Walt Disney World is making another round of changes at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and this time, one of the park’s oldest and most recognizable landmarks is getting some much-needed attention.Since opening in 1989, Hollywood Studios has undergone several major transformations. Entire attractions have disappeared, themed lands have taken over former areas, and familiar pieces of the park’s original identity have gradually changed.However, not every longtime feature is being removed to make way for something new.Credit: Erica Lauren, Inside the MagicDisney has recently been working on a major refurbishment involving one of Hollywood Studios’ most recognizable locations. The project has included extensive maintenance, temporary closures, and noticeable changes to an area that millions of guests have visited over the years.Now, after weeks of construction, several original features have received fresh replacements and updates, bringing the project closer to completion.Disney World Makes Major Changes to 37-Year-Old Hollywood Studios AreaOne of the most recognizable locations at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is Echo Lake, a themed area that has been part of the park since its opening in 1989.Located near the center of Hollywood Studios, Echo Lake offers guests a glimpse of the park’s original Hollywood-inspired atmosphere.The area features several recognizable landmarks, including the massive dinosaur affectionately known as Gertie, the S.S. Down the Hatch boat, and the surrounding waterfront.Over the years, Echo Lake has remained a familiar part of Hollywood Studios, even as nearby attractions and entertainment offerings have changed.However, Disney recently began an extensive refurbishment of the area.The project involved draining the lake, installing scaffolding around the S.S. Down the Hatch, and completing maintenance on several surrounding structures.For guests visiting Hollywood Studios during the refurbishment, the area looked considerably different from its usual appearance.Instead of the familiar waterfront, visitors encountered an empty lake basin, construction equipment, and temporary barriers.Now, Disney’s work is beginning to reveal what the updated location will look like.Disney Replaces Aging Finishes on Hollywood Studios IconDisney has made significant progress on the Echo Lake refurbishment, including improvements to several recognizable features.Perhaps the most noticeable change involves Gertie the Dinosaur.The enormous green brachiosaurus has been a longtime fixture of Echo Lake, serving as both a decorative landmark and the home of Dinosaur Gertie’s Ice Cream of Extinction.The dinosaur’s appearance has now received a fresh coat of paint, replacing its aging exterior finish with an updated look.New photographs show Gertie’s head, neck, and body sporting refreshed colors as the surrounding refurbishment approaches completion.For longtime Hollywood Studios visitors, the update is a welcome development.Credit: Andrew Boardwine, ITMGertie has remained one of the park’s most recognizable original landmarks, especially as other features from the park’s early years have disappeared.Unlike some of the larger transformations taking place throughout Hollywood Studios, this project isn’t about replacing a familiar character with something entirely different.Instead, Disney is preserving an established piece of the park’s history while giving it a refreshed appearance.The refurbishment has also extended beyond the dinosaur itself.Another Hollywood Studios Landmark Receives Major UpdatesJust across Echo Lake, another recognizable structure has undergone substantial maintenance.The S.S. Down the Hatch, which houses the Dockside Diner quick-service location, was previously surrounded by scaffolding as Disney worked on the boat’s exterior.Now, that scaffolding has been removed.Recent photographs show the boat’s hull sporting fresh white and red paint, replacing its previous weathered appearance.The refreshed exterior is particularly noticeable with Echo Lake still drained, allowing guests to see portions of the structure that would normally sit above the water.The Dockside Diner is another longstanding part of the area’s Hollywood-inspired atmosphere, giving visitors a place to grab food while enjoying views of the surrounding waterfront.The refurbishment should help restore the boat’s appearance once water returns to Echo Lake.However, the improvements don’t stop there.Disney has also applied a fresh coating to the bottom of the lake itself.Photographs show the newly treated basin stretching between Gertie and the S.S. Down the Hatch, indicating that much of the maintenance work is nearing completion.Although the lake remains empty for now, the updated surfaces suggest that preparations are underway for its eventual refilling.Credit: Tomás Salazar, UnsplashWhen Will Echo Lake Reopen at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?While the latest developments suggest the refurbishment is approaching its final stages, Disney has not announced an official completion date.As of October 19, Echo Lake remains drained, and additional work is still taking place.However, with the scaffolding removed from the S.S. Down the Hatch, Gertie’s repainting largely complete, and the lake basin freshly coated, several major portions of the project appear finished.The next significant step will likely involve refilling Echo Lake and restoring the waterfront to its familiar appearance.For guests planning upcoming visits, it’s important to remember that Disney has not confirmed exactly when that will happen.The project is also arriving during a particularly busy period of transformation for Hollywood Studios.Disney is preparing additional changes throughout the park, including the development of Monstropolis and new entertainment offerings.Those projects will continue reshaping the Hollywood Studios experience over the coming years.Still, the Echo Lake refurbishment represents a different kind of investment.Rather than removing another recognizable landmark, Disney is maintaining an area that has been part of Hollywood Studios for all 37 years of its existence.For visitors who appreciate the park’s original character, seeing Gertie and the surrounding waterfront receive attention is encouraging.And once the water returns, guests should have another opportunity to enjoy one of Hollywood Studios’ most familiar views, this time with freshly painted landmarks and a restored lake.For now, Disney has not announced any permanent replacements for Gertie or the S.S. Down the Hatch. The confirmed changes involve refreshed paint and surface finishes, rather than the removal of either landmark.The post After 37 Years, Disney World Confirms Replacements for Hollywood Studios Icon appeared first on Inside the Magic.