Little worried about all the works

[kel0709]

Hi, its out 1st trip in less than 3 weeks. When I booked in Nov I didn't know about the 20th celebrations as we would have probably waited until after April. I'm now worried that all the work going on is going to ruin some of the magic.

 

[HappyPanda]

I'm the same. When I booked last year I had completely forgotten it was the 20th Anniversary this year.

If I had known I would have definitely booked for April. As I'm taking mini-me for her first trip I'm really worried that all the works (esp. the tents in front of the castle!) are going to ruin the magic for her.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We go late March when hopefully most will have finished but I understand the concerns.
What annoys me is the lack of planning, or so it seems, it's like there is mass panic trying to update and improve so much at the same time.
Surely if they have a more organised programme for scheduled improvements they can stagger it better and thus have less impact on their guests.

Maybe I am asking too much?

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Most improvements get done out of season so it's often this time of year.

Things take longer than expected due to the weather which has held things up. It's been a few years since it's been this cold and frozen in Feb.

The tent things are up to protect what's been done underneath.

If you look at the castle moat pics you can see the cables have been frozen in the ice. I'm guessing that under the tents on central plaza they are using heating so that they can carry on working.

When you walk round the back of it you have a great view of the castle and can take good photos same as from the back of the castle and the sides.

Don't let it bother you too much, the magical will be intact for you if you let it be

 

[aobh]

I am also going in March and I booked knowing that there would be maintenance work and closures. Its just one of those things as far as i'm concerned - there have been ride closures/renovations on every trip we've done and it hasn't affected our enjoyment in the slightest. Its a small price to pay for getting a good deal and smaller crowds I quite like to see the workmen painting a fence or trimming a hedge, and if my favourite ride is closed when i'm there then its a great excuse to book and go again!!!

 

[RoseBug]

We have just got back, and honestly the tents in front of the castle really didn't ruin the magic for DD (as you will see by her face in my trip report) and yes there is alot of work going on, but it is what you make it... we had the most magical weekend, despite all the building works (and the sub-zero conditions).

 

[DLPdaft]

it really is what you make it, and any time of the year. just think, if the tents are still up, how much more lovely the castle is going to look when you get past the tents and see it close up .

there was a lot of green boarding up last march when we went, the castle was completely covered up, you couldn't go upstairs, and there was boarding all around it front and back too. the fantasyland floor was being relaid so the turrets entrance to there too was all boarded up. i'll be honest, it did spoil it a bit for me, and even though it was by far our cheapest onsite trip, i won't go again in march. but i honestly don't think it spoiled it for my kids, they were just as happy to be there as other times (what they were disappointed with was that POTC was closed for scheduled refurb as well all the time we were there).

having said all that, i know lots of folk on this board and others return year after year in january - march, because it really is the quietest time of the year for the rides etc.

 

[RoseBug]

it really is what you make it, and any time of the year. just think, if the tents are still up, how much more lovely the castle is going to look when you get past the tents and see it close up .

there was a lot of green boarding up last march when we went, the castle was completely covered up, you couldn't go upstairs, and there was boarding all around it front and back too. the fantasyland floor was being relaid so the turrets entrance to there too was all boarded up. i'll be honest, it did spoil it a bit for me, and even though it was by far our cheapest onsite trip, i won't go again in march. but i honestly don't think it spoiled it for my kids, they were just as happy to be there as other times (what they were disappointed with was that POTC was closed for scheduled refurb as well all the time we were there).

having said all that, i know lots of folk on this board and others return year after year in january - march, because it really is the quietest time of the year for the rides etc.

I think the Castle being boarded up would have ruined it for us too, that is slightly different to other things being boarded, tents up etc. I was slightly sad we couldn't go up into the castle, DD would have loved that - but she knew no different, and the Castle looked stunning. When we walked around the tents and then got our first full view of the castle so close up, it made it even more amazing tbh! It was a real WOW moment!

 

[tinks_1989]

I hope it will be gone before we get there in 3 weeks! Add another hope to the list! X

Reading DLRP Todays post about it and reading that there are rumors of Disney hiding something in the tents makes me wish they would put the partner statue here instead of the Studios I wouldnt of though Walt would want to be stood pointing at a factory looking building and would be much happier in front of the castle where he should be!

 

[DLPDreams]

It is a shame for people going soon but don't let it spoil your trip . As others have said you can see it in it's fully glory from Fantasyland side.

The first time we went the Castle was closed for refurb (although you could see it all as there was nothing masking the outside). I wasn't too bothered as it was my first time and there was lots of other things to see . But on our second trip we did go in and I it. Can't wait to go in again.

I suppose on the plus side, the prices so much cheaper than peak season right now and the queues will be much smaller too I do feel sorry for those people that booked though and then found out about the 20th stuff and would have waited. Just means you'll have to book another trip

 

[JohnnySharp2]

it really is what you make it, and any time of the year. just think, if the tents are still up, how much more lovely the castle is going to look when you get past the tents and see it close up .

there was a lot of green boarding up last march when we went, the castle was completely covered up, you couldn't go upstairs, and there was boarding all around it front and back too. the fantasyland floor was being relaid so the turrets entrance to there too was all boarded up. i'll be honest, it did spoil it a bit for me, and even though it was by far our cheapest onsite trip, i won't go again in march. but i honestly don't think it spoiled it for my kids, they were just as happy to be there as other times (what they were disappointed with was that POTC was closed for scheduled refurb as well all the time we were there).

having said all that, i know lots of folk on this board and others return year after year in january - march, because it really is the quietest time of the year for the rides etc.

As we have only been the once, twice next month it just seems to me - maybe as a bit of an outsider - that they have suddenly realised all this work needs doing, having not been regularly I am not best placed to say I guess but I get the feeling it's all a bit 'last minute'.
Why didn't they start building the disney store earlier so it's open for the start of this 20th year? It just seems like the Queen is visiting and they are rushing around making sure everything looks good. If they keep on top of all required improvements there isn't the need for all the mass panic.

I will shut up now!

 

[Isila]

We're going in March also. Yes, it's a shame with all the closers, refurbishments etc, but on the other hand - I don't really care. Last time castle was covered. Oh well, I'm going and not letting anyone spoil trip's magic. It's going to be magical, wonderful and special.

 

[tinks_1989]

As we have only been the once, twice next month it just seems to me - maybe as a bit of an outsider - that they have suddenly realised all this work needs doing, having not been regularly I am not best placed to say I guess but I get the feeling it's all a bit 'last minute'.
Why didn't they start building the disney store earlier so it's open for the start of this 20th year? It just seems like the Queen is visiting and they are rushing around making sure everything looks good. If they keep on top of all required improvements there isn't the need for all the mass panic.

I will shut up now!

I agree with you about the Disney store and that all seems to be left till last minute!

 

[HappyPanda]

After seeing the pics of the castle from main street on someone's trip report, I am no longer that worried. Yeah, as you get closer the tents to obstruct the view more and more - but from the end of main street it still has it's 'WOW' Factor.

 

[jennytablina]

As we have only been the once, twice next month it just seems to me - maybe as a bit of an outsider - that they have suddenly realised all this work needs doing, having not been regularly I am not best placed to say I guess but I get the feeling it's all a bit 'last minute'.
Why didn't they start building the disney store earlier so it's open for the start of this 20th year? It just seems like the Queen is visiting and they are rushing around making sure everything looks good. If they keep on top of all required improvements there isn't the need for all the mass panic.

I will shut up now!

You are right, DLP is behind, but it actually goes back years not just the one ; )

Technically, Space Mountain should of opened the year after the park opened (1993) and Studios was originally projected for 1995(!) - Space Mountain wouldn't open till 1995 and Studios took 7 years to open. Things like World of Disney were being planned around it's opening too (or were heavilly rumored) - but simply put, DLP wasn't making the money it needed to expand. So most major projects were put on hold for a long LONG time

Only in the past 5-10 years has DLP been making enough money to start expanding properly. Which is why they *finally* started adding to Disney Village last year, and only this year finally got the funds to build the Ratatoullie ride coming to Studios. They would of liked these things available much MUCH sooner too, but at least they are coming now

Also on the refurb things, you'll note most rides are only shut for days where possible, or slightly longer if it's a ride that needs extra TLC. DLP do this in the 3 months, because it's enough time to stagger closures so people will only find a few rides closed at any one time. But they'll always make sure Customers are getting as much as possible. They can't really do it any earlier as Christmas is a particularly busy season for DLP.

I've been in quiet season before, a few years back, I believe the worst thing is that Pirates was closed most of the trip for us. The rest of the trip was fine bar the odd board up here and there. but at least they spare you the less magical building sites ; ).

One benefit to going in 3 weeks, you may even get lucky enough to see early "soft opening" runs of the 20th anniversary shows and parades. Nothings set in stone, but it might happen!

 

[PrincessCharlie]

I think the Castle being boarded up would have ruined it for us too, that is slightly different to other things being boarded, tents up etc. I was slightly sad we couldn't go up into the castle, DD would have loved that - but she knew no different, and the Castle looked stunning. When we walked around the tents and then got our first full view of the castle so close up, it made it even more amazing tbh! It was a real WOW moment!

It was the same for us too. The castle still looks good from the entrance/beginning of main street and when you get round the tents it's even more of a WOW moment. Like the castle is revealed all of a sudden rather than bit by bit. We had some moments where we wished the construction wasn't there but overall had a great trip, and I've got an excuse to go back soon so I'm a happy girl!