When it comes to planning a Disney World trip, there are plenty of things you need to keep in mind.
And, when it comes to choosing which Disney World hotel you want to stay in, there are even more things you need to keep in mind! Between pool closures, refurbishments, lobby upgrades, and more, you might regret staying at these hotels in 2026, depending on when you visit.
If you’re heading to Disney World in 2026, make sure you check out these refurbishments and closures before booking your hotel stay!
Skyliner Resorts
The Disney World Skyliner can be a huge benefit to staying at those hotels, but from January 25th, 2026, through January 31st, 2026, the Skyliner will be closed for refurbishment. Instead of the Skyliner, a complimentary bus service will be available to take you to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.
The hotels that will be impacted by the Skyliner closure are:
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas
- Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
- Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
While this isn’t a long closure, it can still be annoying. Make sure you keep it in mind when you book your hotel!
All-Star Sports Resort
The All-Star Sports’ Surfboard Bay Pool and the kiddie pool will be closed for maintenance from January 2026 to April 2026.
Luckily, the Grand Slam Leisure Pool will still be available. Hotel guests are also able to use the pools located at the other All-Star Resorts as well (Music and Movies).
Animal Kingdom Lodge
From now through May 2026, Disney is refurbishing the guest rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Kidani Village, so you may see or hear construction during the day.
And, from May 2026 through January 2027, guest rooms at Jambo House will be undergoing refurbishment. These shouldn’t impact your stay too much, aside from occasionally seeing or hearing construction.
Beach Club Resort
The exterior of the Beach Club is undergoing extensive maintenance through 2027. During this time, you may need to use alternative routes to get around the hotel, and you may see or hear construction during the day.
All services like valet, luggage assistance, and transportation will be available — so it shouldn’t impact your stay too much.
Contemporary Resort
Certain areas of the Contemporary — like Bay Lake Tower and the Convention Center — are undergoing refurbishments through July 2026.
Additionally, from January 26th, 2026, through May 2026, the Bay Cove Pool, the water play area, and the whirlpool spa at Bay Lake Tower will temporarily be closed for maintenance.
Polynesian Village Resort
Significant construction and traffic changes are happening at the Polynesian hotel. The front entrance roadway and bus area are being reworked for a smoother traffic flow. Construction may be visible during the day, but it shouldn’t impact your overall stay.
While the project will probably last for a good bit, the Polynesian will still be operating as normal — so it’s nothing to stress about!
Pop Century Resort
A long room refurbishment will end at Pop Century sometime in February 2026. Rooms have been getting a bit of a refresh at this Value hotel, but nothing too significant.
Like the other resorts, you may see or hear construction while you’re staying here, but it won’t impact your overall stay.
Port Orleans Riverside Resort
From now through February 2026, select rooms will be getting refurbished at Port Orleans Riverside.
The construction is going to impact the rooms in the Magnolia Bend section, which are mostly Royal Rooms.
Yacht Club Resort
Just like the Beach Club, the Yacht Club is also undergoing exterior maintenance through late 2026. The porte chochere is being updated, but there will be other changes taking place during this time.
We’ll be on the lookout for additional hotel updates you need to know about from Disney World. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more!
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