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August 2026 brings several overlapping projects to Walt Disney World hotels, but they are not all equal. Some affect a lobby or walkway, while others close a restaurant or transportation route. None of the verified notices reviewed here closes an entire resort.
The useful question is not simply whether construction exists. It is whether the work changes where you eat, how you enter the hotel, or how quiet you expect the resort portion of your trip to be.
Updated July 28, 2026: Added the full Kidani Village lobby schedule, the Yacht and Beach Club boat-dock closure, and Fort Wilderness trail detours.
In This Article
- August resort project dates
- Dining closures and reopenings
- Lobby and entrance disruptions
- Transportation updates
- When to change plans
August 2026 Resort Impact at a Glance
| Resort | Timing | Main impact | Planning level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Floridian | Through Oct. 2026 | Grand Floridian Café closed; brunch moved to Cítricos | High for café reservations |
| Coronado Springs | Starts Aug. 10 | Convention Center and El Centro corridor work | Moderate near central areas |
| Kidani Village | Aug. 17–Nov. 6, phased | Entrance, check-in, corridor, elevator, and amenity changes | High for resort-heavy stays |
| Yacht & Beach Club | Aug. 17–21; dining work through Aug. | FriendShip dock closed; Yachtsman Steakhouse remains closed | High if relying on the boat or restaurant |
| Saratoga Springs | Multiple August phases | Entrance, walkway, Turf Club, and other projects | High for dining; moderate otherwise |
| Fort Wilderness | Through mid-Oct. | Localized Big Pine Trail detours and daytime work | Moderate near the project |
| Old Key West | Into early Aug. | Boat route to Disney Springs paused | High if relying on the boat |
Grand Floridian Café Brunch Has Moved to Cítricos
Grand Floridian Café closed after service on July 19 and is expected to remain unavailable through October. Disney has not announced an exact reopening day, so a trip beginning in October should not assume the restaurant will be ready on October 1.
Brunch has moved to Cítricos from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the closure. Search for Cítricos when checking reservations; Grand Floridian Café itself will not appear as the temporary brunch location.
1900 Park Fare remains open and is not part of this project. Construction walls also block the restrooms beside the café, but guests can use facilities near the lobby or on the second floor.
This is a dining and lobby-route adjustment, not a closure of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Keep a hotel reservation unless the café was a major reason for choosing the resort, and make a replacement dining plan before arrival.
Coronado Springs Work Begins August 10
The 13-month project at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort covers the Convention Center, El Centro Corridor, and nearby areas. Work is phased and much of it is planned overnight, so this is not a resort-wide shutdown.
Guests near Gran Destino Tower, Casitas, or the central dining and lobby areas may notice detours or construction. Our Coronado Springs refurbishment guide breaks down the full timeline and who is most likely to notice it.
Kidani Village Has Four Different Lobby Impacts
The latest resort notice reported for Kidani Village uses a staggered schedule, so the impact depends on your dates. The main lobby and primary entrance are scheduled to close August 17 through October 9, with check-in moving to the Palace Library. Johari Treasures is affected August 17 through 28.
- September 28–October 9: The north lobby corridor, second-floor north lobby elevators, and outdoor terrace observation deck are unavailable.
- October 26–November 6: The south lobby corridor phase affects Community Hall, laundry, lobby restrooms, the outdoor terrace observation deck, Palace Library, and Safari So Good Arcade.
The resort remains open, but daytime construction noise and temporary routes can matter to families, guests using mobility devices, and anyone planning substantial resort time. Confirm your arrival route and available amenities in Disney’s pre-arrival message because Disney’s public Kidani page did not show this detailed lobby schedule when checked.
Yachtsman Steakhouse Reopening Has an August Window
Disney’s official page confirms Yachtsman Steakhouse is closed through August 2026. The source reports an August 28 reopening, but Disney’s public restaurant text reviewed for this article did not display that exact day.
Do not plan a Yacht Club dinner around the reported date until the Disney reservation calendar offers a bookable time. Yachtsman is Signature Dining, advance reservations are recommended, and dinner uses two Table-Service meals on the Disney Dining Plan.
Yacht and Beach Club Boats Pause August 17–21
The FriendShip dock serving Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club resorts is scheduled to close for maintenance August 17 through 21. This is a transportation interruption, not a hotel closure.
For EPCOT, the walking path to International Gateway is the simplest alternative. For Disney’s Hollywood Studios, use the direct resort bus. The Disney Skyliner can work by walking to International Gateway and transferring at Caribbean Beach, but that route is longer and less convenient than the bus.
Saratoga Springs Has the Most Moving Parts
The source reports phased maintenance at the porte cochere and adjacent covered walkway from August 10 through late October, including some overnight work. That may change the arrival path without closing the full Carriage House area.
The dining handoff is more important. Disney says The Turf Club Lounge stays closed through late August while The Turf Club Bar & Grill operates with a pop-up bar and modified menu. Then the Bar & Grill closes from late August through late September while the Lounge remains open.
Other Saratoga projects continue too. The Treehouse Villas and select areas remain under refurbishment through late September, and Lake Buena Vista Golf Course is closed through October. See the updated Treehouse Villas design for a closer look at that project.
Fort Wilderness Detours Stay Localized
Soil-erosion prevention work along the Big Pine Trail sidewalk is expected to continue through mid-October. Guests may encounter roadway detours, alternate walking paths, and visible or audible daytime work near the project.
Resort amenities are not affected, so this does not justify changing a Fort Wilderness reservation by itself. Allow extra time for internal travel and follow posted routes instead of assuming a familiar walking path will be open.
Old Key West Boat Service Should Return in Early August
The Sassagoula River Cruise route between Old Key West and Disney Springs pauses beginning July 20 and is expected to return in early August. Buses remain available during the interruption.
Because Disney has not posted a single guaranteed return day, check transportation status close to your trip. Our Old Key West boat-service update explains the fallback route.
Should You Switch Resorts?
- Keep the reservation if the project is limited to a lobby, entrance, or convention space and your trip is park-focused.
- Request a different room area if daytime or overnight noise is the main concern.
- Change dining plans when a restaurant closure removes a meal that matters to your group.
- Consider another resort if quiet resort time, a specific transportation mode, or a closed amenity is central to the vacation.
Recheck Before Arrival
Long projects change phase, and restaurant calendars can shift. Review the notice on your resort page, check My Disney Experience, and read pre-arrival emails shortly before travel. Those sources are more reliable than a construction photo taken weeks earlier.
Which August resort project would most affect your hotel choice: transportation, dining, lobby work, or construction noise? Let us know in the comments below; we would love to hear what matters most to your stay.
Planning context: For a wider closure check, start with our Disney World refurbishment calendar, then use the resort guide to weigh location, dining, transportation, and construction impact together.
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