Walt Disney World theme parks are in the middle of an expansion boom, which includes new attractions opening this summer and multiple new lands under construction. Beyond the parks, Disney World’s resort hotels have some exciting projects in the works, as well as a significant and somewhat controversial policy change.
Disney World made five announcements about its resort hotels, with one of them taking effect later this week. We have details on all of these and their timelines. Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including our picks for Disney World’s best Princess character meal and the best gym at a Disney World hotel.
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Jellyrolls Replacement Revealed for Disney’s BoardWalk
Jellyrolls, a dueling piano bar, closed at Disney’s BoardWalk in 2025 after nearly three decades of operation. The popular, adults-only nightlife spot was known for its crowd sing-alongs. Owned by a third party rather than Disney, Jellyrolls previously announced that a new location would open near Disney World.
Disney revealed Jellyrolls’ vacancy at the BoardWalk will be filled by Hurly-Burly, a new lounge opening in late 2026 and themed as a turn-of-the-century seaside theater.
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Hurly-Burly will be a family-friendly trivia venue by day and a 21+ lounge with live music by night. The lounge will serve cocktails and light bites. See more details about Hurly-Burly here.
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Mini Water Park at New Disney World Hotel
Disney Lakeshore Lodge will open as Walt Disney World’s newest resort hotel in summer 2027. The hotel will qualify as a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resort.
Disney revealed expansive pool areas for Lakeshore Lodge. Altogether, the options amount to a mini water park, putting Lakeshore Lodge in the running for best pool area at Disney World, maybe even sneaking up on Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts for the top prize.
The mini water park at Lakeshore Lodge will be called The Wetlands. It will feature the Daydream River lazy river, the Lakeside Lagoon zero-entry pool with a slide, the Otter Springs kiddie pool, and the Heron Shores playground. Separate from this busy space will be Perspective Pond, a quiet pool with a jacuzzi.
See more about The Wetlands and how it’s inspired by Pocahontas here.
Change to Resort Transportation Rules
The unique location of Disney Springs within Walt Disney World’s geography allows the dining and shopping center to provide multiple transportation methods to and from Disney World hotels.
Guests can travel by boat between Disney Springs and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort, Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, or by bus between Disney Springs and all other Disney World resort hotels. Disney Springs does not provide direct transportation to Disney World theme parks (though I have sometimes seen buses offered from the parks during late afternoon and evening hours).
Starting June 28, 2026, restrictions will be introduced permanently for all modes of transportation from Disney Springs. Guests will not be allowed to board a bus or boat from Disney Springs unless they have an overnight resort reservation or a dining reservation. Cast members will verify each guest’s reservation when boarding the vehicles, and guests without a reservation will be turned away.
This process will only be in place at Disney Springs. Buses and boats at all other Disney World locations, as well as Disney’s fleet of monorails and Skyliner gondolas, will continue to be offered free of charge to all guests, regardless of reservation status.
See more about the new bus and boat changes here.
New Store Replacing Art Gallery
Promenade Fine Art Gallery closed at Disney’s BoardWalk in 2025 and moved to Pointe Orlando on International Drive.
Replacing the former art gallery at its Disney spot will be Basin on the BoardWalk, a soap store specializing in bath bombs, body butters, lip salves, shampoo, and conditioner bars. Basin on the BoardWalk will feature interactive stations for guests to customize bath teas and make their own soap.
Disney says Basin on the BoardWalk will open in late 2026.
New Restaurant Announcement Coming
Big River Grille & Brewing Works closed in 2024 at Disney’s BoardWalk. In its place will be a new quick service restaurant.
Not much is known about this eatery, but Disney says more details will be announced later this summer. The restaurant will join other quick service dining locations at Disney’s BoardWalk, including Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs, BoardWalk Deli, and The Cake Bake Shop Bakery.
Resort Refurbishments Beginning and Ending
The above announcements reflect long-term news about permanent changes coming to Walt Disney World hotels. In the short term, several refurbishment projects are ongoing.
In late June, Disney will complete the exterior refurbishment of Wailulu Bar & Grill, the restaurant at Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows. This is one of our favorite Disney fireworks spots, and home to one of Disney World’s best burgers. The past few weeks, lunch operations have been impacted by an exterior refurbishment, which will wrap up soon.
Starting July 20, Grand Floridian Café will close for refurbishment at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa as part of the hotel’s sweeping multi-year makeover. The restaurant will reopen sometime in October. In the meantime, Grand Floridian Café’s brunch experience will relocate to Cítricos.
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