Disney Confirms Massive Resort Overhaul That Will Impact Guests for Months
If you’re heading to Walt Disney World anytime soon, there’s one resort where things aren’t quite business as usual—and it’s not a quick fix.
What’s happening at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort is much bigger than a routine refurbishment. This is a full-scale overhaul, and it’s going to impact guests for months… actually, more than a year.
And we’re still right in the middle of it.
This Isn’t a Typical Disney Refurbishment
Disney is known for refurbishments. Attractions close. Rooms get updated. Resorts get refreshed.
But this? This is on a different level.
The ongoing work at Port Orleans Riverside began in May 2025 and is now expected to continue through August 2027. That’s a multi-year transformation, and it’s being done in phases to keep the resort operational.
That means guests are staying at a resort that’s actively being rebuilt around them.
What Guests Are Experiencing Right Now
Right now, the resort feels like it’s in motion.
One section looks completely refreshed, while another might be closed off for construction. Buildings cycle in and out of availability. Walkways shift. The experience changes depending on when—and where—you stay.
Disney does limit construction to daytime hours and avoids placing guests in active work zones. But there’s no way to fully hide a project of this size.
And guests are noticing.
The French Quarter Preview
If you want an idea of where this is all heading, look at Port Orleans French Quarter.
That side of the resort already completed its refurbishment, and it shows exactly what Disney is going for.
The rooms are brighter. Cleaner. More modern. There’s better storage, updated bathrooms, and a more streamlined layout overall.
At the same time, the theming has been toned down slightly, leaning more subtle than before.
That same approach is now being applied across Riverside.
The Timeline That Changes Everything
The biggest reason this project stands out is the timeline.
Magnolia Bend has already been completed, but the next phase is what keeps this going for months—and months.
Disney is set to begin refurbishing the Alligator Bayou section in late summer 2026. That area alone includes 16 buildings, and the work is expected to last about a year.
So even as parts of the resort look finished, other parts will still be going through major changes.
That’s why this isn’t just a temporary inconvenience. It’s an ongoing transformation.
A Shift in Room Availability
There’s another detail that could affect guests more than they realize.
The number of Royal Rooms at Port Orleans Riverside is being reduced significantly.
After the refurbishment is complete, only about half of those themed rooms will remain, all located in one building.
That means availability is going to be tighter moving forward. If you’re hoping to book one of those rooms, you’ll need to plan earlier—and expect more competition.
Should You Still Stay Here?
This is the big question.
And the answer really depends on what kind of trip you’re planning.
If you want a fully polished, untouched resort experience, this might not be the ideal time to stay at Port Orleans.
But if you don’t mind seeing a resort evolve—and maybe even enjoy staying in a freshly updated room—there’s still a lot to love here.
The atmosphere, the layout, the location… all of that is still intact.
You just have to be okay with the fact that things are changing around you.
The Bottom Line
Disney isn’t just updating Port Orleans. They’re rebuilding it in phases, and that process is going to impact guests for a while.
We’re talking months of ongoing work, shifting availability, and a resort that’s evolving in real time.
By the time it’s done, it’s going to feel like a completely new experience.
But right now?
You’re catching it right in the middle of the transformation.
