Animal Kingdom Refurbishment 2025

[lorimt]

I'm not super familiar with timelines as far as when the first refurbished rooms have generally become available after the start of the refurb cycle - I'm staying at Kidani in December and hoping that it may be possible to have a fresh room at that time. I know that's unlikely even if there are some done by then because the quantity will be small, but is there any chance at all that some would be available two months deep into the refurb?

BLT is in the middle of a refurb and I think it took about 3 months for them to release the first set of rooms that were completed.

 

[AZMermaid]

VGC has some rooms released if you pop into their thread. Kitchen/shower tile and jetted tubs remained. Maybe cabinets too. There’s some talk of is this really done? But I have to think it is. It’ll be interesting to see what happens at AKV.

 

[BlueGreen5]

VGC has some rooms released if you pop into their thread. Kitchen/shower tile and jetted tubs remained. Maybe cabinets too. There’s some talk of is this really done? But I have to think it is. It’ll be interesting to see what happens at AKV.

I think it was pretty conclusively determined that the pictures you are referring to was not a completed refurb. My opinion is that something big broke in that unit and, rather than ordering a new version of that item - just to replace it in a few weeks anyways - and then taking the unit offline until it arrived (VGC is small in terms of number of units, so even taking one unit offline is a big deal), they did the least amount they had to do with what they had on hand to get the room back online as quick as possible.

 

[SUSAN O'BRIEN]

I think it was pretty conclusively determined that the pictures you are referring to was not a completed refurb. My opinion is that something big broke in that unit and, rather than ordering a new version of that item - just to replace it in a few weeks anyways - and then taking the unit offline until it arrived (VGC is small in terms of number of units, so even taking one unit offline is a big deal), they did the least amount they had to do with what they had on hand to get the room back online as quick as possible.

 

[SUSAN O'BRIEN]

Interesting that this photo is online on the WDW website. I have stayed in the 3 bedroom and it was not this theming. Anyone who stayed recently might want to share thoughts.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

They haven't had those style comforters in over 10 years. Looks like just super outdated photos on Disney's site for some reason.

 

[SUSAN O'BRIEN]

They haven't had those style comforters in over 10 years. Looks like just super outdated photos on Disney's site for some reason.

Thanks that’s what I thought. So perhaps they are starting on the 3 bedrooms. But usually they keep current photos up until they finish most of the work. I love Kidani as does my family. I do think they are well loved and lived in but I hope they keep the integrity of theme. Nothing beats staying with the animals, having an art gallery literally at ones resort, and the most beloved cultural representatives. Not to mention the best dining and staff at any resort! It is an amazing experience every time we stay.

 

[nlenguyen]

After seeing some more photos of the Grand Californian refurb, it shows that the cabinets, etc. were not too damaged to repair, but to keep the tile in the kitchen and pretty much not touch the bathrooms (they kept the tub wall that was taken out in most refurbs) makes me a little worried for AKV. The rooms are dark, I am not sure if just lighting alone will help, but I am not sure if lighting will be an issue for the animals if the lights are too bright. I would love to see a redo of the living room and possibly the kitchen for AKV. I love the simba and animal backsplash and the hoof table

 

[TweedleDum]

Interesting that this photo is online on the WDW website. I have stayed in the 3 bedroom and it was not this theming. Anyone who stayed recently might want to share thoughts.

DVC is super slow to update website content, we noticed the same thing with Hilton Head when we were planning our vacation there over the holidays in Dec. Since then it looks like a few things have been updated like the virtual tour, but many of the thumbnails are still pre-reno.

 

[AZMermaid]

After seeing some more photos of the Grand Californian refurb, it shows that the cabinets, etc. were not too damaged to repair, but to keep the tile in the kitchen and pretty much not touch the bathrooms (they kept the tub wall that was taken out in most refurbs) makes me a little worried for AKV. The rooms are dark, I am not sure if just lighting alone will help, but I am not sure if lighting will be an issue for the animals if the lights are too bright. I would love to see a redo of the living room and possibly the kitchen for AKV. I love the simba and animal backsplash and the hoof table

Keeping the VGC tile is pretty bad imo. The next full refurb will have it at 30 years- and it was outdated 10 years ago, lol!

 

[kgou]

anyone else follow Joe Rohde on Instagram? he posted earlier in the week that he was heading to WDW, and today he posted photos of AKL with the caption discussing decor. It may be wishful thinking, but wouldn't it be great if he is there consulting on the refurb?

 

[Disdreaming479]

I follow him and this is his second trip recently.

 

[kgou]

I follow him and this is his second trip recently.

I am crossing my fingers! His caption today really piqued my curiosity - that he mentioned design choices one would see if on safari and contrasted that to design choices made in imagined spaces really has me convinced he may be involved!

 

[keahgirl8]

Yes, Kidani doesn’t start til late 2025, then Jambo once Kidani is complete

I realize it would only be a guess, but does anyone have an idea of how long the Kidani refurb would take? I normally stay there late Feb/early March, but I'm not sure what to do for 2026.

 

[MamaKate]

I realize it would only be a guess, but does anyone have an idea of how long the Kidani refurb would take? I normally stay there late Feb/early March, but I'm not sure what to do for 2026.

The only Kidani completion date I have seen mentioned is mid-2026.

I'm impatiently waiting for it to start and get moving along so they can begin on Jambo. Which shouldn't take as long since it's a lot less rooms.

 

[sndral]

The only Kidani completion date I have seen mentioned is mid-2026.

I'm impatiently waiting for it to start and get moving along so they can begin on Jambo. Which shouldn't take as long since it's a lot less rooms.

I’m a bit ambivalent, I’m pretty sure that we’ll lose the spa tubs due to cost cutting & I’ll miss those, & I’ve not been impressed w/ the bland generic refurbs done elsewhere recently, but the sofa beds are so bad & some rooms are so worn that a refurb is clearly overdue.

 

[Doingitagain]

What are the thoughts on whether they will keep the pol tables in the Jambo Grand villas?

 

[keahgirl8]

The only Kidani completion date I have seen mentioned is mid-2026.

I'm impatiently waiting for it to start and get moving along so they can begin on Jambo. Which shouldn't take as long since it's a lot less rooms.

I really prefer Kidani, but it's not going to be done in time for my trip!

 

[nlenguyen]

I noticed that the grand villas are really hard to book in Jan and Feb, so many those will be finished before march

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

Interesting that this photo is online on the WDW website. I have stayed in the 3 bedroom and it was not this theming. Anyone who stayed recently might want to share thoughts.

Now that room has some African theming over the top. I kind of love it. Stuff like that is missed in the resorts