DVC Refurbishment Schedule for Summer 2024

The 2024 D23 Expo recently ended, and it came with a surprise. Despite several rumors to the contrary, Disney chose not to announce any new hotels at all. While the company has filed permits in an area closely associated with Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and the supposedly canceled Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge, nothing has come of it yet. 

So, what we have right now is apparently all DVC is willing to confirm, although I strongly suspect that will change soon. Thus, the newest updates we’re getting for the time being are DVC’s contractually obligated hotel room updates. Here’s the latest DVC refurbishment info for the summer of 2024. 

What Do You Need to Know about DVC Refurbishment?

Here’s why you should know about this process. Every seven years, a DVC resort updates its rooms. These renovations come in two forms: Hard Goods and Soft Goods.

A Soft Goods refurbishment occurs when DVC changes the interior design of the various hotel rooms. So, Cast Members change the look of these Studios and Villas by updating things like the drapes, carpet, linens, and even the upholstery. 

The goal is to make everything “old” new again, although nothing décor-related ages dramatically in seven years. Disney does this to assure DVC members that the rooms never age. 

Of course, a Soft Goods refurbishment is really just a half-measure. The Hard Goods refurbishment involves a much more aggressive overhaul of DVC Studios and Villas. I jokingly describe Hard Goods updates as Disney stripping the rooms to the screws. That’s an exaggeration, but it’s closer to reality than you might think.

Cast Members remove the flooring, the furniture, countertops, cabinets, and even the electronics. The room’s overall structure and square footage remain the same, but every other identifying feature changes. 

Something you should know about this change is its rippling impact on your visit. First, you’ll discover that the resort offers less inventory since some of the rooms are, you know, not inhabitable. Second, you’ll notice construction at these properties since overhauling entire DVC buildings takes plenty of work. 

Bay Lake Tower Confirms Its Timeline

Each December, DVC hosts the Condominium Association Meeting. During this presentation, executives reveal the updated timeline for various Soft Goods and Hard Goods refurbishments at the various resorts. The pandemic threw a curveball to some plans, which has caused some properties to run late.

For instance, Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort last performed a refurbishment in 2018, aka the before times. Thus, this property is long overdue for a refresh, and one is coming soon. 

The official Disney site recently updated with a starting date. The notice states: “From September 2024 to September 2025, room refurbishment work will take place in Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. During this time, Guests will see and hear construction work throughout Bay Lake Tower. Please allow extra time for travel as alternate paths may be utilized.”

This update will involve Hard Goods. So, Disney estimates that the overhaul will require a full year. We obviously don’t know yet what the changes will entail, but the process begins in just a few days!

Some Refurbs Continue While Others Will Start Soon

During previous refurbishment updates, I’ve mentioned the ongoing saga at Disney’s BoardWalk Villas. This process has taken longer than expected. 

Two of our other sites, DVC Rental Store and DVC Fan, have posted walkthroughs and images of the new rooms. Honestly, not much has changed save for the fact that Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs is ready to open. DVC Fan wasn’t enthusiastic about the rooms, but you can view the new Studios for yourself in the attached video.

The project should be nearing completion soon, although I’ve been saying that all year. Meanwhile, Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort recently completed its Hard Goods refurbishment. I verified this with the hotel, but it speaks to a larger point. 

We never really learn the final date for a refurbishment project. It just ends without fanfare. So, sometimes something isn’t technically finished yet, but it’s close enough.

Generally speaking, that’s the current status of several lingering projects. They’re either finished now or will be before the next update. So, I’m already looking forward to this upcoming wave of refurbishments.

In early 2025, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will begin a Hard Goods refurbishment expected to last a year. On the other coast, The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will start its Hard Goods refurb during the first half of the year. 

Meanwhile, Copper Creek Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will perform a Soft Goods refurbishment in 2025. Finally, the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will fully reboot with a Hard Goods refurb. It’ll start in just a few months. 

So, we’re about to transition to an entirely new set of DVC updates. As soon as the calendar switches to 2025, the fun begins.