 2026

As we reported when the plans were first filed, the work involves two areas:

• A 3.40-acre zone covering the Grand Floridian DVC and Wedding Pavilion parking areas
• A 0.20-acre connection zone near the Island Tower DVC building

The plans show a reconfiguration of existing parking to create more spaces, forming a continuous parking area between the Grand Floridian DVC building and the new Polynesian Island Tower. A new connector — which appears to be a covered walkway — links the DVC building to the parking loop in front of the Wedding Pavilion.

The engineering data included in the permit gives a clearer picture of the project's scope:

• Total site area: 3.60 acres
• Impervious surface (parking, drives): 3.01 acres (83.6% of total)
• Pervious surface: 0.59 acres (16.4% of total)

Stormwater from the site will be treated through a wet detention system before discharge to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District master stormwater system.