We were there on Thursday. I don't specifically remember a crane, but that doesn't mean that it wasn't there. I do remember there being construction walls still up at the back of the castle. Some of the decorations were still on at the very top, but the rest were gone, except the mirror. I wish that we would have been able to see it all decorated. I liked it that way. Of course, the view from the front of the castle is unobstructed, so you should have a great view from Main Street.