Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside is facing major changes.
Walt Disney World Resort has spent much of 2026 upgrading its hotels, with renovations affecting everything from guest rooms to restaurants and communal spaces. Several properties are undergoing work that will continue into 2027, leaving some visitors facing temporary closures during their vacations.
Disney’s hotel portfolio includes more than 25 resorts across its Value, Moderate, and Deluxe categories. While Deluxe hotels such as Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa command premium prices, Moderate properties offer guests a less expensive alternative without sacrificing Disney’s signature theming.
Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, which first welcomed guests in 1992, is one of the oldest. Originally called Dixie Landings, the hotel adopted its current name in 2001 when it was combined with the neighboring Port Orleans property.
Located along the Sassagoula River, Riverside features two distinct areas. Magnolia Bend is modeled after grand Southern mansions, while Alligator Bayou features rustic cottages surrounded by trees and winding pathways.
The 2,048-room resort also offers boat transportation to Disney Springs, the Boatwright’s Dining Hall restaurant, and the Riverside Mill food court. Its recently remodeled Royal Guest Rooms feature details inspired by Princess Tiana and The Princess and the Frog (2009).
However, guests visiting the 34-year-old Disney World hotel this October are finding that parts of the property are no longer accessible.
Disney World Restricts Access to Port Orleans Riverside
A significant section of Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside has now been closed off as refurbishment work progresses through its main building.
Large black curtains have appeared throughout the resort’s lobby, preventing guests from accessing much of the check-in and guest services area to the right of the entrance.
The barriers stretch across a substantial portion of the room, although they stop short of the ceiling. Construction equipment remains visible behind them, including a raised platform used by workers.
Several columns have also been covered with protective painter’s tape as work continues around the lobby’s decorative gold accents. One wall has already been painted gray, although it’s unclear whether this is a temporary coat or part of the final design.
Other areas retain the building’s familiar pale yellow and green color scheme. The chandeliers, decorative molding, and ceiling fans remain in place.
The closure has also forced several changes to guest facilities.
Restrooms within the affected section of the lobby are currently unavailable, with visitors instead directed to facilities at the nearby River Roost lounge.
The resort’s guest mailbox has been relocated to Fulton’s General Store, while seating is limited to sections of the lobby that remain open.
Importantly, Disney has not closed the entire building. Guests can still check in and receive assistance from Cast Members at the remaining operational desks.
The lobby’s refurbishment is expected to continue in phases through early December 2026, meaning visitors arriving during the Thanksgiving holiday period could encounter similar restrictions.
More Closures Expected as Disney World Hotel Overhaul Continues
The lobby isn’t the only part of Port Orleans Riverside affected by Disney’s ongoing renovations.
Since May 2025, guest rooms across the resort have been undergoing extensive refurbishment. According to Disney’s official website, the project is scheduled to continue through August 2027, with construction taking place across different sections of the hotel.
Work has already reached Alligator Bayou, where room renovations began on August 31, 2026. That phase is expected to continue through late May 2027.
The Magnolia Bend area has also received significant attention, including updates to its Royal Guest Rooms. The redesigned rooms feature new furnishings, stained-glass artwork, and additional references to Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen.
Other disruptions extend beyond the accommodations themselves.
In September, guests shared notices from Disney warning that refurbishment work would also affect the North Bus Depot, with transportation continuing from alternative stops. The notices additionally warned of temporary changes to walking routes and reduced parking availability around Alligator Bayou.
Work near the Sassagoula River Cruise route could also result in construction fencing, landscaping changes, and altered waterfront views.
Meanwhile, the neighboring Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter is experiencing its own closures. Scat Cat’s Club – Café and Scat Cat’s Club – Lounge closed for refurbishment on October 6, with reopening dates targeted for December 2026 and January 2027, respectively.
With lobby construction scheduled to finish in December and room renovations continuing into next summer, guests booking a Walt Disney World vacation in late 2026 or early 2027 should expect work to remain visible across the property. According to recent complaints, guests at some hotels have also experienced disruptions to their stays, including last-minute resort changes and downgrades.
Have you ever stayed at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside?
