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Fresh paint and restored details are appearing at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where a months-long refurbishment around Echo Lake is finally close to the finish line. Guests walking past the third Central Florida Disney park’s famous boat-shaped restaurant can now see what the scaffolding was hiding.
Why Echo Lake Was Emptied
Credit: Disney
Over the summer, Walt Disney World Resort drained Echo Lake so crews could work on several maintenance projects simultaneously. Gertie the dinosaur and her ice cream shop were repaired, and the Dockside Diner also got restoration work. The Quick-Service restaurant sits inside a mock vessel called the S.S. Down the Hatch.
Not long after the water was gone, scaffolding and barriers surrounded the boat. Disney Park guests could see cast members repainting and repairing parts of the structure over the following weeks. Last week, the scaffolding came down.
The Updated Boat
Credit: D23
On October 15, WDWNT shared the first photos of the S.S. Down the Hatch since construction began in mid-August. The most noticeable difference is the red paint now covering the base of the boat, which had worn badly from sitting in the lake. The white sections of the hull have refreshed faux rust, the blue trim has been repainted, and some lettering on the side has been touched up.
These changes appear to be restoration, not a redesign. Disney kept the look guests know and simply brought the details back to life.
What’s Left To Do
Credit: Theme Park Tourist, Flickr
Across the lake, Gertie the dinosaur was repainted earlier this month, along with nearby fake tree stumps and logs. Some construction equipment is still scattered around the lake bed, and it will need to be removed before the lake can be refilled. Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t said when that will happen or when the project will officially be complete.
Where Guests Can Eat
Credit: Ken Lund, Flickr
Even with the work in progress, the Dockside Diner and Dinosaur Gertie’s Ice Cream are both open to guests, so snacks and meals remain available throughout the area.
Has construction ever impacted your visit to Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park? Share your story with Disney Tips in the comments!
