Just like the Disney Parks, the Disney World hotels need some TLC every once in a while!
But, it can be pretty inconvenient to notice that part of your hotel is under construction after you check-in. Luckily, Disney usually provides a lot of warning about upcoming closures impacting the hotels throughout the year — you just need to know where to look. So, instead of digging through Disney’s website, we’ve got a look at every single construction project and closure that will impact your hotel stay in 2023!
Disney Skyliner
The Disney Skyliner connects Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, and Disney’s Pop Century Resort to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Because of this, staying at one of these hotels can save you a lot of time when it comes to getting between your hotel and the parks. But, there’s one week that you DON’T want to pay the upcharge to stay at a hotel on the Disney Skyliner!
The Disney Skyliner is set to close from January 22nd to 29th, 2023 for refurbishment. This is a routine closure that happens every January.
During this time, Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, and Disney’s Pop Century Resort will all offer free Disney bus transportation to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. So, while the Disney Skyliner closure surely isn’t a reason not to stay at one of these resorts, you’ll want to keep this in mind.
The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
If swimming at the hotel pool is a must for you and your family during your stay, you’ll want to know about this closure!
The Meadow Swimmin’ Pool and whirlpool spa (a.k.a. the hot tub) at The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort is scheduled to close for refurbishment from January 9th through early April 2023. Disney has not shared an exact end date for closure, but guests staying at the resort will still be able to visit the water play area and Meadow Snack Bar at the main pool area. Plus, there’s another hot tub nearby where you can still get your relaxation fix.
Keep in mind that you may hear noise from the construction at the pool between 9AM and dusk if you’re staying here during this time.
And, that’s not the only closure impacting Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort! The table service restaurant, Trail’s End Restaurant, will close from April 17th through summer 2023 to make way for a brand-new dining offering.
Disney has revealed that the spot will reopen as a marketplace-style quick service restaurant giving guests staying at this hotel more options for a quick bite.
While the restaurant is closed, guests can enjoy P&J’s Southern Takeout and The Chuck Wagon food truck, and other restaurants at the resort.
Learn more about the temporary restaurant closure at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort HERE!
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Speaking of pool refurbishments, the main pool and hot tub at Disney’s Contemporary Resort will be closed from January 9th through early April 2023. During this time, the nearby leisure pool and water play area known as Bay Cove Pool will remain open.
Disney does note on their website that construction may be visible from guest rooms, though no work will take place between dusk and 9AM daily. So, you’ll still be able to get in your overnight slumber, though you may hear construction noise if you’re taking any naps in your room throughout the day.
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas
One of the biggest hotel transformations is happening over at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas in 2023! Last year, Disney announced that they would be breathing new life into Disney’s BoardWalk with new restaurants, coffee shops, and refurbishments. So far, the BoardWalk Bakery was transformed into the BoardWalk Deli with an expanded menu, Carousel Coffee opened in the lobby of Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, and Belle Vue Lounge got new furniture with an updated look. But, more is coming soon!
Throughout the year, guests staying at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas may see and hear construction as Disney renovates the guest rooms and brings new “light and airy” touches to the lobby of the resort. There’s no exact beginning and end date for these enhancements, so you may want to reconsider staying here in 2023 if you want to avoid construction at all costs.
Keep in mind too that construction is well underway on the new restaurant coming to Disney’s BoardWalk — The Cake Bake Shop. This upscale bakery and sit-down restaurant is moving into the former home of ESPN Club and an opening date has yet to be announced.
And, Trattoria al Forno will close temporarily from June 11th to June 22nd for refurbishment. During the closure, a limited number of breakfast reservations will be available. The menu will be modified during this time and guests will be directed to eat their meal in the Flying Fish dining room next door.
Learn about the ALL-NEW coffee shop at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn HERE!
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is getting bigger in 2024 — and there’s a lot of construction going on in preparation! Last year, Disney announced that they would be expanding the Disney Vacation Club offerings at the resort by adding a brand-new DVC tower. The building is already under construction and is being built between the current hotel and the wedding pavilion at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa where the Spirit of Aloha show used to take place.
Due to the location of the building, there shouldn’t be too many disruptions for those staying at the resort while construction is underway. But, you may pass by the construction if you’re using the walking path that connects all the Disney monorail resorts around the Seven Seas Lagoon.
Note that, if you’re visiting after February 13th, you may find that the walkway between Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Magic Kingdom is closed. Disney has shared that the walkway is being refurbished during this time and they expect it to open back up sometime in the late spring. In the meantime, you can still take the monorail or boat transportation to get to and from the park.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
A lot has been changing at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa since last year, and there’s still more on the docket! In 2022, Disney expanded their Disney Vacation Club offerings here by transforming one of the guest buildings into another DVC building. Plus, they also completely transformed the up-scale restaurant Citrico’s with subtle Mary Poppins theming.
Now, Disney is continuing to update the resort with refurbished guest rooms, a complete renovation of the main lobby, and more. So, you can expect to see construction of some sort if you’re staying here in 2023.
Disney has not released exact dates on when certain guest areas will be closed, however, currently Narcoossee’s (the lake-side restaurant at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa) is closed for refurbishment. No reopening date has been announced just yet.
Disney’s Beach Club Villas
Over at Disney’s Beach Club, the Disney Vacation Club villas will be refurbished beginning January 7th through early April, 2023. All of the hotel amenities will still be available for those staying at the resort during this time.
Like other renovations going on around Disney hotels, construction is only scheduled for the daytime hours so you shouldn’t be able to hear any noise from your room between dusk and 9AM every day.
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
If you’re staying at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa in early 2023, going for an afternoon swim may be a bit more complicated! According to Disney, the High Rock Spring Pool, leisure pool, and On the Rocks Pool Bar at the Treehouse Villas will close for refurbishment beginning in early January 2023 and ending in late March 2023.
Exact dates have not been shared just yet, but the Grandstand Pool, Paddock Pool, and Congress Park Pool will still be open for swimming. Just note that you’ll need to take a shuttle over to these pools since they’re not located near the Treehouse Villas.
Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
The final Disney hotel closure to keep track of in 2023 is over at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge!
The Boulder Ridge Villas are set to undergo refurbishment throughout 2023, so you’ll probably see some construction if you’re staying here. All of the resort amenities will remain available, though, so it’s really just the daytime construction noise and potential eye-sore that you’ll have to deal with.
Now, what do you do if you have a stay booked at one of these hotels during one of these scheduled closures? Don’t panic!
Disney hotel refurbishments usually don’t impact your stay beyond the fact that you might walk by some areas hidden by construction walls and hear construction during the day. But, it’s good to know about the closures ahead of time and plan how you’ll navigate any of the changes. For instance, you may need to walk a bit further to get to the pool that is open if the main one is closed.
And, if you want to avoid the construction entirely, pick a different Disney hotel! Construction noise can have a big impact on your vacation if you’re traveling with kiddos who need an afternoon nap to stay sane. Or, maybe you don’t want to have to worry about facing the crowds at smaller pools while the big one is closed. Just take a look at this list and book your stay somewhere else — easy as that!
And, there you have it — all the Disney hotel refurbishments and closures planned for 2023 (so far!). Of course, construction timelines change and new projects come up. We’ll be keeping an eye out for any updates that you need to know, so stay tuned to The VacationEAR!