Earlier this month, crews were preparing to begin the next phase of refurbishment for the Canada Pavilion in EPCOT. Since then, repainting of the Hotel du Canada façade has begun.
Repainting Begins on Hotel du Canada
Scaffolding now completely envelops the Hotel du Canada.
Disney describes Hotel du Canada as follows:
Your journey “north” to the Canada pavilion includes a spectacular tribute to the nation’s natural wonders, such as the majestic Rocky Mountains, a 30-foot waterfall, and beautifully landscaped grounds that are inspired by Victoria’s Butchart Gardens. But you simply can’t miss one of the more striking man-made landmarks in the pavilion: the Hotel du Canada, inspired by the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa. The hotel was commissioned by railroad magnate Charles Melville Hays, who was extending his Grand Trunk Pacific Railway west, and envisioned several deluxe hotels along the route. The hotel was impeccably furnished within and boasted a façade that featured Italian marble, Indiana limestone, and a copper roof. One hundred and five years after its grand opening, the Chateau Laurier is still welcoming guests to this day.
Scrim covers the lower levels of scaffolding, but now the entire front of the building is covered in multiple floors of walkways, which will allow crews to paint the front of the building safely.
In this close-up shot, the difference between the old paint (right) and the new paint (left) is night and day.
For now, the entrance to Le Cellier Steakhouse remains mostly covered by construction walls, though the restaurant is still operating at regular hours during the refurbishment.
Part of the walkway around the rocky structures of the Canada pavilion is still blocked off due to the construction.
The multiple levels of walkways among the scaffolding are also present on the back of the Hotel du Canada.
EPCOT Construction
EPCOT has gained a reputation as a large construction zone in the past few years as the entire park is revamped. Future World was split into three neighborhoods: World Nature, World Celebration, and World Discovery. World Showcase is the fourth neighborhood.
The center of the park, World Celebration, is where most construction has been concentrated. Electric Umbrella was closed and gutted to become Connections Eatery and Café (Starbucks). MouseGear, the park’s major gift shop, was completely reimagined to become Creations Shop. Club Cool also moved to a new location.
Nearly everything behind Spaceship Earth, including Innoventions, was torn down to create a new garden space, CommuniCore Hall, CommuniCore Plaza, and Dreamers Point.
In World Nature (but taking up some of the World Celebration space), Journey of Water Inspired by “Moana” is under construction. The new walkthrough attraction is near complete and Walt Disney Imagineering has been conducting tests with Cast Members.
Have you been noticing these construction projects around EPCOT? Let us know in the comments.
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