Credit: DisneyChoosing a Disney World Resort Hotel can be a tricky proposition. Guests must consider several factors, the chief of which are cost and location.
However, with Disney World undergoing massive changes throughout the resort, there are even more considerations that guests have to make, including which hotels will be undergoing significant renovations into next year. Here are the hotels you’ll want to avoid for the remainder of this year and into 2026.
Beach and Yacht Clubs
Last month, Disney World shocked everyone by announcing that the renovations on the Beach and Yacht Clubs would be extended into 2027. The work at the Yacht Club was described as “routine exterior maintenance,” but it appears that more work needs to be done on the hotel, as the schedule was extended by at least a year.
Work at the Beach Club was scheduled to end this month; however, Disney has extended it into 2027. Again, this potentially shows significant damage to the hotel’s exterior. Disney announced the work on the Yacht Club should be completed by late 2026, while the work at the Beach Club will continue into 2027.
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge will have to endure two separate construction projects in 2026. The first will involve room renovations at Kidani Village, which will update guest rooms and should be completed by May.
Once that project is complete, Jambo House will undergo a refurbishment. That project will take place in the second half of 2026 and into early 2027.
One advantage of staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge is the peace and quiet of being out of the way, which could be interrupted by these construction projects.
Disney’s Polynesian Resort
The bungalows and villas at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort are undergoing a refurbishment through 2026. Part of the advantage of staying at this monorail resort is the views of the Magic Kingdom, which could be disrupted by these construction projects.
If you’re going to pay the money or DVC points for a Magic Kingdom view, you’d better be able to see the fireworks, and while in most cases you will, do you really want to take that chance?
The Grand Floridian
The Grand Floridian’s construction should impact the rooms, but will affect the lobby area. The lobby is undergoing a renovation that will bring more Victorian charm to the resort, but that’s not the major project happening in the lobby.
The Grand Floridian lobby will be getting a new bar area inspired by the lobby’s birdcage. Due to this construction, the Grand Floridian lobby will have limited Christmas decor and will not have its iconic gingerbread house this year.
If you’re paying for the Grand Floridian, you want the entire experience, which won’t happen for a while.
If you’re heading to Disney World in 2026, just be aware that large swaths of the parks and hotels are under construction, which could disrupt your experiences. But if you know that going in, you could still have a great vacation.
Which Disney World construction project are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments.