The magic of Walt Disney World still shines—the castle gleams, fireworks explode nightly, and monorails glide past smiling guests. But inside some of the most sought-after resorts, a different scene unfolds.
Construction crews work on redesigned spaces, refresh rooms, and transform public areas, making these properties look and feel different from what many remember.
From high-end lobbies to resort roadways, change sweeps across property at a pace that longtime guests can’t ignore.
Grand Floridian: An Elegant Overhaul
Known for its Victorian grandeur, the Grand Floridian is reimagining its public spaces through November 2025. Crews are closing off sections of the lobby, filling the air with construction noise, and removing the ornate aviary to make way for the “Birdcage Bar.”
Disney will not bring back the Gingerbread House for Christmas 2025, and it plans to reopen the Tea Room with a new identity. Outside, crews on Floridian Way widen roads, reroute traffic, and add roundabouts near the Grand Floridian and Polynesian. Heavy equipment and altered traffic patterns now greet arriving guests.
Polynesian Village Resort: New Entrances, New Era
The Polynesian’s Island Tower now stands complete, but more work continues. Through 2026, crews reconfigure the entrance and bus loop. They have already cleared part of the parking lot to link the main entrance to Floridian Way, and Seven Seas Drive will soon serve only buses.
Guests can still enjoy pools, dining, and entertainment, but will see altered views and hear daytime construction.
Beach Club Resort: Quiet Adjustments
Beach Club continues exterior maintenance through October 2025, closing the main entrance. A recent room refresh added updated flooring, furniture, and playful Donald Duck art, but the overall style remains unchanged.
Port Orleans Riverside: Theme in Question
Port Orleans Riverside renovates Magnolia Bend’s Royal Rooms until February 2026. Disney has not confirmed whether the current themed design will survive the refresh. If crews move to Alligator Bayou next, the work could stretch for years.
Wilderness Lodge: Beauty Meets Building
Wilderness Lodge renovates the Copper Creek Villas until September 2025, while exterior work could last until 2027. The lodge’s natural setting helps hide some of the disruption, but the nearby Lakeshore Lodge project remains visible from Boulder Ridge.
Contemporary Resort: Still Under Construction
The Contemporary’s updates, originally set to finish in 2025, now run through July 2026. Crews work on Bay Lake Tower and the Convention Center, creating potential noise and blocked-off areas.
From January to May 2026, Bay Lake Tower's Bay Cove Pool and water play area will close for maintenance. While the resort keeps other pools open, guests may feel like they are in an active construction zone.
The Ongoing Trade-Off
Disney’s overlapping projects put its most expensive resorts in constant transition. These upgrades add modern amenities, but for now, guests must balance the appeal of staying somewhere iconic with the reality of cranes, scaffolding, and temporary detours.
