Disney World Refurbishments & Ride Closings

LAST UPDATE: APRIL 2026

There is nothing worse than anticipating a specific Disney attraction, and after you arrive, finding out that it will be closed for the duration of your stay.

Below is a complete list of the Walt Disney World rehab and refurbishment schedules that you can expect in the upcoming weeks and months. You can't plan for sudden closings, but you can manage your expectations by referring to the list below before your Disney vacation. Not all "shut downs" are scheduled, and there are countless reasons why an attraction might suddenly close. Don't get mad at the cast members, it's not their fault. Things at the parks have to be maintained regularly in order to continue working properly.

• Disney, no! When Your Favorite Ride Gets a Makeover
• Is Disney Aging Gracefully?

Do you know of any Walt Disney World closures or planned refurbishments that we're missing? Please send us an email

• Walt Disney World Railroad - To make way for the largest expansion in history at Magic Kingdom, the Walt Disney World Railroad is operating under a modified route that excludes Frontierland station. The attraction now operates as a "shuttle" between Main Street station and Fantasyland station only.
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – closed for an extended refurbishment on January 6, 2025. It will reopen on May 3, 2026.
• Pete's Silly Slideshow in Storybook Circus closed on January 4, 2026. The schedule change comes amid recently filed permits tied to the Storybook Circus tents, which list a project timeline running through December 31, 2026. While Disney has not confirmed the scope of the work, the extended timeframe points to a sizable project involving the large tent structures that house Pete's Silly Sideshow.
• Big Top Souvenirs in Storybook Circus closed on February 20, 2026 and is expected to reopen for later this year.

• NONE

• DinoLand U.S.A. is now permanently closed.
• Conservation Station and Wildlife Express Train – The entirety of Rafiki’s Planet Watch (now known as Conservation Station) closed on February 23rd to prepare for the new Bluey Experience. This area’s closure includes the Wildlife Express Train and its access to Conservation Station, the Animation Experience, and Affection Section. These are expected to return once the Bluey experience debuts this summer – which is likely to be around May 26th with the start of Cool Kids’ Summer.

• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith – closes March 2- Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets will open in Summer 2026. The last day of operation for Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith was March 1, 2026.
• The Animation Courtyard area (including the now-closed Star Wars Launch Bay and Disney Jr. Play and Dance!) is currently closed off. It will reopen as The Walt Disney Studios later this summer, bringing Olaf Draws!, new character meet & greet opportunities, and an indoor playground inside the Magic of Disney Animation; alongside shaded outdoor areas, and Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!

• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique – Temporarily unavailable

• NONE

• NONE

• From January 24, 2027, through January 30, 2027, the Disney Skyliner will be closed for refurbishment. Complimentary bus service will be available.

• None

NOTE: Our listings are only for those refurbishments that will likely have an impact on the majority of guests. When it comes to changing out furniture and such in guest rooms, this is fairly routine as Disney is always updating its resorts. Unless it's a full scale remodel, it's considered standard maintenance and is not included in our refurb/rehab schedule.

• Animal Kingdom Villas

From October 2025 through May 2026, Guest rooms at Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge will undergo refurbishment, followed by refurbishment work at Jambo House from May 2026 through January 2027. During these times, Guests may see or hear construction work in the area. All amenities will remain available throughout the refurbishment.


• Animal Kingdom Lodge
  


• All-Star Movies
  

  Beginning late May 2026, the rooms at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort will undergo planned refurbishment through the end of January 2027. During this time, guests may see or hear construction work in the area, and alternate paths of travel may be in place.

• All-Star Music Resort
  
  
• All-Star Sports
  

  From January 2026 until late April, the Surfboard Bay Pool and Kiddie Pool at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort will be closed for maintenance. During this time, guests are welcome to use the Grand Slam Leisure Pool at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort, as well as all other pools at Disney’s All-Star Resorts—including the Calypso, Kiddie, and Piano Pools at All-Star Music, and the Fantasia, Kiddie, and Duck Pond Pools at All-Star Movies.

• Art of Animation Resort


• Bay Lake Tower - Disney's Contemporary Resort
  Refurbishments will occur in phases throughout select areas of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, including the atrium and Bay Lake Tower from September 2024 Through Late 2027. Guests may also see and hear construction during their stay.
  
  

  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.

  January 26, 2026 Through Early May 2026

  The Bay Cove Pool, the Cove Bar, the water play area and the whirlpool spa at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort will temporarily be closed for maintenance. The Bay Lake Pool, the feature pool, the water play area and the whirlpool spa at Disney’s Contemporary Resort will remain open for guests to enjoy.

  Exterior Elevator Landing Repairs Begin Late March at Bay Lake Tower 

  From late March through late May 2026, exterior elevator landing repairs will take place at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. From March 30 through May 1, the Skyway Bridge connecting Bay Lake Tower and the Contemporary Main Tower will be closed Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and will reopen daily after 5 p.m. and remain available evenings and weekends. Guests may see or hear construction activity while work is underway and may need to use alternate paths of travel at times.
  

• Beach Club Resort
  Disney’s Beach Club Resort is undergoing visible exterior maintenance through late 2026, which will impact views from various locations throughout the resort, and at times, require alternate paths of travel. As part of this work, from mid-January, 2026 through early May, the Tidal leisure pool will be closed for routine maintenance. Guests may see or hear refurbishment work in the area until the work is complete. Most dining and resort amenities will remain available.
  
  
• BoardWalk Resort & Villas

The Screen Door General Store, Disney’s Character Carnival, and Thimbles & Threads at Disney’s BoardWalk will each undergo refurbishmen beginning in 2025. While one store is closed for construction, guests are welcome to shop at and enjoy the other two stores that are available.

From January 11, 2027 to April 2027, the Luna Park Pool, the Luna Park Crazy Play Area, and Leaping Horse Libations at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas will be closed for routine maintenance. Guests may see and hear construction until the work is complete.

• Caribbean Beach Resort
  
  
• Contemporary Resort
  From September 2024 Through July 2026: 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.

  Beginning March 23, the Main Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort will undergo exterior maintenance work, which may impact views from various locations throughout the resort and at times require alternate paths of travel. This work will be conducted in phases through late 2027. Guests may see or hear refurbishment work during daytime hours.
  

• Coronado Springs Resort
  
  

• Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
  Meadow Swimming Pool Expansion: Construction began in early May for an additional pool at the Meadow Swimmin’ Pool area. The tennis court will be refreshed to accommodate both tennis and pickleball. The Meadow Swimmin’ Pool and Wilderness Swimmin’ Pool will remain open. Guests using bus transportation should get off at the Meadow Trading Post Bus Stop to access the Meadow Swimmin’ Pool. The nearby tennis courts, volleyball court and the Meadow Recreation Area Playground will be closed temporarily. Guests may see and hear construction in the area until the work is complete.
  
  

  Campfires and Wood-Burning Activities Temporarily Not Permitted: Due to dry conditions in Central Florida, campfires at campsites and any wood-burning activities are temporarily not permitted for guests. Resort-sponsored activities, including hosted campfires, will continue as scheduled.

  Erosion Control Work along Peacock Pass Sidewalk. Erosion control work along the sidewalk on Peacock Pass will occur through mid-September. Alternative travel routes will be in place to redirect Guests. Access to the Wilderness Swimmin’ Pool will remain available throughout the duration of the work.

• Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  

  Beginning in mid-July, Grand Floridian Cafe at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will temporarily close for a refresh. It is expected to reopen in October 2026.
  
  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. 
  
  Grand Floridian Porte Cochere to undergo maintenance through Spring 2027. The porte cochere at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will undergo maintenance work beginning Feb. 16. This work will be conducted in phases through spring 2027.

• Old Key West
  South Point Pool to undergo refurbishment beginning Feb. 16 through late April 2026, the South Point Pool and Spa, BBQ area and playground at Disney’s Old Key West Resort will be closed for routine maintenance. 
  
  Beginning April 1, Disney’s Old Key West Resort will begin a phased transition away from in-room DVD players as a standard amenity to align with other Walt Disney World Resort hotels and DVC properties.
  
  
• Polynesian Village Resort, Bungalows, & DVC Tower
  

  Through 2026, some areas of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows are being refurbished. This work includes the reconfiguration of the front entrance roadway and bus area. All Resort dining, pools and most amenities will remain available. Additionally, some views of the theme parks and other surrounding areas may be impacted.

  From May 11 through late June, the boat dock at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort will undergo routine maintenance. The dock will be closed and boat transportation to suspended from May 11-June 5.

  From April 13 through late May, updates will be made to the exterior roofing at Wailulu Bar & Grill in the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

  From mid‑April through late June, Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort will be temporarily closed due to refurbishment work at the Grand Ceremonial House. 

  While construction activity will be noticeable during daytime hours, efforts will be made to minimize disruptions. Please allow for extra travel time when arriving at or leaving the Resort.

• Pop Century Resort
  
  
• Port Orleans French Quarter
  
  
• Port Orleans Riverside
  

  From early May 2025 through August 2027, guest rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside will undergo refurbishment in phases. During this time, refurbishment will take place across different sections of the resort, and guests may see or hear work in the area.
  

• Riviera Resort
  
  
• Saratoga Springs
  The Turf Club Bar and Grill and The Turf Club Lounge to undergo refurbishment beginning mid-March 2026 through early September 2026.
  
  • Early April– late July, 2026: The Turf Club Lounge (The Turf Club Bar and Grill will remain open with a pop-up bar serving a modified Lounge food & beverage menu)
  • Late July– mid-August, 2026:  The Turf Club patio
  • Mid-August – early September, 2026: The Turf Club Bar and Grill (The Turf Club Lounge remains open)
Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs are being refurbished through mid September 2026

On March 23, 2026, work began to convert one tennis court into 4 asphalted pickleball courts and resurface the remaining tennis court from clay to asphalt at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. This work is expected to be completed in June. During this time, the basketball court will also be closed.


• Wilderness Lodge, Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
  

  From mid-April through late July 2026, the boat dock at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will undergo routine maintenance. The dock will be closed and boat transportation temporarily suspended from April 13–May 1.
  
  From July 2027 through September 2027, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will undergo a general room refurbishment. The refurbishment will be completed in phases to help minimize guest impacts.
  
  Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge are undergoing exterior refurbishment work expected to continue through late 2026. These enhancements may impact views from various locations throughout the Resort. While most resort amenities will remain available, Guests may see and hear construction work during daytime hours.
  

• Yacht Club Resort
  Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is undergoing visible exterior maintenance through late 2026, which will impact views from various locations throughout the resort, and at times, require alternate paths of travel. As part of this work, the Admiral leisure pool will be closed for routine maintenance through early May 2026. Guests may see or hear work in the area during daytime hours until the refurbishment is complete. Most dining and resort amenities will remain available.
  
  

  Yachtsman Steakhouse & Crew’s Cup Lounge Undergoing Refurbishment in Early 2026.

  • Crew’s Cup Lounge closed Feb. 23 and is expected to open in May. Guests wishing to enjoy drinks or light bites may visit Martha’s Vineyard or Ale & Compass Lounge.
  • Yachtsman Steakhouse will close in May and is expected to open by August. Guests can continue to visit Ale & Compass and Cape May Cafe at the resort, or dine at nearby Signature Dining restaurants such as Flying Fish at Disney’s BoardWalk.
    
    
• Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin

Term & Descriptions

• SEASONAL OPERATION:  The attraction only opens during periods of anticipated peak attendance. Check Guest Relations and Park Guide maps for specific opening/closing times.
• REHAB:  The attraction is closed for routine maintenance.
• REFURBISHMENT:  The attraction is closed for an extended period for extensive repairs/remodeling.
• DARK: This term is used when a performance of a stage show is not scheduled