‘We had to revitalize it’: Iconic swan boats will return to Lake Eola after updates to dock

ORLANDO, Fla. — A time-honored tradition in Orlando is coming back.

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The swan boats on Lake Eola will return after a month of refurbishments.

Channel 9 caught up with the crew adding the final touches on the newly updated dock and landing area at Lake Eola.

“The dock had been here for 30 years, so it had lived its lifespan. We had to revitalize it and we have some safety concerns,” said Quincy Richardson, with the city of Orlando.

Photos: Annual Lake Eola Swan Round Up

So the swan boats have been cooped up for about a month and a half while workers made the improvements.

$105,000 later and the dock is bigger and better with extra guard railing.

“We needed more space because we purchased new boats about three years ago,” Richardson said.

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The new boats should cut wait times now that there’ll be 12 rentals available.

But perhaps the biggest change was done to the swan boats themselves.

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“They are going to look like the waterfowl in the water. That’s the plan,” Richardson said.

The new swan boats will be revealed at 10 a.m. Friday.

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