The Mad Hatter's Hat Is Unwrapped at the Grand Floridian Splash Pad, but the Water Is Still Off
The giant Mad Hatter hat water bucket at the Alice in Wonderland-themed splash pad at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has been uncovered after being wrapped in plastic since August 12. Water is still not running, a construction lift remains on site, and Disney has not announced a reopening date.
The giant Mad Hatter hat that crowns the Alice in Wonderland-themed splash pad at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has been unwrapped, a visible sign of progress on a refurbishment that arrived without warning. The water bucket is uncovered, but water is still not flowing through the play area or the slides, and the splash pad remains closed.
The Buzz
The closure was never announced, so families arriving at the Grand Floridian have been finding the splash pad shut with no explanation and no reopening date. Any visible change to the site, the hat coming out of its plastic wrap, is currently the only progress report available.
Where the Work Stands
The splash pad closed for an unannounced refurbishment on August 12. At that point the hat bucket had been wrapped in plastic and the slides were blocked off, the standard signs of a job that involves resurfacing or repainting rather than a quick mechanical fix.
The plastic is now off the hat, but a construction lift was still parked nearby during the latest visit, and the water features remain dry. An unwrapped centerpiece with a lift still on site typically means the finish work on the structure is done and the surrounding elements are next.
One other detail suggests the job is heading toward reassembly: the portraits of Alice, the White Rabbit and the Mad Hatter that normally sit on the structure have been spotted off to the side. They may be getting prepped to be reattached, which would be one of the last steps before the area is handed back.
Current Status
- Closed since: August 12, 2026, for an unannounced refurbishment
- Now uncovered: The Mad Hatter hat water bucket
- Still off: Water through the play area and the slides
- Still on site: A construction lift
- Set aside: The Alice, White Rabbit and Mad Hatter portraits
- Reopening date: Not announced
Why This Closure Stings for Families
The Alice in Wonderland splash pad is not a garnish at the Grand Floridian: it is the resort's dedicated play option for younger children, sitting alongside the main pool complex. Families booking Disney's flagship Victorian resort at flagship prices frequently build a mid-day break around it, particularly in Florida's late-summer heat when the parks are least tolerable in the afternoon.
Its theming also does real work. The Grand Floridian is otherwise the most restrained resort on property, all white railings and red gables and a lobby pianist. The tipping teacups, the oversized hat and the character portraits are one of the few places where the hotel lets itself be openly whimsical.
Watch for the Portraits Going Back Up
Disney has not announced an official reopening date, and because the closure was unannounced in the first place, there is unlikely to be advance notice of the reopening either. The most reliable indicator available to guests is physical: the portraits of Alice, the White Rabbit and the Mad Hatter returning to the structure, and the construction lift leaving. Once water is flowing through the slides again, the pad is back. Until then, families booked at the Grand Floridian should plan on the main pool, and it is worth asking at check-in, since front desk teams get restart dates before they are published anywhere.