Disney's Contemporary Resort Refurb Now Runs Through Late 2027

Disney's Contemporary Resort is deep into a major makeover — and guests visiting Walt Disney World over the next couple of years will definitely notice. The refurbishment, which kicked off in September 2024 with work on Bay Lake Tower before expanding to the main A-frame building, has grown into one of the most comprehensive overhauls the 50-plus-year-old property has ever seen.

The project's timeline has shifted more than once. Disney originally aimed to finish by September 2025, then pushed that target to July 2026. The completion date has since moved again, with the company now indicating that construction is expected to continue through late 2027. Official language on Disney World's website confirms that work will proceed in phases across select areas, including Bay Lake Tower and the Main Tower atrium, and that guests may encounter construction noise during daytime hours and restricted pathways in certain areas.

Visible signs of the work are hard to miss. A large crane arrived on the north side of the resort near Bay Lake in late August, positioned close to the fourth-floor observation deck. Scaffolding and beige construction scrim now wrap portions of the building's exterior, softening the sharp lines of the iconic A-frame silhouette that has defined the resort's skyline since it opened. Dark green construction barriers have also gone up along the Bay Lake side, blocking views that guests normally enjoy freely. Rolling planters have appeared on the fourth-floor observation deck to create separation between guests and active work zones.

The renovation covers both the exterior and interior of the resort, with guest rooms undergoing updates as part of the broader effort. Despite all of it, the Contemporary remains fully operational — restaurants, pools, monorail service, and bus transportation are all running as normal. Guests booking a stay should simply plan for a construction-site backdrop and some daytime noise.

With a late-2027 target on the horizon, more sections of the resort may be wrapped in scaffolding and scrim before the project wraps up. This story was first reported by Inside the Magic.