A major traffic shift is now in effect along the World Drive North project area. Walt Disney World’s first-ever (public roadway) roundabouts opened to traffic today, August 10th. The shift reroutes guests onto a new stretch of Floridian Way, past the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. We drove the new roadway ourselves this morning to see the change firsthand.
Walt Disney World’s First Roundabouts Open Along Floridian Way
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- Walt Disney World’s first two roundabouts are now open along the new Floridian Way roadway.
- The shift routes guests onto a newly built southbound stretch of road while crews construct the northbound lanes.
- A third roundabout near the Magic Kingdom parking lot has not yet been built.
Traffic Shift Now Underway
Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Administrator Stephanie Kopelousos announced the shift during a CFTOD Board of Supervisors meeting last month. She targeted an August 10th opening date at the time, as we reported in July. Guests are now routed onto the newly constructed southbound lanes. Those lanes run between an area near the Magic Kingdom parking lot, the entrance to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, and beyond to the Floridian Place road that leads to the north exit of Walt Disney World property.
Two of the project’s three planned roundabouts are open and handling traffic. Crews have not yet built the third roundabout, which is planned for the southernmost point of the project near the Magic Kingdom parking lot. That work is next in line. We want to stress that today’s shift is not the final configuration for the area. Crews will continue additional roadway and roundabout construction as they build out the corresponding northbound lanes. The full buildout isn’t expected until the project’s completion date in late 2027.
Join Us for A Drive
We captured a full point-of-view drive through both new roundabouts, showing the layout of the shift firsthand.
Guests planning a visit to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, or the Grand Floridian wedding pavilion should still expect temporary connector driveways at all three entrances. Those driveways are a stopgap as work continues on the surrounding roadway.
Please drive extra cautiously through this area. Not only is construction continuing right next to the road, but Orange County Sheriff officers are out and writing plenty of tickets. We saw three traffic stops in just about 20 minutes.
Story So Far
- CFTOD documents revealed the World Drive North Phase III project would be delayed by roughly 15 months, pushing the completion date to December 21st, 2027, as we reported in March.
- CFTOD Administrator Stephanie Kopelousos announced an early August opening for the new roadway during a Board of Supervisors meeting, as we reported in July.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!