Change. It’s a powerful word — a word that could mean so many good things and bring so much happiness, or could signal the loss of something important and bring lots of disappointments. And it’s a word we’ve heard (and used) a LOT lately thanks to all of the CHANGES (there we go again!) taking place in the Disney parks and resorts.

Within the last few years and even just the last few months, Disney’s hotels have changed in a particularly big way. We’ve seen Moana-inspired rooms open at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, a NEW coffee shop open at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, and other projects announced for Disney’s future. So, what will 2023 be like at the Resort hotels? What major changes should YOU expect? We’re breaking it all down for you here.

H2O+ Products *Could* Disappear

Back in August of 2022, we shared that the BELOVED provider of Disney’s bath and body products in the hotels — H2O+ — would be retiring at the end of 2022. And yes, some of us may have shed a few tears. For a limited time, items were available on shopDisney, though they subsequently sold out.

A press release about the end of H2O+ previously indicated that H2O+ would “fulfill its obligation to supply products, etc., in accordance with agreements with its business partners, and proceed with dissolution procedures during the second half of 2023. Subsequently, the liquidation will be concluded upon the completion of the necessary procedures.”

So we expect that after fulfilling its current obligation to supply products to Disney and proceeding with those dissolution procedures in the second half of 2023, H2O+ products could start to disappear from Disney World hotels.

Keep in mind, Disney hasn’t announced an end date for their partnership with H2O+ and has not announced when products could potentially leave the hotel rooms. This is just based on the press release and the dissolution of the H2O+ company. Things are subject to change. The big takeaway we want you to get from this is to at least be mentally prepared for the potential that those beloved products could disappear from Disney World hotel rooms at some point this year.

Click here to see more about the end of H2O+

Refurbishments/Construction

Quite a few construction projects are going on at Disney’s hotels. Let’s go through some of the big ones here!

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023! And, it’s getting a bit of a sprucing up for its birthday, too. The resort has undergone a LOT of changes in recent years with the opening of new Disney Vacation Club villas, an updated Narcoossee’s restaurant, and changes at Citricos and Victoria & Albert’s, too.

And the renovations continue! The Disney World website does warn that the hotel “is currently undergoing refurbishment. Guests will be able to see and hear construction around the resort – including the lobby – during daytime hours.” But, they note that “Most Resort hotel amenities will remain available.”

Ultimately, the lobby itself will also receive its own refurbishment. Disney has shared that the new look “will maintain the classic theming [guests] know and love with some fresh new enhancements.”

Check out the new Grand Floridian Resort rooms here!

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

At Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, more changes are underway! We’ve already seen BoardWalk Deli take the place of the BoardWalk Bakery, and a NEW coffee shop — Carousel Coffee — has opened up near the lobby. But more is on the way.

In terms of restaurants, the ESPN Club has CLOSED and is being partially demolished. In its place will be a brand NEW restaurant called the Cake Bake Shop, which will feature sweet and savory menus, afternoon tea, a table service side, and quick service items too! That is set to open at some point in early 2024.

AND Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs is coming to Disney World’s BoardWalk Inn later this year! 

Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs currently serves Hand-dipped Corn Dogs and other unique Corn Dog creations over in Disneyland at the Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs kiosk in Downtown Disney.

In terms of the hotel itself, the Belle Vue Lounge already got an updated look, and the lobby is being refurbished, too.

Newly refreshed spaces inside and outside are debuting at the hotel.

The guest rooms have been refurbished!

The new rooms look bright and modern, but still manage to capture that classic BoardWalk vibe, and you can explore the refreshed look with a video and photos HERE.

Click HERE for a look inside the NEW BoardWalk Inn guest rooms!

And the Concierge Lounge recently reopened from its own refurbishment. 

See more about the BoardWalk Inn’s restaurants here

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

Trail’s End Restaurant at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground closed in mid-April to undergo a MAJOR refurbishment and it reopened on July 27th! The family-style table service option is gone, and the restaurant now features “a marketplace concept with expanded quick service options.”

The “refreshed marketplace concept” includes an on-stage pizza station where you can get just a slice or a whole pie. Both chilled and hot items are offered in the Grab and Go section and include items such as pecan-smoked whole chicken or brisket, and a rack of pork ribs — and fried chicken! Sides are available by the pound — including macaroni & cheese, plant-based cowboy beans, and mashed potatoes. Homestyle meals and classic Quick Service options are also on offer. WHEW! But that’s not all…

Click here to check out the NEW Trail’s End!

Crockett’s Tavern also reopened on the same date!

Crockett’s Tavern has been refreshed as a lounge with expanded seating, both indoors and outdoors. The inside of the restaurant has new seating and continues to feature lots of charming rustic accents.

Get a FIRST LOOK at the reopened Crockett’s Tavern HERE!

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

At the Polynesian, we’ve already seen new Moana rooms debut (as we mentioned above), but 2023 is sure to be full of MORE construction updates from this resort. In March of 2022, Disney revealed that the Polynesian is being EXPANDED with NEW Disney Vacation Club villas! They are set to be inspired by early concepts of the resort, and there will be new recreation and dining offerings in addition to the new rooms.

The Spirit of Aloha show has closed, and the building has been demolished to create space for this addition.

The new villas aren’t expected to open until late 2024, but we’ve already seen lots of construction taking place and expect that 2023 will be full of the same.

Room Changes

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Over at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, some room changes are taking place in 2023. Thus far, Disney has shared that the refurbishment, which started on January 7th, will last through late this fall.

The Resort’s amenities will continue to be available, but you might hear some construction during the day.

We got a chance to look at one of the rooms that has already been upgraded at Disney’s Beach Club Resort!

These photos are from a Club Level room, but the hotel hopes to have the rest of the rooms at the resort upgraded by October.

Click here for a photo tour of the NEW Beach Club rooms!

Additionally, work on the Beach Club lobby began in June 2023.

You’ll notice signs in the area notifying of any currently inaccessible areas, and Cast Members can redirect you regarding the best way to get to your destination accordingly.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Over at Caribbean Beach, more room changes have taken place! In 2022, Disney revealed that the hotel’s pirate-themed rooms would NOT be available in 2023. We later learned that the rooms (which are located in the Trinidad area of the Resort) were being refurbished and decorated with “characters from under the sea.” That’s right, these new rooms have theming inspired by The Little Mermaid! You can take a full photo tour here!

The updated rooms have new artwork, brighter decor, pastel colors, and a 5th sleeper bed that let each room fit more guests (so, invite your cousin Shelby to the next trip, she can fit in the room!).

Again, the refurbished rooms are in the Trinidad section of the hotel.

Click here for a COMPLETE PHOTO TOUR of The Little Mermaid Rooms!

Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

Heading over the value resorts, All-Star Sports is the last of the All-Star resorts to get a room upgrade. The refurbishments are in progress currently but should be completed sometime this year.

So far, a few sections of the resort have been completed, and the updated rooms look very similar to the new ones at All-Star Movies and All-Star Music, with two queen beds (one of which is a Murphy bed).

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

In addition to the changes at Trail’s End mentioned above, even more changes are on the way to Fort Wilderness… Disney Vacation Club has announced its plan to redesign the cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. The proposal calls for more than 350 refreshed cabins to replace the existing cabins at the resort.

Although the new cabins will be part of the Disney Vacation Club resort lineup, the proposed cabins will be open for reservations to all guests, including those who are not Disney Vacation Club Members. So far, the concept art shows modern cabins “inspired by the resort’s idyllic setting, while also paying homage to the resort’s unique culture and heritage through the magic of Disney storytelling,” per Disney.

Cabins will sleep up to six adults and feature a bedroom, bathroom, living room, full kitchen, and private patio. Disney noted that a select number of cabins will be dog-friendly. Currently, Disney expects the new Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort to open in 2024.

Click HERE to learn more about the new cabins coming to Fort Wilderness!

No More Parking Fees

2023 brought a HUGE change that many fans are likely thrilled about. Starting on the evening of January 10th, 2023, FREE overnight self-parking returned to Disney World’s hotels (for those staying at the hotels).

So if you stay at a Disney World hotel this year, you can remove those parking fees from your budget! But, keep in mind that hotel, ticket, food, and merchandise prices can change (and increase a lot!) so you’ll need to evaluate that budget carefully and see what costs might be higher now than you might have previously expected.

Click here to see our full post on the return of free parking

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser

Though it’s by no means a traditional hotel, we still feel compelled to note that in May 2023, Disney announced that the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser would be closing permanently. The final voyage for the Star Wars Hotel took place from September 28th-30th, 2023.

Here’s the statement a Disney spokesperson has released on the matter: “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is one of our most creative projects ever and has been praised by our guests and recognized for setting a new bar for innovation and immersive entertainment. This premium, boutique experience gave us the opportunity to try new things on a smaller scale of 100 rooms, and as we prepare for its final voyage, we will take what we’ve learned to create future experiences that can reach more of our guests and fans.”

Read about the closure of the Galactic Starcuiser here. 

MORE

But wait…there’s MORE! In terms of other changes at the Disney World hotels in 2023, at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Chef Mickey’s — a Character Dining experience featuring every single one of The Fab Five: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto — has switched BACK to buffet service once again as of March 1st, 2023! (Previously, Chef Mickey’s was serving an all-you-care-to-enjoy Family Feast, featuring a family-style dining experience, but now the spot is offering its traditional Buffet.)

In March, Rosa Mexicano opened its first Orlando-area location at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin! The new restaurant offers “an elevated fiesta dining experience” which includes signature menu items and award-winning margaritas.

You can check out our very first visit HERE!

Step inside the NEW Rosa Mexicano with us by clicking HERE!

Hey, Disney

A new complimentary perk is currently in the process of rolling out to guests at the Disney World hotels.  “Hey, Disney!” offers “custom voice assistance” to guests staying at Resort hotels in Walt Disney World! The service, which works with Alexa on Amazon Echo devices, assists guests with room amenities, guest services, planning, and weather info… AND it will bring along LOTS of extra Disney MAGIC to make all of these things a lot more FUN!

In late November 2022, “Hey Disney!” made its debut in a testing phase in a limited number of rooms at Disney World’s Polynesian Village Resort.

Disney had previously shared that this initial launch is taking place “before expanding in phases to additional Disney Resort hotel rooms across Walt Disney World.” 

In May 2023, we saw that the ‘Hey, Disney!’ Alexa Voice Assistant had been added a room at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, and we’ve also been informed that “Hey, Disney!” has arrived at Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter and Saratoga Springs Resort, so the rollout to other Resorts has officially begun!

 You can see “Hey, Disney!” in action HERE!

And that’s our COMPLETE list of the ways in which Disney World hotels are CHANGING in 2023! For more hotel info, click here to learn about the WORST Disney World hotels for 2023, and click here to see 25 things you should NEVER do at Disney World hotel rooms.

And, as always, stay tuned for more news!

Click here to see why you should be CAREFUL staying at these Disney World hotels in 2023

What other CHANGES do you hope will be made at Disney World’s hotels? Tell us in the comments!