4 Disney World Hotels You Should AVOID Right Now

Lots of Disney World visitors like staying at Disney-owned hotels because of the fun theming and added perks (like free transportation to and from the theme parks). But right now, there are a few hotels that you might want to AVOID.

Polynesian Village

A few hotels on Disney World property are currently getting some updates and changes, which means if you’re staying there, you’ll probably see and hear some construction. It’s not the end of the world if this happens to you (usually the construction only happens during the day, so you might be away at the theme parks anyways), but if you’d prefer to stay away from the noise, these are the hotels you should skip for now.

Construction at Disney World Hotels

Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

Trail’s End Restaurant at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground closed in mid-April and is currently undergoing a MAJOR refurbishment.

Trail’s End construction

It will reopen this summer as “a marketplace concept with expanded quick service options.” The table service option will no longer be offered.

Learn more about the change coming to Trail’s End here.

Disney’s BordWalk Inn

There are lots of changes coming to Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, including updated rooms and a refurbished lobby. In addition, there’s a new restaurant coming to the BoardWalk called The Cake Bake Shop. This restaurant is expected to open in 2023.

Construction in the BoardWalk Lobby

Disney warns that “you may be able to see and hear construction during daytime hours” as these changes are being made.

Click here to learn more about the changes happening at BoardWalk Inn.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

There’s a new DVC tower being built at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, so you will likely see and hear construction if you’re staying at this hotel.

New DVC Tower

Disney has promised that “activities that may create noise will not start earlier than 9AM.”

Click here to learn about the new DVC tower.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

There are several updates coming to this hotel, including refurbished rooms. In addition, Disney previously hinted at plans for a lobby makeover.

Lobby construction

For now, you can just expect to see and hear some construction throughout the hotel during your stay.

Click here to tour one of the new rooms at Grand Floridian.

The hotels aren’t the only places where you’ll see construction in Disney World, however — here are a few rides, attractions, and restaurants that are currently CLOSED.

Magic Kingdom

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Splash Mountain closed on January 23rd for a long refurbishment. The ride is being re-themed to become Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, with a Princess and the Frog theme.

The new ride will reopen sometime in late 2024. We’ll be watching for more updates on the reopening timeline. The tree at the top of this ride has been removed as Disney continues construction, and several new rock structures have been built at the bottom of the drop. There’s a new water tower as well, which says “Tiana’s Foods” on the front and “Never, ever lose sight of what’s really important” on the back. It’s topped with Tiana’s crown, which has two stars on it to represent Ray and Evangeline.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

We noticed that part of the ride track has recently been covered up as well.

Construction

If you miss Splash Mountain or want to celebrate the new ride, you should check out our DFB t-shirts! We have a Splash Mountain Farwell Tour shirt…

DFB Exclusive!

…and a Tiana tee as well!

Check out our new Tiana-inspired merch!

You can shop both tees (and lots of other Disney merch) at our online store.

Click here to shop our DFB merchandise store.

Barrel Bridge on Tom Sawyer Island

Over on Tom Sawyer Island, the Barrel Bridge is currently missing.

Barrel Bridge is closed

A Cast Member told us that it has been removed for maintenance, and they didn’t know when it might return. The rest of the island is still open to explore, though!

New permits could signal changes at a closed Magic Kingdom attraction!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Voyage of the Little Mermaid

This Little Mermaid-themed stage show has been closed in Disney’s Hollywood Studios for a long time now.

Voyage of the Little Mermaid

Disney hasn’t announced when or if the Voyage of the Little Mermaid will reopen.

This Hollywood Studios lounge is one of the best-kept foodie secrets in Disney World.

EPCOT

In the Japan Pavilion, Tokyo Dining is currently undergoing a major refurbishment, and will not reopen until summer 2023.

Tokyo Dining entrance

However, a brand new restaurant is coming to EPCOT this summer: Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya will be a table-service restaurant featuring a “festive dining experience in a sharable Izakaya-style.”

©Disney

The restaurant will be located in the Japan Pavilion, on the second floor (above the Mitsukoshi Department Store), and will offer “stunning views of EPCOT, the World Showcase Lagoon, and, of course, fireworks.” That location sure sounds a LOT like the current location of Tokyo Dining. Disney has not confirmed that this new restaurant will be taking over the Tokyo Dining location, but we’re certainly keeping our eyes and ears peeled for more news!