Walt Disney World is making some noticeable changes at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and one of the park's oldest landmarks is getting a much-needed makeover.
Over the years, Hollywood Studios has undergone several major transformations. Classic attractions have disappeared, new themed lands have opened, and familiar areas have changed dramatically.
However, Disney isn't getting rid of every piece of the park's original history.
Instead, crews have spent weeks working on a longtime Hollywood Studios location, replacing aging finishes and refreshing several recognizable features.
Now, the results are finally starting to become visible.
Disney World Makes Major Changes to Echo Lake
Echo Lake has been part of Disney's Hollywood Studios since the park opened in 1989.
The waterfront area features several recognizable landmarks, including Gertie the Dinosaur and the S.S. Down the Hatch, which houses Dockside Diner.
Although Hollywood Studios has changed considerably over the past 37 years, Echo Lake has remained a familiar part of the park's original atmosphere.
Recently, Disney began an extensive refurbishment of the area, draining the lake and installing scaffolding around the S.S. Down the Hatch.
According to WDWMAGIC, crews have now completed several major portions of the project.
One of the biggest improvements involves Gertie the Dinosaur, the enormous green brachiosaurus that houses Dinosaur Gertie's Ice Cream of Extinction.
Disney has repainted the dinosaur, giving the longtime landmark a refreshed appearance.
The S.S. Down the Hatch has also received attention.
Scaffolding has been removed from the boat, revealing a freshly painted white and red hull.
Meanwhile, Disney has applied a new coating to the bottom of Echo Lake, replacing the aging surface finish as part of the ongoing refurbishment.
When Will Disney Finish the Project?
Although the latest improvements suggest Disney is making significant progress, Echo Lake remains drained.
However, with Gertie's repainting largely complete, the boat's scaffolding removed, and the lake basin freshly coated, the project appears to be approaching its final stages.
The refurbishment comes as Hollywood Studios continues preparing for additional changes, including the development of Monstropolis.
Unlike those larger projects, however, the Echo Lake refurbishment focuses on preserving existing landmarks rather than replacing them with entirely new attractions.
For longtime Disney fans, that's an important distinction.
After 37 years, Echo Lake remains one of the few places where guests can experience a recognizable piece of the park's opening-day atmosphere.
And once Disney finishes the refurbishment, visitors should be able to enjoy that familiar waterfront with a noticeably refreshed appearance.
