A lot is happening behind the scenes at Walt Disney World right now, and your resort stay could look a little different depending on when you visit.

From pool closures to full-scale refurbishments, Disney has quietly confirmed a wave of updates affecting nearly a dozen properties across the resort. If you’ve got a trip on the books, this is exactly the kind of information you want in your back pocket before you arrive. Here’s a full breakdown of what’s new, what’s ongoing, and what to expect at each location.

Newly Announced Updates

All-Star Movies Resort

All-Star Movies is entering a refurbishment window starting in late May 2026 and running through the end of January 2027. Disney hasn’t shared specifics on exactly what’s getting the refresh, but if you’re booked at this value resort during that stretch, it’s worth keeping an eye out for any updates closer to your travel dates.

Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Big news for Grand Floridian fans: the Grand Floridian Cafe will temporarily close for a refresh from mid-July through October 2026. The good news is that brunch won’t disappear entirely. It’s just moving over to Citricos for the duration. All other dining spots at the resort will stay open, so your options are still solid even while the renovation is underway. Ongoing construction in select areas, including the covered entrance, is also expected to continue through early 2027.

Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa

Saratoga Springs has a layered situation going on. Refurbishment work across different areas, including the Treehouse Villas, will continue through mid-September 2026. The Turf Club Lounge will be closed from mid-April through early August, though the Bar and Grill will stay open with a pop-up bar and modified menu to keep things running. Then, in early August, the Turf Club Patio closes, and by mid-August, the Bar and Grill itself closes for a stretch through early September, with the Lounge reopening to pick up the slack. It’s a rolling closure situation, so the experience will vary depending on exactly when you’re visiting.

Ongoing Updates

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Refurbishment work at Kidani Village is wrapping up, running now through May 2026. After that, attention turns to Jambo House, where work will run from May 2026 through January 2027. If you’re planning a stay and want to choose between the two buildings, timing matters.

Beach Club Resort

Visible exterior maintenance is underway at Beach Club and will continue through late 2027. For those planning a visit in the near term, the Tidal leisure pool will also be closed through early May for routine maintenance.

BoardWalk Inn

BoardWalk is in the middle of a multi-area refurbishment running now through late 2026. Disney hasn’t laid out a specific project list, but guests can expect some areas to look a little rough around the edges while work is in progress.

Contemporary Resort

This one’s got a few moving parts. Refurbishments are ongoing in select areas, including Bay Lake Tower and the main A-frame atrium, running now through late 2027. The Bay Cove Pool, water play area, and whirlpool spa at Bay Lake Tower are currently closed through early May, though the Bay Lake Pool, the Cove Bar, the feature pool, and the main water play area remain open. There’s also exterior elevator landing repair work happening at Bay Lake Tower, which means the Skyway Bridge connecting Bay Lake Tower to the Contemporary Main Tower is closed Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM. It reopens daily after 5 PM and stays available on evenings and weekends.

Fort Wilderness Campground

Construction near the Meadow Swimmin’ Pool area is continuing through mid-2026. Both the Meadow and Wilderness Swimmin’ Pools remain open, but seating around the Meadow pool may be limited, and guests should expect to see and hear some activity nearby.

Port Orleans Resort Riverside

Guest room refurbishments are happening throughout the resort in different phases, and this one has a long runway: work continues through August 2027. If you’re booking here, it’s business as usual for the most part, with some noise and activity possible depending on where your room lands.

Wilderness Lodge and Copper Creek Villas and Cabins

Exterior refurbishment at Wilderness Lodge is continuing through late 2026, with the security kiosk expanding from late March through mid-October. The entrance stays open, though lane closures may pop up occasionally.

Yacht Club Resort

Exterior maintenance at Yacht Club is ongoing through late 2026, and the Admiral leisure pool was closed starting in mid-January and will remain closed through early May. Guests may also need to navigate alternate paths of travel while work is active. Yachtsman Steakhouse is also closing in May 2026 for a refresh, with a target reopening by August 2026. If a steakhouse dinner is on your Disney itinerary, plan around that window.

Polynesian Village Resort

There’s a lot happening at the Polynesian right now. The boat dock closed on May 11th for routine maintenance and will remain closed through late June, with boat transportation suspended until June 5th. During that window, guests can reach Magic Kingdom and the Grand Floridian via the monorail or the walking path between the resorts. Beyond the dock, construction is ongoing in select areas of the Polynesian Village Resort and the Polynesian Villas and Bungalows, with Disney confirming that work is expected to continue through 2026.

Guests should expect to see and hear construction activity starting at 9 AM daily. Exterior sections of the resort are also getting attention, which means views of Seven Seas Lagoon from certain spots, including ‘Ohana, may be partially or fully obstructed. If catching the fireworks is on your list, your best bet is an earlier dinner reservation and then heading down to the beach to watch from there.

The Bottom Line

Twelve properties, one very long list of updates. The good news is that Walt Disney World is being fairly transparent about what’s happening and when, which gives you the chance to plan around closures, adjust expectations, or simply book with your eyes open. In most cases, the bulk of the resort experience stays intact even during active refurbishment. But knowing about a closed pool or a favorite restaurant going dark for a few months can make a real difference in how you plan your trip.

Don’t forget to keep following DFB for the latest on resort updates, dining changes, and everything else happening across Walt Disney World. We track this stuff so you don’t have to.

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Which of these resort updates affects your upcoming trip the most, and are you adjusting your plans because of it? Tell us in the comments!