Guests staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village will notice some changes to the lobby in the months ahead. Beginning in mid-August 2026, the main lobby and several nearby spaces will go through a phased refurbishment, with certain amenities coming offline for stretches at a time. Here is a breakdown of what to expect, when each area will be affected, and how it fits into the broader work happening across the resort.
What the Lobby Refurbishment Covers
The project shifts attention to the heart of Kidani Village. The main lobby and its surrounding areas will be updated in stages, which means spaces and services will be available at some points and closed at others as crews move through the work.
Because the refurbishment is phased, the impact will vary depending on when you visit. Guests staying during the fall should plan for temporary changes to check-in, shopping, and a few second-floor amenities.
Check-In and Johari Treasures Closures
The first noticeable change arrives on August 17, when the main check-in desk and the Johari Treasures gift shop close for refurbishment. Check-in services will not go away during this time. Instead, they will move to The Palace Library while work continues on the lobby.
Johari Treasures will be down for a shorter window. The gift shop is scheduled to close from August 17 through August 28, then reopen for guests. The lobby work itself is set to run until October 9, 2026, so the relocated check-in setup will be in place through early October.
North Side Corridor Closure
Later in the schedule, a section of the second floor will be temporarily unavailable. From September 28 through October 9, the North Side Corridor will close to guests.
This closure affects a few specific spots. Access to the North Side Lobby Elevators on the second floor will be unavailable, along with the outdoor deck and its viewing area. If you enjoy the resort’s savanna views from that side, plan to use other vantage points during this window.
South Side Lobby Corridor Closure
A second corridor closure follows later in the fall. From October 26 through November 6, the South Side Lobby Corridor on the second floor will be closed to guests.
This phase touches several amenities at once. During those dates, the following will be unavailable:
- Community Hall
- The Palace Library
- The arcade
- The laundry room
- The lobby restrooms
- The south side outdoor viewing platform
Since Community Hall and the arcade are popular with families, it is worth keeping these dates in mind if those spaces are part of your usual routine at the resort.
What Guests Can Expect On-Site
Throughout the project, guests may see and hear signs of construction near these areas during daytime hours. That is a normal part of active work in an occupied resort.
It is also worth noting that all of these dates are estimates and may be adjusted. Checking on the current status closer to your arrival can help you plan around any shifts in the timeline.
How This Fits Into Broader Resort Updates
The lobby work is one piece of a larger effort at Animal Kingdom Villas. Guest room refurbishment at Kidani Village is reportedly complete, having marked the first full hard goods update in the resort’s history when it began in the fall of 2025.
Attention has now turned to the Disney Vacation Club villas at Jambo House, which are currently being updated. That work carries an estimated completion of January 2027, so guests can expect ongoing improvements across the property into next year.
Final Thoughts
The Kidani Village lobby refurbishment brings a series of temporary closures between mid-August and early November 2026, from the check-in desk and Johari Treasures to the North and South Side corridors and their amenities.
With check-in moving to The Palace Library and construction visible during the day, a little planning will help your stay go smoothly. Keep in mind that the dates may change, and check the latest updates before you travel so you know which spaces are open during your visit.
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
