Disney's Art of Animation Is Rebuilding Lion King and Little Mermaid Rooms Starting in 2027
Art of Animation plans room overhauls for The Lion King suites and Little Mermaid rooms from mid-June 2027 through October 2028.
Disney is preparing a major room refresh at Disney's Art of Animation Resort, and two of the hotel's signature themes are set for a noticeable redesign. Current plans call for phased work on The Lion King family suites and The Little Mermaid standard rooms from mid-June 2027 through October 2028.
What is changing at Art of Animation
The biggest shift is inside the rooms themselves. Plans call for the existing interiors to be rebuilt, with walls and doorways staying in place while the rest is replaced.
The Lion King family suites are scheduled to go first. Their new look is expected to trade much of the current bold cartoon styling for a calmer mix of warmer earth tones, green accents, lighter woods, and organic textures, while still keeping ties to the 1994 film through new character and landscape artwork. The suites are still expected to sleep up to six guests. The dining table will continue converting into a Murphy bed, and the sofa is set to become a foldout.
The Little Mermaid rooms are also due for a full redesign, but with a more colorful approach. Plans describe aquatic blues, purple and coral tones, illustrated character touches, and a seashell-inspired headboard. These rooms are expected to keep space for up to four guests with one queen bed and one queen Murphy bed that converts into a table. Other details described for the room include themed furniture and decor elements inspired by Ariel's world, plus design choices placed at toddler eye level so younger kids can spot some of the smaller details.
Who it affects, and when it starts
The refurbishment is set to happen in phases, with one themed area worked on at a time. The Lion King suites are planned first, followed by The Little Mermaid rooms, and the overall project is expected to continue through October 2028.
That matters most for families booking Art of Animation stays in 2027 or 2028, especially guests choosing those two room categories. Disney has not announced a specific price increase tied to the work, but travelers may want to watch for refurbishment timing and possible construction impacts as the project moves through the resort.
The practical side of the update is clear. Disney is adding refreshed furniture, revised sleeping setups, and a more polished room design. The bigger question for fans is how much of Art of Animation's oversized, movie-first personality will remain once the work is finished. Current plans suggest Disney is aiming for a more residential feel without dropping the storytelling altogether, but the designs are still subject to change before completion.
