Credit: Steven Miller, FlickrFor many Walt Disney World fans, the EPCOT resort area has long been one of the most desirable places to stay on property.
The combination of Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, and Disney’s BoardWalk Inn creates one of the most unique vacation experiences anywhere at Walt Disney World. Guests can walk to EPCOT, stroll over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, enjoy Crescent Lake views, and take advantage of some of Disney’s most popular restaurants and nightlife offerings.
But right now, visitors planning a stay in the area should prepare for something a little different.
Across all three resorts, construction projects, refurbishments, and closures are changing the guest experience in noticeable ways. While none of the resorts are shutting down, the amount of work taking place around Crescent Lake is significant enough that many guests may encounter construction walls, altered pathways, and temporarily unavailable experiences during upcoming vacations.
Beach Club Continues Major Exterior Work
Disney’s Beach Club Resort remains one of the most popular deluxe resorts on property, thanks largely to its location and access to Stormalong Bay.
However, guests staying there now and throughout the next several years should expect ongoing construction activity.
Disney has confirmed that visible exterior maintenance will continue at the resort through late 2027. The project affects various parts of the hotel’s exterior and may occasionally require guests to use alternate walking routes around the property. Visitors may also notice scaffolding around portions of the building depending on when they visit.
The work is not expected to significantly impact most resort amenities, but daytime construction noise remains possible. For guests who enjoy returning to their room for an afternoon break, that could be something worth considering when planning a stay.
The project is part of Disney’s continuing effort to maintain some of its older deluxe resorts, many of which are now decades old and require periodic refurbishment to preserve their appearance and infrastructure.
Yacht Club Faces Its Own Refurbishments
Just next door, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is dealing with a similar situation.
Like Beach Club, the resort is currently undergoing exterior maintenance that Disney says will continue through late 2026. Guests may encounter temporary pathway adjustments and construction activity around portions of the property as work continues.
While the exterior work alone would be enough to catch guests’ attention, Yacht Club also has one of its most popular dining locations temporarily unavailable.
Yachtsman Steakhouse is currently closed for refurbishment and is expected to remain unavailable through August 2026. The signature restaurant has long been a favorite among Disney food enthusiasts, particularly those looking for a premium steakhouse experience without leaving the EPCOT resort area.
For guests planning dining reservations during upcoming trips, that closure may require some adjustments. Fortunately, many nearby dining options remain available throughout Crescent Lake, including restaurants at BoardWalk, Beach Club, and EPCOT itself.
BoardWalk Is Experiencing the Biggest Transformation
While Beach Club and Yacht Club are both seeing construction activity, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn is currently undergoing the most dramatic changes in the entire area.
Construction has become a constant presence around the resort as multiple projects move forward simultaneously.
Like its neighboring resorts, BoardWalk is currently receiving exterior maintenance that is expected to continue through late 2026. Guests may see construction equipment, workers, and temporary barriers throughout portions of the resort. Disney notes that most amenities will remain available despite the ongoing work.
But the exterior refurbishment is only part of the story.
Several well-known BoardWalk locations have disappeared in recent years, and their futures remain uncertain.
The End of Jellyrolls Leaves a Major Vacancy
One of the biggest changes came with the closure of Jellyrolls.
For years, the dueling piano bar served as one of the most popular nightlife destinations anywhere at Walt Disney World. It attracted both tourists and locals looking for live music and an energetic atmosphere after the parks closed.
That chapter officially ended when Jellyrolls closed at BoardWalk in 2025 before relocating off Disney property. Since then, construction crews have continued working on the former location, including removing portions of the venue’s recognizable exterior signage.
Disney has not announced what will eventually replace the longtime entertainment venue.
For many repeat visitors, the uncertainty surrounding the space has become one of the most talked-about changes happening around Crescent Lake.
Another Empty Restaurant May Finally Be Getting New Life
The former Big River Grille & Brewing Works location has also become a major focus of speculation.
The restaurant closed in early 2024 and has remained vacant ever since. While the large space sat empty for more than two years, new permit activity suggests Disney may finally have plans for the location.
A project filing associated with the site has generated renewed interest among fans who have been wondering what could eventually occupy one of the BoardWalk’s most prominent waterfront locations.
Although Disney has not officially revealed details, the permit activity suggests changes may finally be on the horizon.
Another BoardWalk Location Has Closed
The changes do not stop there.
Promenade Fine Art Gallery also closed its BoardWalk location, creating another vacant storefront along the resort’s entertainment district. The gallery is expected to relocate elsewhere, but construction filings connected to the former space indicate additional work may be coming.
Combined with the former Jellyrolls and Big River spaces, the BoardWalk currently has several high-profile locations either closed, under construction, or awaiting future announcements.
For a district known for its entertainment and dining options, that’s a substantial amount of change happening at once.
A Major Pool Closure Is Coming Next Year
Even more construction is scheduled to arrive in 2027.
Beginning in January 2027, BoardWalk’s Luna Park Pool, the adjacent play area, and Leaping Horse Libations are scheduled to close for routine maintenance. The refurbishment is expected to continue into April 2027.
Guests staying during that timeframe won’t be completely without swimming options. The resort’s Villas Pool and Inn Pool are expected to remain available throughout the project.
Still, Luna Park serves as the resort’s primary themed pool, making the temporary closure one of the more significant disruptions scheduled for the EPCOT resort area over the next year.
Even Transportation Will Be Affected
Adding to the list of upcoming changes, the Disney Skyliner will once again undergo its annual refurbishment in January 2027.
The transportation system is scheduled to close from January 24 through January 30 while routine maintenance takes place. During that period, Disney will provide complimentary bus transportation for affected guests.
While BoardWalk, Beach Club, and Yacht Club do not have their own Skyliner stations, many guests staying at those resorts regularly access the system through EPCOT’s International Gateway entrance. The temporary closure removes one of the area’s most convenient transportation options for a brief period.
Crescent Lake Will Look Different for a While
Taken individually, each refurbishment might seem relatively minor. Together, however, they represent one of the largest periods of change the EPCOT resort area has experienced in years.
Between exterior renovations at all three deluxe resorts, restaurant closures, entertainment venue departures, future pool refurbishments, and transportation maintenance, guests visiting Crescent Lake will encounter a noticeably different atmosphere than they would have just a few years ago.
The good news is that all three resorts remain open, operational, and among Disney World’s most desirable places to stay. The challenging part is that guests should arrive with realistic expectations about ongoing construction and temporary closures.
For Disney fans who love the EPCOT resort area, the coming years may involve a little extra patience. The payoff, however, could be a refreshed collection of resorts and entertainment offerings once all of these projects finally come to an end.
