Walt Disney World Confirms Imminent Resort Location Closure

Guests will soon lose access to another key part of a classic Disney World resort.

The pastel-tinged charm of Disney’s Old Key West Resort whispers of the Florida Keys: palm-fringed canals, laid-back architecture, and a relaxed retreat from the bustle of the parks. As the original Disney Vacation Club property—opened in 1991 and later rebranded—the resort sprawls across a serene, village-style community in the Disney Springs area, offering villa and studio accommodations with fully equipped kitchens or kitchenettes, spacious living areas, and the comforts of home.

Guests can choose from Deluxe Studios, one-, two-, or even three-bedroom Grand Villas, each designed to balance privacy and togetherness amid lush landscaping and fairway views.

Recreation and amenities at Old Key West lean into that mellow, slow-paced vibe. The centerpiece is the Sandcastle Pool, complete with a waterslide, hot tub, and sand-beach accents, while quieter leisure pools dot the property in the Old Turtle Pond and South Point sections.

Dining options include Olivia’s Café, casual grab-and-go outlets, and a lounge for drinks and light bites. On the grounds, you’ll find bicycles and surrey rentals, jogging paths along canals and golf courses, courts for tennis, basketball, and volleyball, and evening entertainment such as “Movies Under the Stars” and campfire activities.

However, there is a caveat worth noting: beginning September 29, 2025, and running through late November, the Miller’s Road leisure pool will be closed for routine maintenance. During that period, guests can still enjoy the Sandcastle Pool and the leisure pools in Old Turtle Pond and South Point. The resort warns that refurbishment work may be audible or visible in the surrounding area. The notice was issued on the Walt Disney World website.

Old Key West presents a tranquil, roomy option for those who value space and a gentle pace over high-energy immersion. It’s not without its quirks—transportation across the spread can take time, and some areas feel quaint rather than cutting-edge—but for many, that’s part of the appeal.

This is just the latest in a growing slate of closures and refurbishments at Disney’s hotel resorts across the property.

Walt Disney World’s most iconic resorts are undergoing dramatic changes that returning guests may hardly recognize. From sweeping interior redesigns to construction projects reshaping entrances and exteriors, these transformations redefine how some of Disney’s most beloved properties look and feel.

At Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, perhaps the most noticeable shift is the removal of its famous aviary in favor of a brand-new “Birdcage Bar” tied to an “Enchanted Gardens” theme. The resort’s signature gingerbread house, a cherished holiday tradition, is not set to return for Christmas 2025. Beyond the lobby, extensive refurbishment continues across meeting spaces and convention areas, while outside, the ongoing Floridian Way project is reworking key roadways and entry points.

The brand-new Island Tower has just opened at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Yet construction continues into 2026, with adjustments to the resort’s main entrance and transportation flow underway. The neighboring Contemporary Resort is also deep in refurbishment, with work stretching through mid-2026. Guests can expect changes within Bay Lake Tower, the convention center, and even pool areas—some of which will temporarily close.

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is also seeing significant updates, with renovations taking place both inside and out, including at the Copper Creek Villas. Meanwhile, Port Orleans Riverside is revamping its Royal Rooms, though questions remain about whether the updates will maintain their original theme. The Beach Club Resort is also receiving attention, with exterior maintenance and arrival experience changes altering its familiar look.

Together, these projects represent one of Disney’s most far-reaching waves of resort transformation.

While the updates aim to modernize and refresh, they also raise an important question for fans: Will these changes enhance the magic of the resorts they love—or leave them feeling like entirely different places?