2025-2026 DVC Refurbishment Updates
Each year, Disney Vacation Club hosts Board of Directors and Member Meetings for each of the DVC resorts. These meetings include Board updates, budget approval, and a Q&A session for Members to ask questions and engage with DVC leadership. The December 2025 meetings provided important updates, including upcoming resort refurbishments that affect DVC Members and Rental Guests alike!
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Kidani Village at Animal Kingdom Lodge began its full refurbishment this past October. Full refurbishments are typically a complete update with new furniture, flooring, and appliances. At the condo association meeting, DVC announced that the first of these refurbished rooms will be open to guests starting Friday, December 12! While no photos or artist renderings of these new rooms were shared, DVC did confirm that the updated rooms will include Murphy beds to replace the sofa beds.
Once renovations are completed at Kidani Village, Jambo House will begin its full refurbishment. Construction is expected to run from May 2026 through January 2027.
Grand Californian
On the West Coast, the Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa have undergone a somewhat controversial refurbishment. The resort was due for its full refurbishment in 2025, but the work that has been completed so far has not met Members’ expectations. To many Members, the work feels incomplete compared to other recent refurbishments, such as those at Boulder Ridge and Bay Lake Tower. Other than new floors and Murphy beds, the rooms at the Grand Californian were hardly updated.
At the Grand Californian’s condo association meeting, Bill Diercksen, Senior Vice President and General Manager of DVC, shared that in response to Member feedback, a second phase of refurbishment is planned for late 2026. The scope and details of this second phase have not yet been finalized, but it appears that it will include bathroom renovations.
Old Key West
Old Key West last had its full refurbishment in 2019 and is due for its soft goods refurbishment in 2026. A soft goods refurbishment normally includes cosmetic updates such as new upholstery, bedding, and curtains. However, at the Old Key West condo association meeting, DVC shared that Old Key West would undergo a “semi hard goods” refurbishment in 2026. This was defined as updates to the kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms.
Many recent refurbishments at other resorts have included the addition of Murphy beds, but this has not been confirmed for Old Key West.
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