PHOTOS: Take a Look at Some of the Major Construction Projects Going on at Walt Disney World
If you’ve been following along with us here at MickeyBlog, you’ll know that 2023 is a huge year for Disney World construction projects. We’ve got the newly completed TRON coaster in the Magic Kingdom, a reimagining of EPCOT and new DVC properties being added to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort just to name a few. Our MickeyBloggers have been traversing the length and breadth of the “Most Magical Place on Earth” to bring you the latest construction images and I thought I’d provide you with a weekly round-up on how these various sites are progressing.
Let’s dive in and take a look:
Splash Mountain – Magic Kingdom
Frontierland’s beloved Splash Mountain water ride closed on January 23, 2023.
The optics on the “Song of the South” theming of the ride aren’t great for Disney.
With this in mind, Disney has opted to close the attraction in its existing form and re-theme it.
The new version of the attraction will draw its inspiration from Princess and the Frog and will feature Tiana, Prince Naveen and more.
No official word has been given on the reopening of the attraction. However, the closure of Splash Mountain is expected to be lengthy.
As you can see, the water has been drained from the attraction.
Large construction walls outline the periphery.
Princess and the Frog-themed signs have been put up.
For those heading to the Magic Kingdom, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad remains open as do gifts shops in the area and pressed penny locations.
We’ll be following the reimagining of Splash Mountain closely. Keep checking back with us for further updates.
CommuniCore Plaza and Moana: Journey of Water – EPCOT
EPCOT is also currently undergoing a massive transformation. One of the areas currently under construction is the upcoming attraction Moana: A Journey of Water.
The walk-through Moana-inspired attraction is expected to open up at some point later this year.
Once completed, Moana: Journey of Water will be a fun, family-friendly, interactive way to explore and engage with water.
You’ll follow the path of water as it moves, in various forms, from the skies to the oceans and back again!
Just over the past couple of months, we’ve seen rock formations for Journey of Water being built. There’s also a floral display in the form of island goddess Te Fiti.
It’s hard to see if from this angle but it is simply stunning.
Lighting has also been put in along the Journey of Water pathways.
Those arriving/departing from the front entrance of EPCOT will also notice lots of construction work underway in the area formerly known as Future World.
Construction includes an outdoor park area where guests will soon be able to relax and unwind.
The refurbishment will also include a new outdoor concert space.
This is super-handy as it will serve as the home of entertainment happening during EPCOT’s four annual festivals!
The building you see being erected is the future home of “CommuniCore Hall.”
The hall is being dubbed as an exhibition space.
Again, this makes the central area of EPCOT near Spaceship Earth more functional during festival periods.
We can’t wait to see this new multi-functional space continue to take shape.
Again, Disney has yet to announce a completion date for the work but we’ll keep you posted.
NEW DVC Accommodation – Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Next, we leave the theme parks and head over to one of Disney’s most beloved monorail hotels – Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort where construction is underway on a new DVC Villa building.
With the demand for Disney’s Vacation Club (time share) properties as popular as ever, Disney has opted to demolish the former home of the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show and use the acreage for more Vacation Club rooms.
Once completed, the new DVC area will boast lakefront views.
There will also be new amenities including restaurants, swimming areas and more!
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is already home to 380 Disney Vacation Club Villas.
However, with the new construction project that is underway, we expect more 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom villas to be added into the mix!
As you can see, it is still early days for this construction project. You can just see the foundations being laid.
Disney World has not given a definitive opening date for the project but we expect it to be completed at some point in 2024.
Again, we’ll be following the Polynesian construction closely so keep checking back with us.
Round-Up Rodeo BBQ – Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Have you heard the news? Toy Story Land is getting its very own Table Service restaurant this Spring called Roundup Rodeo BBQ.
The eatery is opening on March 23, 2023 and will be serving up a wide array of delectable dishes from Cheddar Biscuits and Watermelon Biscuits to Smoked Ribs and Mac and Cheese.
We’ve been following the construction of Roundup Rodeo closely and it’s nice to see some of the delightful details start to take shape.
As you can see from the Tinker Toys and cutouts of Bullseye, Bo Peep and more, the eatery is being fashioned after a building in Andy’s backyard playset! He has created a rodeo for his favorite toys.
You’ll notice Western-themed details throughout the eatery.
We can’t wait to see the scrims and construction walls come down around Roundup Rodeo BBQ.
We love the way that it seamlessly blends in with the other surroundings in Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios.
Summer House On the Lake – Disney Springs
For the last stop on our Disney construction tour we pop over to Disney Springs where a new restaurant is being built – Summer House On the Lake.
This popular eatery already has locations in Chicago and Bethesda.
For those familiar with Disney Springs, Summer House is being constructed at the former location of Bongos.
Though it’s hard to tell from the early stages of construction, the eatery will have a seaside aesthetic.
Summer House on the Lake will include a full-service restaurant, in-house bakery and a huge wine and cocktail list.
Blue construction walls currently surround the build site. Photos affixed to the construction walls give us a sneak peek of some of the delectable dishes coming to Summer House.
This includes pizza, sandwiches, salads, baked goods, brunch items and more!
No official opening date for Summer House has been given. It is expected to open at some point this year.
During our visit, a crane was in place at the former Bongos Cafe site.
Steel beams were being adjusted on the site.
We’ll let you know as soon as there is an opening date in site.
Readers are encouraged to keep following along with MickeyBlog for further Walt Disney World news and updates. We’ll be coming to you LIVE! from the theme parks each and every week.
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