There's a whole lot of construction magic happening at Disney's Hollywood Studios right now! While fans are already buzzing about the upcoming Monsters, Inc. (2001)-inspired land being developed next door to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, guests who arrived at the park on August 17 discovered another refurbishment project already well underway — this one centered on the charming Echo Lake area.

Scaffolding Surrounds the Dockside Diner

As first reported by WDWNT, guests found metal scaffolding completely surrounding the Dockside Diner, a beloved Quick-Service dining spot that sits right on Echo Lake. What makes this location extra special is that it's housed inside an actual boat — cleverly named the S.S. Down The Hatch. The scaffolding wraps around the entire vessel: the water side, the dock side, and both ends of the boat.

Adding to the scope of the project, Walt Disney World Resort drained Echo Lake last week, presumably to support this and any other refurbishment work taking place in the area.

Disney's Official Word on the Refurbishment

While Walt Disney World Resort has not issued a formal statement about the drained waterway or provided a timeline for how long the work will take, signage posted on fences around Echo Lake lets guests know what's going on:

"Please pardon our appearance.
Keeping our city beautiful.
Echo Lake is being refurbished for your future enjoyment."

Good News: Dockside Diner Is Still Open!

Here's a bit of pixie dust for hungry guests — despite all the construction activity, the Dockside Diner is still serving its normal lunch and dinner menus during standard hours. Seating around Echo Lake also remains available, so you can still enjoy a meal in the area while the work continues.

And the Dockside Diner isn't the only Echo Lake icon getting some love lately. Walt Disney World Resort recently completed repairs on the tail of Gertie the Dinosaur, the beloved green dinosaur-shaped structure that is home to Dinosaur Gertie's Ice Cream of Extinction. That Quick-Service dining location also remains open during the ongoing construction.

It's always exciting to see Disney investing in the upkeep and future of its parks — and Echo Lake will no doubt look better than ever when all is said and done!