Disney World is currently spending a lot of money expanding the parks, including adding brand new lands to three of its four parks, as well as adding an expansion to Magic Kingdom and upgrading rides. There’s a LOT of construction happening in the parks right now.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
However, it’s not just the parks that are getting some much-needed TLC right now. Disney World hotels are also getting huge upgrades. We’ve seen it recently with new lobbies, new rooms, and more. But now we know, thanks to The Orlando Business Journal, that Disney World is spending at least $30 million on projects OUTSIDE of the parks, and that includes some massive upgrades at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
At least $30.6 million is currently going into projects outside of the parks at Disney World, according to records from the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. Those documents also showed that at least $24.4 million is being spent on interior renovations at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Earlier this year, guest rooms at Kidani Village at the hotel were refurbished, while refurbishment work is currently happening at Jambo House through January 2027.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
According to recent permits, the $24.4 million being spent at Animal Kingdom Lodge is for renovating guest rooms and common areas at Jambo House, including the “removal and replacement of finishes and fixtures.” Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of Disney’s deluxe resorts and is unique in that it is surrounded by four savannas where many animals roam free.
The Savanna at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Those documents also showed an additional $6.2 million being invested in building the new Hurly-Burly music lounge at Disney’s BoardWalk. Hurly-Burly will offer family-friendly activities during the day and will switch over to a 21-and-over venue at night with live music, cocktails, and light bites.
©Disney
While it hasn’t been confirmed, we can guess from the concept art that this lounge will be located in the old Jellyrolls building. This includes “demolition, new walls, floors, ceilings, and finishes, new kitchen and bar equipment, new restroom finishes and limited modifications to the existing windows and doors,” according to a permit filed for the location.
Old Jellyrolls location
Of course, these records may not include all the costs of projects that are currently happening in Disney World. According to The Orlando Business Journal, a Disney World spokesperson said, “This is part of the significant investments across Walt Disney World that we are making to ensure we continue to be the number one reason people visit Central Florida. These efforts reflect our commitment to creating new reasons to visit now and for years to come.”
We’ll keep an eye out for more Disney World news, so stay tuned to DFB for more.
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While I am glad to see significant investment in WDW the overall condition of the parks remain poor. Rides are constantly down, features do not work and more. In addition, cast member performance is sadly inferior to what it used to be before Disney pushed out many longtime employees. There is much work to be done.
Keep in mind as you read this that all overhaul of DVC rooms in both Kadani and the DVC villas in Jambo are paid by dues of DVC members, not a new investment by Disney. No idea if the $30 million quoted in the article is in addition to members dues or inclusive of the dues (in which case they deserve zero credit. These refurbs are contractual obligations to DVC owners at AKL).
I’m personally disappointed. We are spending one night at Animal Kingdom Lodge in September and we were not expecting the Lobby to be down with check-in and bell services being moved to the DVC side. This now feels like an extreme waste of money because we paid for a King Bed Savanna View Room which are only available on the Jambo side. Are we even going to see the animals because of the construction? And now we can’t even experience the lobby? Also we were doing a split stay for the rest of our trip and now we would have to drive over to the DVC check in to drop our bags for bell services to transfer? This honestly feels like such a waste but we cannot find another Deluxe resort with King Bed rooms that isn’t also under construction. This is my belated birthday trip too. I’m really heartbroken and unfortunately, I know that there is nothing Disney can do about this. But the website STILL only says the general construction alert – not this specific information that you have provided. I feel like we were tricked. We were coming in early just to spend the day checking out the resort (before we even could check in). This seems like such a waste.
Kadani Village checkin is getting all the refurb this August.