The Scrim Creeps In: Disney World Files Construction Permits for Two More Fan-Favorite Hotels

Planning a Walt Disney World getaway usually begins with choosing where to stay. Millions of vacationers willingly pay top dollar to remain inside the “Disney bubble,” drawn by immersive storytelling, hassle-free transportation, and a calm retreat away from packed theme park paths.

Yet for travelers visiting Central Florida over the next year, that tranquil bubble might come with an unwanted soundtrack of power tools.

Walt Disney World has officially filed four new Notice of Commencement permits targeting guest buildings across two widely popular properties: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s Old Key West Resort. These filings confirm that construction crews are preparing to stage work at both locations, expanding a resort-wide wave of renovations scheduled to run through 2026 and well into 2027.

What the New Filings Reveal

Because Disney rarely issues advance announcements for routine facility updates, public county permits serve as the primary early-warning system for parkgoers.

The four latest filings cover key guest sections across two sprawling properties:

• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort: Disney lodged three separate permits along Cayman Way, the resort’s main corridor. These filings target Trinidad Village (home to the resort’s Little Mermaid rooms and Spyglass Grill), Barbados Village (located beside the Old Port Royale lobby hub), and western service roads. The designated contractor is Harrison Contracting Co., a commercial painting and structural firm that recently restored the giant red guitar outside Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Their involvement points toward extensive exterior repainting and building maintenance.
• Disney’s Old Key West Resort: A fourth permit was filed for Building 11 on North Cove Road, which houses deluxe studios and multi-bedroom Disney Vacation Club (DVC) villas. The contracted builder is Friedrich Watkins Company, an Orlando general contractor that previously oversaw renovations on The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and room updates at Bay Lake Tower.

Joining a Massive Resort Renovation Pipeline

The work at Caribbean Beach and Old Key West adds two more pins to an already crowded map of resort construction across Walt Disney World:

• Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas: Ongoing updates across the lakeside promenade lead directly into a major pool shutdown: the iconic Luna Park Pool, the Crazy Play Area, and Leaping Horse Libations will close completely from January 11 through April 2027.
• Disney’s Beach Club Resort: Phased exterior repairs and facade work will continue along guest buildings through late 2027.
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside: A major phased room overhaul remains underway through August 2027.
• Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort: Work across the Convention Center and central El Centro Corridor extends through late September 2027.
• Disney’s Art of Animation Resort: A large-scale guest-room refurbishment is scheduled to launch in mid-June 2027.
• Skyliner Downtime: For guests at Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, and Art of Animation, the Disney Skyliner will temporarily shut down for annual maintenance from January 24 through January 30, 2027, which will require visitors to take shuttle buses.

What Should Guests Do?

If you have an upcoming trip booked at an affected hotel, a few simple steps can help you avoid construction headaches:

1. Request Unaffected Buildings: At sprawling resorts like Caribbean Beach, work occurs in phases. Use the My Disney Experience app during online check-in to request villages such as Jamaica or Aruba, thereby placing physical distance between your room and permitted zones in Trinidad or Barbados.
2. Audit Amenity Closures: If pool downtime is central to your vacation, always verify pool operating calendars in advance.
3. Inquire About Rebooking: If daytime noise or visible scaffolding disrupts your vacation vision, call Disney to explore rebooking to an unaffected sister resort within the same tier.