Disney World vacations are supposed to feel like an escape. You check into your resort, hear the background music playing, smell the lobby scents, and immediately feel like you are inside the Disney bubble.
But in 2026, a lot of guests may notice something else during their hotel stays: construction.
Disney has now confirmed updates, refurbishments, and temporary closures affecting nearly a dozen resort hotels across Walt Disney World. Some projects are small routine refreshes. Others are much larger and could remain visible for months or even years.
The timing is not exactly surprising. Disney is currently in the middle of one of the biggest transformation periods the resort has seen in a long time. Frontierland is being rebuilt. New attractions are arriving. Hotels are being modernized. And with Epic Universe now open down the road, Disney appears focused on keeping its resorts competitive.
Still, guests staying on property may absolutely feel some of these changes.
At Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the Grand Floridian Cafe will temporarily close later this year while refurbishment work takes place. Construction is also continuing around portions of the resort itself.
At Saratoga Springs, guests could run into rotating restaurant closures that shift throughout the summer. The Turf Club Lounge, Patio, and Bar & Grill are all operating on different refurbishment schedules, meaning the experience may change depending on exactly when someone visits.
Over at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, exterior maintenance is ongoing while Yachtsman Steakhouse is also expected to temporarily close for a refresh.
Then there is Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, where construction activity has become especially noticeable. Boat transportation disruptions, dock closures, and exterior refurbishment work are all happening simultaneously. Disney has even warned that some Seven Seas Lagoon views may become partially obstructed during construction.
That matters because the Polynesian has always been one of Disney World’s most iconic resorts. People stay there for the atmosphere, the tropical setting, and those incredible Magic Kingdom views.
The same situation is happening at several other Deluxe Resorts as well. Beach Club, BoardWalk Inn, Wilderness Lodge, and the Contemporary are all dealing with ongoing projects in different areas.
For returning Disney guests, this may feel familiar. Refurbishments are always happening somewhere at Walt Disney World. The difference now is just how widespread everything feels at once.
Almost every section of Disney property seems to have something under construction.
The good news is that Disney is still keeping most resort amenities operational whenever possible. Pools are often rotated during maintenance. Dining locations sometimes move temporarily instead of disappearing completely. Transportation alternatives are usually available.
Still, vacations may require a little more flexibility than usual over the next year.
Guests planning Disney trips in 2026 will probably want to pay closer attention to refurbishment calendars before finalizing reservations. The resort experience could vary quite a bit depending on where you stay and when you visit.
And for many families, that could become just as important as deciding which park they want to visit first.
