Construction Logistics at WDW

[PeterMarcus]

I mentioned part of this in the 7DMT thread, but while commenting there, I derailed myself (so to speak) on a different thought, and I didn't want to threadjack.

So, if 7D is scheduled for 2013, after the 2012 opening of LM and Beast, then there's going to be this big island of construction in the new FLE, possibly surrounded on all sides by tourists and manicured green and water areas. There's the obvious logistical problem of how they're going to get construction equipment in and out, and the only thing I can figure out is either moving stuff after hours, or building a temporary corridor smack between Beast and LM to the nearest access road. Beast and LM are hauling stuff in during daylight hours, and removing that access will presumably limit the hours (and expand the budget) of the construction.

Which led to my idle speculation -- how many other projects are potentially surrounded by guests at WDW, instead of the edges where there is more access? Hyperion Wharf and the Skyway restroom rebuild come to mind, but does Star Tours II have access, or is that more of a re-programming thing?

Does the location of attractions affect the decisions of what might be updated sooner, out of purely logistical considerations?

 

[raven]

All of these logistics are worked out in early stages of construction. They will do anything they can to keep guests flowing to certain areas without being too badly effected unless it jepordizes safety. It's a wait-and-see thing.

 

[RandySavage]

So, if 7D is scheduled for 2013, after the 2012 opening of LM and Beast, then there's going to be this big island of construction in the new FLE, possibly surrounded on all sides by tourists and manicured green and water areas. There's the obvious logistical problem of how they're going to get construction equipment in and out, and the only thing I can figure out is either moving stuff after hours, or building a temporary corridor smack between Beast and LM to the nearest access road. Beast and LM are hauling stuff in during daylight hours, and removing that access will presumably limit the hours (and expand the budget) of the construction.

I'd assume it will a peninsula rather than an island, with road access between the circus tents and little mermaid:

The path will likely dead-end for a year at Aerial's Grotto, or there will be a crossing at that location for equipment/workers.

 

[artdeco]

Cinderella's Castle has been undergiong some sort of refurbishment, repair, addition, or decoration pretty much every visit I've made for the last 8 years, and you don't get much more in-the-middle than that! Certainly this is a challenge and an eyesore, but my bet is they'll handle cross-crowd traffic at night and the rest with not much impact at all. (Just disappointed I have to wait until my kid's in high school to see it )

I do stand in amazement at the logistical challenges they constantly face and overcome at Disney, though. A very impressive operation.

 

[PeterMarcus]

I'd assume it will a peninsula rather than an island, with road access between the circus tents and little mermaid:

The path will likely dead-end for a year at Aerial's Grotto, or there will be a crossing at that location for equipment/workers.

Ah, that's interesting. So no direct access from LM to Tomorrowland without going around the construction, but Circus and 7D can continue construction with 24x7 access. Not nearly as isolated as I thought.

 

[Lee]

The path will likely dead-end for a year at Aerial's Grotto, or there will be a crossing at that location for equipment/workers.

Yes.
That's what I was trying to describe in the other thread.

 

[raven]

Cinderella's Castle has been undergiong some sort of refurbishment, repair, addition, or decoration pretty much every visit I've made for the last 8 years, and you don't get much more in-the-middle than that!

:veryconfu Christmas light installation/removal?

 

[marni1971]

Space Mountain in Paris is on-stage-locked and that was a much bigger project.

 

[PirateFrank]

I'd assume it will a peninsula rather than an island, with road access between the circus tents and little mermaid:

The path will likely dead-end for a year at Aerial's Grotto, or there will be a crossing at that location for equipment/workers.

This seems to be the most logical solution and what I would do if I were involved in logistics on the project.

 

[wdwmagic]

In recent times at Epcot - the new La Hacienda and Cantina at Epcot were completely onstage.

martin's Space Mountain is a great case of a big E Ticket however.

 

[DaGoof00]

I'd assume it will a peninsula rather than an island, with road access between the circus tents and little mermaid:

The path will likely dead-end for a year at Aerial's Grotto, or there will be a crossing at that location for equipment/workers.

Seems most likely to me...

 

[PhilharMagician]

TLMM is not scheduled to open until late 2012 so most of the heavy construction will most likely be done for 7DMC by then.

 

[Lee]

TLMM is not scheduled to open until late 2012 so most of the heavy construction will most likely be done for 7DMC by then.

Not really.
If the mine ride isn't opening until late 2013/early 2014 they would likely still have much work to do when Mermaud opens.

 

[PhilharMagician]

Not really.
If the mine ride isn't opening until late 2013/early 2014 they would likely still have much work to do when Mermaud opens.

Ok, I thought it was mid 2013?

I would still imagine ground work and site prep should be done.

 

[artdeco]

:veryconfu Christmas light installation/removal?

Christmas lights, moat refurb, castle painting, Cindy Suite enhancements, HCOE overlay, forecastle court construction and reconstruction... My old mind is prone to hyperbole, but I always seem to have a crane looming over my head or a scrim blocking my full view of the castle in my pics. My thought is simply that middle-of-the park seems to be do-able without much impact to guests. Like the OP, I'm fascinated by the project management at WDW and far from being critical, I'm amazed.

A little off-topic, but since my first visit was in 1973 at a time when we never saw a construction team during the day (barring the building of the three Mountains), I still find myself jolted by the sight of a crane or Bobcat.

I am pretty impressed with the photographic scrims they use these days. Brilliant idea.

 

[Tinkrbell]

Which led to my idle speculation -- how many other projects are potentially surrounded by guests at WDW, instead of the edges where there is more access? Hyperion Wharf and the Skyway restroom rebuild come to mind, but does Star Tours II have access, or is that more of a re-programming thing?

Star Tours has quite a bit of backstage access. 3 sides of the building it is housed in are backstage. During my CP last fall, I worked costuming for Block Party (which comes thru the gate right next to Star Tours), I found it interesting that they put in some sort of access door about 3 stories up. (just a regular door), it took them a while after putting the door in to put any kind of stairs or anything that would make having a normal door there.