Still don't understand rehabs

[MKMomma]

I would too, as long as it wasn't my week!

It would be announced far enough in advance so no bookings would be allowed.

 

[scrapquitler]

I'll be honest, I'd have no problem with WDW completely shutting down for a week or two to clean and repair issues.

Can you imagine the devastating effect on the Orlando economy if Disney World closed down for a week or two?? How many people would be out of work without a check at Disney World? How much of a ripple effect there would be at all the off property hotels, restaurants and other businesses? I can't imagine they would ever even consider that option.

 

[MKMomma]

Can you imagine the devastating effect on the Orlando economy if Disney World closed down for a week or two?? How many people would be out of work without a check at Disney World? How much of a ripple effect there would be at all the off property hotels, restaurants and other businesses? I can't imagine they would ever even consider that option.

They won't, but a girl can dream.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

When Disneyland originally opened, it was closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Honestly, I'm more concerned that the refurb won't be long enough. From what I've heard Pirates need a lot of work and the imagineers wanted a much longer refurb than even the 4 months that was originally announced.

 

[anniemae]

I think the thing is that POTC is closed for the entire summer. Many folks, us included, are restricted to going in the summer due to older kids in school or jobs as teachers. Now if POTC was closing from April-July, technically summer families could adjust and instead of going the last week of July, could go the first or second week of Aug if they wished. But since the timing of this closure is from beginning of June until end of Sept, there is no wiggle room if you can only go in the summer. Not a huge deal, just makes me wonder why they didn't adjust and make the closure dates earlier, especially since there seems to be many problems and technical issues with the ride. I would think they would want to close and fix it asap. Again, not a huge deal or a deal breaker for us, just an "aw shoot I love that ride and will miss it." Especially if you can't go every year.

 

[HappyDaisy]

Don't forget, too, they can't just go to the boat shop down the street to have new boats made, or call the amusement ride repairman to have the problem fixed. It takes time for parts to be manufactured, boats to be made, and/or engineering plans to be drawn up, etc. (depending on the type of refurb they're doing, of course).

 

[maxiesmom]

I think the thing is that POTC is closed for the entire summer. Many folks, us included, are restricted to going in the summer due to older kids in school or jobs as teachers. Now if POTC was closing from April-July, technically summer families could adjust and instead of going the last week of July, could go the first or second week of Aug if they wished. But since the timing of this closure is from beginning of June until end of Sept, there is no wiggle room if you can only go in the summer. Not a huge deal, just makes me wonder why they didn't adjust and make the closure dates earlier, especially since there seems to be many problems and technical issues with the ride. I would think they would want to close and fix it asap. Again, not a huge deal or a deal breaker for us, just an "aw shoot I love that ride and will miss it." Especially if you can't go every year.

As I pointed out earlier they already had the Jungle Cruise down for a good chunk of time. It went back on line and Pirates went down. Many people have very little wiggle room on when they can take vacations, rides have to be closed over someone's vacation Jungle Cruise was closed over mine, I wouldn't have been happy had Pirates been down too.

 

[anniemae]

As I pointed out earlier they already had the Jungle Cruise down for a good chunk of time. It went back on line and Pirates went down. Many people have very little wiggle room on when they can take vacations, rides have to be closed over someone's vacation.

Absolutely. That was my exact point. Rides have to be maintained. Nobody wants it done on their vaca. Disappointing, but not devastating. It's okay to be disappointed.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

So you think it is more important for you to get pirates in July then someone else in say October?
People pay the same to get in all year so they need to spread the maintainence out

While I agree with your premise, the idea that prices are even year round is not quite accurate.

Many 'soft' prices fluctuate regularly. Meal surcharges during busy seasons are quite common. And some WDW hotel rates nearly double during peak seasons. (minus discounts, but add the 12.5% tax)

All Stars - Jan 1: $191, Jan 5: $97

BC Pool view: Jan 1: $732, Jan 5: $519

Looking at gate prices in isolation tells part of the story.

Often enough, WDW does discount deals with free tickets for kids (as part of a package). I think it is called the 'Kids eat, stay, play free." (often as a PIN code offer if not GP).

 

[maxiesmom]

While I agree with your premise, the idea that prices are even year round is not quite accurate.

Many 'soft' prices fluctuate regularly. Meal surcharges during busy seasons are quite common. And some WDW hotel rates nearly double during peak seasons. (minus discounts, but add the 12.5% tax)

All Stars - Jan 1: $191, Jan 5: $97

BC Pool view: Jan 1: $732, Jan 5: $519

Looking at gate prices in isolation tells part of the story.

Often enough, WDW does discount deals with free tickets for kids (as part of a package). I think it is called the 'Kids eat, stay, play free." (often as a PIN code offer if not GP).

The argument could be turned around--park hours are extended during summer and a few other times of the year, so it would be better to close the rides then, when guests have longer in the parks to enjoy themselves. And not when they have limited hours to begin with.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

While I agree with your premise, the idea that prices are even year round is not quite accurate.

Many 'soft' prices fluctuate regularly. Meal surcharges during busy seasons are quite common. And some WDW hotel rates nearly double during peak seasons. (minus discounts, but add the 12.5% tax)

All Stars - Jan 1: $191, Jan 5: $97

BC Pool view: Jan 1: $732, Jan 5: $519

Looking at gate prices in isolation tells part of the story.

Often enough, WDW does discount deals with free tickets for kids (as part of a package). I think it is called the 'Kids eat, stay, play free." (often as a PIN code offer if not GP).

Disney offers those discounts for a reason. Closing too many rides during those periods would produce an environment in which Disney couldn't offer deep enough discounts to attract customers.

 

[Mr Ferret 88]

Having ridden Pirates in May I think it is long overdue a rehab/furb . Effects were not working and the boats were taking in water.the scenes and figures themselves need a lot of tlc ( the accordion in the fie scene has almost split in half)
Yes it sucks to be there with things down but I think we have all had that at some point.Plus having seen the redone Jungle cruise it shows how different things are when new and shiny.

 

[MKMomma]

Don't forget, too, they can't just go to the boat shop down the street to have new boats made, or call the amusement ride repairman to have the problem fixed. It takes time for parts to be manufactured, boats to be made, and/or engineering plans to be drawn up, etc. (depending on the type of refurb they're doing, of course).

They've known since the new boats were put in there was a problem. Was that refurb last summer? I don't remember the dates.

 

[HappyDaisy]

They've known since the new boats were put in there was a problem. Was that refurb last summer? I don't remember the dates.

I don't know the dates it's been closed over the past year, but it seems as if this one is down quite a bit. Maybe it took a while to determine that the boats were the problem and then they had to come up with a solution. Then the solution has to be proven to be workable/acceptable, and then the plans need to be made and the parts ordered and manufactured after the right vendor for the job could be found. These things take time--especially in a huge business where everything has to be approved by the powers that be. Perhaps they should have just closed it down until the problem was resolved. No matter what they do, someone is going to be unhappy.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

On the other hand OP, it would also royally suck if they piled up all the refurbs for the slowest time of the year, like the fall, or beginning of the year. I wouldn't want to visit if there were many multiple refurbs going on at once...

They really do need to spread them out.

Dan

This. Regardless of how busy it is or the time of year, they can never have too many rides/attractions down at the same time. Would you (speaking generally) spend $95 for a day if half the rides were down? Even if was slow? I know I wouldn't. And if they only did a few rides and only during quiet seasons it would be too long between refurbishments for the rides.

 

[itchin2go]

I don't know the dates it's been closed over the past year, but it seems as if this one is down quite a bit. Maybe it took a while to determine that the boats were the problem and then they had to come up with a solution. Then the solution has to be proven to be workable/acceptable, and then the plans need to be made and the parts ordered and manufactured after the right vendor for the job could be found. These things take time--especially in a huge business where everything has to be approved by the powers that be. Perhaps they should have just closed it down until the problem was resolved. No matter what they do, someone is going to be unhappy.

You're completely right. I don't know why we're still speculating on this. The truth is - none of us (probably) know what goes into making these decisions, scheduling the rehab, staffing the rehab, manufacturing the boats, staggering rehabs, etc.. And even if we did, what's to be done about it? Does someone think this is a conspiracy or something?

It's scheduled when it's scheduled, probably for loads of reasons none of us will ever understand. I know people who go in June would like for rehabs and closures to be scheduled any time other than June. People who go in March don't want to see any rehabs or closures during their trip. Does anyone think this is actually realistic? Do what I did when we traveled in January and Splash was down. Reassure yourself that it's one ride and it's not the end of the world.

 

[mummabear]

While I agree with your premise, the idea that prices are even year round is not quite accurate.

Many 'soft' prices fluctuate regularly. Meal surcharges during busy seasons are quite common. And some WDW hotel rates nearly double during peak seasons. (minus discounts, but add the 12.5% tax)

All Stars - Jan 1: $191, Jan 5: $97

BC Pool view: Jan 1: $732, Jan 5: $519

Looking at gate prices in isolation tells part of the story.

Often enough, WDW does discount deals with free tickets for kids (as part of a package). I think it is called the 'Kids eat, stay, play free." (often as a PIN code offer if not GP).

My accommodation costs have nothing to do with the parks, rides are not the service I am paying for in my room charges.

 

[lustergirl]

Jungle Cruise was closed for refurb during my trip, not a life changing event. I will just catch it next time

 

[smitch425]

While I agree with your premise, the idea that prices are even year round is not quite accurate.

Many 'soft' prices fluctuate regularly. Meal surcharges during busy seasons are quite common. And some WDW hotel rates nearly double during peak seasons. (minus discounts, but add the 12.5% tax)

All Stars - Jan 1: $191, Jan 5: $97

BC Pool view: Jan 1: $732, Jan 5: $519

Looking at gate prices in isolation tells part of the story.

Often enough, WDW does discount deals with free tickets for kids (as part of a package). I think it is called the 'Kids eat, stay, play free." (often as a PIN code offer if not GP).

That deal has not been done in years. We did it in 2010 via PIN code. The last few incarnations of the S/P/D offer were that kids and adults pay the 3-9 rate for tickets and dining.

 

[Rivermonster]

I'm curious...when WDW Railroad is closed for refurbishment, what takes its place in opening ceremonies? Anyone know?