food IS a theme park
Let’s be honest: if you are paying Disney World prices, you want every possible second of park time squeezed out of that vacation like the last drop of cold brew on a rope-drop morning.
EPCOT
And thankfully, some hotels really do help with that.
We’re already getting hyped about the idea of staying in NEW hotel rooms at Disney World this year!
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Disney World hotels have to update with the times in order to entice visitors to stay in them, and that often means room refurbishments every once in a while. So if you’re looking for somewhere fresh and new to stay in 2026, we’re breaking down the hotel rooms that are changing!
UPDATED March 27, 2026
If you’re planning a Disney World vacation in 2026, we hope you have a great time!
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
2026 will bring us the reopening of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in the spring and lots of construction as new updates begin around the parks. This year will also bring a few changes to several Disney World Resort hotels. If you’re planning to stay at one of the many Disney hotels, be aware of the following changes happening and consider them as you begin planning your vacation.
Another Christmas tree and gingerbread display have arrived at Disney World! The holiday festivities are in full swing with Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Disney Jollywood Nights, and festive decor up all around the Disney World resort.
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree
You can visit gingerbread displays at Disney’s Grand Floridian Spa & Resort, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Disney’s Beach Club, and more. Plus, you can find gorgeous Christmas trees at resorts like Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. And now another gingerbread display and Christmas tree has joined the list!
Hey there! Wanna hear a Disney World hotel secret?
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Alright, gather ’round, because I’m about to spill the…chutney? I’m sure you’ve heard the hype about Sanaa over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, and let’s be real — it’s 100% deserved. Now, the star of the show isn’t one of the main entrees or the desserts (even though they’re all delish). No, the true MVP is the Indian-style bread service (iykyk). I bring all that up to say that the secret I’m about to drop on you is the kind of secret that might have you never going to Sanaa again! Are you ready? Once you hear it, you can’t un-hear it. Let’s go!
A LOT is happening in Disney World right now, and we’re SO excited.
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Animal Kingdom is getting a new Tropical Americans-themed land, Pueblo Esperanza, which will replace Dinoland, U.S.A. Magic Kingdom is getting a Cars expansion in Frontierland AND a new Villains-themed land. Hollywood Studios is getting a new land devoted to Monsters, Inc. Disney World hotels are also getting new restaurants and updates. Now, we’ve just spotted a sign that something will soon be happening at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
We are always down for a trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Let’s grab some food at Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Not only do you get spectacular views of the savanna, but it is also home to some of our favorite restaurants!
Disney food and stunning views go hand in hand.
Mickey Bar by World Showcase
A Mickey Premium Bar in front of Cinderella Castle or a funnel cake overlooking the World Showcase Lagoon has the power to make your trip truly magical. One of our favorite restaurants has a view that can’t be beaten, but you’ll have to leave the parks to see it! Over at Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Kidani Village, you can dine on delicious African and Indian Cuisine at Sanaa — which translates to “Work of Art” in Swahili. But the best part? It overlooks the Sunset Savanna! We stopped by recently. Come check out our full review!
There are a LOT of options (well over 20, in fact!) when it comes to choosing your Resort hotel for your Disney World vacation.
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Do you prefer being on “Island Time” or would you rather go back in time? Are you looking for whimsical surroundings or are you considering something more sophisticated? Would you like to stay near Magic Kingdom or perhaps closer to EPCOT?
With so many choices, we’ve found it helpful to take things one at a time. Well, okay… technically we’re taking things TWO at a time as we compare TWO Disney World Resort hotels to help you get an idea of which might be right for you. So here we’re exploring both Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. [Read more…]
Choosing which Disney World Resort hotel to stay at during your Walt Disney World vacation is one of the most fun parts of planning! That said…
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
…it can also be one of the most confusing factors at the same time when you’re dealing with such a wide array of options. To that end, we’re hoping to help you out by doing a little of the comparison work for you. Today, we’re talking about TWO Deluxe Resorts: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge versus Disney’s Beach Club Resort!
We’re going to tackle this topic with help from a few chosen categories: Common Ground, Theme/Rooms, Pools, Food, and Transportation. Let’s go! [Read more…]
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
