If you’re planning a Disney World trip in 2027, there are a few key dates you’ll want to circle on your calendar before you book anything.

Skyliner closed

Between resort refurbishments and a temporary Skyliner shutdown, some of the most popular hotels on property are about to look a little different for stretches of the coming year. Knowing about these closures ahead of time could save you from a frustrating surprise mid-vacation. Here’s what’s coming and why it matters for your trip planning.

Disney Skyliner Closure: January 24th–30th, 2027

The Disney Skyliner will be down for its annual routine maintenance from January 24th through January 30th, 2027. If you’re not familiar, the Skyliner is the gondola transportation system that connects Art of Animation, Pop Century, Caribbean Beach Resort, and the Riviera Resort to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. It’s a serious perk for guests at those four hotels.

Disney Skyliner

The good news is that Disney will provide complimentary bus transportation between those resorts and the two parks during the closure. So you won’t be stranded. But if the Skyliner was a major reason you chose one of those resorts, a week of bus rides instead of gondola gliding is worth knowing about in advance. Bus lines move slower and can get crowded, especially during peak morning and evening park hours. If your travel window overlaps with that last week of January, it might be worth adjusting your dates if the Skyliner matters to your experience.

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Luna Park Pool Closure: January 11th Through April 2027

Guests heading to Disney’s BoardWalk Inn or BoardWalk Villas between January 11th and sometime in April 2027 will find the Luna Park Pool closed for routine maintenance. That closure also includes the Luna Park Crazy Play Area and Leaping Horse Libations, the poolside bar that’s a fan favorite for a reason.

BoardWalk’s Luna Park Pool

The upside is that the Villas Pool and the Inn Pool will both remain open throughout the refurbishment, so you won’t be without a place to splash around. But if the Luna Park Pool and its surrounding area are part of what makes a BoardWalk stay special for your family, especially if you’re traveling with kids who love that carnival-themed atmosphere, it’s something to factor into your booking decision. Construction noise and activity during daytime hours is also something to expect.

Art of Animation Resort Room Refurbishment: Spring Into Summer 2027

This one is the biggest news of the bunch. Art of Animation is getting a phased room refurbishment starting in spring 2027, covering both standard guest rooms and the beloved family suites. Disney Imagineering is involved in the project, which means the goal is to modernize the rooms while keeping that immersive, step-into-the-movies feel that makes this resort so special.

Current Little Mermaid Standard Room at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

We actually got a peek at concept art for the refreshed Little Mermaid rooms, and they sound stunning. Think seashell beds, Ariel and “Under the Sea” wall prints, Murphy beds, and bubble lamps on the nightstands. It’s going to be gorgeous. That said, the resort will remain open throughout construction and work will happen in phases, but noise, limited room availability, and general construction disruptions are real considerations for guests planning a stay during this window. If you have flexibility, it might be worth waiting until the refurbishment wraps before booking here.

Current Finding Nemo Family Suite

No exact end date has been given for the Art of Animation project, which makes monitoring updates especially important as 2027 approaches. These kinds of closures and refurbishments can shift, and staying informed is the best way to protect your vacation investment.

We’ll be keeping our eyes out for more details on these changes, so make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for the latest updates, along with all the tips and tricks you need to plan the best Disney World vacation yet.

A DEFINITE RANKING OF EVERY DISNEY WORLD HOTEL

Are you planning a 2027 Disney World trip that overlaps with any of these closures, and has this changed how you’re thinking about your resort choice? Let us know in the comments below!