If you have Disney World dining reservations lined up for August, it's worth a quick double-check. Three resort restaurants are offline for refurbishment that month, and arriving to find your dinner spot closed is nobody's idea of a magical vacation.
Grand Floridian Cafe, the relaxed table-service spot inside Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa beloved for dishes like Buttermilk-Fried Chicken and Waffles, closed July 20, 2026, and is expected to remain closed through October 2026 as part of a broader multi-year resort refresh. Brunch service hasn't disappeared entirely — it's temporarily shifted to Cítricos — but that restaurant is handling extra demand on top of its regular dinner crowd, so early reservations are strongly advised.
Over at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, The Turf Club Bar & Grill has been in a phased refurbishment since mid-March 2026, but August marks the one stretch when the full-service dining room goes completely dark — roughly late August through late September 2026. A silver lining: The Turf Club Lounge, which had its own earlier closure, reopens during this same window, and Disney Springs is just a short walk or boat ride away for Saratoga Springs guests who need a meal.
Yachtsman Steakhouse, the Signature Dining steakhouse at Disney's Yacht Club Resort known for its in-house dry-aged beef, has been closed since May 11, 2026. It remains unavailable through most of August, though Disney's reservation system has opened bookings starting August 28, 2026 — a strong indicator that date marks the planned reopening, even though Disney hasn't officially confirmed what changes guests can expect inside.
Disney World watchers can find ongoing updates on all three restaurant timelines at DisneyFoodBlog.com.
