For years, Walt Disney World’s resorts have quietly done the heavy lifting of keeping guests immersed long after they leave the parks. They’re where mornings begin, nights end, and families recharge between long days of rides and fireworks.
Now, Disney is making it clear that those spaces are due for a serious refresh.
In 2026, three classic resorts — spanning Value, Moderate, and Deluxe categories — will be in the middle of major room overhauls. These aren’t cosmetic updates. They’re full-scale refurbishments designed to reshape what staying on property feels like for the next generation of guests.
What’s striking is not just which resorts are changing, but how intentional the timing appears to be.
A Moderate Resort Gets a Long-Term Reset
Port Orleans Riverside has always occupied a special place in Disney’s lineup. It’s quiet, scenic, and often seen as one of the best-balanced resorts on property.
Now it’s undergoing a resort-wide room transformation that stretches across multiple years.
The work began in 2025 and will continue well into 2027, with buildings being refurbished in stages. That slow, methodical approach suggests Disney isn’t rushing this. They’re rebuilding these rooms with longevity in mind.
For guests, it creates a unique situation. Some will check into newly finished rooms with updated layouts and finishes. Others may still find themselves in older spaces while construction continues nearby.
It’s a gamble — but one that comes with the chance of being among the first to experience a brand-new version of a longtime favorite.
Animal Kingdom Lodge Is Refreshing One of Its Crown Jewels
Few resorts have a stronger emotional connection than Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Kidani Village, known for its savanna views and family-friendly villas, is now in the middle of its own major refurbishment. The project is expected to wrap up in 2026, after which similar work is expected to move over to Jambo House.
That detail matters.
It suggests Disney isn’t just updating one wing — they’re preparing to modernize the entire resort complex over time. For a hotel that competes directly with high-end off-site luxury resorts, staying current is no longer optional.
Pop Century Completes Its Multi-Year Makeover
Pop Century has already gone through major changes in recent years.
The lobby was redesigned. Dining was refreshed. Now, the guest rooms are the final piece of a resort-wide modernization effort.
By early 2026, Pop Century is expected to be fully updated from top to bottom. For a Value Resort, that’s a big deal. It positions Pop as one of the most consistently modern budget options on property.
A Clear Strategy Is Emerging
Taken together, these three projects tell a bigger story.
Disney isn’t just fixing aging rooms. They’re systematically modernizing their resort inventory across every price tier at the same time.
As competition grows and guest expectations rise, these upgrades feel less like optional improvements and more like a necessary reset.
By the time 2026 arrives, staying on property may quietly feel very different — even if the magic itself stays the same.
