While visiting EPCOT recently, we stopped by the Crescent Lake area to check up on the ongoing refurbishment of the Stormalong Bay pool area. What we found was a very busy construction site as crews not only worked diligently on the pool refresh, but also a roof replacement project that is nearby, but technically unrelated. Our walk over to the resort was slowed on two separate occasions by construction vehicles driving from the EPCOT Disney Skyliner station to the pool area. Here’s a look!
Construction Vehicle Parade
We posted videos of the construction vehicles on social media, joking that it seemed like a new parade was being tested. It is relatively rare to see construction vehicles driving along popular guest walkways in the middle of the day at Walt Disney World. Typically, any vehicle movement like this happens during overnight hours or out of guest view, so it was odd to see cement mixers and other construction vehicles just driving along a popular walkway for guests staying at the Deluxe-level resorts. Perhaps there was a good reason for this middle-of-the-day traffic, but I can imagine that staying at the Yacht & Beach Club Resort has not been as magical so far this year as guests would hope for.
New Exterior Refurbishment Underway
Since our last visit, a flurry of roof work has begun as crews replace large sections of the roof shingles at the resort. Right now, the work is somewhat limited, with crews focused on an area near the pool area, which has been under construction for months now. We’re told that the projects are unrelated to one another, but it is convenient that the roof work can take place without worrying about guests being in the area now that the pool is closed.
While the roof is the most obvious point of focus, crews are also working on replacing the siding for the buildings as part of an extensive exterior refurbishment.
The projects are related in at least one way: legacy work. Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort is coming up on its 35th Anniversary this November, and the work is being done now to ensure that the resort can operate for at least another 35 years. As we’ll see with the pool refurbishment, extensive work is taking place to refresh the entire area to make sure that it’s better than ever when it reopens this Summer.
First, here’s a look at the exterior refurbishment taking place at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort. We’ll start on the BoardWalk Resort side of Crescent Lake before making our way closer to the Yacht & Beach Club Resort.
Stormalong Bay Pool Refurbishment
Also taking place is a lengthy refurbishment of the Stormalong Bay pool and pool deck. The work began back in January with crews draining the pool and removing the sand at the bottom of the pool. As we understand, there has been some unexpected findings during the refurbishment, which could slightly delay the project – or be the reason that we’re seeing such a flurry of activity in recent days and weeks. From what we’re told by Cast Members in the area, more work is required than previously anticipated as it relates to the extensive pump system for the pool.
That work is largely taking place out of view, but we were able to see quite a bit of work taking place for the installation of a PebbleTec material. Cast Members in the area have been lovely to talk to, and insightful as it relates to the extensive work taking place. After those conversations, we expect that the pool will be refilled with water in the coming weeks after the PebbleTec and sand have returned to the pool. Apparently, it is required that the pool is refilled shortly after the PebbleTec is installed to help with the curing process. Here’s a look around the area, with sand bags scattered throughout as crews await the work to begin refilling the pool area with sand and water.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!
