Know Before You Go: Disney World Unveils Finished Renovations at 6 Popular Hotels
Guests visiting Walt Disney World over the past year have likely noticed construction walls and refurbishment projects scattered throughout several resort hotels. While those projects occasionally disrupted vacations, many of the most visible upgrades have now reached completion.
Disney has officially wrapped up work at six resort locations, bringing back guest amenities, refreshed accommodations, dining locations, and transportation services. For travelers planning upcoming stays, the timing couldn’t be much better.
Port Orleans Riverside Welcomes Back Royal Guest Rooms
One of the biggest updates involves the Royal Guest Rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside.
These popular accommodations have reopened following refurbishment. While additional room projects continue elsewhere at the resort, guests can once again reserve the Royal Guest Rooms and enjoy their distinctive princess-inspired design.
Disney focused on refreshing the spaces while keeping the themed details that have made the rooms a favorite among returning visitors.
Bay Lake Tower Restores Recreation Amenities
Over at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, guests now have access to several amenities that were unavailable during refurbishment.
The Bay Cove Pool, Cove Bar, water play area, and whirlpool spa all recently reopened after undergoing improvements. These areas play a major role in the guest experience, particularly during the busy summer season when many families spend extra time enjoying their resort.
With the project complete, visitors once again have the full recreation area available during their stay.
Updated Rooms Arrive at Kidani Village
Disney has also completed its guest room refurbishment project at Kidani Village within Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
The project began in late 2025 and focused on updating accommodations throughout the resort. Despite the work, Disney preserved the atmosphere that makes Animal Kingdom Lodge stand out from every other hotel on property.
Guests can now enjoy refreshed rooms while still taking advantage of the resort’s unique setting and savanna views.
Hospitality House Improvements Finish at Old Key West
At Disney’s Old Key West Resort, exterior work at Hospitality House has officially wrapped up.
Hospitality House serves as the center of resort activity and houses several guest services, dining options, and recreational resources. Because of its importance, many guests experienced construction during previous visits.
Now that work has concluded, visitors can enjoy a more seamless experience around one of the resort’s busiest locations.
Boat Service Returns at the Polynesian
Not every completed project involved guest rooms.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort recently restored normal boat transportation service after work at the resort’s dock reached completion. Other construction activity remains in the area, but the dock itself is back in operation.
The boat route remains a popular transportation choice for guests heading across Seven Seas Lagoon toward Magic Kingdom. With service restored, visitors once again have another convenient option for getting around Walt Disney World.
Crew’s Cup Lounge Reopens at Yacht Club
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort also recently welcomed back Crew’s Cup Lounge following refurbishment work.
The dining location temporarily closed while improvements were completed. Although the project was smaller than some of Disney’s room renovations, it still impacted a popular gathering spot for resort guests.
Now reopened, Crew’s Cup Lounge once again offers a convenient place to relax, grab a meal, or unwind after a day at EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
What Guests Can Expect Now
Completed refurbishments may not generate the same excitement as a new attraction, but they can make a noticeable difference during a vacation.
With these six projects finished, guests can enjoy updated accommodations, reopened amenities, restored transportation services, and refreshed dining locations. Perhaps more importantly, they can do so without having to navigate construction walls and temporary closures.
Disney’s Resort Refresh Continues
Disney still has additional projects underway across Walt Disney World, but the completion of these six renovations marks a significant milestone.
From Port Orleans Riverside and Animal Kingdom Lodge to Bay Lake Tower and the Polynesian, several popular resorts are now offering a more complete guest experience. For travelers planning future vacations, that’s welcome news as Disney continues investing in its hotel portfolio.
