Why does Disney take so long to build everything?

[momof2n2]

They're putting $$ into infrastructure and renovation instead of new attractions (widening the hub at MK, renovating DTD, adding Starbucks, renovated hotels, new restaurants, more DVC), while a lot of Disney fans are antsy for new attractions and keeping an eye on what Universal is doing.

Yes. I hate that when we visit WDW next year there will very little NEW to it since our last visit 2011...

 

[sharona]

Having just recently been to MK for the first time in a few years, I thought that the new area was very well done but not really a justification for the amount of time spent... It seems that they are heading in that same direction with DTD and with Avatar. I can see spending years on the concept but the actual construction should not be so long once they have their final plans.

 

[Davey Jones II]

Let's not forget that the upcoming King Kong ride at Universal started construction last year, and is opening only in spring/summer of next year. That's almost two years to construct one ride, albeit one on an "E Ticket" scale.

I don't think Disney is much slower than Universal when it comes to developing and building new rides. People cite 7DMT as an example of an attraction that seemed to take too long. But they forget that Dwarves was a last minute addition to the New Fantasyland plans. After the initial NFL announcement, there was a backlash because of its "princess centric" focus. So Disney scrambled to add a ride that would appeal to the whole family. 7DMT wasn't even in the design phase when NFL was first announced. That's why it took as long as it did.

 

[mom2rtk]

Let's not forget that the upcoming King Kong ride at Universal started construction last year, and is opening only in spring/summer of next year. That's almost two years to construct one ride, albeit one on an "E Ticket" scale.

I don't think Disney is much slower than Universal when it comes to developing and building new rides. People cite 7DMT as an example of an attraction that seemed to take too long. But they forget that Dwarves was a last minute addition to the New Fantasyland plans. After the initial NFL announcement, there was a backlash because of its "princess centric" focus. So Disney scrambled to add a ride that would appeal to the whole family. 7DMT wasn't even in the design phase when NFL was first announced. That's why it took as long as it did.

Has Disney done anything in under 2 years lately?

I know 7DMT was a late addition to NFL, but how long did it take?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Has Disney done anything in under 2 years lately?

I know 7DMT was a late addition to NFL, but how long did it take?

From what starting point?

It was slightly over 2 years (spring 2012 to May 2014) for construction. The announcement occurred prior to that.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Let's not forget that the upcoming King Kong ride at Universal started construction last year, and is opening only in spring/summer of next year. That's almost two years to construct one ride, albeit one on an "E Ticket" scale.

I don't think Disney is much slower than Universal when it comes to developing and building new rides. People cite 7DMT as an example of an attraction that seemed to take too long. But they forget that Dwarves was a last minute addition to the New Fantasyland plans. After the initial NFL announcement, there was a backlash because of its "princess centric" focus. So Disney scrambled to add a ride that would appeal to the whole family. 7DMT wasn't even in the design phase when NFL was first announced. That's why it took as long as it did.

Harry Potter is commonly mentioned.

Jaws closed January 2012 and Wizarding World opened July 2014. (30 months-ish)

The IOA side was 23 months from ride closure to area open. (July 2008/June 2010)

 

[mom2rtk]

From what starting point?

It was slightly over 2 years (spring 2012 to May 2014) for construction. The announcement occurred prior to that.

I would go from announcement to completion. Because that's the time during which they are building excitement and anticipation.

How long has Avatarland been in the works? It feels like a lifetime ago it was announced. Sometimes it's hard to stay excited about any of this. Heck, it's probably been so long I've forgotten how much I hated the idea.

 

[WillAustin]

I would go from announcement to completion. Because that's the time during which they are building excitement and anticipation.

I'd agree with that. By the time they announce something, the plan is well in motion, or should be.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I would go from announcement to completion. Because that's the time during which they are building excitement and anticipation.

How long has Avatarland been in the works? It feels like a lifetime ago it was announced. Sometimes it's hard to stay excited about any of this. Heck, it's probably been so long I've forgotten how much I hated the idea.

Then Uni is comparable.

As for Avatorland, announced several years ahead of time. Not sure why that is.

But construction began in 2014.
I suspect opening is timed somewhat with the next movie release .

 

[WillAustin]

I suspect opening is timed somewhat with the next movie release .

And the movie keeps getting pushed back, too.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

And the movie keeps getting pushed back, too.

We can only blame James Cameron for that.

 

[Jennasis]

I feel like DTD has been under construction forever. They're just putting in restaurants and stores, not a roller coaster. What gives? And how long did it take to build that parking garage?

Again, they could go faster if they were so inclined...but

 

[Dr.Mickey]

With Avatar, first they had to build a new arena (a nice, well themed one) for Festival of the Lion King. Then they could start deconstructing the old to make way for Avatar. I agree that 6 years seems like a mighty long time, though.

 

[Davey Jones II]

7DMT was announced in January of 2011, and opened in May 2014. That's why people think it took too long, but Disney was starting from scratch with this ride, sometime after New Fantasyland was announced at D23 in 2009, and the ensuing backlash.

Here is a link that details the evolution of the New Fantasyland plans:

http://www.**************.net/2012/...rk-while-magic-kingdom-expansion-takes-shape/

 

[hopemax]

The reason, IMO: same as everything else, to maximize profits. I am of the opinion that, in general, only a certain amount of Capex is allowed per quarter, so divide the total cost by that capex limit, and that tells you how many quarters something will take to finish, and it will be scheduled that way. That's probably a simplification, but you know the old cliche, you can have things fast, quality, or cheap, pick two. IMO, Disney prioritizes cost over speed. Also, I suspect because Central Florida has a lot of non-Disney construction, it's not as easy as it used to be for Disney to get people to work with them, at the price Disney wants to pay. So they might have fewer, smaller teams working than what Disney really wants, but it's what they are willing to pay for.

 

[Princess Jes]

Reedy Creek allows Disney to skirt alot of the hoops others including US have to jump thru when it comes to permits and construction. One of the reason WDW was built in Fla was they recieved special powers in Reedy Creek. THe Reedy Creek district is Disney and in the past construction was not done as publicly nor took as long. Almost 2 years to build a parking garage while caring little for the guest experince at DTD is a reality. I watched EC go up and it took less time then Avatar. They also used to care about the view and convenience to guest. That is not the case anymore.

This statement is incorrect.
The Reedy creek improvement district was established AFTER walt bought the land, not the other way around.
It was done because he wanted a fiberglass castle and Orange county didn't allow it.
It also afforded them to do all the construction on their terms rather than applying to an external governing body.

 

[goofyernmost]

We were walking by the new Universal Kong attraction last week and it was buzzing with workers. I'd much rather see that then look at a seemingly empty, abandoned construction zone during the day (new Adventureland restaurant, I'm looking at you). However, I'm too jaded to think that they're really doing it for the guest experience...I think that their engineering/construction focus right now is on Shanghai and once that park is complete next year, the work on Avatarland will proceed more quickly. I don't think they can commit to too many capital projects at once, so the majority of those dollars are being funneled where they'll pay off the most and in the quickest amount of time (Shanghai) rather than at AK.

You just said the reason why it takes Disney longer. They don't want you to see the place buzzing with construction workers. Universal has the luxury of not having to produce Magic 24/7.

Let's not forget that the upcoming King Kong ride at Universal started construction last year, and is opening only in spring/summer of next year. That's almost two years to construct one ride, albeit one on an "E Ticket" scale.

I don't think Disney is much slower than Universal when it comes to developing and building new rides. People cite 7DMT as an example of an attraction that seemed to take too long. But they forget that Dwarves was a last minute addition to the New Fantasyland plans. After the initial NFL announcement, there was a backlash because of its "princess centric" focus. So Disney scrambled to add a ride that would appeal to the whole family. 7DMT wasn't even in the design phase when NFL was first announced. That's why it took as long as it did.

Not to mention that it was basically an island. There it was surrounded by an active theme park. No way in or out without running over a random guest or two. All equipment, ride elements, and construction had to be done at night in about an 8 hour time frame including set up and tear down to be ready of guest to arrive. At the very end when all the heavy lifting was done, then they could work during the day without causing shock waves to ripple through the unforgiving crowds. Universal only shows a limited concern about what the visitor sees. They can work it 24 hours a day if they feel like it with almost no repercussions at all. Well, they do get credit for doing things faster then Disney so I guess that got that going for them as well.

 

[My_3_Mi_Princesses]

This reminds me of that saying:
- I can do it fast
- I can do it cheap
- I can do it right

Now pick 2.

While it maybe true or not the perception many have is that Universal is picking "I can do it fast" and "I can do it right" and Disney is picking "I can do it cheap" and "I can do it right".

 

[PACVII]

They save money not working around the clock (no shift diff) and get there money out of all the hype new construction brings and the building of anticipation with it. Just kidding. I think it's the nature of the business. Much of the time is spent in the engineering of the structures. Building takes time in general. But will agree Disney is very slow compared to others but they also do build a quality product (most of the times). Something should not take as long as they do so my guess (not being in the industry) is its some kind of cost savings to build it slower or some stuff could still be going thru design while building started?

 

[Angel Ariel]

I don't know that I take the whole "Disney doesn't want guests to see the construction" at face value. WE went to DLR yearly from 2009-2011, right in the middle of the DCA construction. There was construction happening during the day. The re-imagineering of DCA was announced in October 2007, and it was all reopened to the public on June 15, 2012. So 5 years, total, for all of Cars Land, World of Color, Buena Vista Street, Carthay Circle, Toy Story Midway Mania (opened in 2008), retheming Paradise Pier, Little Mermaid.

Disney is perfectly capable of building at faster speeds when it suits them.