Guests staying at Disney’s Contemporary Resort will notice the ongoing exterior work has moved to a new part of the building. Fresh scaffolding and construction walls have gone up on the Bay Lake side of the A-frame tower, marking the latest stage in a project that has been active for nearly two years. Here is a look at what is happening now, what guests can expect on-site, and how the timeline has changed along the way.
Where the Work Is Now
The newest scaffolding stands near the southern end of the A-frame tower, on the side facing Bay Lake and closest to the Convention Center. The metal structure fills several of the open architectural bays that sit beneath the guest-room balconies. It rises to roughly the height of the lowest balcony level, giving crews a solid working platform along that section of the exterior.
Multiple elevated platforms are built into the scaffolding, which lets workers reach the exterior columns and the recessed walls behind them. This setup mirrors the approach Disney used on the opposite side of the building in recent months, so the method itself is familiar to anyone who has followed the project.
What Guests Will See at Ground Level
The changes are not limited to the upper floors. At ground level, green construction walls now surround the staircase leading to a Contemporary Convention Center entrance. Those barriers extend beneath the covered walkway and stretch across part of the tiled plaza in that area.
A contractor vehicle was also parked nearby during the update, which points to active work rather than a static setup. Guests moving between the resort and the Convention Center may need to adjust their path slightly while these walls remain in place.
A Familiar Pattern of Moving Scaffolding
This is the latest in a series of relocations for the scaffolding around the tower. In July 2026, crews were focused on the Magic Kingdom-facing portion of the main building. During that stretch, scaffolding, scrims, and balcony barriers shifted across the exterior as different sections received attention.
With the work now on the Bay Lake side, the pattern is clear. Rather than wrapping the entire building at once, Disney has been moving the equipment from one face of the tower to the next. That approach keeps most of the resort accessible while allowing steady progress on the exterior.
How the Timeline Has Changed
The refurbishment began in September 2024, and its projected finish date has shifted more than once since then. The original plan called for completion in September 2025. Disney later extended that estimate to July 2026.
The timeline was then pushed again, this time to the end of 2027. For guests planning future stays, that means some form of exterior work could remain visible for a while yet. Knowing this ahead of time can help set expectations, especially for those hoping for unobstructed views of the tower.
Final Thoughts
The move to the Bay Lake side is another step in a lengthy exterior refurbishment that now stretches toward the end of 2027. The steady relocation of scaffolding shows a methodical approach, even if the extended timeline tests the patience of frequent guests. For anyone planning a stay at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, staying informed about the current phase of work is the best way to plan around it.
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
