The Worst Disney World Hotels for 2026

Let us do you a favor — just AVOID these Disney World hotels in 2026.

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

If you’re already planning your 2026 Disney World vacation, you’re likely trying to decide where you want to stay. And when that’s up for debate, there are some important factors to consider that could make a hotel stay not-so-magical…like major construction projects!

All-Star Sports Resort

Starting off this list, we’ve got All-Star Sports Resort, which is one of three All-Star Resorts in the Animal Kingdom area of Disney World. From January 2026 until late April 2026, the Surfboard Bay Pool and the kiddie pool at this hotel will be closed for maintenance.

All-Star Sports

During that time, the Grand Slam Leisure Pool will remain open, but guests staying at All-Star Sports are also welcome to use the pools at All-Star Movies and All-Star Music. However, if you’re planning to stay at one of these hotels during the time of the pool closure, it’s probably just best to choose Movies or Music to begin with — no pool hopping necessary!

Animal Kingdom Lodge

There are a few major projects coming soon to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge that could affect your stay there. From October 2025 through May 2026, hotel rooms at Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge will undergo refurbishment, followed by refurbishment work at Jambo House from May 2026 through January 2027.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

When room refurbishments are happening, you can encounter noise during the daytime and sometimes parts of the hotel will be closed off to make way for workers and equipment. If you’re hoping to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge during this construction project, we would recommend choosing the OPPOSITE building from where the work is happening (so stay in Jambo House until May 2026 and stay at Kidani Village if you’re going June or later).

Contemporary Resort & Bay Lake Tower

Another hotel pair that’s going to be seeing a lot of construction soon is the Contemporary Resort and its next-door neighbor, Bay Lake Tower. Through July 2026, Disney has stated that there will be refurbishments throughout the two hotels. Then, the Bay Cove Pool, the Cove Bar, the water play area, and the whirlpool spa at Bay Lake Tower will temporarily be closed for maintenance from January 26th, 2026, through early May 2026.

Contemporary Resort!

That’s a lot of construction going on between these two hotels, so it may actually be best to stay elsewhere during these projects. If staying near Magic Kingdom interests you, we would recommend Disney’s Wilderness Lodge across Bay Lake, which offers boat service directly to the park.

Grand Floridian Resort

Next on our list is the Grand Floridian Resort, but construction here is a little complicated. Work began on the lobby in April 2025, and while Disney hasn’t set an end date to this project, they HAVE noted that it will at least be going through the holiday season. So it’s possible the lobby construction could still affect your 2026 trip.

Lobby construction as of July 2025

Disney’s working on adding a new lobby bar to the Grand Floridian, as well as updating some of the furniture and features in this space. If you want to stay in a similar upscale atmosphere (but without the construction), you could try the Yacht Club or BoardWalk Inn instead. 

Polynesian Village Resort

Another hotel to avoid is located next door to the Grand Flo (man, 2026 is a bad year for the Monorail resorts!), the Polynesian Village Resort. Here, refurbishments began around some areas of the hotel this year, and they’re scheduled to last into 2026. This work includes the reconfiguration of the front entrance roadway and bus area.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

During this time, some views of the theme parks and other surrounding areas may be impacted but all amenities should remain available. So what’s a good alternate hotel option if you don’t want to stay here during construction? Well, for those looking for “island vibes,” you can try a stay at Caribbean Beach Resort instead.

Pop Century Resort

Another Value Resort that will have some construction is Pop Century Resort. This spot is having a resort-wide refurbishment through February 2026. Amenities shouldn’t be impacted, but you will likely encounter noise and equipment during daytime hours.

Pop Century

For a similar experience with the same Skyliner transportation, try staying at Pop Century’s sister hotel, the Art of Animation Resort. There, the rooms are themed to different animated Disney films.

Port Orleans — Riverside Resort

Last but not least, we’ve got to share the struggles with Port Orleans — Riverside. From early May 2025 through the end of February 2026, hotel rooms in the Magnolia Bend at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside will undergo refurbishment.

Port Orleans Resort — Riverside

The good news is that there are currently no refurbishments on the schedule at Port Orleans — French Quarter, so you can plan your stay next door and be even closer to Mickey beignets at Scat Cat’s Club!

If you hope to stay at one of these hotels in 2026, try to plan your trip for a time outside of the construction window. That’ll make things a lot easier!

Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World news and updates.

Click Here to See a List of Every Disney World Hotel Perk Available for 2026!

Are you planning a stay at any of these hotels in 2026? Tell us in the comments!

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