Guests staying at or passing by Disney's Contemporary Resort this week spotted something new on the property: a large black-and-white crane parked in the northern service area, surrounded by orange and white cones. The heavy equipment was observed on Wednesday, August 26, positioned with its arm extending over the fourth-floor observation deck, which has been partially closed off with rolling planters as a safety measure.
The crane is just the latest sign of activity in a refurbishment that has spread to multiple sides of the resort. Beige scrim and scaffolding remain visible on the front of the building, while earlier this month work shifted to the Bay Lake-facing side, where a scaffolding structure and dark green construction walls went up.
The exterior project got underway back in September 2024, and its timeline has shifted more than once. Disney originally targeted a September 2025 completion, then extended that to July 2026, and has since pushed the expected finish to the end of 2027.
Planning Your Trip
Undercover Tourist is an authorized seller of Walt Disney World hotel and ticket packages, often with savings over booking direct.
WDW News Today first reported the crane's arrival.
