Anyone who has strolled past Disney's Contemporary Resort recently has likely paused to take in just how different it looks these days.
Scaffolding climbs sections of the building, protective wrapping covers portions of its famous A-frame, and as of late August, a towering crane punctuated the skyline near Bay Lake. It's a lot to take in for a resort so closely tied to Walt Disney World's visual identity — and the transformation still has a long way to go.
This chapter of construction dates back to September 2024, when Disney quietly began an ambitious refurbishment starting with Bay Lake Tower. From there, crews gradually moved into the resort's main building, working section by section rather than shutting the property down for a single, all-at-once renovation. That phased strategy has allowed the Contemporary to keep welcoming guests throughout the process, even as its appearance has steadily shifted.
Anyone hoping the work would wrap up soon might want to adjust their expectations. Disney originally aimed for a September 2025 finish, then revised that estimate to July 2026. Now, the company says the project will run through late 2027 — a timeline that helps explain why the resort still resembles an active worksite well over two years after construction first began.
Disney addressed the extended timeline directly on the resort's official website, noting: “Through late 2027, refurbishment work will occur in phases throughout select areas of Disney's Contemporary Resort—including Bay Lake Tower and the Main Tower atrium. Additionally, Main Tower exterior maintenance may impact views from various locations throughout the Resort hotel and, at times, require alternate paths of travel. Guests may see or hear construction during daytime hours”
Set up in a cordoned-off service area along the Bay Lake side of the property, complete with orange traffic cones and barriers, the crane reached up toward the level of the resort's fourth-floor observation deck — a spot many guests associate with sweeping views rather than active machinery.
Visually, the changes go well beyond the crane. Beige scrim and scaffolding now cover stretches of the building's exterior, as captured by WDWNT, gradually softening the outline of the A-frame silhouette that has defined the Contemporary since its debut. That coverage isn't fixed in place, either — as different phases of the project wrap up, the scrim shifts location, giving the resort a patchwork look that changes from month to month.
Guests who remember the Contemporary for its open lakefront views may also notice new barriers along that stretch of the property. Sections that once offered unobstructed sightlines toward Bay Lake are now, at least temporarily, screened off as work continues.
It's worth noting that none of this is limited to the building's shell. Interior renovations are happening simultaneously, with guest rooms seemingly being updated as part of the same broader project. Much of that work is invisible to passersby, which is part of why the exterior elements — the crane, the scaffolding, the shifting scrim — have become the most visible evidence of just how large this undertaking really is.
Guests hoping to enjoy the fourth-floor observation deck should also be prepared for some limitations. Portions of the space have been closed off, and rolling planters have been placed nearby, likely as a buffer between guests and nearby construction activity. It's a small detail, but one that reflects how even long-term projects like this one ripple into everyday moments of a Disney vacation.
None of this has slowed down day-to-day operations at the resort, though. Restaurants and pools are open as usual, and both monorail and bus transportation continue running without disruption. For travelers planning a stay, the practical takeaway is simple: expect visible construction, some rerouted walkways, and a bit more daytime noise than you might be used to.
With Disney now pointing to late 2027 for full completion, the Contemporary's current look is really just a snapshot of an ongoing process. Additional areas of the resort could see scaffolding and scrim added as the timeline continues to unfold.
Even wrapped in construction materials, the Contemporary Resort remains a defining piece of Walt Disney World's history. Right now, though, its appearance tells a different story — one of a beloved hotel in the middle of a long, deliberate transformation that guests will likely keep watching evolve well into 2027.
How do you feel about these changes being made to such an iconic resort? Let us know in the comments down below!
