Overview
- The lobby gift shop began a phased refurbishment this week, with Walt Disney World listing the project as starting May 26–27 and running through late August 2026 while the store remains open.
- Disney warns guests they may see and hear construction around the lobby and that access to merchandise will be intermittently limited during the work.
- Guest rooms are being renovated in phases across the resort in a separate project that is scheduled to continue through January 2027, allowing Disney to keep the hotel open and honor reservations.
- Check‑in and the World Premiere Food Court will continue to operate, and Disney schedules most renovation work during daytime hours though pool or lobby users may still encounter noise or visible construction.
- Reporters cite a prior Pop Century refurbishment as a precedent where stores ran half‑open with fewer souvenirs, and the phased work could tighten value‑resort room inventory and influence booking choices through early 2027.