2026-2027 Hotel Construction & Refurbishments at Disney World
Hotel refurbishments, resort construction, and character-inspired makeovers continue at Walt Disney World from now through 2027. This resource provides info on room renovations, what to avoid, where to book, and what to expect in terms of hotel work at Walt Disney World.
Walt Disney World continues to undertake refurbishments in an effort to modernize or refresh several of its resorts, as well as finish deferred maintenance that was postponed during the phased reopening. Consequently, there’s a growing number of smaller-scale projects that take certain buildings or a portion of rooms out of commission as part of more-targeted, rolling refurbishments.
We do Walt Disney World monthly hotel stays, usually emphasizing resorts where there are new things, changes, or ongoing construction to see how that harms, improves, or otherwise impacts the guest experience. If you’ve yet to book a hotel for your upcoming Walt Disney World vacation and want to be notified about all of the latest resort changes, sign up here for our FREE Disney newsletter here.
When booking a Walt Disney World vacation, we highly recommend taking into account recently-completed and ongoing construction projects at the various resorts, as these absolutely can impact the quality of your trip. Booking a hotel with a closed pool or construction noise and cranes right outside your window is obviously going to be a worse experience than a resort that just finished its big refurbishment and still has that fresh feeling and ‘new hotel’ smell.
Note that this does not include DVC villas if they do not impact the hotel side of a resort. For those projects, see our Disney Vacation Club Resort Refurbishments & Construction Timeline. That covers all of the room reimaginings at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and beyond that we just announced at the condo association meeting. Those projects also impact Boulder Ridge, Bay Lake Tower, and both Crescent Lake DVC resorts.
Suffice to say, a lot is happening on the hotel front at Walt Disney World. Let’s take a look at all of the current and upcoming major hotel projects that have the potential to impact guests, starting with the latest updates…
Ongoing or Upcoming Hotel Refurbishments
Disney Skyliner – From January 24, 2027, through January 30, 2027, Disney Skyliner will be closed for refurbishment. Complimentary bus service will be available.
Impacted Resorts:
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas
- Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
- Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
We strongly recommend avoiding Skyliner resorts during this time, which does not include the Crescent Lake hotels. See Disney Skyliner Gondolas Closing for Quick Refurbishment in 2027 for more info and detailed advice.
All Star Movies Resort – Beginning in late May 2026, the rooms at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort will undergo planned refurbishment through the end of January 2027. During this time, Guests may see or hear construction work in the area, and alternate paths of travel may be in place.
This will almost assuredly by a soft goods refurbishment similar to the one recently completed at Pop Century. That  means updating furnishings, including but not limited to wall coverings, flooring, linens, decor, and some furniture. The redone rooms at Pop Century look great: First Look Photo Tour of New Rooms at Disney’s Pop Century Resort.
This is also almost assuredly the start of a phased multi-year soft goods refurbishment to all of the All Stars. See Walt Disney World Gearing Up for Years-Long Value Resorts Room Refurbishment, Likely Lasting to 2028 or 2029 for more.
All Star Sports Resort – From now through late April 2026, the Surfboard Bay Pool and the kiddie pool at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort will be closed for maintenance.
During this time, the Grand Slam Leisure Pool (pictured above) at Disney’s All-Star Sports will continue to be available. Additionally, Guests are welcome to use the other pools throughout Disney’s All-Star Resorts, including the Calypso Pool, Piano Pool and kiddie pool at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort; and the Fantasia Pool, Duck Pond Pool and kiddie pool at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort.
We’re big fans of the Grand Slam Leisure Pool, but it’ll probably be busy as a result. Accordingly, our second-favorite All Star pool is Calypso Pool at Music. Duck Pond at Movies is also a winner.
Animal Kingdom Lodge – From now through May 2026, guest rooms at Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge will undergo refurbishment, followed by refurbishment work at Jambo House from May 2026 through January 2027. During these times, guests may see or hear construction work in the area. All amenities will remain available throughout the refurbishment.
We covered what to expect from this construction at length in Room Reimagining at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge through 2027. What’s still unclear about this project involves the hotel side of Animal Kingdom Lodge, or just the Animal Kingdom Villas. The latter is the DVC side of the resort, and what is overdue for a refurbishment. Even so, by the time the DVC work is done in 2027, the hotel rooms might be due for another refresh.
Beach Club Resort – This hotel is undergoing visible exterior maintenance through late 2026, which will impact views from various locations throughout the resort, and at times, require alternate paths of travel.
As part of this work, the Tidal leisure pool will be closed for routine maintenance through early May 2026. Guests may see or hear refurbishment work in the area until the work is complete.
BoardWalk Inn – Throughout 2026, refurbishment work will take place in select areas of Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. While Guests may see or hear work during daytime hours, most Resort amenities—including dining, recreation, and merchandise locations—will remain available.
Walt Disney World still has not revealed what, exactly, this project entails. Based on what BoardWalk needs done, there’s a wide range of possibilities. At minimum, we know it’s a major project by virtue of it lasting throughout 2026. As for possibilities, see our comprehensive discussion in Big BoardWalk Mystery Construction Project in 2026.
From January 11, 2027 to April 2027, the Luna Park Pool, the Luna Park Crazy Play Area, and Leaping Horse Libations at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas will be closed for routine maintenance. Guests may see and hear construction until the work is complete. However, the Villas Pool and the Inn Pool will remain open for Guests to enjoy.
Luna Park Pool is the feature pool at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, and it was last redone back in late 2020 to remove the “creepy clown” from the water slide. Hopefully this project is to reinstall that beloved, dead-eyed, spaghettios-haired clown!
Contemporary Resort – From now through late 2027, refurbishments will occur in select areas of Disney’s Contemporary Resort—including Bay Lake Tower and the main A-frame atrium. Please allow for extra travel time. Guests may also see and hear construction during their stay.
This multi-phased project has been underway for over a year already, and previously revolved around BLT. That’s finished now, and the description has been updated to drop the Convention Center and add the atrium. No visible work has begun in the A-frame, but is expected to start soon.
Additionally, from now through early May 2026, the Bay Cove Pool, the water play area and the whirlpool spa at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort will temporarily be closed for maintenance. The Bay Lake Pool, the Cove Bar, the feature pool, the water play area and the whirlpool spa at Disney’s Contemporary Resort will remain open for Guests to enjoy.
From now through Late May 2026, there will also be exterior elevator landing repairs taking place at Bay Lake Tower. Consequently, the Skyway Bridge connecting Bay Lake Tower and the Contemporary Main Tower will be closed Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., reopening daily after 5 p.m. and remaining available evenings and weekends through May 1, 2026. Guests may need to use alternate paths of travel at times and may see or hear construction activity while work is underway.
Fort Wilderness Campground – Walt Disney World has introduced New DVC Cabins to Fort Wilderness Campground. More than 350 new cabins have replaced the old cabins, turning the resort side of the campground into a Disney Vacation Club property. This occurred loop by loop over the last two years and is now finished.
From now through mid-2026, construction will take place near the Meadow Swimmin’ Pool area. The Meadow Swimmin’ Pool and Wilderness Swimmin’ Pool will remain open for Guests to enjoy. During this time, seating availability around the Meadow Swimmin’ Pool may be limited and Guests may see or hear construction in the area. The nearby tennis courts, volleyball court and the Meadow Playground may be closed temporarily. Please note that Guests may see and hear construction in the area until the work is complete.
Right next door to Fort Wilderness is the construction of Disney Lakeshore Lodge (formerly Reflections), which has now reached its top height of 10 stories tall! This quite literally towers over the Settlement area, and construction has an outsized impact on Fort Wilderness guests, as cranes build that massive new resort about 100 yards from Fort Wilderness.
Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – Disney Vacation Club overhauled the Big Pine Key building of hotel rooms at Walt Disney World’s flagship resort. This building has since reopened and the new rooms have debuted–see Grand New Rooms at Walt Disney World’s Flagship Resort for a look inside. These reimagined rooms have since debuted on the regular resort side of the Grand Floridian, and all of the outlying buildings are now finished.
As part of the ongoing enhancements at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, refurbishment work will continue in select areas, including the porte cochere, through early 2027. Guests may see or hear refurbishment work during daytime hours or need to take alternate paths of travel. This project was recently extended from mid-2026 to early 2027 with the “including the porte cochere” line.
As part of this work, from mid-July through October 2026, Grand Floridian Cafe will temporarily close for a refresh. During this time, brunch will continue to be offered but will temporarily move to CÃtricos. All other dining locations at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will remain available for Guests to enjoy. Guests may see or hear refurbishment work during daytime hours and may need to take alternate paths of travel.
The main fruit of this project is the lobby overhaul, which is now completed. This includes “The Perch,” or the Birdcage Bar that replaced the iconic aviary in the lobby.
Old Key West Resort – Now through late April 2026, the South Point Pool and Spa, BBQ area and playground at Disney’s Old Key West Resort will be closed for routine maintenance.
During this time, Guests may see or hear maintenance activity during daytime hours and are encouraged to use the Sandcastle Pool or one of the resort’s other two leisure pools – the Turtle Pond Pool and Miller’s Road Pool.
Speaking of which, this follows the completion of the Turtle Pond Pool, Turtle Pond Pool Spa, the BBQ area refurbishment. It seems that Old Key West might be doing a phased refurbishment to its leisure pools.
Polynesian Village Resort – The good news is that the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows between the existing Polynesian longhouses and Wedding Pavilion, near the Grand Floridian, is now open. The bad news is that work at the Polynesian isn’t finished.
Through 2026, some areas of the Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows are being refurbished. This work includes the reconfiguration of the front entrance roadway and bus area. While construction activity will be noticeable during daytime hours, efforts will be made to minimize disruptions.
Walt Disney World filed permits for a new entrance to the Polynesian (which would also impact the parking lot and bus loop), and there’s major work being done to re-route and expand Floridian Way, so that’s probably what’s referenced for the construction and refurbishments through 2026. This will be a lengthy project that is very minimally impactful to both the Poly and Grand Floridian.
Additionally, some views of the theme parks and other surrounding areas may be impacted. This is now noticeable around the Great Ceremonial House, to the point that Walt Disney World is warning guests who book ‘Ohana about impaired views of Magic Kingdom. Although this impacts ‘Ohana, we recently dined at the adjacent Tambu Lounge and enjoyed unblemished views.
Finally, there’s a new construction notice that was just added: from May 11, 2026 through late June 2026, the boat dock at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort will undergo routine maintenance. The dock will be closed and boat transportation to suspended from May 11-June 5, 2026. Please allow for extra travel time when arriving at or leaving the Poly.
We’d recommend heeding this ‘allow extra travel time’ warning, especially when leaving the Poly during peak periods. We already encountered long lines more than once for the monorail at times in April 2026, and that was before the boat dock refurbishment started. Without that to help absorb some of the crowd, the monorail station will be even busier.
Pop Century – From now through late April 2026, the kiddie pool deck at Disney’s Pop Century Resort will be closed for routine maintenance. During this time, the Hippy Dippy Pool and all other amenities will remain available. Guests may see or hear maintenance activity in the area during daytime hours.
The good news is that Pop Century is otherwise in tip-top shape, with the year-long resort refurbishment having wrapped up. We stayed at Pop Century this month (April 2026) prior to the pool deck closure, and the resort is looking fantastic!
Port Orleans Riverside – Walt Disney World has started its next slate of room reimaginings at Port Orleans Riverside, from now through August 2027.
The first phase of this project, impacts the Magnolia Bend rooms, which are mostly the Royal Rooms. When Magnolia Bend is done (which should be really soon), it’ll be time for Alligator Bayou to receive its next round of room redos and crews will move to that side of the resort. Accordingly, making a room request for Magnolia Bend in Spring 2026 and beyond will mitigate exposure to the second phase of this project.
Although not officially confirmed, it’s a near-certainty that the normal rooms in Alligator Bayou receiving a hard goods refurbishment is the second phase of this project. See Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort Room Reimagining Extended by Year-Plus to 2027 for more.
Saratoga Springs – Through mid-September 2026, The Turf Club Bar & Grill and The Turf Club Lounge at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will be under refurbishment. During portions of the refurbishment, some areas will be temporarily closed, including:
- Through early August 2026:Â The Turf Club Lounge (The Turf Club Bar & Grill will remain open with a pop-up bar serving a modified Lounge food & beverage menu)
- Early to mid-August 2026: The Turf Club patio
- Mid-August – mid-September, 2026: The Turf Club Bar & Grill (The Turf Club Lounge will remain open)
Turf Club Bar & Grill is the restaurant itself, so the notable portion of this refurbishment doesn’t start until August 2026 and should wrap up in the span of a month. Fortunately, there’s ample options a short walk away at Disney Springs.
The tennis courts at Saratoga Springs are now closed for refurbishment and are expected to reopen in June 2026. During this time, the basketball court will also be closed.
Wilderness Lodge – Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge are undergoing exterior refurbishment work expected to continue through late 2026. These enhancements may impact views from various locations throughout the Resort. While most resort amenities will remain available, Guests may see and hear construction work during daytime hours.
The exterior work could actually impact Wilderness Lodge until 2027 if permits are accurate. As we discuss in greater detail in this post about Wilderness Lodge construction, that doesn’t really give us pause about staying there. With room requests, you may not notice any of the work at all.
In addition to this, there’s the above-mentioned resumption of work on Disney Lakeshore Lodge on the former River Country water park site. That will be less impactful to guests staying at Wilderness Lodge than Fort Wilderness, but there will be audible and visible construction from the Boulder Ridge side of the resort, especially.
From now through late July 2026, the boat dock at Wilderness Lodge will undergo routine maintenance. The dock will be closed and boat transportation temporarily suspended through May 1, 2026. This is the second phased closure of the boat dock this year, and bus transportation was available as an alternative during the first. We’d expect the same this go-round.
Yacht Club – Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is undergoing visible exterior maintenance through late 2026, which will impact views from various locations throughout the resort, and at times, require alternate paths of travel.
As part of this work, from now through early May 2026, the Admiral leisure pool will be closed for routine maintenance. Guests may see or hear work in the area during daytime hours until the refurbishment is complete.
In addition, Crew’s Cup Lounge is now closed, and is expected to reopen in May 2026. Following that, Yachtsman Steakhouse will temporarily close for a refresh in May 2026 and is expected to reopen by August 2026.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
Have any recent observations or experiences with hotel construction at Walt Disney World you’d be willing to share? Where at Walt Disney World are you staying this year or in 2027? Any resorts you’re intentionally avoiding? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments of these resort refurbishment or reimagining projects? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Animal Kingdom Villas is due for their hard refurb in 2023. Has anyone heard any word on potential dates?
We have a standard view studio reserved at the Grand Floridian the end of October (2022). We’ve already been told we’re going to be in the Big Pine Key building in a room with two beds instead of a bed and sleeper sofa.
Exciting! Those new rooms look fantastic in finished form!
Does anyone know when they may do some upgrades to the DVC property at Beach Club? When we stayed there last year, the rooms looked to be in need of some work.
Hi. I just saw a posting regarding a new construction permit that was issued for beach club resort in 2022/23. The person who shared it did not have any information on dates or what part of beach club will be addressed. I will search for the reply and post it here if I find it.
https://insidethemagic.net/2022/06/disney-construction-permit-beach-club-resort-rwb1/
It’s just posted for “general construction” so imagine it’s not an overhaul
Any info on an update at Bay Lake? When I search for DVC rooms the notes under Bay Lake appear to indicate work being done in the resort besides the pool areas, but I’m unsure if they’re referring to the Contemporary? Bay Lake could use a refurb/refresh!!
I wonder why the garden rooms still exist at the Contemporary? Why hasn’t Disney built a second/matching DVC tower on that side of the property? Certainly a better choice than the planned ugly Polynesian DVC building.
Thanks for the recurring updates – you guys are the best source of everything Disney!!!
I’m planning a trip during August, from the 14th to the 28th. My reservation is for the All Stars Sports. Do you believe the renovations will be done by then? Should I change my reservation to another All Star Resort?
Thanks!
I doubt the room refurbishments will be done by then, but they’ve typically done them building by building, so usually there isn’t much of an impact to other guests. With that said, “usually” in this case is a couple of years ago, so who knows.
Personally, I’d move to Music or Movies just because I’d rather be guaranteed a new room.
Anyone know anything about the status of Garden Wing renovations?
Just got back from the Garden Wing garden view room. A+ trip. Room was Incredibles theme with carpet. They were still working on some rooms with the pool view, and possibly with the parking lot view. Didn’t really go on the parking lot side so not much to say about that. The refurbishment work did not interfere with the stay at all. I hope you have as good a time as we did!
Has a one recently stayed in Bay Lake Tower Deluxe Studio? I’m staying there in August (4 adults) using a friends DVC points and I’m concerned about it being too small and the pull-out couch uncomfortable! Any info to ease my worries??
I believe the studios at BLT are some of the smallest of the legacy resorts. 4 adults might be a squeeze if you plan to be in the room a lot.
They are the smallest studios on property. It will be a squeeze with four adults in a Bay Lake studio, unfortunately.
Any update on the Garden Wing?
Does anyone know the status of the remodeled villas at VGF? We are staying in a 1 bedroom villa in June and was curious if the rooms have been updated yet .
Julia
I have the same question
We are staying in a one bedroom VGF beginning of August . hoping refurb is done
Anyone have any info or strong feeling about this ?
So Allstar Sports opened but no rooms were refurbished?? So far not one person has reported being a new room. Seems odd to be closed this long with nothing being done to theses old, tired rooms.
This appears correct; if folks choose the All Star resorts, choose wisely – Movies or Music. Personally, I’d stay at Pop Century for the Skyliner, but I do understand the appeal of the lower rates at All Star or the family Suites at Music.
Note, I do think part of the non-renovation is due to prioritization of labor – Disney has done LOTS of renos during the past two years (Wilderness Lodge, AS Movies, Music, Poly, Contemporary, Saratoga, etc.) in a very tight labor market. I imagine a renovation is coming to Sports soon.
When will Caribbean beach resort get renovated?
Wish I knew this too. Location, atmosphere, and surprisingly the spread out buildings is our favorite. The rooms though are looking a bit rough.
Hi all, for those with reservation in the garden wing at the contemporary – were you moved?
Yes, we didn’t find out until we actually got to the hotel though even though we did online check in. They moved us to the main tower of the Contemporary. I have seen others were moved to other resorts on Bay Lake (Polynesian or Grand Floridian). Not sure why they wait to tell you when they know the Garden Wing is closed.
Thanks Jp – Did you just complete you stay there? – I am booked for mis April – and now feeling a bit stressed if I should change my reservation to avoid any construction situation – or just assume a) they will move us .. or b) it won’t be an issue. Looks like you can still book rooms for the garden wing – which is just stranger. Thanks to this forum fn advance!
Jon – We just got done at the end of January and they were just getting started on the refurbishment of the Garden Wing. I’m not sure how intensive it will be so not sure of the timeline, but it is the entire Garden Wing. So if it is still going on when your trip arrives, you wont get put near any of the construction because it’s the entire wing. With that being said they will relocate you to a better or comparable room either in the Contemporary tower or one of the other Bay Lake resorts. We didn’t find out until we actually got to the front desk to ask about our room since we hadn’t gotten a phone notification that our room was ready. I would call about a week prior to check if you have a concern or preference because I know we prefer the Contemporary because we like to walk into Magic Kingdom sometimes rather than wait on transportation. Otherwise they will let you know where you’re staying once you get there.
Jp – thanks so much – we chose contemporary as you said for convenience – we have small children. I noticed today they are no longer offering rooms in the garden wing – which I find interesting … guess we will find out! Thanks so much for charging your experience!
Tom (or anyone)-
We just returned home after a 4 night stay at Coronado Springs. We stayed in the Tower for a couple of nights and then the Casitas area for a couple of nights. I noticed when walking by some of the rooms in the Casitas there was furniture and countertops outside of the rooms (I’m pretty sure it was building 3). Are they doing refurbishments on these rooms or possibly just repairing some damaged rooms due to a water leak or some other maintenance issue?
Strange Disney is refurbishing the garden wing at the Contemporary. Wouldn’t it make more sense to build a second, matching DVC tower?
Is it just me or does the new Polynesian DVC building look terribly out of place? Certainly, it’s not consistent with the resort’s theming.
I do not think it possible to build a second DVC tower given the location next to the canal. Additionally, without the garden wing, they wouldn’t have enough rooms in their inventory to handle conventions and tourists at the Contemporary.
Any news on Boardwalk Inns construction timing?
Very interested in this as well! The Boardwalk Inn was increasingly looking like “grandma’s stay at the seashore” and I’m excited for what this overall renovation – including the new offerings ON the Boardwalk – will hold!
We have DVC points but sometimes like to start with a one- or two- night stay somewhere else.
This past time we did one night at the Marriott Orlando World Center. While absolutely a convention type hotel, we enjoyed the well kept, and massive, resort pool with slides and the overall modern feel of the resort. Magical, no, but special, yea, I’d say so.
Does anyone know if there are plans to add the murphy bed style to the DVC studios at AKL or if they’re planning to include those in the reno’d Boulder Ridge studios at WL?
Has anyone had any experience trying to reach out to customer service ahead of time to see if a reservation is going to be moved? We’re staying at the Contemporary Garden Wing in late-Arpil/early-May, but customer service so far has said they don’t have any record of refurbishments taking place.
I was told it’s closed till mid summer people are being moved. I will tell u for sure I have garden wing room saturday. The people who have repy to my post said upgraded to Grand Floridian. One got main tower in contemporary. But I still don’t have any notice to what my new room is.
My clients (18 people total in 5 rooms) were all moved to Grand Floridian for this week. I was notified about a month out about the move, they were also given a $200 Disney Gift Card per room as a make right. If you haven’t received an email, reach out to your travel advisor, they might have the direct line to this department to see if you are on the list.
Do you know what returns are being done at yacht club and when they will be finished ? There’s no info online.
Sorry, typo ! I meant refurbs.
Just returned home from Saratoga Springs, Grandstand section…pool there being refurbished from early last week until the end of February. Disappointed with that, as the other pools were busy and seemed so very far away after 20,000 steps in the parks each day. Can confirm that the Murphy bed is awesome, so just say “NO” to sofa beds!