Something isn’t quite lining up the way it used to at Walt Disney World—and if you’ve been paying attention, you’ve probably already noticed the shift.
Guests checking into Disney’s Port Orleans Resort lately are stepping into something that feels unfinished, but not in a bad way. It’s more like catching a glimpse of something mid-transformation. Walls go up. Buildings go down for refurbishment. Then, almost quietly, they reopen with an entirely different feel.
Now, Disney has effectively confirmed what many fans suspected: this isn’t a short-term update. It’s a long-term overhaul that stretches all the way into 2027.
A Resort Transformation That’s Still in Progress
Port Orleans Riverside is at the center of one of the most extensive resort refurbishment projects happening anywhere at Walt Disney World right now. What started back in May 2025 isn’t wrapping up anytime soon. In fact, the current timeline pushes completion all the way to August 2027.
That’s not your typical Disney refurbishment window.
Instead of tackling everything at once, Disney is working through the resort in phases. One building at a time. One section at a time. It allows the resort to stay open, but it also means guests are experiencing this overhaul in real time.
And depending on when you visit, your experience could feel completely different.
What Has Already Changed
Part of this transformation has already wrapped up next door at Port Orleans French Quarter. That project gave fans a preview of what Disney is aiming for here.
This wasn’t just a refresh. Rooms were taken down to their core and rebuilt. Layouts shifted. Flooring changed. Bathrooms were redesigned. Storage improved. The overall vibe moved toward something cleaner and more modern, with lighter Disney touches woven into the design.
It’s a noticeable shift.
Some guests love the updated look. Others feel like a bit of the charm has been toned down. But there’s no question that Disney is standardizing a new style across its resorts.
Now, that same approach is being applied to Riverside.
The Next Phase Is Where Things Stretch Into 2027
At this point, the Magnolia Bend section of Riverside has already been completed and reopened. That alone took months of work.
But the next phase is the one that’s extending this timeline deep into 2027.
Disney is preparing to move into the Alligator Bayou section—16 separate lodge-style buildings that will undergo a full refurbishment cycle. That work is expected to begin in late summer 2026 and run for about a year.
That’s the stretch that keeps this project going for another 16 months from where we are now.
And because Disney is handling this in phases, it means portions of the resort will continue cycling in and out of availability.
A Change That Could Catch Guests Off Guard
There’s another shift happening here that isn’t getting as much attention, but it could matter just as much to guests planning a stay.
The number of Royal Rooms at Port Orleans Riverside is being reduced.
Before the refurbishment, there were over 500 of these themed rooms. After the update, that number is being cut roughly in half, with all remaining Royal Rooms consolidated into a single building.
That means less availability, more competition for those rooms, and potentially higher demand moving forward.
It’s not something Disney is putting front and center, but it’s a real change that could impact booking decisions.
What It Means for Your Trip
If you’re planning to stay at Port Orleans in the next year or so, the biggest thing to understand is that this resort is still very much a work in progress.
Disney does a good job keeping construction contained. Most of the work happens during the day. Guests aren’t placed in buildings that are actively under refurbishment.
But even with those efforts, you’ll still notice the impact.
You might walk past construction walls. You might find certain pathways rerouted. And depending on availability, you might not get the exact room category you originally planned for.
It doesn’t ruin the experience—but it does change it.
The Bigger Direction Disney Is Taking
Zoom out, and this project fits into a much larger shift happening across Walt Disney World.
Disney is clearly moving toward more modern resort designs. Cleaner layouts. More functional rooms. Subtle theming instead of bold, in-your-face designs.
Port Orleans is just one of the most visible examples of that strategy.
And by the time this overhaul finally wraps up in 2027, the resort will feel like something entirely new—even if the bones of what made it special are still there.
