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Credit: Frank Phillips, FlickrChoosing a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel can be a tricky proposition. You have to decide on your amenities and location, but the most important decision comes down to price point.
Disney World’s Deluxe Resort Hotels offer the best location and the most amenities, but they often come with a substantial price tag. However, there is another consideration that Disney World guests will have to consider: construction.
With Disney’s updated announcement yesterday that it’s extending the Contemporary’s refurbishment into 2027, all eight Disney-owned Deluxe Hotels will have a refurbishment project that will run into 2026, with some projects extending into 2027. That’s right, all of them will be undergoing construction next year. Here’s the rundown.
Beach and Yacht Clubs
In August, 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 fall; 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 project will involve room renovations at Kidani Village, which will update guest rooms and is expected to 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 that comes with being out of the way, which can 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. One of the advantages of staying at this monorail resort is the view of the Magic Kingdom, which these construction projects could disrupt.
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?
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
Disney announced that the Boardwalk Inn will undergo its own refurbishment starting later this year and lasting through 2026. Here’s the announcement on Disney World’s website:
Beginning late November 2025 and continuing throughout 2026, refurbishment work will take place in select areas of Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. While Guests may see or hear work during daytime hours, most Resort amenities—including dining, recreation, and merchandise locations—will remain available.
The announcement is not specific about what will be updated at Boardwalk, but we already know that the pool area will undergo its own refurbishment in 2027. That will include updates to the Luna Park Pool, the Luna Park Crazy Play Area, and Leaping Horse Libations.
Contemporary Resort
Disney announced on its website that the construction project currently happening at Disney’s Contemporary Resort has been extended into 2027. This is the second time that Disney has had to extend the completion date on the Contemporary’s construction project. It was initially supposed to end this past summer.
Here’s what Disney World wrote on its website: Refurbishments will occur in phases throughout select areas of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, including the atrium and Bay Lake Tower. Guests may also see and hear construction during their stay. Disney World put the completion date as “late 2027.”
The original construction began at the Contemporary in September 2024, with Disney adding Incredibles-themed elements to the rooms. With this latest extension, that means the Contemporary will have been under construction for over three years by the time this project is complete.
Grand Floridian Resort
The work on the Grand Floridian’s lobby is nearly complete. The Perch, the Grand Floridian’s new bar, is open, and work continues on the Garden View Lounge.
Here’s what Disney World wrote on its website about the work happening at the Grand Floridian: As part of the ongoing enhancements at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, refurbishment work will continue in select areas through mid-2026. Guests may see or hear work during daytime hours. Efforts will be made to minimize disruptions, and most pools, dining, and other amenities will remain available for Guests to enjoy.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is undergoing ongoing exterior refurbishment of the main building and the Copper Creek Villas, which is expected to last through late 2026. There are also temporary closures of the boat dock from January 12 to 30, 2026, and ongoing exterior repainting, which may cause visual and audible disturbances during the day. The outdoor seating for the Roaring Fork quick-service restaurant is also currently closed due to the construction.
So, if you’re planning on dropping the money to stay at a Disney World Deluxe Resort, you now know that there will be construction projects happening at all eight of them for the foreseeable future.
What’s your favorite Disney World Deluxe Resort? Let us know in the comments.