Walt Disney World has made significant announcements regarding resort refurbishments and hotel construction projects for the years 2025 and 2026. One of the most notable is the Wilderness Lodge project, which includes a room reimagining. This article delves into the details of these projects, their impacts on guests, and what to expect during the construction periods.

Unveiling the Transformations at Walt Disney World's Resorts

Wilderness Lodge Room Reimagining

From mid-May 2025 to September 2025, Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge will undergo refurbishment. While resort amenities remain available, daytime refurbishment work may be noticed. Copper Creek, with relatively recent rooms, is set for a soft goods refurbishment. The current standard rooms will likely see changes such as the replacement of the sofa sleeper with a combo sofa-bed that pulls down from the wall. Disney has also shown a defter design touch, and the interiors may be 'thematically streamlined'. The flooring, existing bed/headboard, kitchenette, and bathrooms are expected to remain unchanged, but the dresser and some artwork may be updated. Our expectation is that the room redo will improve the Copper Creek rooms significantly.During a previous room reimagining project at the main lodge a few years ago, only entire floors were taken out of commission during daytime hours. Guests staying at Wilderness Lodge during that time had to actively look for signs of the work. For those staying above or below the working floors and taking naps during the day, a simple room request to be on a different floor may be necessary. This mostly applies to guests in the Copper Creek Villas; those on the hotel side should be fine without requests.

Wilderness Lodge Exterior Refurbishment

A construction permit was filed a few months ago for a lengthy and large-scale project at Wilderness Lodge lasting until December 2026. The permit was assigned to Adena Corporation and extended beyond the default 1-year timeline. While the project is being handled by Walt Disney World's Facility Asset Management (FAM) group, it's likely maintenance rather than a wholesale construction project. Various possibilities exist, such as converting more hotel inventory to Disney Vacation Club or refurbishing the pool. However, exterior refurbishment seems the most likely. The project started shortly after the permit was filed, and small areas of scaffolding have been spotted around the resort. Guests staying at Wilderness Lodge may be able to see the exterior work from their balconies, but the impact is expected to be minimal. Rooms near the scaffolding may be taken out of commission when the work reaches those points, and a simple room request can avoid any potential issues.

Disney Lakeshore Lodge Construction

A couple of months after resuming, Walt Disney World officially confirmed that the project at the former River Country site has resumed under the new name Disney Lakeshore Lodge. Construction is underway, and a new mixed-use property is projected to open in 2027. During a recent stay, the author observed construction on boat rides to and from Magic Kingdom, with work starting early in the morning and on weekends. The construction site is closer to Fort Wilderness than Wilderness Lodge, so the impact on Wilderness Lodge guests is expected to be minimal. However, guests staying in the Cascade Cabins on the far end may be able to see and hear work. Guests at Boulder Ridge may also be able to see or hear work from their balconies. Overall, while the 10-story tower will be visible or audible at some point, it's not a major concern for hotel guests.In conclusion, there is a lot of current and upcoming work at Wilderness Lodge between now and 2027. While it may seem overwhelming, most guests will be fine with simple room requests. Even without a request, the chances of being within earshot of the work are low. For those planning a WDW trip, there are various resources available to help, such as Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews, Tips for Saving Money on Tickets, and What to Pack for Disney Trips.YOUR THOUGHTSThoughts on the construction at and around Wilderness Lodge between now and 2027? Excited for the room refurbishment at Copper Creek? Have you stayed at Wilderness Lodge since work began on the exterior or adjacent Disney Lakeshore Lodge? What was your experience? Did you even notice that these projects were happening? Do you agree or disagree with our recommendation to make a room request rather than stay elsewhere? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback – even when you disagree with us – is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!