Last Updated: August 2026
Disney Vacation Club refurbishment projects are moving quickly across several resorts, with everything from full villa renovations to lobby work, restaurant closures, pool maintenance, and transportation interruptions currently on the schedule.
For Members planning a trip, knowing the latest DVC refurbishment timelines can make a real difference. A room renovation might determine whether you request a particular section of a resort, while a pool or transportation closure could influence where you choose to stay altogether.
This will serve as our ongoing DVC Fan refurbishment tracker. We’ll continue updating it as projects begin, completion dates change, refurbished rooms open to Members, and Disney announces additional work around the Disney Vacation Club portfolio.
Quick Look – What You Need to Know
Several significant DVC refurbishment projects are either underway or expected to begin soon:
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas: Kidani Village villa refurbishment is complete, while work continues at Jambo House through January 2027.
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa: Refurbishment of the Treehouse Villas is underway, with newly renovated villas already beginning to appear.
- The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa: A second phase of refurbishment is expected to begin in late 2026, with particular attention being paid to the bathrooms.
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort: A larger-than-expected “semi-hard goods” refurbishment remains on the horizon, including work in kitchens, bedrooms, and living areas.
- Several DVC resorts also have smaller construction projects, exterior renovations, transportation interruptions, dining closures, and pool maintenance scheduled throughout late 2026 and 2027.
Let’s start with the major villa projects.
Animal Kingdom Villas Refurbishment Moves to Jambo House
The biggest DVC room refurbishment currently underway is at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas.
Work began at Kidani Village in late 2025, and that portion of the project is now complete. The newly refurbished Kidani Village rooms represent one of the more substantial updates we’ve seen recently across the DVC portfolio, while still retaining much of the character that makes Animal Kingdom Villas feel different from almost every other Disney resort.
Attention has now shifted to Jambo House.
Disney currently lists the Jambo House refurbishment as running from May 2026 through January 2027.
That puts the project well into its final stretch as we head toward the end of 2026. As more rooms are completed, the odds of receiving a refurbished villa should steadily improve. By early 2027, Members staying at either Kidani Village or Jambo House should be able to expect the updated room experience throughout the resort.
Of course, until the project officially wraps up, there remains a chance that some Jambo House guests could receive an older room or encounter nearby construction activity.
We’ll be particularly interested to see whether there are any meaningful differences between the final Jambo House design and what debuted at Kidani Village.
Kidani Village Lobby Refurbishment Begins in August
Even though the villa renovation at Kidani Village is complete, the resort itself isn’t completely finished with construction.
Beginning August 17, 2026, the Kidani Village lobby and surrounding areas will undergo a phased refurbishment expected to continue into early November.
The main lobby and primary entrance are expected to close from August 17 through October 9, with check-in temporarily relocating to the Palace Library. Additional closures will rotate through areas including Johari Treasures, lobby corridors, elevators, Community Hall, Safari So Good Arcade, the laundry room, and portions of the outdoor observation area.
If you’re staying at Kidani Village this fall, the important takeaway is that the resort will remain operational, but your arrival experience and some lobby-area amenities may look a little different.
Saratoga Springs Treehouse Villas Are Being Reimagined
Another project we’re watching closely is the refurbishment of the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.
The Treehouses were notably left out of Saratoga Springs’ larger resort-wide villa refurbishment earlier this decade, largely because they opened several years after the original resort. Their turn has finally arrived.
Disney recently offered a much better look at what is changing, including updated kitchens, new appliances, lighter colors, refreshed furniture, new lighting, and Disney-inspired artwork throughout the villas. Some of the new designs incorporate characters and films including The Fox and the Hound, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Princess and the Frog, Tangled, and Mulan.
The biggest improvement may simply be how much brighter and more contemporary the Treehouses feel while still maintaining the secluded, woodsy atmosphere that makes them unique.
We’ve already started seeing renovated Treehouse Villas enter circulation, but work remains ongoing.
Disney’s current refurbishment notice lists work at Saratoga Springs through late September 2026, including the Treehouse Villas.
We’re looking forward to getting back inside one of the completed villas for a more detailed DVC Fan room tour once the project progresses further.
Other Saratoga Springs Refurbishment Impacts
There are a few additional projects to keep in mind if you’re visiting Saratoga Springs.
The Turf Club Lounge is scheduled to remain closed through late August 2026, while The Turf Club Bar & Grill is expected to close from late August through late September. The two locations are essentially trading places during the project so that some food and beverage service remains available.
Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course is also undergoing renovation through October 2026, which may affect views from some rooms overlooking the course.
Grand Californian Is Getting a Second Phase of Refurbishment
The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa have one of the more unusual refurbishment stories in recent DVC history.
The resort underwent what was expected to be its major villa refurbishment, but the finished project left a number of Members questioning why portions of the rooms, particularly the bathrooms, had received so little attention.
Those questions continued throughout 2025 and ultimately made their way to DVC leadership.
At the December 2025 Condo Association Meeting, Disney Vacation Club confirmed that a second phase of refurbishment will begin in late 2026. Leadership acknowledged Member feedback surrounding the earlier project, with the bathrooms expected to be one of the primary focuses when work resumes.
There are still plenty of unanswered questions.
We don’t yet know exactly how extensive the bathroom renovation will be, whether additional room components could be included, or how long the second phase will take once crews get started.
We’ll be at the Grand Californian during our August Disneyland trip surrounding D23, so we’ll be watching closely for any indications that preparations have begun or that the scope of the project has changed.
This will definitely be one of the DVC refurbishment timelines to watch heading into late 2026 and 2027.
What’s Happening With the Old Key West Refurbishment?
Then there’s Disney’s Old Key West Resort, where we know a significant villa project is coming but have yet to see the same visible progress occurring elsewhere.
At the 2025 Old Key West Condo Association Meeting, DVC described the upcoming renovation as a “semi-hard goods” refurbishment.
That terminology immediately caught our attention.
A typical soft-goods refurbishment might focus largely on carpeting, upholstery, curtains, bedding, and cosmetic changes. According to what DVC shared with Members, this project is expected to go considerably further, with work planned for the kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms.
In other words, this sounds much closer to a substantial villa renovation than a routine refresh.
One of our biggest questions remains the beds.
Could Old Key West finally receive the pull-down Murphy-style beds that have become increasingly common across renovated DVC resorts? Disney has not confirmed that, but given the amount of work planned for the bedrooms and living areas, it will be one of the first things Members look for when model rooms or completed villas begin appearing.
We had expected to see more visible evidence of this project by now.
Without a firm construction schedule, it increasingly appears that much of the Old Key West villa refurbishment could occur later in 2026 and throughout 2027. Given the size of the resort, it would not be surprising if the overall project stretches even longer.
Until Disney provides a more specific timeline, we’ll continue treating this as one of the biggest upcoming DVC refurbishments to watch.
Current Old Key West Maintenance
Separate from the major villa refurbishment, there are a few smaller projects currently affecting Old Key West.
Hospitality House is undergoing exterior maintenance through mid-September 2026, with possible construction noise and temporary changes to pedestrian routes.
Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course is also closed for renovations through October 2026, potentially impacting views from some Old Key West villas overlooking the course.
Other DVC Resort Refurbishments and Closures to Know About
Not every project involves tearing apart a DVC villa.
Sometimes the bigger vacation impact comes from arriving at your resort and discovering that your pool, restaurant, boat transportation, lobby, or favorite hangout is unavailable.
Here are the other refurbishment projects DVC Members should currently have on their radar.
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
Refurbishment work continues in select areas around Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Villas through late 2026. Most dining, shopping, and recreation options are expected to remain available.
A larger interruption arrives in early 2027.
From January 11 through April 2027, Luna Park Pool, the Luna Park Crazy Play Area, and Leaping Horse Libations will close for routine maintenance. The Villas Pool and Inn Pool will remain available during the closure.
That is worth keeping in mind if Luna Park Pool is an important part of your BoardWalk stay.
Disney’s Beach Club Villas and Yacht Club Resort
The lobby at Disney’s Beach Club Villas is undergoing phased maintenance from August 3 through mid-September 2026. Portions of the lobby may temporarily be unavailable, with construction generally taking place between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Exterior maintenance is also underway around Disney’s Beach Club Resort through late 2027 and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort through late 2026.
From August 17 through August 21, 2026, the FriendShip Boat dock serving Yacht and Beach Club will close for maintenance. Bus transportation to Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be available, while EPCOT remains accessible on foot through International Gateway.
Yachtsman Steakhouse is also temporarily closed for refurbishment through August 2026.
Disney Skyliner Refurbishment
Guests staying at several EPCOT-area DVC resorts should also circle January 24 through January 30, 2027 on the calendar.
The Disney Skyliner will close for its routine annual refurbishment during that period, with complimentary bus transportation offered instead.
For DVC Members, this is particularly relevant at:
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas
- Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
Beach Club and BoardWalk guests can still walk to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but Riviera guests should plan for a more significant transportation adjustment.
Bay Lake Tower and Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Work around Disney’s Contemporary Resort will continue much longer than many of the other projects on this list.
Disney currently says refurbishment work will occur in phases throughout select areas of the Contemporary Resort, including Bay Lake Tower and the Main Tower atrium, through late 2027.
Exterior maintenance may also affect views and occasionally require alternate walking routes.
Most amenities are expected to remain available.
The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Renovations continue around Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, including work near the covered entrance, through early 2027. Guests may encounter construction activity and temporary changes to walking routes.
Grand Floridian Cafe is also closed from mid-July through October 2026 for refurbishment.
Brunch hasn’t disappeared entirely, though. Disney has temporarily moved the offering over to Cítricos while Grand Floridian Cafe is unavailable.
One other notable change comes during the holidays. While seasonal decorations and smaller gingerbread displays will still be featured around the resort, Disney has said the traditional large gingerbread house will not be offered in 2026 as work continues around the lobby.
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Refurbishment work continues in areas of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows through late 2026.
The project includes a reconfiguration of the front entrance roadway, and construction may temporarily affect some views around the resort.
Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace is also expected to remain closed through late October as refurbishment work continues around the Great Ceremonial House.
Most Polynesian dining locations, pools, and other major amenities remain available.
Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Copper Creek Villas & Cabins are undergoing exterior refurbishment through late 2026.
The resort’s security kiosk is also being expanded through mid-October. Most amenities will remain available, although guests could experience obstructed views or hear construction during the day.
The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
At Fort Wilderness, soil erosion prevention work is taking place along Big Pine Trail through mid-October 2026.
The project is relatively minor from a guest perspective. Resort amenities are not expected to close, although temporary roadway detours and alternate walking paths may be necessary at times.
Which DVC Resorts Have the Biggest Refurbishments Right Now?
If you’re trying to separate significant villa renovations from ordinary hotel maintenance, there are four projects we’re watching most closely:
Animal Kingdom Villas is the most active full villa refurbishment, with Kidani Village finished and Jambo House underway.
Saratoga Springs’ Treehouse Villas are actively being renovated, with some of the new rooms already entering circulation.
Grand Californian is preparing for its unusual second phase of refurbishment beginning later in 2026.
And Old Key West remains perhaps the biggest question mark, with a substantial semi-hard goods refurbishment announced but many details about timing and design still unknown.
Those are the projects most likely to meaningfully change the DVC room experience rather than simply create temporary inconvenience during a stay.
Keeping Up With DVC Refurbishment Timelines
Refurbishments are an unavoidable part of owning Disney Vacation Club, but they’re also one of the more interesting parts of watching the program evolve.
A resort room that felt perfectly modern a decade ago can suddenly feel dated next to Disney’s newest villas. Charging options change. Furniture styles change. Families use the rooms differently. And, as we’ve seen with the rapid expansion of pull-down beds across DVC, one successful design choice can quickly reshape the rest of the portfolio.
The good news is that there is an extraordinary amount of investment taking place across Disney Vacation Club right now.
Animal Kingdom Villas is nearing the finish line. The Saratoga Springs Treehouses are getting an overdue update. Grand Californian Members will see Disney take a second pass at their villas. And Old Key West appears destined for a more extensive renovation than Members originally expected.
We’ll continue updating this DVC refurbishment timelines and updates guide whenever Disney announces new projects, completion dates shift, or we get our first look inside newly renovated villas.
As always, if you’re staying in one of these resorts and spot something new, let us know. Some of the best refurbishment updates begin with DVC Members simply noticing that something has changed.
Stay tuned to DVCFan.com and the DVC Fan Facebook Group for the latest updates on Disney Vacation Club and Disney News. Want to share your thoughts? Join the conversation in the DVC Fan Forums at forums.dvcfan.com!
