For guests staying at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT resort area, getting around just got a lot easier. After an unexpected delay extended a frustrating maintenance closure, the highly popular water transportation service at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort has finally returned. The reopening of the FriendShip Boat dock provides much-needed relief for guests navigating to the theme parks, even as massive, multi-year construction projects continue to transform both the Yacht Club and its sister property, Disney's Beach Club Resort.
If you are planning an upcoming vacation along Crescent Lake, here is everything you need to know about the restored boat service and the ongoing heavy construction around the properties.
The FriendShip Boats Are Officially Back
Location and convenience are the primary reasons guests pay top dollar to stay at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. One of the best amenities is direct water transportation via the FriendShip Boats, which ferry visitors across Crescent Lake to the EPCOT International Gateway and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
That massive perk was temporarily unavailable when the Yacht Club’s dedicated FriendShip dock closed for a scheduled refurbishment late this summer. The maintenance project was originally intended to be a quick turnaround, slated to close from August 17 through August 21, 2026. However, the dock remained out of service well past its target completion date due to worker delays. During the closure, guests were greeted by temporary green construction fencing and closed signs, forcing them to rely on alternative transportation, such as direct bus service or the walking path to EPCOT.
The extended downtime allowed crews to replace the aging wood boards along the pier. Passing guests could easily spot the stark contrast between the freshly installed, light-brown wooden decking and the faded, weathered planks of the older sections. Now that the green fences have been removed, the boats are officially back to making their regular stops, once again connecting the resort to the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, Disney's BoardWalk Inn, and the two nearby theme parks.
Major Progress on Multi-Year Resort Construction
The dock maintenance is just a tiny fraction of a massive, overarching exterior refurbishment currently dominating the Yacht and Beach Club properties. Walt Disney World is aggressively overhauling both resorts as part of a multi-year project that will stretch into 2027.
Despite the heavy presence of scaffolding and construction crews, the company has made major progress on the long-term makeover. The work is being handled in targeted phases:
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort: Exterior maintenance on the Yacht Club side is the current construction priority, with a strong sense of urgency driving the project. The work here is scheduled to wrap up in late 2026. The sections of the resort situated farthest from the Beach Club (closer to the Swan and Dolphin) have already been finished, and the refreshed facade looks absolutely fantastic.
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort: While exterior work is happening at both sister resorts, the heavy maintenance at the Beach Club is expected to continue through late 2027.
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas Lobby: The disruption extends indoors as well. From now through mid-September 2026, the lobby at Disney's Beach Club Villas is undergoing phased maintenance. Portions of the space may be temporarily blocked off, requiring alternative routes for guests.
While this extensive, multi-year project inevitably brings daytime noise (from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) and impacts views for guests staying in active work zones, the rapid pace of construction is very promising. With water transportation fully restored and exterior refurbishments looking better than ever, Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts are well on their way to completing an incredible transformation.
