Walt Disney World Resorts Roll Out Major Renovations and New Construction

Walt Disney World is undertaking a series of upgrades and expansions across its resort properties. Disney announced a $30 million investment to remodel Animal Kingdom Lodge and add a new $6.2 million music venue, Hurly‑Burly, to the BoardWalk. Construction work is also scheduled at Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Kidani Village and at the Coronado Springs Resort, with phased closures of lobbies, gift shops and convention spaces through late 2026.

The resort area is also seeing operational enhancements. Guests checking in between May 26 and September 8 2026 at select Disney resorts receive free admission to a Disney water park. Disney’s Lightning Lane system may be revised as the park expands, with insiders suggesting removal of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train from the single‑pass tier. Meanwhile, two Hilton Disney Springs hotels earned Central Florida Favorites awards for overall hotel and pool excellence.

Additional infrastructure projects include new construction walls at the Magic Kingdom entrance as Disney prepares a new ferry‑boat dock and a fourth ferry vessel, slated for service around 2027.