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. Consequently, there’s a large number of routine room refurbishments as well as exterior building maintenance and more. The latest additions to the schedule below are at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club, Coronado Springs, Fort Wilderness, Old Key West, and Yacht Club (all denoted by “NEW!” below).
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 24-30, 2027 and January 24–February 2, 2028, 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 – Refurbishment work is taking place at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort. Donald’s Double Feature merchandise shop is undergoing a phased refurbishment through mid-September 2026 and will remain open during this work.
In addition, guest rooms at ASM will undergo planned refurbishment through 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 is 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 – Through mid-December 2026, Grandstand Spirits Pool Bar at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort will be closed for refurbishment. During this time, a temporary pool bar will be available nearby. Guests may see or hear construction activity in the area during daytime hours while the work is underway.
Animal Kingdom Lodge – From now through early 2027, guest rooms at Jambo House at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge will undergo refurbishment. 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. The Kidani Village side of this project has now wrapped up. By the time the DVC work is done in 2027, the hotel rooms might be due for another refresh.
In addition to the room reimagining, there’s a major lobby project starting soon at Kidani Village:
Through Late 2026, the lobby and nearby areas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village will undergo refurbishment in phases. The work is expected to be completed in early November 2026. Closures will take place in phases:
August 17 to October 9, 2026: The main lobby and primary entrance will be closed. During this time, check-in will move to the Palace Library.August 17–28, 2026: Johari Treasures will be closed.September 28 to October 9, 2026: The north side lobby corridor will be closed. During this time, the north side lobby elevators on the second floor and outdoor terrace observation deck will be unavailable.October 26 to November 6, 2026: The south side lobby corridor will be closed. During this time, Community Hall, Safari So Good Arcade, the laundry room, the Palace Library, lobby restrooms and outdoor terrace observation deck will be unavailable.
Guests may see or hear construction activity in the lobby area during daytime hours, including periods of more noticeable noise, until the work is complete. See Disney Adds Animal Kingdom Lodge Projects to Refurbishment Calendar for 2026-2027 for more info.
Note: this project was previously slated to be completed in Fall 2026, pursuant to the above timelines. That specificity has since been removed, and the project as a whole is aiming for a Late 2026 completion. It’s our belief based on visible progress that it’s running behind schedule, which would explain the change from November/Fall 2026 to Late 2026.
Art of Animation Resort – From mid-June 2027 through October 2028, rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will undergo refurbishment.
The work will happen in phases, with one themed area being refurbished at a time. Guests may see or hear maintenance work in the area during daytime hours, and alternate paths of travel may be in place until work is complete.
The work will begin with the Little Mermaid and Lion King rooms, continuing with Cars and Finding Nemo. This will be the first hard goods refurbishment in the resort’s history.
BoardWalk Inn – Now through 2027, 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.
The good news is that Walt Disney World has finally announced replacements for these vacant venues along the BoardWalk. Also on the horizon is a new counter service restaurant concept to replace Big River. Although Walt Disney World hasn’t stated as much, it’s possible some of this work along the promenade gets extended into 2027.
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!
Coronado Springs Resort – Through late September 2027, the Convention Center at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort will undergo a planned refurbishment. The El Centro Corridor and surrounding areas will also undergo a refurbishment tied to this work.
Work will be completed in phases, with individual spaces being temporarily inaccessible at times. The work will take place overnight to help minimize impacts to daily operations. During this time, Guests may see or hear construction activity in the area.
As discussed in Walt Disney World Calendars Year-Plus Construction Project at Coronado Springs Resort, the timing here is such that this is probably a multi-phase project, with the next room refurbishment starting once the Convention Center updates wrap up. Coronado Springs is due for a soft goods room refresh in the next year or so (outlying buildings only; not Gran Destino).
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.
Fort Wilderness Campground – Through late October 2026, soil erosion prevention work will be taking place along the sidewalk on Big Pine Trail. At times, alternate paths of travel may be in place for Guests due to roadway detours. No resort amenities will be impacted by this work, but please be aware that you may see or hear construction activity in the area during business hours.
Walt Disney World has also 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.
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.
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 Cítricos. All other dining locations at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will remain available for Guests to enjoy.
This holiday season at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Guests can enjoy elegant seasonal décor and festive offerings, along with new miniature gingerbread displays featured throughout the resort. To help keep the lobby flowing smoothly for resort Guests, the traditional large gingerbread house will not be offered this year.
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 – Due to ongoing refurbishment work along the boat route, Sassagoula River Cruise will be temporarily unavailable at Old Key West from October 12 through November 1, 2026. Bus transportation will be available during the closure.
Additionally, Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course is temporarily closed for renovations through October 2026. Views from some rooms overlooking the golf course may be impacted until the work is complete.
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.
Additionally, the reconfiguration of the front entrance roadway is now complete and the new bus stops have opened. With this, there’s a new traffic flow to road, that reduces congestion to the arrival area of the Poly.
The bad news is that work at the Polynesian isn’t finished. Through late 2026, some areas of the Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows are being refurbished. Most resort dining, pools and amenities will remain available.
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.
Through late October 2026, Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort will be temporarily closed due to refurbishment work at the Grand Ceremonial House.
While construction activity will be noticeable during daytime hours, efforts will be made to minimize disruptions. Please allow for extra travel time when arriving at or leaving the Resort.
Port Orleans Riverside – Walt Disney World has started its next slate of room reimaginings at Port Orleans Riverside, from now through mid-2027.
The first phase of this project impacted the Magnolia Bend rooms, and is now completed. Alligator Bayou is now receiving its next round of room redos, and crews have moved to that side of the resort. Accordingly, making a room request for Magnolia Bend 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.
Port Orleans French Quarter – Beginning on October 6, 2026, Scat Cat’s Club – Café and Scat Cat’s Club – Lounge at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter will temporarily close for refurbishment. The café is expected to reopen in December 2026 and the lounge is expected to reopen in January 2027.
- Temporary Bar: A temporary bar will be available near the café from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Relocated Beignets & Coffee: Beignets and coffee will be available at Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory. Ghoulish Delight beignets will also be available there through November 1, 2026.
Saratoga Springs – Through Fall 2026, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will have areas under refurbishment, including the porte cochere (covered arrival area) and Tennis Courts. Guests may see or hear construction activity during daytime hours.
Additionally, Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course is temporarily closed for renovations through October 2026. The Golf Shop will remain open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. During this time, Guests are welcome to enjoy Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course and Disney’s Palm Golf Course. Guests may see or hear work in the area during daytime hours, and views from some rooms overlooking the golf course may be impacted until the work is complete.
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.
As part of this project, the security kiosk is being expanded through mid-October. 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.
Yacht & Beach 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.
Through late 2027, Disney’s Beach Club Resort is undergoing visible exterior maintenance, which impacts views from various locations across the Resort hotel and—at times—requires alternate paths of travel. Guests may see or hear work in the area during daytime hours until the refurbishment is complete.
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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!
Does anyone know if Wilderness Lodge standard rooms are being updated anytime soon? We are staying there the end of October.
We heard part of Storm A Long Bay at Beach Club Resort was being refurbished but can’t find out what part. Seems to be a small part because they said all other parts are open. We are heading there Sunday for 3 days. Tom, can you find out what part and let me know? Thanks
It seems like every time they do a big hotel refurbishment, the hotel gets more generic and loses its character. The rooms look more and more alike, which is boring. We stayed at Coronado Springs maybe 15 years ago and loved all the Hispanic flair the room decor had.
I agree, they are taking out all the little touches that made the rooms unique to each resort. And the ceiling fans 🙁
I couldn’t agree more. I loved how each resort’s rooms were a reflection of that resort’s theme, but now they just seem so stark and sterile. I’m my opinion, they’ve lost the ambience that I’ve loved so much about Disney. I really don’t want them to fall into the same bucket as any other non-Disney hotel, but I’m afraid that’s exactly where they’re headed. So disappointing!
Boulder Ridge at the Wilderness lodge too. They put those useless runners on the ends of every bed in every hotel and took off the colorful bedspreads. That is boring and generic but they just keep falling off all night long. Polynesian still has a little flair with the decorative rocks in the bathrooms. Very nice.
What I was wondering was when the Skyliner opens, will there be a charge for using it or will it be part of the free transportation along with the busses and monorail?
What do you know about Fort Wilderness?
I heard they are closing Hoop-De-Do? How can they do that !?!!
What they’re closing is Mickey’s Backyard BBQ. The last performance will be December 31st. A new DVC project is going up, and based on the info available, the footprint includes the Backyard BBQ, (stables, I believe) and the old, closed River Country. If they stick to the project plans, and haven’t changed them, Hoop Dee Doo Revue is not included in the footprint and will not be affected. The reports I’ve seen state that “As of this time Hoop Dee Doo will remain.” and that there are plans to bring back a similar Backyard BBQ experience.
As of now, Hoop Dee Doo is safe.
Oh no! I hadn’t heard about the stables! It’s one of my fav things to do when I have an adr for Trails End.
Any update on rehab of building at old key west, esp near hospitality house?
This is the latest update I have been able to find:
https://www.dvcnews.com/index.php/resorts/old-key-west/news-63166/4085-latest-on-refurbishment-at-disney-s-old-key-west-resort#jfusioncontent4085
This is from April.
We are looking into a value resort for next November (2019). Do you think all the values will be updated with the new rooms by then? That’s really my draw . . . I know Pop will be redone, but what about Movies and Music by then?
I think it’s highly likely. The All Star refurbishment has been moving fast, so I’d expect all or most of it to be done by then.
Thank you! I’m really trying to decide what is better, the all stars or pop . . . Do you think the new rooms will sway your order of what all star resort is ranked where?
We have a trip planned in December at AKL, and I noticed the website says the Uzima springs pool and bar will be closed for renovations starting in fall… any idea about the extent of these renovations and how long they will take?
We stayed early in September at AKL. Uzima springs was open for two days and closed for the rest of our trip. They have drained the pool and are replacing the 20 year old filtration system, resurfacing the bottom and refreshing the tile work. It should be the same after it opens. The CM I talked to expected it to be closed for the rest of the year. The pool bar and playground are also closed.
The good news is that the pool over at Kidani Village is open! There is a shuttle (not part of the bus system) that runs back and forth between the the two lobbies, just circling in loops. Its slightly less convenient than just walking out, but it didn’t add too much time to our mid-afternoon pool break.
Great, thanks for the info Chelsea, I will plan accordingly!
Staying in bldg 2, pop century right now. They’ve completed renovations for some wings of the bldg & opened them, but still working on the rest. This is the last bldg for refurbishment. The rooms look like they are almost complete. I’d guess the rest of bldg 2 will be open in another week or 2.
Thanks for the first-hand update–really appreciate it. Enjoy the rest of your vacation!
Hey Tom,
Any updates on the All-Star Resorts refurbishments? Helping a friend plan their first Disney vacation for February 2019 and NONE of the All-Star Resorts are showing availability?? In fact, they did not even come up as an option (like they do not even exist). Thanks in advance!!
That happened to us last February. I think it was because of cheerleading conventions but there was literally no availability on property except for Grand Floridian and we couldn’t afford that. So we had to stay off property. I would call and check to be sure (or ask a Disney travel agent to check into it). We just stayed at the All Star Movies last week in a refurbed room and were very very happy with it!
Did they upgrade the beds to queen or keep double beds in the rooms?
For Dec 2018, which do you think would be better for a family of 5- CBR or ASMu family suites? We’ve stayed in both before. On the one hand I’d prefer more room (3 teenage daughters), on the other hand I’d like a moderate resort over value. Renovation progress at CBR would also be a factor. Is it possible any family suites will be renovated at ASMu by then?
We are going end of August to the Coronado. Last year we stayed at Carribean and received a gift card for compensatin for refurbishments. They have not said anything about compensation at Coronado. Is the construction done?
We are going to be staying at Coronado Springs the second week in November. How was your experience staying there during the construction?
We are honeymooning at Port Orleans/Riverside End of Sept-first week of October. We got the construction email. Wondering if we’d be ok keeping our reservation there or if we should look into changing to a different hotel?
I am due to stay at Caribbean Beach from 16th to end October 2018. What rooms are finished and what area is least exposed to building work, a quiet pool area for days when we are not at the parks would be desirable. I am travelling from Bristol England with my husband and three days later being joined by my daughter nd her husband.
I am due to stay at Caribbean Beach from 16th to end October 2018. What rooms are finished and what area is least exposed to building work, a quiet pool area for days when we are not at the parks would be desirable
UPDATE! As of July 23, 2018, all Pop Century rooms are completed. Construction remains on Skyliner system. Phone agent informed me that construction has started at All Star Music to refurbish rooms identical to rooms at Pop Century with plans to move on to Sports and Movies next!!
That’s great! Thanks for sharing the update. Is it possible the refurb rooms at ASMu will include the family suites?
Want to schedule a trip at the Caribbean in July of 2019. Do you think the majority of construction will be done? Or should we look elsewhere? Do you venture a guess at how much sharing will be going on between the Riveria and Caribbean?
We are planning a trip to DW, in Sept 2018, is there any construction going on at the port Orleans Riverside at that time??
yes. they are updating all the rooms. We were originally booked there for September 29th to October 6th, so we got the room construction email.
We are honeymooning around those same dates & got the email as well. Did you keep your reservation there or move to a different hotel?
You should be fine. The part of the building they are working on will be closed.
Just came back from Beach Club June I8-2018 and definitely equipment al around the end closest to villas and Epcot. Painting maybe? Roof? Area near pol seemed finished and Club level rooms were excellent.
We just stayed at Pop Century Resort in a newly refurbished room and HATED IT! It was terribly loud. It sounded like people were throwing quarters on the floors above our room. We could hear conversations in rooms all around us, and the in corridors. We liked the look of the the hard floors when we walked in, but hated them after 3 nights of no sleep! Oh, and did I mention the lovely walk-in shower was getting any accolades from our 3 year old daughter! Her only bath was in the Pool. Yuck. Plus the floors looked grimy all the time and we couldn’t figure out why; maybe it’s the cleaning products. There were black footprints everywhere. We came to the conclusion that Disney wants people with young kids out of Pop and into Moderates.
Wow. We have stayed at Pop at least 15 times in the last 4 years. Never had a shower only room. I’m wondering if it was an accessible room. Not sure where you travel from, we travel by car, so we always bring a small desk fan and it drowns our all noise while we sleep. A few stays ago we had a few problems in the room. Lotion left in chair, popped ballon in sheets, and a repairman in room without our knowledge. Disney took it very serious and we refunded 1 night.