Anyone know how to find out the "Crane" schedule? Getting mixed answers..

[fearthisinc]

So as many know there is the infamous crane that comes out to put up the Christmas lights on Cinderella Castle and returns to take them down.. Well from what I have researched the "normal" time frame is the middle to the end of September is when it is out to put the lights up and then returns at the end of January to beginning of February to take the lights down.. We originally told our Disney Wedding contact that the crane was a big deal to us as obviously it will be the back drop to many photographs as well as the center of attention in the pavilion.. Plus we are planning for a Magic Kingdom park photo session.. At first we were told the same time frame as above.. That it would be out towards the end of September and possibly into beginning of October.. Now we are being told that it will take place the end of October to the beginning of November but its subject to change.. Just wondering if anyone has heard anything about this or has inquired about it themselves.. I understand that they need to get the lights up and obviously this is the way they do it, however I cant see dropping 50k down on a wedding and they don't have some kind of exact time frame to give people.. Otherwise you basically are taking a risk by having your wedding anytime in September, October and beginning of November..

 

[DisneyDudet]

My DF says he looked it up, and the *plan* this year is Sept 16-30.

 

[DisneyDudet]

This was released today on another site, which DF reads about 8,000 times a day...

http://m.wdwmagic.com/attractions/c...rella-castle-for-dream-light-installation.htm

 

[fearthisinc]

Thanks for the info.. The time frames I was given was for 2014.. We are hoping it stays true to the past practice of doing it the middle to end of September but getting concerned.. Would hate to be spending 50k+ and one of the main elements is ruined by a giant crane..I guess we will see.. It is a good thing we brought it up as it was not something that was mentioned to us by our consultant.. I wonder if its one of those "too bad" type of deals when a couple show up for their wedding day and a giant crane is in the backdrop..

 

[DisneyDudet]

Like you experienced, they can't fully predict when they will put up the lights. Just past experience. I don't think they would really disclose that. Some may, but I don't see it as a common practice. They didn't tell me when I booked my oct 2013 date, but I prepared and researched that they are typically done early October. They don't ever really know until closer to time to put them up.

Most likely if they were putting up the lights, they would not have MK photo shoots at that time. I don't know for sure, as this does not apply to me. I know there are blackout dates in the fall and winter.

 

[sambycat]

Unfortunately this is never going to be something they can 100% guarantee nor would they try because even the weather or some other unforeseen event can change things in an instant. The parks come first and their contracts reflect that. It's frustrating to contemplate planning such a big event and not being able to nail things like this down even in a general sense. I feel your pain. Christmas lights and fall/winter time changes and unforeseen park maintenance or construction can also affect Photo session times and the ability to do more than one park in the morning possibly. Also, I didn't realize that park guests would be streaming thru the park to go to Cindy's table during our photo session (no empty Main Street pics for us) BUT the DFTW machine does do an amazing job keeping things moving and juggling all the balls in the air. Pictures can be taken that either hide the crane or compensate for it. I think it's crazy that they can't narrow things down some but I really think its all on the parks and they do the best they can if they gave out dates or even suggested dates and they were inaccurate, people would lose their minds.

 

[DisneyDudet]

Unfortunately this is never going to be something they can 100% guarantee nor would they try because even the weather or some other unforeseen event can change things in an instant. The parks come first and their contracts reflect that. It's frustrating to contemplate planning such a big event and not being able to nail things like this down even in a general sense. I feel your pain. Christmas lights and fall/winter time changes and unforeseen park maintenance or construction can also affect Photo session times and the ability to do more than one park in the morning possibly. Also, I didn't realize that park guests would be streaming thru the park to go to Cindy's table during our photo session (no empty Main Street pics for us) BUT the DFTW machine does do an amazing job keeping things moving and juggling all the balls in the air. Pictures can be taken that either hide the crane or compensate for it. I think it's crazy that they can't narrow things down some but I really think its all on the parks and they do the best they can if they gave out dates or even suggested dates and they were inaccurate, people would lose their minds.

I totally agree, Lisa. If they were to say they a range of dates, it could totally be wrong and even more people would be upset. Not to mention those lights also have to COME DOWN after, and that takes time and a crane as well.

If you want to completely avoid it, alter your plans, whether it is a different time if year or location. But you will run into this type of things anywhere. Maybe not on as big a scale, but other locations may have issues.

Heck, when they started building the Dwarf's Mine Train ride in the new Fantasyland, there was a big crane, visible from the WP. That was there a long time...

 

[Chabelis]

Ugh.. another thing I didn't think of! I hope this doesn't mess with our plans for next year.. :|

 

[TabZ]

Disney can do magical things with photoshop, I doubt you would see the crane in any Disney photography session photos

 

[sambycat]

Disney can do magical things with photoshop, I doubt you would see the crane in any Disney photography session photos

While this is 100% true, we had to bicker with our contact person to have some obvious weirdness photoshopped gratis, so keep that in mind? But something large and weird like a crane should be totally eraseable with a little photo shop pixie dust!

 

[DisneyDudet]

While this is 100% true, we had to bicker with our contact person to have some obvious weirdness photoshopped gratis, so keep that in mind? But something large and weird like a crane should be totally eraseable with a little photo shop pixie dust!

Obvious weirdness... In photos of y'all?

I can't imagine.

 

[sambycat]

Obvious weirdness... In photos of y'all?

I can't imagine.

 

[2012DisneyWorldBride]

Unfortunately the crane was up for my wedding... Not for the lights... but for the fantasy land construction. While I was beyond pissed at first... I didn't notice it while things were going on. It was photoshopped out. I can honestly say looking back, that crane didn't affect a thing.

It also was up for our bridal photo session in MK. They photoshopped it out and you can't even tell it was there.

 

[PRPrincess1081]

I thought they didn't do MK bridal shoots in November and December is that true?

 

[2012DisneyWorldBride]

Yep! We went back in February for ours.