Disney World guests heading to Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa this summer are about to run into a much larger refurbishment project than originally expected. Disney has officially extended parts of a major dining refurbishment at the resort, pushing disruptions deeper into fall 2026 and affecting one of Saratoga Springs’ most popular dining locations for months.
For many Disney Vacation Club members, Saratoga Springs has become a reliable “home resort” over the years. The property offers larger villas, peaceful walking paths, golf course views, and easy access to Disney Springs. Unlike some of Disney World’s louder and more crowded resorts, Saratoga Springs has built a reputation around being quieter and more relaxing.
That atmosphere is one reason The Turf Club Bar & Grill became such a fan-favorite spot over the years. The restaurant overlooks the golf course and gives guests a calmer table-service experience away from packed park crowds. Now, though, guests visiting the resort through late September will notice major operational changes as Disney continues a phased refurbishment project.
Disney recently updated the timeline for the refurbishment and quietly confirmed that portions of the closure will now last longer than first announced.
Disney Splits the Closure Into Multiple Phases
Instead of shutting everything down at once, Disney is keeping portions of The Turf Club operating while other sections temporarily close.
The first phase already began earlier this month. The Turf Club Lounge closed in early May and will remain unavailable through late August. During that time, the main restaurant will continue operating, though Disney says guests should expect a modified menu along with a temporary pop-up bar replacing the normal lounge experience.
Then things shift again later this summer.
Disney also confirmed that the patio area will close during part of August before the main Turf Club Bar & Grill shuts down from late August through late September. During that final phase, the Lounge is expected to reopen while the restaurant itself remains closed.
The project now stretches almost the entire length of the busy summer travel season.
Originally, Disney planned for portions of the refurbishment to end sooner, but the updated timeline now pushes the work further into fall. That means guests arriving during Labor Day season and early fall vacations could still encounter construction impacts around the restaurant.
Why Saratoga Springs Guests Are Paying Attention
Normally, restaurant refurbishments at Disney resorts do not spark much conversation online. This one feels slightly different.
Saratoga Springs is one of Disney’s largest resorts, and many repeat visitors use The Turf Club regularly during longer Disney Vacation Club stays. Some guests stop there after golf rounds, while others treat it as one of the better “hidden gem” restaurants on Disney property.
Because of that, many fans reacted quickly when Disney extended the refurbishment schedule.
Some guests expressed concerns about menu reductions during the construction period, while others worried Disney could dramatically change the restaurant’s atmosphere once the refurbishment finishes.
That concern has become more common in recent years as Disney continues modernizing resorts, restaurants, and lounges across property. Some updates have been widely praised, while others sparked criticism from longtime fans who preferred older designs and quieter atmospheres.
Several Disney fans online specifically mentioned hoping The Turf Club keeps its cozy, relaxing feel once the work is complete.
Disney World Continues Heavy Construction Across Property
The Saratoga Springs refurbishment also fits into a much larger pattern happening across Walt Disney World right now.
Construction projects remain active all across Disney property as the company continues preparing for future expansions and updated guest experiences. Magic Kingdom continues massive transformation projects tied to Frontierland and future expansion plans. Disney’s Hollywood Studios recently reopened its reimagined Walt Disney Studios Courtyard area, while EPCOT continues evolving through ride updates and seasonal offerings.
Resorts are seeing major changes too.
Disney has spent years refurbishing hotel rooms, lobby spaces, dining areas, and recreation offerings across multiple properties. Saratoga Springs itself has already undergone significant room refurbishments over the past several years.
Rather than fully shutting down resorts during these projects, Disney typically phases work carefully to minimize disruption. That strategy appears to be happening again here with The Turf Club.
Still, guests staying at Saratoga Springs this summer should prepare for some inconvenience.
Modified menus, temporary bar setups, patio closures, and construction activity could slightly change the experience many repeat visitors are used to having at the resort.
The Summer Timing Is Not Ideal
The extended closure window also arrives during one of Disney World’s busiest operational periods in recent years.
Summer 2026 includes major attraction launches, new entertainment offerings, and large crowds tied to school breaks and vacation season. Disney’s Hollywood Studios has seen renewed traffic thanks to the opening of Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, while Star Wars fans continue flooding Galaxy’s Edge for the updated Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run missions.
At the same time, many guests staying at Saratoga Springs rely heavily on Disney Springs dining while spending resort days away from the parks.
Even though Disney Springs remains just a short walk away, The Turf Club has always offered guests a more relaxed alternative compared to the crowds and wait times often found across Disney Springs restaurants.
That is one reason this refurbishment may feel larger than a normal dining closure.
Guests planning summer or early fall stays at Saratoga Springs may want to check restaurant availability ahead of time and prepare for alternate dining plans depending on when they visit.
