Disney World Quietly Adds New Hotel Closures

Construction and refurbishment projects have been a part of Disney World since the beginning, and right now the resort is full of projects including Piston Peak, Tropical Americas, and Monstropolis. However, in addition to those massive-scale projects, there are also a few going on around some of the hotels.

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Over the course of the next months, several Disney World hotels will see refurbishment and renovation projects begin, and we’re breaking down everything you need to know.

Saratoga Springs Resort

We’ve known about several Saratoga Springs projects for a while now, including the ongoing refurbishment of the Treehouse Villas coming to the Saratoga Springs Resort. The redesign will lean heavily into natural vibes, featuring granite countertops, hardwood floors, lighting, furniture, and decor. Plus, basics like updated appliances, including the fridge, oven, and microwave.

©Disney

In addition, August will see a bit of musical chairs with the resort’s restaurants. The Turf Club Lounge at Saratoga Springs, which has been closed since the spring, will reopen; then, the Turf Club Patio will have a brief closure from early through mid-August, and finally, the Turf Club Bar & Grill will be closed from August to September, this time with the aforementioned Turf Club Lounge remaining open.

Turf Club Bar & Grill

Finally, in their most recent update on the Disney World website, the hotel now lists that areas of the Port Cochere (the covered front entrance to the hotel) will be undergoing refurbishment through fall 2026.

Saratoga Springs Lobby

Yacht & Beach Club Resorts

Meanwhile, over at the Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts, Disney has also added a temporary closure notice regarding one of the resort’s key transportation options. From August 17th through 21st, 2026, the FriendShip Boat dock will be closed for maintenance. During the closure, direct bus transportation will be available to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and you can use the nearby walkways to get to EPCOT. You can also walk to EPCOT and then take the Disney Skyliner to Hollywood Studios if you’d like to avoid the bus.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds

If you’re planning to stay at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, be aware that through mid-October, soil erosion prevention work will be taking place along the sidewalk on Big Pine Trail. This means that at certain times, alternate paths of travel may be in place due to roadway detours, so some paths may take you longer than normal.

Fort Wilderness

Animal Kingdom Lodge

If you’re planning to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge, there are several major construction changes you need to know about. Beginning August 17th, the lobby and nearby areas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village will undergo refurbishment in phases, which are as follows:

August 17th through October 9th: The main lobby and primary entrance will be closed. Check-in will move to the Palace Library during this time.
August 17th through 28th: The merchandise location, Johari Treasures, will be closed.
September 28th through October 9th: The north side lobby corridor will be closed. During this time, the north side lobby elevators on the second floor and the outdoor terrace observation deck will be unavailable.
October 26th through November 6th: 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 the outdoor terrace observation deck will be unavailable.

The Savanna at Animal Kingdom Lodge

Coronado Springs Resort

The Convention Center at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort has begun refurbishment. The project is expected to stretch through September 2027. Furthermore, the hotel’s El Centro Corridor and surrounding areas will also undergo refurbishment tied to the convention center refurbishment. According to Disney, work will be completed in phases, with certain spaces being temporarily inaccessible at times. The work will take place overnight to “help minimize impacts to daily operations, however, Disney does stress that guests may see or hear construction activity in the area while work is ongoing.

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Further projects that will be ongoing through late 2026 and into 2027 include:

Boardwalk Exterior Refurbishment: Through Late 2026
Wilderness Lodge Exterior Refurbishment: Late 2026
Yacht Club Exterior Maintenance: Late 2026
All-Star Movies Refurb: May 2026 to January 2027
Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House Refurb: May 2026 to January 2027
Grand Floridian Resort-Wide Refurbishment Including Porte-cochère: Through early 2027
Port Orleans Room Refurbishment: Through August 2027
Art of Animation Room Refurbishment: Through Late 2027
Beach Club Exterior Refurbishment: Through Late 2027
Contemporary Resort-Wide: Through Late 2027

©Disney

Beginning in August, several Disney hotels are launching new refurbishment projects that guests should be aware of. Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on Disney’s calendar.

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