October 25, 2026 — Part of the main lobby at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside at Walt Disney World is now curtained off for refurbishment, including much of the check-in and guest services area. Check-in stays open at the far end of the lobby, and the lobby work is expected to run in phases until early December 2026. A firm end date has not been published (TBA).
What is happening
WDW News Today reported on October 24 that black curtains now block much of the check-in and guest services area on the right as you enter the main building. The lobby restrooms in that area are closed, with signs sending guests to the restrooms at the River Roost lounge, and the guest mailbox has moved to Fulton’s General Store, the resort’s gift shop. Check-in, guest services and lobby seating in other sections remain available.
The lobby project is part of a larger, phased refurbishment of the resort. Disney Tips and Inside the Magic report that the lobby work began in early October and is expected to continue in phases until early December, and that the guest-room renovation, which started in May 2025, is scheduled to run through August 2027. WDW News Today notes that the resort’s own webpage still gives “mid-2027” for the guest-room and public-area work, so the exact finish date is not settled. The resort is not closing; work is being done in sections.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Property | Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside |
| Owner / operator | Walt Disney World (The Walt Disney Company) |
| Location | Disney Springs Resort Area, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA |
| Rooms | About 2,048 in two sections: Alligator Bayou (1,024 rooms in 16 lodges) and Magnolia Bend (1,024 rooms in four mansions) |
| Lobby work | Began early October 2026; phased, expected until early December 2026 (exact end date TBA) |
| Guest-room renovation | Began May 2025; scheduled through August 2027 per Disney Tips and Inside the Magic (resort webpage says mid-2027) |
| Temporary changes | Lobby restrooms closed (use River Roost); mailbox moved to Fulton’s General Store |
Next door at Port Orleans – French Quarter, Disney Tips reports that Scat Cat’s Club Café closed on October 6 for refurbishment and is expected back in December, while Scat Cat’s Club Lounge is due to return in January 2027; beignets and coffee are being served at Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory in the meantime.
What it means for travelers
- Nearest airport: Orlando International (MCO), Florida’s busiest airport, with Southwest as its largest carrier and bases for Breeze, Frontier and Southwest, plus a JetBlue focus city. That gives a wide choice of nonstops from across the U.S. Note that Spirit Airlines ceased all operations on May 2, 2026, so older Spirit options to Orlando are gone.
- Expect a slower arrival: with part of the check-in area behind curtains, lines at the remaining desk may be longer at peak times, so allow extra time if you land late in the day.
- Thanksgiving trips: Inside the Magic warns that guests visiting over Thanksgiving may still find parts of the lobby closed.
- Room renovation: because guest rooms are being refurbished building by building into 2027, ask about your room’s location when you check in if construction noise is a concern.
Sources
- WDW News Today: Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside Lobby Partially Closed for Refurbishment
- Disney Tips: Disney World’s Port Orleans Faces Major Changes After 34 Years as Areas Close to Guests
- Inside the Magic: Disney World’s 34-Year-Old Port Orleans Hotel Begins Closure, Guests Lose Access
- Wikipedia: Disney’s Port Orleans Resort
- Wikipedia: Orlando International Airport
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