Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
Not every Disney hotel tells a story worth revisiting. While Disney prides itself on turning overnight stays into immersive experiences, not all of its properties have aged with the same care—or fanfare. In Paris, one long-standing hotel has become a symbol of missed potential. Now, after years of complaints and falling ratings, Disney is finally rewriting the narrative.
Disneyland Paris confirmed this week that Sequoia Lodge will undergo a full-scale refurbishment beginning in 2026. The announcement marks the next phase in a broader hotel transformation strategy at the resort, which has already delivered a Marvel-themed reimagining of Disney Hotel New York in 2021 and a lavish royal overhaul of the Disneyland Hotel earlier this year. For many fans, Sequoia Lodge’s inclusion in that lineup is overdue.
Credit: Disney
Sequoia Lodge Will Undergo Full Redesign Starting 2026
First opened in 1992, Sequoia Lodge was designed to reflect the rustic charm of American National Park lodges. Nestled along the edge of Lake Disney and surrounded by tall pine trees, the hotel has long leaned into timber-heavy interiors, cozy stone fireplaces, and natural textures. Thematically, it had the ingredients for success—but in recent years, the reality has lagged behind the concept.
According to Disney, the hotel will stay open during the renovation, with work carried out in phases across its 1,010 rooms and public areas. The goal, the company says, is to retain the hotel’s signature woodsy charm while introducing “greater brightness and a touch of modernity.” Sustainability is also a key focus, with Disney noting that construction materials will be selected to minimize environmental impact.
Credit: Disney
The redesigned hotel will expand its tribute to nature by incorporating a wider range of Disney’s forest-dwelling characters—classic and contemporary. These characters will be woven subtly into guest spaces, dining areas, and decor, offering a refreshed but still immersive take on woodland storytelling.
A Reputation in Need of Repair
While Sequoia Lodge has always drawn guests with its setting and nostalgic theming, the experience on arrival has often told a different story. Across online forums and review platforms, guests have cited serious concerns about maintenance, cleanliness, and outdated furnishings. On Reddit, one user wrote: “It would always have been my preference in the past but has a history of smelly dirty rooms… not just my experience.” Another added, “My mum gagged when she opened my suitcase after I had stayed there.”
Credit: Disney
These sentiments have contributed to Sequoia Lodge earning a 2.9-star rating on Yelp—currently the lowest of any Disney hotel worldwide. While some loyal guests continue to highlight its atmosphere and lakeside location, even fans have acknowledged that the property has fallen behind, especially in comparison to recent upgrades elsewhere at the resort.
Still, there’s cautious hope that Sequoia Lodge can follow in the footsteps of its sister hotels. Disney’s recent hotel transformations have been praised for maintaining thematic integrity while elevating comfort and quality. If Sequoia Lodge is given the same level of attention, it could reclaim its position as a fan favorite.
Until work begins in 2026, the lodge remains open as-is. But for longtime visitors and first-time guests alike, the promise of change offers something new: a reason to return.
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