Recession Slows Some Construction at Disney World — But Not All

[WDWKOOK]

Recession slows some construction at Disney World — but not all.

JASON GARCIA, NEWS — BY JASON GARCIA ON NOVEMBER 9, 2009 AT 10:31 AM

Saturday’s newspaper carried a story (http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2009/11/sagging-economy-slows-plans-for-flamingo-crossings-at-disney/) looking at how construction at Walt Disney World has slowed amid the weak economy. Data from the Reedy Creek Improvement District show building permit activity during the past year fell 25 percent from a year ago and total value of construction permitted fell 61 percent (from $409.4 million to $158.7 million).

So what IS getting built? Here’s a look at some of the biggest projects that Reedy Creek has permitted over the last year (according to monthly reports that the district’s building department submits to its board of supervisors):

– Upgrade facility controls, ride controls and smoke control at Space Mountain (valued at $12.3 million)

– Renovate rooms at Disney’s BoardWalk Villas ($4.4 million), the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort ($3.7 million), Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort ($2.8 million), Disney’s Yacht Club Resort ($2.5 million) and the Shades of Green Resort ($1.5 million)

– Install hardscape and infrastructure for Flamingo Crossings ($2.6 million)

– Resume construction of a Holiday Inn ($1.8 million)

– Demolish the Magic Kingdom Skyway building in Tomorrowland and renovate restrooms ($1.1 million)

– Repair exterior stair towers at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa ($1 million)

– Build a new bus stop at Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas ($741,000)

– Replace the roof at the Team Disney executive office building ($703,000)

– Replace the roof at the Pinocchio Village Haus restaurant in the Fantasyland section of the Magic Kingdom ($643,000)

– Refurbish the Mickey’s Star Traders gift shop in Tomorrowland ($500,000)

– Repair the Catastrophe Canyon section of the Studio Backlot Tour at Disney’s Hollywood Studios ($475,000)

– Upgrade ride controls, exit lighting and smoke control at the Universe of Energy pavilion in Epcot ($474,000)

– Refurbish the Villains room in the World of Disney store at Downtown Disney ($395,000)

– Install KUKA robot arms for The Sum of All Thrills at Epcot ($276,000)

(NOTE: This isn’t a comprehensive list.)

 

[Dznefreek]

So what IS getting built?

I would say not built so much as refurb and maintenance for the most part . . . . . . .

 

[anthony2k7]

some (most!) of those construction costs are mind blowing! seriously...

$12.3mil on space mountain to have a new entrance, fix some of the track, a couple of new effects and to repaint everything??!?

$741,000 to finish building a bus stop?!

wow.

 

[tjkraz]

$741,000 to finish building a bus stop?!

There are significant changes to the bus stop.

Originally they had (I believe) 3 stand alone depots near the resort entrance. Guests had to walk outside, uncovered, to reach the bus stops.

This project added a new doorway into the resort building itself, a covered walkway leading from that new doorway to the bus depots, and at least one additional depot.

It is a pretty major addition to the resort. Big steel supports anchored into poured concrete. Themeing to match AKV. New curbs and sidewalks had to be poured to accommodate the new depot and covered walkway.

 

[wishdisney]

$12.3mil on space mountain to have a new entrance, fix some of the track, a couple of new effects and to repaint everything??!?

they didnt fix some of the track, the replaced the WHOLE track of the ride. cost money for the dome they put over the queue line. the refurb on the postshow. but yes paint and oh...the interactive games in the queue lines, yes...12.3 million.

 

[Razor Roman]

you would think that a comany like Disney, with a decent amount of cash onhand and a proven product which they know will make money, would take more advantage of the downturn in the economy and do lots of work during a recession...

seems like you could get better deals since the economy is tight and people woudl be willing to work cheaper, plus there are slightly less guests on property which means the logistics of doign things and guest impact from closures would be minimal.

Plus they'd be doing their part to help the local economy...

 

[mitros]

you would think that a comany like Disney, with a decent amount of cash onhand and a proven product which they know will make money, would take more advantage of the downturn in the economy and do lots of work during a recession...

seems like you could get better deals since the economy is tight and people woudl be willing to work cheaper, plus there are slightly less guests on property which means the logistics of doign things and guest impact from closures would be minimal.

Plus they'd be doing their part to help the local economy...

Can't agree with your saying that there are slightly less guests on property. We go to WDW on a regular basis, and everything is mobbed there. All the deals Disney is throwing out there are bringing a lot of people back in spite of what state the economy is supposed to be in. Just going by what we have seen.

 

[Razor Roman]

Can't agree with your saying that there are slightly less guests on property. We go to WDW on a regular basis, and everything is mobbed there. All the deals Disney is throwing out there are bringing a lot of people back in spite of what state the economy is supposed to be in. Just going by what we have seen.

I've heard that numbers are pretty solid, though I have also heard that part of the crowding is just because things are running with less help and at a slightly lower capacity because they have cut back park hours, manpower, etc. I haven't been there lately, so I can't comment. (Victim of the crummy economy... no pay raise in 2 years! )