Credit: DisneyA popular Disney World hotel is now partially off-limits to guests.
Walt Disney World Resort is home to more than 25 resort hotels, ranging from budget-friendly (by Disney standards) Value Resorts to Deluxe properties located within walking distance of the theme parks.
Among them is Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, a Moderate Resort located along the Sassagoula River. Originally opened as Dixie Landings in 1992, the property adopted its current name in 2001. Inspired by the American South, the resort is divided into two areas: Magnolia Bend, featuring grand plantation-style mansions, and Alligator Bayou, where rustic lodges sit among winding pathways and lush vegetation.
The hotel also features Boatwright’s Dining Hall, the River Roost lounge, and boat transportation to Disney Springs. Some guest rooms are themed to The Princess and the Frog (2009), with decorations inspired by Princess Tiana and other Disney characters.
However, guests arriving at the resort this October are finding that a significant portion of one of its most important buildings is no longer accessible.
Disney World Closes Off Major Section of Port Orleans Resort
A large section of the lobby at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside has now closed to guests.
Black curtains have been installed throughout the main building, blocking access to much of the check-in and guest services area on the right-hand side of the entrance.
The barriers do not extend all the way to the ceiling, leaving some of the ongoing work visible. Photographs show a raised work platform behind the curtains, as well as blue painter’s tape protecting the gold detailing on several columns.
One wall has already been painted gray, although it’s unclear whether this is its final color. Other sections retain the lobby’s familiar pale yellow and green color scheme.
Despite the extensive barriers, the entire building has not closed. Guests can still check in and access guest services at the far end of the lobby, while seating remains available in unaffected areas.
Other facilities have been temporarily relocated. The lobby restrooms are currently closed, with guests directed to facilities at the nearby River Roost lounge instead.
The hotel’s guest mailbox has also moved to Fulton’s General Store, the resort’s gift shop.
More Disney World Hotel Closures and Refurbishments Planned
The partial lobby closure is part of a refurbishment that began in early October 2026. Work is expected to continue in phases through early December, meaning guests visiting during the busy Thanksgiving period may still encounter restricted areas.
This isn’t the only work currently affecting Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside.
Guest room refurbishments have been underway since May 2025, with Disney scheduling the project to continue through August 2027. Both Magnolia Bend and Alligator Bayou are included in the work.
According to Disney’s official website, guests may see or hear construction activity during their stays. Some pathways may also be temporarily inaccessible, requiring guests to follow alternative routes around the property.
Despite the closures, Port Orleans – Riverside remains operational. Disney has not announced plans to close the entire hotel, and its restaurants, recreational amenities, and accommodations continue welcoming guests.
Still, ongoing work means that visitors planning a Disney World vacation over the coming months may experience a noticeably different resort, particularly around its main entrance and check-in facilities.
Beyond Port Orleans, guests have recently complained that Disney is moving or downgrading them from their paid hotel rooms due to ongoing renovations.
Have you ever stayed at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside?
