While it may seem like 2026 just began, the reality is the year’s halfway over and many Disney World guests are already planning their trips for 2027…including selecting their hotel.
Art of Animation
However, some Disney guests are skipping a few of the resort’s most popular hotels next year.
Having trouble choosing a hotel? Don’t want to handle the stress sweats that come with the Disney World planning process? That’s where our friends at Small World Vacations come in. They are the best in the business when it comes to planning Disney vacations, and their services are completely FREE. Thinking about it? Go ahead and reach out!
Art of Animation
In the late spring of 2026, Disney confirmed that a major refurbishment is coming to the popular value resort, Art of Animation. The hotel will remain open and proceed through phases, with changes coming to both the standard guest rooms and family suites.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
During a preview, we got to see the Little Mermaid-themed rooms. While retaining the similar theme, the rooms will feature new under-the-sea prints and a Murphy bed — similar to the current layout of the rooms at Pop Century — along with a seashell bed and chairs. Furthermore, the company said that Imagineering and facilities are working together to maintain the feeling of stepping into a movie, which is obviously integral to rooms such as Cars and Toy Story.
Finding Nemo Suite
The refurbishment isn’t the only work to hit Art of Animation next year, though the first will be much shorter. The Disney World Skyliner will be closed for its annual maintenance from January 24th through January 30th, 2027. Disney will provide complimentary bus service between the four Skyliner resorts (Art of Animation, Pop Century, the Riviera Resort, and the Caribbean Beach Resort) and EPCOT and Hollywood Studios during the closure.
Disney World Skyliner
These 5 Disney World Hotels Are Suddenly a Much Better Deal
Port Orleans Riverside
The Port Orleans Resort is already home to some of our favorite hotel rooms on property, and things are improving even more thanks to a massive room refurbishment coming to the Port Orleans Riverside Resort’s Magnolia Bend area.
Decked out for Cool Kids Summer
However, the work on the hotel will continue through August of 2027, meaning the hotel will be home to construction through the first half of the year and beyond.
Port Orleans Riverside
ROOM TOUR: Come See The NEW Royal Rooms At Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort
Fort Wilderness Campground
Disney’s campground has been an integral part of the Disney World experience since (almost) the very beginning. However, the construction and summer 2027 opening of the massive Lakeshore Lodge Resort (which is located right near the campground, in the former location of the River Country water park), combined with the fact that the free water park day perk will NOT extend to Fort Wilderness guests next year, has many rethinking their stay at the campground in 2027.
via @bioreconstruct on X/Twitter
While you’re booking your hotel, you’re also going to think about dining. Between the reviews, menus, and reservation strategies, it’s a lot to sort through. Our Guide to Disney World Dining pulls it all together so you can stop stressing and focus on the fun without feeling like you’re missing a thing!
Have a bite!
In addition, several other Disney World hotels will have confirmed construction projects during 2027, including:
- All-Star Movies Refurb: May 2026 to January 2027.
- Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House Refurb: May 2026 to January 2027.
- Grand Floridian Resort-Wide Refurbishment Including Porte-cochère: Through early 2027.
- Beach Club Exterior Refurbishment: Through Late 2027.
- Contemporary Resort-Wide: Through Late 2027.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
If you’re planning a Walt Disney World trip for 2027, there are some hotels you may want to steer clear of. Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World tips.
3 Rules To Know BEFORE Booking a Discounted Disney World Hotel Room
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Yet Disney continues to charge FULL prices where there should be discounts during their closures and construction.
Hello..
Planning on a Disney trip June of 27… grandson will be most interested in the “CARS” area !!
Will thus be complete by then and is there a “Radiator Springs”
Hotel ??