Disney World is always a FLURRY of activity. That means that there is always some kind of construction going on, whether that be for new attractions, new restaurants, ride refurbishments, and more.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

If you don’t know about these things in advance, it could catch you by surprise and affect your entire trip. Particularly, there are closures, construction, and other things that happen at Disney World hotels that could affect your stay, so we’re going to warn you about those in advance.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

There are a few things going on at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa you’ll want to know about before you book a stay there. There is quite a bit of construction currently happening around the resort, most recently on the Conch Key building. Scaffolding surrounds the exterior right now and this construction could affect noise levels at the hotel (at least during the day) if you’re staying there.

Construction

In addition, the lobby at the Grand Floridian is about to get an update. According to Disney, the new lobby refresh “will maintain the classic theming [guests] know and love with some fresh new enhancements.” While the lobby is under construction, guests will more than likely have to visit a different part of the hotel for any services they would find here like check-in, concierge, etc.

Tour the NEW Resort Studios at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort With Us!

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

The restaurant at the Beach Club, Beaches & Cream, recently had a kitchen fire that has resulted in a very limited menu (at the moment, the restaurant is not serving any hot foods). We don’t have any details about when the restaurant might return to its normal menu, but if visiting Beaches & Cream is why you’re planning a stay at the Beach Club, you’ll need to make a note of this.

Beaches & Cream

Also, there will soon be some construction on the hotel itself. Disney announced that the Beach Club Resort will start getting room refurbishments on January 7th — construction is expected to last through April. All amenities will still be available at the resort, but guests may hear construction noise during the day.

Here’s The Complete Guide to Eating at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

There is also a LOT of construction happening at Disney’s BoardWalk. Although two new dining locations have already opened here, a third, The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers, is still under construction and won’t open until later in 2023. 

Construction on The Cake Bake Shop

But that’s not all. The lobby, lounge and guest rooms at the BoardWalk Inn are getting updated with “light and airy touches” that will “carry the seaside breeze right inside.” There has also been mention of “newly refreshed” seating spaces inside and outside the hotel.

Here’s A Full Review of One of BoardWalk’s Newest Restaurants!

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

If swimming is on your Disney World vacation “to-do” list, you’ll want to rethink a stay at Saratoga Springs. The High Rock Spring Pool at the bar will be closed from January through March, 2023. The On The Rocks Pool Bar will also be closed during that time.

One of the Saratoga Springs Resort pools will be closed temporarily.

The High Rock Spring Pool is one of the two feature pools at the resort. However, the other feature pool, The Paddock Pool, as well as the three other leisure pools will remain open. This could still mean you have to walk a little further to get to the pool, depending on where your room is located at the resort.

Check Out Our Review of the Paddock Grill at Saratoga Springs!

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

The same goes for the Contemporary Resort. You’ll be down a swimming option while the Feature Pool and Whirlpool  Spa are closed from January 9th through early April 2023. So if you’re looking for a hotel with pool availability, you’ll need to keep that in mind.

Contemporary Feature Pool

The Water Play Area and the Bay Lake Pool will remain open, but again, that could mean you have to walk a little further to swim depending on where your room is located at the resort.

Tour a Fireworks View Room at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground

ANOTHER pool closure will be happening over at Fort Wilderness Resort. The Meadow Swimmin’ Pool and Whirlpool Spa will be closed for refurbishment from January 9th through April 3rd, 2023. 

Meadow Swimmin’ Pool

However, the water play area, Meadow Snack Bar, and the Wilderness Swimmin’ Pool will remain open to guests, though.

Here’s The Complete Guide to Eating at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Okay, we’ve got one more pool closure to tell you about, although it’s technically not the WHOLE pool, but just a pool slide. The Lava Pool water slide has closed for refurbishment at the Polynesian Village Resort as of January 3rd.

Lava Pool

However, the Lava Pool itself is still open — however, kids might be disappointed when they see the pool doesn’t have a slide. Who doesn’t love a fun slide?

Check Out The Newly Updated Kona Cafe at the Polynesian!

Disney’s Art of Animation, Pop Century, Caribbean Beach. and Riviera Resorts

A HUGE change early in the year could affect your stay at Art of Animation, Pop Century, Caribbean Beach, and Riviera resorts. These are all resorts on Disney’s Skyliner, making it VERY convenient to get to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, as well as to other Skyliner resorts. The Skyliner, though, will be closing for refurbishment from January 22nd through 29th. 

The Skyliner

Alternative transportation via bus will be offered to guests to the parks, but it might not be as convenient as simply taking the Skyliner. There is also currently no direct resort-to-resort transportation in Disney World, so that complicates manners if you want to resort hop to other Skyliner resorts.

Here Are The Unexpected Problems You’ll Have on the Skyliner in Disney World

So before you book that stay, be sure to double-check that you’ll be able to get all the amenities you want at the hotel you choose, as well as make sure that any features you’re interested in are open. We’ll keep you updated on any updates we find, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more.

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Have you ever had these kinds of surprises at a Disney World hotel after booking a stay there? Let us know in the comments!

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