8 Huge Hotel Changes Announced for Disney World in 2026

If you’re planning a Disney World vacation for 2026, we hope you have a great time!

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

2026 will bring us the reopening of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (official reopening date TBA) and lots of construction as new updates begin around the parks. Next year will also bring a few changes to several Disney World Resort hotels. If you’re planning to stay at one of the many Disney hotels, be aware of the following changes happening and consider them as you begin planning your vacation.

Room Categories

Room categories will be changing at Disney’s Moderate Resorts. This change is coming with the hope of helping to make your planning experience easier. The resorts that will see these changes are:

Disney’s Port Orleans — Riverside

You’ll see new categories on the Disney World website when booking your room. These new categories will be Standard Room, Preferred Room, or a room with a king bed. This simplifies the options available, making reservations easier. You will also note that some of the Moderate hotels will continue to offer additional categories, such as Disney’s Port Orleans — Riverside offering “Royal Guest Room.”

General Construction

Grand Floridian

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has been undergoing a multi-phase refurbishment, but in 2026 it will officially come to an end. The resorts lobby, which is currently under construction, will officially be updated to include a brand new lobby bar inspired by the lobby’s giant birdcage.

©Disney

The bar will be opposite the lobby’s Victorian cage-style elevator, but based on the concept art, the iconic bird cage will likely not be returning. The lobby as a whole will have a new look that combines Victorian charm with modern luxury, perfect for this top-tier Deluxe hotel with luxury pricing.

The new bar construction

Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Some general construction will be going on at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. This resort is within walking distance to Magic Kingdom, which makes it a favorite for many people. It is a Disney Vacation Club resort, but anyone is able to stay here.

Bay Lake Tower

In 2026, the Bay Cove Pool, the Cove Bar, the water play area, and the whirlpool spa will be temporarily closed for maintenance. This maintenance will be ongoing from January 26th, 2026 through early May 2026. While these areas are closed, Disney assures guests that the two pools, water play area, and the whirlpool spa at the Contemporary Resort will be open for you to enjoy.

Guest Room Renovations

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside

The guest rooms in the Magnolia Bend at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside have been getting refurbished since May 2025, and this will continue until the end of February 2026.

Magnolia Bend

If you’re planning to stay here, be aware of the potential construction noise for the first couple of months of the new year.

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Guest rooms at Disney’s Pop Century Resort have also been getting a facelift.

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

These refurbishments started in late March 2025 and will also last into February 2026.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

As of October 2025, the rooms at Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge are being refurbished until May 2026.

Kidani Village

After Kidani Village’s refurbishments are complete, Jambo House will be next. Starting May 2026 through January 2027, be aware that construction may be seen and/or heard here.

Copper Creek Villas & Cabins

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Copper Creek Villas are currently undergoing exterior refurbishment work. This began on August 5th, 2024 with no end date listed by Disney.

Exterior refurbishment as of July 30th, 2025

However, luckily, the Copper Creek Villas & Cabins room refurbishments should be done getting refurbished by the end of September 2025. We’re including them in this list of changes because, if you’re staying here in 2026, you’ll be some of the FIRST to experience the renovated rooms!