Construction Paces at WDW

[nlenguyen]

I am wondering as we are seeing refurbishments taking longer or getting pushed back and construction projects (like cake bake shop) due to the new Oversight Committee? Was it the case before when there needed to be permits placed, the RCID would just approve them at a faster pace?

 

[lowlight]

It’s possible, but I’d imagine they would have all permits approved before laying the first boot down on the ground.

 

[fla4fun]

I live here. Let me just say that Disney isn’t the only place in Florida where construction takes forever. I think part of it is still supply issues, and part of it is finding competent workers to do the actual construction. It took over a year to have our house built and that was pre-pandemic. You might think you have a subcontractor lined up, but they go out of business before they get to you and you have to start the search all over again.

 

[MICKIMINI]

I live here. Let me just say that Disney isn’t the only place in Florida where construction takes forever. I think part of it is still supply issues, and part of it is finding competent workers to do the actual construction. It took over a year to have our house built and that was pre-pandemic. You might think you have a subcontractor lined up, but they go out of business before they get to you and you have to start the search all over again.

Construction takes forever in NH as well. Our house was to take 5 months. It took an excruciating 8 months. My kitchen cabinet crown moulding will finally be installed in February. The painters just left early December. We moved in late September!

Disney has more money and ability to make things move faster than I do, for sure...there is really no excuse that everything takes an eternity to get built. Some of us don't have forever to wait for Disney to build new things! Honestly, as I stated in another post I am getting tired of paying 10K for a week (that is WITH DVC and SWA flights on points) for the same old, same old... It is entire possible that DH and I only buy 3 day tickets for our two week trip this year at Halloween. Just not spending 20K this year Disney! My budget is more like 5K+ with just one nice meal.

I think once families get out of the tradition of doing the Disney "thing" annually, they will move on (and are moving on) to other experiences.

 

[john7994]

I live here. Let me just say that Disney isn’t the only place in Florida where construction takes forever. I think part of it is still supply issues, and part of it is finding competent workers to do the actual construction. It took over a year to have our house built and that was pre-pandemic. You might think you have a subcontractor lined up, but they go out of business before they get to you and you have to start the search all over again.

I think you are precisely dead-on - but even if Disney overnighted it - there will be those that still complain

 

[Genie+]

.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I think you are precisely dead-on - but even if Disney overnighted it - there will be those that still complain

The quality! The deisgn! What is this, some common Wyndham?!

 

[DeeBee3]

I'd agree with you all but look at Universal and how fast they are working on Epic Universe.

 

[SL6827]

Refurbs taking longer, but the Poly tower seems to be trucking along just fine? Could it be there is more in it for them with a new DVC? Hmmm?

 

[DonMacGregor]

Refurbs taking longer, but the Poly tower seems to be trucking along just fine? Could it be there is more in it for them with a new DVC? Hmmm?

It depends heavily on the type, nature, and location of the construction. That, plus the trades involved, particularly specialty trades, artisans and craftsmen, any engineering challenges, and lead time for materials and equipment (you can source dressers, sinks, and dishwashers a lot easier than sophisticated ride computers/systems, bespoke ride vehicles, etc.). There are literally dozens of contractors in Central Florida that can build the Poly Tower, but maybe half a dozen or so worldwide that could build Tron.

 

[SL6827]

It depends heavily on the type, nature, and location of the construction. That, plus the trades involved, particularly specialty trades, artisans and craftsmen, any engineering challenges, and lead time for materials and equipment (you can source dressers, sinks, and dishwashers a lot easier than sophisticated ride computers/systems, bespoke ride vehicles, etc.). There are literally dozens of contractors in Central Florida that can build the Poly Tower, but maybe half a dozen or so worldwide that could build Tron.

Tron? I was comparing the Boardwalk refurb and a new DVC resort. I would think that the same type of contractors could do both. But, there may be a very valid reason for this delay. Something beyond Disney's control? Who really knows?

 

[wabbott]

I'd agree with you all but look at Universal and how fast they are working on Epic Universe.

This times 10.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Tron? I was comparing the Boardwalk refurb and a new DVC resort. I would think that the same type of contractors could do both. But, there may be a very valid reason for this delay. Something beyond Disney's control? Who really knows?

I was simply providing two disparate examples. But no, a pre-cast concrete tower with a sophisticated engineered foundation system (everything in SDW sits on piles due to the soil) is not the same as simply running in replacing drywall and repainting, and removing and replacing some casework and cabinetry.

As for refurb delays, aside from material supply issues I doubt the delays have anything to do with the contractors and everything to do with when Disney pulls rooms offline and how many they pull offline at one time.

 

[tim494]

Just got back from a trip and got to see the new areas in the center if EPCOT. I couldn't believe they had that entire area closed for 2? years just to create some terracing and a relatively small attraction that was walking paths and water spouts. Very surprising to me.

 

[lowlight]

Just got back from a trip and got to see the new areas in the center if EPCOT. I couldn't believe they had that entire area closed for 2? years just to create some terracing and a relatively small attraction that was walking paths and water spouts. Very surprising to me.

Yeah…I think the area looks great, especially at night, but it seems an awful lot of down time for the end result.

 

[The Jackal]

Just got back from a trip and got to see the new areas in the center if EPCOT. I couldn't believe they had that entire area closed for 2? years just to create some terracing and a relatively small attraction that was walking paths and water spouts. Very surprising to me.

It’s been more than 2 years. I believe the walls were up in 2019.

 

[CarolynFH]

Yeah…I think the area looks great, especially at night, but it seems an awful lot of down time for the end result.

It’s been more than 2 years. I believe the walls were up in 2019.

It seemed to take a long time to tear down the existing buildings - I think they dismantled them piece by piece, no wrecking balls - and then prepare the ground before they could even begin to build the new. There are aerial photos on the internet, some might be here, others are on other sites.