Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
Disney World’s Moderate Resort is getting a facelift, but guest access will be limited for a while.
Credit: Joe Schlabotnik, Flickr
A refurbishment project is underway at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, with construction currently focused on the wooden walkway surrounding the Riverside Mill Food Court.
The boardwalk is a familiar feature of the resort, winding around the exterior of Riverside Mill and passing the building’s large water wheel. The area offers guests a scenic route through the resort’s Southern-inspired surroundings, but access is temporarily restricted while improvements are underway.
Sections of Walkway Getting a Refresh
The most noticeable change is the replacement of the boardwalk’s wooden decking. A substantial portion of the planks has already been removed and replaced with new boards, while work remains underway on a smaller section at one end. Replacement lumber can be seen staged within the construction area, with unfinished portions of the walkway still showing gaps where additional boards are due to be fitted.
The project also includes updates to the wooden railings. Several sections have already received new railings, although a couple of areas are still waiting for the replacement pieces to be installed. The rope detailing beneath the railings in the construction zone also appears to be new, according to reports.
Credit: Thomas Duesing, Flickr
Guests Directed Around Construction
The refurbishment has resulted in the boardwalk being closed off, with short construction barriers positioned at both entrances to prevent guests from entering the work area. Disney has placed signs around the closure to help direct guests toward an alternate route.
WDWNT reported on the ongoing refurbishment, noting progress around the Riverside Mill area. While Disney has not provided a specific completion date for the project, the amount of work already completed suggests the refurbishment on this particular area may be nearing its conclusion.
Once finished, the refreshed walkway should complement the rustic, waterfront atmosphere that makes Port Orleans – Riverside one of Disney World’s more distinctive moderate resorts. Due to the renovation projects at the Moderate Resort, the official Disney World website states the following: “From early May 2025 through August 2027, Guest rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside will undergo refurbishment throughout different parts of the Resort hotel. During this time, Guests may see or hear construction work in the area.”
How do you feel about the refurbishments happening across the Walt Disney World Resort? Let us know in the comments down below!
