Port Orleans Riverside: What the Lobby Closure Means
Published October 25, 2026
A large section of the lobby at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside is off-limits to guests, according to reports published Saturday, October 24, 2026. The partial closure is a refurbishment that began in early October 2026 and is expected to continue in phases through early December.
As of Sunday, October 25, 2026, the Moderate resort on the Sassagoula River is still operating. Check-in and guest services remain open at the far end of the lobby, and seating is still available in the sections the barriers do not cover.
According to reports, black curtains block much of the check-in and guest services area on the right-hand side of the main entrance. The curtains stop short of the ceiling, so the work behind them is partly visible. Photographs show a raised platform, blue painter’s tape on the gold detailing of several columns, and one wall already painted gray. Other walls still show the lobby’s pale yellow and green. Whether gray is the finished color was not stated.
The lobby restrooms are closed, and guests are being sent to restrooms at the River Roost lounge. The guest mailbox has moved to Fulton’s General Store, the resort gift shop.
Room refurbishment is a separate, longer project. It has been underway since May 2025 and is scheduled through August 2027 in both Magnolia Bend and Alligator Bayou. Disney’s website says guests may see or hear construction and that some pathways may be closed, with alternate routes around the property. Restaurants, recreation, and guest rooms are still welcoming visitors. Disney has not announced a plan to close the hotel.
What we know
- Port Orleans Resort – Riverside lobby — a large section on the right side of the main entrance is closed behind black curtains; check-in continues at the far end.
- Lobby restrooms — closed, with guests directed to the River Roost lounge.
- Guest mailbox — moved to Fulton’s General Store.
- Lobby refurbishment — started in early October 2026; phased work is expected through early December, including Thanksgiving.
- Guest rooms in Magnolia Bend and Alligator Bayou — under refurbishment since May 2025, scheduled through August 2027, with possible construction noise and temporary path closures noted on Disney’s website.
What’s not confirmed
Disney has not confirmed the lobby closure, the gray paint as a final color, or a phase-by-phase calendar. No lobby end date more specific than early December, and no room-project end date more specific than August 2027, has been announced. Reports did not say that Boatwright’s Dining Hall, boat service to Disney Springs, or the River Roost lounge itself — beyond its restrooms being the alternate facility — are closed.
What it means for your trip
If your Port Orleans – Riverside stay falls before early December 2026, finish mobile check-in in My Disney Experience before you arrive. Use the open guest-services end of the lobby only if you still need a person, and do not count on the curtained right-hand side of the entrance.
Use the River Roost restrooms, not the lobby ones. Collect mail at Fulton’s General Store.
A Thanksgiving 2026 stay is inside the reported lobby window. Book it expecting the same restricted entrance, not a finished lobby.
Through August 2027, either building — Magnolia Bend or Alligator Bayou — can mean construction noise and a detour between areas. The resort is still selling and honoring stays; this is not a full shutdown. Nothing in the reports says to move a Boatwright’s Dining Hall reservation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Port Orleans Riverside closed?
No. As of Sunday, October 25, 2026, the resort is still open. A large lobby section is closed, while check-in, rooms, restaurants, and recreation continue.
When does the Port Orleans Riverside lobby work end?
It began in early October 2026 and is expected to run in phases through early December. Disney has not confirmed a specific finish date.
Are Port Orleans Riverside rooms being refurbished too?
Yes. Room work in Magnolia Bend and Alligator Bayou has been underway since May 2025 and is scheduled through August 2027.
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