Crane now onsite at Cinderella Castle for dream light removal and refurbishment

[Vipor51]

Honestly, I don't mind refurbishments such as this as long as they aren't taking place the entire trip. What I mean by that is all day long.

It would be nice to have an hour window or so (taking it that I also purchased memory maker) to snap a picture with my party in front of the castle without the crane.

 

[Master Yoda]

I remember the days when a visible crane during the day at the Castle would be considered "Bad Show". Why can't they do the work after the park closes, or at least after the Fireworks thru the evening. I feel bad for the "Once in a lifetime" guest that visit during this time.

The answer is quite simple. The crane needed to put up the castle lights to too large to simple wheel in, use and wheel back out again in a 7-8 hour third shift. The crane that they need actually takes a few days just to set up before the first load can be raised.

 

[Bryansworld]

In years past I remember the crane being lowered during the day and the workers just working at night.

 

[SpectroMan93]

This forum is such a magical place where people criticize when things aren't refurbished and criticize when they are being refurbished. Though I agree that the crane is an eyesore, it's something that has to be done. I reckon with only 2-3 people in there removing about 200,000 lights, they need to do work during the day to finish on time.

 

[Master Yoda]

In years past I remember the crane being lowered during the day and the workers just working at night.

A crane of this size can not just be lowered unless you have about 200' of free space to set the boom down on. The crane has been an issue since the started putting up the castle lights in 2007.

This is about a low as it can go.

 

[C.FERNIE]

how long does it take them to take them down and how how come they do not find a quicker way? or just find some way of embedding them into the castle!

 

[wdwmagic]

how long does it take them to take them down and how how come they do not find a quicker way? or just find some way of embedding them into the castle!

The lights take a week or so. The additional refurb work is taking the extra time.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

how long does it take them to take them down and how how come they do not find a quicker way? or just find some way of embedding them into the castle!

Embedding lights in the castle would present their own maintenance nightmare. As it is, they can barely keep the embedded strobe lights working on a consistent basis.

 

[relots]

Embedding lights in the castle would present their own maintenance nightmare. As it is, they can barely keep the embedded strobe lights working on a consistent basis.

Going from experience of installation work I know this would be a nightmare plus it would take forever to design, install, and test. Then to maintain the lights and equipment would be a hassle. Good idea yes, but it would be a nightmare down the road to take care of if something did break.

 

[jlsHouston]

A crane of this size can not just be lowered unless you have about 200' of free space to set the boom down on. The crane has been an issue since the started putting up the castle lights in 2007.

This is about a low as it can go.

ahhh great pic....beautiful castle with a boom behind it....ahhhh..

 

[Master Yoda]

ahhh great pic....beautiful castle with a boom behind it....ahhhh..

We invented photoshop for this very reason.

 

[midwest_mice]

Any word on what they may be refurbing? painting I am guessing?

 

[GrumpyFan]

As often as they have use for a crane here, I have to wonder if they've looked into buying a self-erecting crane and installing it permanently. With a self-erecting crane, it could be setup each night and then taken down in the morning. I'm not an expert on cranes, but a search on Google turned up at least 3 different manufacturers who build these. It would take a little restructuring of the area around the castle to install one of these, but it seems like it would be a worthwhile investment, considering how often they have to rent one.

This one below is pretty new, and has a height range of 200ft, which would cover the requirement.

 

[Master Yoda]

As often as they have use for a crane here, I have to wonder if they've looked into buying a self-erecting crane and installing it permanently. With a self-erecting crane, it could be setup each night and then taken down in the morning. I'm not an expert on cranes, but a search on Google turned up at least 3 different manufacturers who build these. It would take a little restructuring of the area around the castle to install one of these, but it seems like it would be a worthwhile investment, considering how often they have to rent one.

This one below is pretty new, and has a height range of 200ft, which would cover the requirement.

Most self erecting cranes max out around 120'-130'

 

[GrumpyFan]

Most self erecting cranes max out around 120'-130'

The one pictured is new, and advertises a max of 200ft.
http://www.manitowoccranes.com/en/n...f-erecting-crane-on-display-at-Las-Vegas-show

 

[Master Yoda]

The one pictured is new, and advertises a max of 200ft.
http://www.manitowoccranes.com/en/n...f-erecting-crane-on-display-at-Las-Vegas-show

200' is that max height. It lists a horizontal working length of 50 m, but it does not mention what the horizontal working length is at max height. If it can't go from front to back at that height it will not work.

 

[relots]

The one pictured is new, and advertises a max of 200ft.
http://www.manitowoccranes.com/en/n...f-erecting-crane-on-display-at-Las-Vegas-show

As often as they have use for a crane here, I have to wonder if they've looked into buying a self-erecting crane and installing it permanently. With a self-erecting crane, it could be setup each night and then taken down in the morning. I'm not an expert on cranes, but a search on Google turned up at least 3 different manufacturers who build these. It would take a little restructuring of the area around the castle to install one of these, but it seems like it would be a worthwhile investment, considering how often they have to rent one.

This one below is pretty new, and has a height range of 200ft, which would cover the requirement.

The picture above was taken at the plant in my town so I can drive by and see them testing them and they are able to reach to 200ft. I think though for Disney's purpose they would want it to have a few extra feet just in case. Plus if it was permanent they would want to be able to get it out and hide it away fairly quickly and without much of an issue. I see the view point of people who hate seeing the crane especially the first time people but at the same time I think that some people see it as a unique time to see one of those cranes in action right in front of them.

 

[LucyK]

I can vouch for at least one of those first timers and say they could care less about the crane being there. I pointed it out to my mom on our second MK day and she said she wouldn't even noticed if I hadn't told her, she was just too happy to care. Then again back home when I said I would have to photoshop the crane out she asked why, since it didn't make much of a difference and it was just a crane.

I believe the crane becomes more of a hassle to repeat visitor when the wow factor diminishes a little and we start to take noticed of the little(!) things, first time visitors are more focused on other things.

 

[JohnD]

A crane of this size can not just be lowered unless you have about 200' of free space to set the boom down on. The crane has been an issue since the started putting up the castle lights in 2007.

This is about a low as it can go.

How about raising it so it fits neatly behind the central spire. Or course, this only works if you're looking at the castle straight-on from Main Street. Any other angle and you would see the crane.

 

[ToTBellHop]

How about raising it so it fits neatly behind the central spire. Or course, this only works if you're looking at the castle straight-on from Main Street. Any other angle and you would see the crane.

And place the crane on top of the carousel?

For the whiners, there is also a crane visible by Splash Mountain. Shall we complain about that and the scaffolding ruining your pictures?