Credit: DisneySomething just quietly became official—and it’s the kind of update that could seriously change how guests plan their next trip. Disney World has confirmed that nine different hotel-related closures and refurbishments will take place throughout 2026. These aren’t minor touch-ups either. They affect pools, dining locations, lounges, and even some of the most recognizable resort spaces on property. If you’re someone who usually stays onsite, this might be the moment where you pause and rethink your strategy before booking.
Disney hasn’t made a huge announcement about it, but the details are there. And once you start putting them all together, it becomes clear that this year is going to look a little different for resort guests.
Major Resorts Are Not Immune to Changes
Before diving into the specifics, it’s important to understand just how widespread these updates are. Some of Disney World’s most popular and heavily booked hotels are part of this list. That includes the All-Star Resorts, the Grand Floridian, the Contemporary, and Animal Kingdom Lodge. These are not fringe locations. These are core resorts that thousands of guests rely on every single week.
That’s what makes this situation stand out. Disney isn’t limiting these refurbishments to a single area or hotel tier. Instead, these closures are spread across value, moderate, and deluxe resorts. So whether you’re planning a budget-friendly trip or a high-end stay, there’s a real chance your experience could be impacted in some way.
And once you start looking at the details, the scope becomes even clearer.
Bay Lake Tower Pool Closures at the Contemporary
Guests staying at Bay Lake Tower have already seen some noticeable changes this year. Beginning January 26, 2026, and continuing into early May, several water features are unavailable. This includes the Bay Cove Pool, the nearby splash area, and the whirlpool spa.
That might sound like a major inconvenience, especially for families planning pool-heavy resort days. However, Disney is offering alternatives. Guests will still be able to use the main Bay Lake Pool, along with additional pool facilities located at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
So while the closure limits options, it doesn’t completely remove them. Still, it’s something guests will need to factor into their plans, especially during peak travel periods.
Yacht Club Dining Shuffle Begins
Over at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, dining is about to go through a temporary reshuffle. The Crew’s Cup Lounge has already closed as of late February for refurbishment and is expected to return sometime in May.
But that reopening comes with a twist. Once Crew’s Cup Lounge is back, the nearby Yachtsman Steakhouse will take its turn closing for updates. That means guests may find limited dining availability in that area depending on when they visit.
For a resort known for its dining options, that kind of rotation can definitely change the experience.
Beach Club Pool Refurbishment Adds Another Layer
Right next door, Disney’s Beach Club Resort is also dealing with its own set of changes. The Tidal leisure pool is currently closed and will remain unavailable through early May.
During that time, guests might notice construction activity during the day. Disney has made it clear that work will be visible and possibly audible during the refurbishment.
This doesn’t shut down the entire pool experience at the resort, but it does limit one of the quieter, more relaxed spaces that many guests enjoy.
Boardwalk Gallery Closure Leaves Questions
Disney’s BoardWalk has also seen a long-standing location close its doors. The Promenade Fine Art Gallery shut down in October 2025 and is expected to reopen elsewhere on the property.
The keyword there is “somewhere.” Disney has confirmed the gallery will return, but no official location has been announced yet. For now, guests visiting the BoardWalk will notice its absence.
It’s not a permanent loss, but it does leave a noticeable gap in the area’s offerings.
Grand Floridian Construction Extends Even Longer
Construction at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort continues to stretch into the future. Work on the resort’s main entrance area, known as the porte cochere, is now expected to last through at least early 2027.
That’s a long timeline for one of Disney World’s most expensive and iconic resorts. Guests staying here in 2026 will likely encounter ongoing construction, which could affect arrival times, traffic flow, and the overall atmosphere.
For a resort known for its polished presentation, that’s a significant shift.
Dining Closures Hit Saratoga Springs
Dining changes are also coming to Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort, and they’re happening in phases. The Turf Club Lounge is scheduled to close in mid-April and won’t reopen until early August.
During that time, Disney will offer a temporary bar setup with a limited menu. After that, the Turf Club Patio will close briefly in August, followed by a full closure of the Turf Club Bar & Grill from mid-August through mid-September.
So while dining options won’t disappear entirely, they will rotate and shift throughout the year. Guests staying here will need to stay flexible.
Yacht and Beach Club Exterior Work Expands
Beyond the interior changes, Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts are also undergoing exterior maintenance. This work has already led to additional closures, including the Admiral leisure pool at the Yacht Club.
That pool will remain closed through early May 2026. Combined with the Beach Club pool refurbishment, this creates a situation where multiple leisure spaces in the area are unavailable at the same time.
For guests choosing these resorts specifically for their pool offerings, that’s a notable drawback.
Jellyrolls Closes and Plans a Move
One of the biggest changes at Disney’s BoardWalk actually already happened. Jellyrolls, the well-known dueling piano bar, officially closed on April 19, 2025.
The venue held a final performance before shutting down, marking the end of an era for many longtime fans. However, this isn’t a permanent goodbye. Jellyrolls has confirmed it plans to reopen in a new location at some point in the future.
For now, though, it’s gone—and that changes the nightlife vibe at the BoardWalk.
All-Star Sports Pools Temporarily Shut Down
Even Disney’s value resorts are part of this wave of updates. At Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort, both the Surfboard Bay Pool and the Kiddie Pool will be closed from January through April 2026.
Guests staying there will still have access to the Grand Slam Leisure Pool. They can also visit pools at nearby All-Star Resorts, including Music and Movies.
So while options remain available, they may require a short walk or a bit of extra planning.
What This Means for Your 2026 Vacation
When you step back and look at all nine of these closures together, a clear pattern emerges. Disney World isn’t scaling back its resort experience—but it is reshaping it.
These updates don’t eliminate everything guests love about staying onsite. You still get proximity to the parks, early booking access, and immersive theming. But they do introduce more variables into the planning process.
If you’re heading to Disney World in 2026, the key takeaway is simple. Pay close attention to where you’re staying and what’s happening there during your travel dates. Because while the magic is still there, the experience around it might look a little different than expected.