Walt Disney World has quietly built out a long list of hotel updates that guests may need to watch closely over the next two years. What started as a handful of resort projects now looks much larger, with construction and refurbishments affecting everything from rooms and pools to dining, transportation, and exterior resort spaces.
That does not mean every Disney hotel stay is about to become stressful. But it does mean guests should stop thinking of these projects as scattered one-offs. Disney has work scheduled across several major resorts, and some of it stretches deep into 2027.
That is a big deal because Disney hotels remain a major part of why people choose to stay on property in the first place.
Disney Resorts Still Sell More Than Just a Room
Guests do not book Disney resorts only for a bed and a shower. They book them because the hotels help shape the vacation. Transportation, theming, location, and early park entry all help create that all-in-one Disney bubble that many families still want.
That appeal exists at every level. The All-Star resorts stay popular because they offer lower pricing and solid value. Deluxe resorts draw guests for their stronger food options, larger rooms, and better access to parks like EPCOT and Magic Kingdom.
Because those hotels carry so much weight in trip planning, even temporary closures can feel bigger than they sound on paper.
Some of the Longest Impacts Will Hit the Guest Rooms
One of the biggest projects on Disney’s list is the guest room refurbishment at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort. Work begins in late May 2026 and continues through late January 2027, giving this one of the longest active timelines in the current group of updates.
Disney will not close the entire resort all at once. Instead, the work will move through different sections over time, keeping the hotel operating but also making construction an ongoing part of the environment for months.
Saratoga Springs is also seeing work on rooms. Disney confirmed in March 2026 that the Treehouse Villas will undergo refurbishment, with the project expected to wrap up by mid-September 2026. Disney has not shared a start date, but the deadline alone suggests those updates are not far off.
Pools, Bars, and Restaurants Are Facing Their Own Downtime
Room work is only part of the story. Several pool areas are also closing temporarily. Surfboard Bay Pool at All-Star Sports shut down in January 2026 and is expected back in late April, while other pool options remain available nearby.
At Disney’s Contemporary Resort, multiple water-area amenities went offline in January, including Bay Cove Pool, Cove Bar, the water play area, and the whirlpool spa. Those are expected to reopen in early May, while Bay Lake Pool remains open.
Over at Yacht Club and Beach Club, Admiral Pool and Tidal Pool also closed in January and should return in early May. Stormalong Bay and Dunes Cove remain available, which helps soften the impact. BoardWalk Inn guests, however, will face their own pool-related disruption in 2027 when Luna Park Pool, the play area, and Leaping Horse Libations close from January 11 into April.
Dining closures add another layer. Crew’s Cup Lounge closed in February 2026 and should reopen in May. Yachtsman Steakhouse is set to close on May 11 and return in early August. Saratoga Springs will also see phased work at The Turf Club through mid-September 2026. The good news is that not every dining update is a closure: Garden View Lounge – Tea Experience reopened at the Grand Floridian on March 19, 2026, after six years away.
Exterior Work and Transportation Changes Could Shift Daily Plans
Some of the most visible changes may end up being outside the hotel room entirely. Disney’s Contemporary Resort begins exterior work on its main tower on March 23, 2026, while Bay Lake Tower continues elevator landing repairs through early May. During part of that work, the Skyway Bridge will close on weekdays during daytime hours from March 30 through May 1.
Elsewhere, exterior refurbishment continues through late 2026 at Wilderness Lodge, Copper Creek Villas & Cabins, Yacht Club, and select areas of BoardWalk Inn. Grand Floridian’s work stretches even longer, continuing into early 2027.
Transportation changes make this even more important for guests to track. The Wilderness Lodge boat dock refurbishment now lasts through late July 2026, and boat transportation to Magic Kingdom will pause from April 13 through May 1. In January 2027, the Disney Skyliner will also shut down for annual maintenance from January 24 through January 30, affecting access for several resorts and pushing guests toward bus transportation instead.
Planning Ahead Matters More Than Ever
Taken together, these projects show Disney in the middle of a broad resort refresh. That may pay off later, but for now, it creates plenty of moving parts for guests who want a smooth hotel stay.
The biggest takeaway is simple: know what is closed before you book. A missing pool, a shut-down restaurant, or a transportation adjustment may not sound major on its own, but it can change how convenient a resort feels during your trip. And since these updates already extend into 2027, guests should expect Disney’s hotel closure list to stay active for quite a while.
