Walt Disney World guests staying in the EPCOT resort area can finally breathe a sigh of relief when navigating to the theme parks this week. After a maintenance delay, Disney has restored water transportation at one of its premier deluxe resorts, reopening the FriendShip Boat dock at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. The reopening marks a small but vital milestone amid the ongoing construction and refurbishment work currently transforming both Disney’s Yacht Club and Disney’s Beach Club Resorts.Credit: DisneyWhether you have an upcoming vacation booked or are just curious about the construction currently surrounding Crescent Lake, here is everything you need to know about the restored boat service and the major construction progress happening at these beloved resorts.FriendShip Boat Service Returns After Lengthy DelayFor guests staying at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, the primary perk is location. Nestled right on Crescent Lake, these resorts offer walking access to the EPCOT International Gateway and a scenic FriendShip Boat ride to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. However, that convenience took a hit late this summer when the dedicated FriendShip Boat dock closed for a scheduled refurbishment.Credit: Inside the MagicThe dock was originally slated to be closed for maintenance for a brief window from August 17 through August 21, 2026. However, the project extended beyond the target completion date. During the downtime, temporary green construction fencing blocked access to the water, requiring guests to use alternative transportation options to reach Disney’s Hollywood Studios and other destinations served by the boats.The extensive maintenance project primarily focused on replacing the dock’s aging infrastructure. Construction crews systematically removed portions of the old decking and installed new wood boards along the pier. During the delay, the contrast between the fresh, light brown wood and the faded, weathered boards of the older sections was highly visible to passing guests.Credit: DisneyThankfully, the extended closure is officially over, and the FriendShip dock at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort has reopened to guests. The boats are once again making their continuous loops around Crescent Lake, connecting the Yacht and Beach Clubs to the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, Disney’s BoardWalk, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.Major Progress on Multi-Year Yacht & Beach Club ConstructionThe recent dock maintenance is just a drop in the bucket compared to the broader construction and refurbishment work currently underway at the Yacht and Beach Club properties. Walt Disney World is in the midst of ongoing exterior refurbishment work at the resorts, with some work expected to continue into 2027.Credit: Rick, Inside the MagicDespite the heavy presence of construction workers and equipment, progress has been made over the last few months. Disney’s strategy has been to tackle the sprawling, interconnected sister resorts in targeted phases rather than wrapping the entire perimeter in scaffolding all at once.Here is the current timeline and progress for the primary construction zones:Disney’s Yacht Club Resort: Exterior maintenance on the Yacht Club side is progressing, with work taking place in targeted sections of the resort. Work on this side is currently expected to continue through late 2026. Sections of the Yacht Club exterior that have already been completed look refreshed compared with areas where work is still underway.Disney’s Beach Club Resort: Exterior work will continue in phases, with visible maintenance at the Beach Club expected to extend into late 2027.Disney’s Beach Club Villas Lobby: Beyond the exterior facades, interior disruptions are occurring as well. From now through mid-September 2026, the lobby at Disney’s Beach Club Villas is undergoing phased maintenance. Portions of the lobby may be temporarily barricaded, requiring guests to use alternative routes.Navigating the Construction as a Resort GuestIf you are holding a reservation for Disney’s Yacht or Beach Club Resorts in late 2026 or 2027, you need to be prepared for the realities of this ongoing project. While Disney makes efforts to isolate the work, exterior refurbishment can affect the immediate areas where construction is taking place.Credit: Rick, Inside the MagicDisney’s official construction bulletin warns guests that they may see and hear construction activity in the area during daytime hours. The most significant impact of exterior work can be on guest room balconies. When crews erect scaffolding outside a specific block of rooms to repaint and repair the facade, balconies in affected areas may be temporarily unavailable.If having a quiet, accessible balcony to drink your morning coffee is a non-negotiable part of your luxury resort experience, you may want to monitor this project closely. If you check into the resort and discover your room is positioned directly behind active scaffolding, you can speak with the front desk about your concerns and ask whether another room is available in a completed section of the resort. Because construction is taking place in phases, room availability and relocation options will depend on the resort’s occupancy and the status of work at the time of your stay.Credit: DisneyUltimately, the restoration of the FriendShip Boat dock is a major win for current guests, removing a significant transportation hurdle. While the broader exterior refurbishment work at the Yacht and Beach Clubs is expected to continue into 2027, the completed sections offer a preview of the refreshed appearance Disney is working toward at these iconic EPCOT-area resorts.The post After Delays, Disney World Finally Restores Transportation Option to Two Deluxe Hotels appeared first on Inside the Magic.