Does Disney Ever Get Done with Refurbishments Early?

[disneykittin]

We're going to Disney World in April, and I see that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is supposed to be down for refurbishment until May. Big Thunder is my daughter's favorite ride and she is really disappointed that it is scheduled to still be down during our stay. That made me wonder if Disney ever gets done with their refurbishments before the date originally specified. Does anyone know of any of these instances, or are they usually spot on as far as the refurb dates go? Thanks so much!

 

[minnie mum]

They might get done a few days early, but these people have been at the refurb business a LOOOONG time. They generally have a pretty good idea how long it will take. The other really major factor is staffing and scheduling of cast members. As Cheshire Figment has reminded us on numerous occasions, they need a couple of weeks advance notice in order to have their CMs scheduled to work the attractions.

If you're hoping it will be open weeks in advance of the scheduled reopening, then I think you will be disappointed. And then there are the times they run into unexpected complications and the refurb is extended....

 

[Qtbugg]

I'm wondering the same thing! We are visiting in March and hoping Typhoon Lagoon opens a day or two earlier than planned as it is currently scheduled to be closed for refurb.

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

Star Tours opened several days before it was scheduled to this past May, but I wouldn't expect anything more than that for Big Thunder.

We are disappointed that we are going to miss Big Thunder our next trip too.

 

[Reddog1134]

I think refurbs are more likely to run longer than run shorter.

It does happen though.

 

[DebbieB]

I'm wondering the same thing! We are visiting in March and hoping Typhoon Lagoon opens a day or two earlier than planned as it is currently scheduled to be closed for refurb.

That's an every year thing, they seasonal close one of the water parks during the winter (each take a turn). I doubt it will open early.

 

[chartle]

I'm wondering the same thing! We are visiting in March and hoping Typhoon Lagoon opens a day or two earlier than planned as it is currently scheduled to be closed for refurb.

I wouldn't count on it but Cheshire Figment would be the one to know since he works there.

They close one park during this time for refurb, but also because there is not a need for both parks to be open due to low demand.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The following is important to answer your question.

Cast Scheduling (as well as payroll) is based on a Sunday through Saturday week. I will use the week February 1 through 7, 2009 as my example for timing.

The Cast hours and work assignments for the week are posted into the various systems on Sunday January 25th.

The Schedulers work on the schedule for Feb 1-7 during the week January 18 to 24 so the information can be posted in a timely manner.

If an attraction which has been closed is scheduled to be reopened any time during the February 1 to 7 week, notification to the Schedulers must be no later than January 17. And normally the first day of operation after a rehab tends to be on a Sunday.

Here is where the key to the whole thing comes in. If an attraction has been planned to be opened during the week starting February 1st and it is decided to open the attraction earlier, then a firm management decision must be made and given to the Schedulers no later than January 10th if the opening will be any time during the week of January 25th.

So just completing a rehab a few days early cannot affect the opening date unless it is known at least three weeks before completion.

And as far as TL is concerned, it will definitely not be open early (I can't wait to get back to my regular job).

 

[jfulcer]

I wonder if there is a question that will ever stump Cheshire Figment.

 

[chartle]

The following is important to answer your question.

Cast Scheduling (as well as payroll) is based on a Sunday through Saturday week. I will use the week February 1 through 7, 2009 as my example for timing. .....

With all the big refurbs happening (BTMR, TT) and the FLE and even Avatar land, this really should be a sticky.

I can see a lot of hopeful people trying to push up the opening times of everyone these attractions. "Well if its one week, one more week can happen right?" and suddenly people hope it will open a month or more in advance.

Same thing happened with Space Mountain.