New Hotel and Restaurant Complex Coming to the Disney Springs Area

The Walt Disney World Resort is always in a constant state of flux. It was the way Walt Disney wanted it. He was always making changes, constantly adding new attractions for the guests.

Unlike at Disneyland in California, Walt wanted to be able to control development around the Disney World Parks, but just like at Disneyland, the area outside of Walt Disney World has seen massive development of hotels, shops, and restaurants. And it’s getting even more.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, the AIC Hotel Group has purchased a vacant 50-acre parcel just east of Disney Springs. The group plans on building four hotels, 16 restaurants, a 1,625-seat entertainment venue, and 270 apartments.

One of the hotels will be built by Nobu Hotels, which was founded by Chef Nob Matsuhisa, actor Robert DeNiro, and film producer Meir Teper. The new Nobu Resort will feature 300 rooms and a Nobu restaurant. The group owns luxury hotels in Miami Beach, Las Vegas, London, Los Cabos, and Malibu. The Nobu Hotel expects to open in 2026.

The Disney Springs area property was previously owned by Great Wolf Resorts, which is known for its indoor water parks across the country.

But the shift away from family-friendly resorts to more upscale restaurants and hotels has been a trend across Orlando. In the past years, the areas surrounding Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando have seen Hilton open a Conrad Hotel and, a Tau Hotel, and a Fairmont Hotel opened.

With Universal Orlando opening Epic Universe in 2025, Marriott is set to open an upscale W Hotel for guests at the new theme park.

But for guests heading to the Walt Disney World Resort, this new hotel/restaurant complex near the Disney Springs area gives them another upscale choice close to the Disney Resort.

But while it remains close to the action, it also allows for a break from all things Disney and a chance to relax in luxury. It will also offer guests more dining options without paying the prices inside a Disney Park.

The AIC Hotel Group expects its new Disney Springs hotel/restaurant complex to open in 2026/2027. It will hopefully be cheaper than the Disney World Hotels but still offer the same perks like early theme park entry like most Disney good neighbor hotels in the area do.

We will continue to update this story at Disney Fanatic.