Some big changes are coming to the Disney World hotels!
Port Orleans French Quarter
In the past few years, we’ve seen quite a few updates to the Disney World hotels. We’ve seen room refurbishments, lobby updates, restaurant overhauls, and general touch-ups. But Disney doesn’t seem to be stopping the adjustments anytime soon — these are the hotel updates coming up in the future!
Scheduled Character Appearances
The first change is one that’s already in progress at some locations, and you can likely expect it at your hotel when you come on vacation — scheduled character appearances! For the past few years, Disney characters have been visiting various hotels on a seemingly random basis. But now, Disney is sharing the schedule.
Daisy at Riviera Resort
In February 2025, we started spotting signs in hotel lobbies with dates and times for when guests can expect to see characters visiting. This is a great guide so you can make your plans for a resort day! When you stay in a Disney Resort next time, be sure to look out for the sign or ask at the front desk.
Click Here to Learn More About Scheduled Characters!
Luggage Assistance
A new perk has recently begun testing at the Disney World Value Resorts — luggage transfers with Southwest Airlines. For those flying home from Disney World with Southwest and staying at the All-Stars, Pop Century, or Art of Animation, you can visit luggage services at your hotel to drop off your bags…and then pick them up at baggage claim when you get home!
Luggage Assistance
There are signs in the lobbies of these resorts with details, or you can visit the luggage services desk to get more information. The time of your flight will determine when your luggage needs to be dropped off at the desk, but they’ll make sure it gets to the airport and on your flight! And did we mention? This is completely FREE.
Click Here to Learn More About This Perk!
Moderate Resort Room Changes
For 2026 hotel bookings, Disney World made a significant change to the Moderate Resort room categories. Going forward, the main room categories will be Standard Room, Preferred Room, or a room with a king bed. Some Disney Moderate Resorts will continue to offer specialty categories, like the Royal Guest Rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort—Riverside.
Caribbean Beach Resort
This change applies to Caribbean Beach Resort, Coronado Springs Resort, and the Port Orleans Resorts. It’s hopefully going to help streamline that booking process and make things easier to understand.
Click Here to Learn More About the Change!
Fort Wilderness Campsite Changes
If you’re a fan of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, there’s a big change you need to know about for 2026. Starting next year, the maximum occupancy for campsites at this resort will be 8 people. Currently, that number sits at 10.
Welcome to Fort Wilderness
This decrease in the number of guests on each site applies to Premium Campsites, Premium Meadow Campsites, Full Hook-Up Campsites, Tent or Pop-Up Campsites, and Preferred Campsites. The only other accommodation type at Fort Wilderness is the cabins, which can accommodate 6 people each.
Get More Details About the Fort Wilderness Change Here!
Grand Floridian Lobby Refurbishment
The last big update we need to make you aware of is the lobby refurbishment happening at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. During this construction project, the lobby will be getting a refresh, along with the staircase and the front desk. Also, Disney will be adding a new lobby bar.
©Disney
Concept art for the project has been shared, and the construction has already begun. Because of this project, there will be no Grand Floridian gingerbread house display in 2025.
Learn More About the Grand Flo Project Here!
So looks like resort stays will be fairly different going forward! If you want to know more about the best hotels for first-timers, make sure to watch our video below.
Stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney World news and updates!
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Picture this – my family and I walk in, after plunking down $1000 a night for 2 rooms, only to be greeted by the sounds of blenders mixing up concoctions for people draped over bar stools getting loud and obnoxious. Thank you Disney for thinking that alcohol is the only source of revenue. One more thing Disney, DVC people are not you only other source of revenue, either. I don’t think Disney realizes that they are losing the all American family. You give huge discounts and freebies to International travelers but not to American families, you build DVC resorts for DVC members but not the American families. Everything seems to be out of reach for the families that made you great. The food is mediocre, at best, the rides break down constantly, the parks are not as clean as they used to be, the cast members are rude, visitors cheat the system by six family members piggy backing upon one person that supposedly has a disability. Electric scooters run over guests ankles, legs and feet. I wish I had an answer to all of these issues but unfortunately we can not go back in time to how it used to be….. I’m so sorry and I am so sad but at least I have seven years of awesome memories with my Daughters and Grandchildren
Very well said Vicki.
We r DVC members at Boardwalk Villas. Joined in 1999. My husband died 1 yr later. It has been a blessing to my family. We have had tremendous vacations (my granddaughter & me). If there is any negative it would be how expensive things are now. But we still love DisneyWorld.