Planning a Disney World vacation takes some strategy, but that’s even more important in 2026. This is a huge transition year for the Florida theme parks, and you’re going to want to know everything that could impact your trip.
Between ride closures, long-term hotel refurbishments, and massive park construction projects that will reshape Disney for years to come, guests heading to Disney World this year may find their trips looking very different from what they expected. None of this means you shouldn’t visit, but it does mean 2026 might take a little more planning. Below, we’re breaking down exactly what’s happening, when it’s happening, and why it matters to you.
Ride Closures
Some of Disney World’s most talked-about attractions are officially nearing the end of their run, and that alone could significantly impact trip planning next year.
First up, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, DINOSAUR made its final ride on February 1st. The attraction closed permanently as Disney continues work on Pueblo Esperanza.
Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is also heading toward a major change. The last day to ride in its current form was March 1st, 2026. We can expect to rock out with the Muppets when they take over in the summer of this year.
Fewer rides, especially big attractions, can mean longer waits elsewhere, changing your park strategies, and decisions about which parks deserve your limited vacation days.
Hotel Refurbishments and Construction
If you’re staying on property in 2026, there’s a strong chance you’ll encounter construction, no matter which tier of resort you choose.
Starting with Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort, it is dealing with multiple impacts. Although room refurbishments across Disney’s value-tier resorts are expected to wrap up around February 2026, pool closures will extend further. Both the Surfboard Bay Pool and kiddie pool at All-Star Sports will be closed from January through April 2026, leaving guests to rely on the Grand Slam Leisure Pool or pools at neighboring All-Star resorts.
At Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, guest room refurbishments are a long-term project running from May 2025 through August 2027, meaning construction activity will continue throughout all of 2026.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort is also deep into a multi-year refurbishment that began in September 2024 and will last through late 2027. On top of that, the Bay Cove Pool, water play area, and whirlpool spa at Bay Lake Tower closed on January 26th, 2026, with plans to reopen sometime in May.
Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is set to finish its refurbishment in May 2026, after which Jambo House will immediately begin its own refurbishment, lasting through January 2027.
Meanwhile, Disney’s Beach Club and Disney’s Yacht Club Resorts are undergoing routine exterior maintenance through late 2026. As part of this work, the Tidal leisure pool at Disney’s Beach Club Resort closed for routine maintenance in January and is set to be worked on through early May 2026. Also, the Admiral leisure pool at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort closed for routine maintenance in January and will be worked on through early May 2026.
Plus, Crew’s Cup Lounge closed in February and is expected to reopen in May 2026. Yachtsman Steakhouse will temporarily close in May 2026 for a refresh and is set to reopen by August 2026.
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground will see even bigger changes. The Meadow Swimmin’ Pool area, which is already under construction, is expected to close entirely at some point in 2026 as Disney works on a major expansion featuring a new zero-entry pool, expanded deck space, and pickleball courts. No reopening timeline has been announced.
Adding to the construction is Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge, Disney’s upcoming DVC property, which will remain under construction throughout 2026 with no confirmed opening date.
All of this means guests should be prepared for scaffolding, noise, rerouted paths, and limited amenities, even at some of Disney’s most popular hotels. It doesn’t mean you should necessarily not stay at these hotels, but it is something to consider when booking your 2026 stay.
Park Construction
Beyond ride closures and hotels, Disney World’s theme parks themselves will feel like active construction zones in several areas throughout 2026.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, construction continues on Monstropolis, the future land inspired by Monsters, Inc. While Disney has not announced an opening timeline, the project is well underway and impacts the surrounding areas of the park.
Animation Courtyard has closed down to make way for Walt Disney Studios. This new area in Hollywood Studios will take it back to the studio’s roots. This area will feature The Magic of Disney Animation, where animated characters will “come to life.” You will be able to watch portraits interact, see a short film, and even learn to draw Disney character sketches. The current Disney Jr. Play and Dance! will be getting a “fresh” take. As well, there will also be a new Drawn to Wonderland playground area, and you will even spot the iconic Mickey’s Sorcerer Hat on top of the building. The new area will be opening in summer 2026!
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, construction on Pueblo Esperanza, the new Tropical Americas land, will be ongoing throughout 2026 as the project moves toward its planned 2027 opening. This work ties directly to the closure of DINOSAUR and will continue to reshape the park experience.
And finally, over at Magic Kingdom, the scale of construction is nothing short of massive. Disney is moving forward with Piston Peak, the new Cars-themed land, along with the long-awaited Villains land expansion. These projects represent huge changes to Magic Kingdom, but they also mean walls, detours, and evolving park layouts throughout 2026.
Why 2026 Really Is Complicated
Taken individually, none of these changes is a dealbreaker. But together? Ride closures, pool closures, hotel refurbishments, and park-wide construction make 2026 a year that requires extra planning, setting expectations, and flexibility. If you’re thinking about a 2026 trip, knowing what’s closed, what’s under construction, and what’s still worth prioritizing can make all the difference.
For the latest updates, timelines, and planning tips, be sure to stay tuned to AllEars.net. We’re constantly watching Disney’s biggest changes, so you don’t get caught off guard.
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Are you heading to Disney World in 2026, or are you waiting a while? Share with us in the comments.
So if there are refurbishments going on at hotels with noise, re-routing, etc., will guests get a discount on their rooms???? Knowing Disney probably not!!!!
Been saving up for 2 years for a family trip. Wife 40, our 3 boys all turning 21/21/13 in the same year. And now we read this. Very disappointed
Do you know if there’s anything in the works to celebrate/commemorate the Semiquincentennial (250 years) of Independence in 2026 like they did in 1976 for the Bicentennial?
I have been missing Disney parks (especially Disneyland, my first experience and love when I had little bits of travel work coming from PA) for several years.
I finally had a little inclination to make a plunge back into an annual pass for Disney world.
Over a month before Christmas I finally got around to looking into more details of what passes entail nowadays. I knew teeny bits of the various changes visiting the parks went through from bits of articles on different sites.
When I visited Disney sites for details my heart REALLY sunk. I knew commiting an annual pass would encourage me to visit maybe every few months for a couple weeks at a time each season. But seeing how much less you can get from a regular annual pass, the restrictions, and then the sticker shock, I just spiraled into a day long depression.
I was hoping it would’ve motivated me to finally get off my duff and get my new vehicle in the coming weeks from then so I’d have a fresh vehicle to be traveling 1,000 miles each way, but it just put me off starting to decide on a new vehicle I just put it far into the back of my mind.
I had only been visiting Disney parks since early 2012 on my first big traveling job to SoCal. I plunked down the $300 for their top of the line annual pass. I saw as the next handful of years go by and how they roughly doubled in price (and them trying to justify it “we’re paying for these new renovations we just did” which you should’ve had the money BEFORE you start construction, and another excuse “we’re trying to keep the visitor level down”), but now just a handful of more years and since my first pass they’ve gone up OVER 600% in just a short time.
I had a pass one time (Premier I believe they called it) which was good at both Disneyland and Disney world, because I was on a job in Texas was situated to be able to go in either direction whenever I took a break. Back then that pass felt a bit pricey, and I can’t imagine the price they could have on that if they even would have it anymore.
Essentially these “changes” in this article aren’t really that much of a turnoff to visiting the parks. It’s more of the sticker shock, and the ridiculous restrictions they still haven’t completely gotten over. Who knows when I’ll get that spark back to maybe trying again (maybe if by some extreme dumb luck I stumble upon some of that traveling work again to be more local for long stretches at a time). I’m just still so sad.