Animal Lovers Urged to Keep Away From Disney World Through 2025

It is always good to know what will be closed when you visit Walt Disney World Resort, and now, with a new permit filed for one of the theme park’s most popular hotels, you may want to avoid this location through to the end of 2025.

A dining room table in front of a building — Credit: Disney

Why Stay at a Disney Resort?

Choosing a place to stay during your Walt Disney World vacation can significantly impact your overall experience. While there are numerous hotels in the Orlando area, staying at a Disney Resort offers unique advantages that enhance the magic of your trip. Here are some compelling reasons to consider a Disney hotel, along with specific examples of what they offer.

Staying at a Disney hotel means you are just minutes away from the parks. This proximity allows for easy access to the magic without the stress of long commutes. Disney offers various transportation options, including buses, boats, and the iconic Monorail, making it convenient to travel between your hotel and the parks.

For instance, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, located on the Monorail line, offers stunning views of Cinderella Castle and quick access to Magic Kingdom. Guests can hop on the Monorail and be at the park in just a few minutes.

A yellow-striped monorail train emerges from a station with colorful geometric patterns on the walls, characteristic of Disney's previous design choices. The train glides along an elevated concrete track under an overcast sky. Palm trees and a small part of another building are visible in the background. — Credit: Jennifer Teffner, Flickr

Disney hotel guests enjoy early access to the parks, allowing them to experience popular attractions before the general public. This benefit can be crucial in maximizing your time and minimizing wait times.

Guests at Art of Animation, for example, can take advantage of early entry to enjoy rides like Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train before the crowds arrive, giving them a head start on the day.

Disney hotels are also known for their immersive theming and attention to detail. Each hotel offers a unique atmosphere that can enhance your vacation experience. Whether you prefer the elegance of a deluxe resort or the whimsical charm of a value hotel, there’s something for everyone.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, for example, features stunning African-themed architecture and offers guests the chance to view exotic animals from their balconies. The lodge’s decor, dining options, and cultural experiences make it feel like a trip to Africa without leaving Florida.

Dining at Disney hotels offers a range of culinary delights, from character breakfasts to fine dining. Many Disney hotels feature restaurants that are just as famous as the parks themselves.

For a truly magical dining experience, guests can book a reservation to dine inside Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom, where they can meet princesses while enjoying a meal. This experience is available to those staying at any Disney hotel.

A vibrant street scene at Disney theme park features people strolling along a main avenue adorned with festive fall decorations. Shops line both sides, and a castle looms majestically in the background under a bright, cloudy sky. Nearby, the entrance to Peter Pan’s Flight draws excited visitors. — Credit: kaleb tapp on Unsplash

Disney hotels also provide a plethora of recreational activities to keep guests entertained outside the parks. From pools to crafts, there’s something for everyone.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort features the Caribbean Cay playground, pirate-themed water play areas, and the Fuentes del Morro pool, designed to resemble a Spanish fort. Guests can also rent bikes, play volleyball, or take part in outdoor movies under the stars.

In addition, Disney hotels come equipped with amenities that make your stay more comfortable and enjoyable. These amenities often include on-site shopping, laundry facilities, and room service.

As Disney’s flagship hotel, the Grand Floridian offers luxurious amenities, including a world-class spa, multiple fine dining options like Victoria & Albert’s, and easy access to Magic Kingdom via the Monorail. The hotel’s lush gardens and elegant Victorian architecture make for a truly relaxing stay.

Historically, Disney has offered extra hours for hotel guests to enjoy the parks before or after regular hours. This benefit allows you to explore the attractions with significantly lower crowds.

The Contemporary Resort’s proximity to Magic Kingdom allows guests to take advantage of Extra Magic Hours, meaning they can enjoy rides like Space Mountain and Splash Mountain before the park opens to the public.

Disney hotels feature pools designed to immerse guests in the resort’s theme, complete with fun activities for the whole family. Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts boast Stormalong Bay, a 3-acre water park with a sandy-bottom pool, a lazy river, and a large water slide that resembles a shipwreck. It’s perfect for family fun and relaxation after a long day at the parks.

Disney hotels often host special events and entertainment options that allow guests to enjoy the magic even when they’re not in the parks. Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground offers outdoor movies and campfire activities where families can roast marshmallows and meet Disney characters.

The “Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue” is a must-see dinner show featuring lively entertainment and hearty Southern fare.

Staying at a Disney hotel means easy access to Disney Springs, where guests can shop, dine, and enjoy live entertainment. Disney provides complimentary transportation to and from Disney Springs, allowing guests to unwind after a day of fun.

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort features boat transportation to Disney Springs, providing a scenic and relaxing journey while enjoying beautiful views of the Sassagoula River.

So, the reasons to stay at Disney are endless, but what happens if there is construction going on?

Upcoming Animal Kingdom Lodge Refurbishment

View from Jambo House at Animal Kingdom Lodge — Credit: Disney

Big changes are underway at Walt Disney World Resort! As Walt said, Disney would never stop growing, and with growth comes closures.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is set to welcome a new Tropical Americas-themed land called Pueblo Esperanza, which will take the place of Dinoland, U.S.A. Additionally, Magic Kingdom will see a Cars expansion in Frontierland, alongside a brand-new Villains-themed area.

Hollywood Studios is also gearing up for a new land dedicated to Monsters, Inc. Meanwhile, Disney World hotels are receiving new restaurants and various updates. Recently, we’ve noticed a sign indicating upcoming developments at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Earlier this month, the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) filed a permit with Orange County for “general construction” at an address identified as Animal Kingdom Lodge. This suggests that construction is on the horizon for the DVC villas in the Kidani Village section of the resort.

While the permit lacks detailed information, it does list the contractor as Barton Marlow. The permit is set to expire on December 31, 2025, indicating that the project could be quite extensive, possibly involving updates to the rooms in Kidani Village.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Villa room — Credit: Vacation Club Loans, X

Some construction is already underway at Kidani Village. If you check the Sanaa page on the Disney World website, it mentions that “from September to late December 2024, the exterior of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village will undergo refurbishments.”

During this period, views of the Sunset Savanna from Sanaa may be obstructed; however, guests can still enjoy animal viewing from the Savanna Outlook, which is adjacent to Sanaa, during daytime hours.

If you love animals and want the full Animal Kingdom Lodge experience, it may be best to book the resort once the construction subsides.

Other Disney Refurbishments

Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort is set for an extensive refurbishment in 2025, which will affect the availability of Stormalong Bay and Shipwreck Pool. This closure is scheduled from January to June 2025.

Guests at the resort during this time can still utilize the Tidal, Admiral, and Dunes Cove leisure pools. However, the pool closures may influence guest decisions regarding their accommodations in 2025, particularly given the resort’s premium pricing.

In addition to the pool shutdown, the Yacht Club side of the hotel will also undergo room renovations from January to May 2025. This may lead to construction noise and a reduced number of available rooms.

While these renovations aim to provide a modern aesthetic, some guests have raised concerns about the absence of Disney theming. Notably, the renovations are being conducted by external teams rather than Disney Imagineering, which might contribute to a more generic atmosphere.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort will also see room refurbishments in 2025, which will affect room availability on the Bay Lake side.

Despite these closures and renovations, Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort remains a sought-after destination due to its convenient proximity to EPCOT. However, guests planning to stay during this time should be mindful of the potential disruptions and may want to consider alternative lodging if needed.

Meanwhile, Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort will undergo maintenance on the Fantasia Pool from January to April 2025, but guests can still use the Duck Pond Pool during this period.

An aerial view of Disney's All Star Movies Resort, a Walt Disney World hotel where a fight broke out. — Credit: Disney

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn is currently in the midst of a multi-year refurbishment. While the room renovations are finished, work on the BoardWalk itself continues. The new Cake Bake Shop Restaurant is anticipated to open in late 2024.

Additionally, Disney has announced that the Surfboard Bay Pool and kiddie pool at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort will be closed for maintenance from January to late April 2026. Although this may affect your Disney World vacation plans, there are still many other pool options available.

Guests at All-Star Sports during this time can enjoy the Grand Slam Leisure Pool or visit the pools at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort and Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort.

Lastly, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is expanding with the construction of a new DVC tower, which will continue through 2026. This construction may affect views of the theme park and surrounding areas. The new Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows is scheduled to open on December 17, 2024.

The Monorail passes by Disney's Polynesian Village Resort hotel at Walt Disney World Resort. — Credit: Disney

Disney is committed to keeping guests informed about these construction projects and advises them to anticipate potential noise and disruptions during their stays.

Would you stay at a Disney Resort that is under refurbishment?