Replacing the Quadro M6000 in my workstation...two thumb screws, one phillips head....time to do...15 minutes....cost $4700 for parts alone.
Exactly, so if you include the raising of the $4,700 into the total operation, you have something that is probably not "easy". First, diagnose the problem. Then, raise a bunch of money. Then, take 15 minutes to install this new component. Designing and building a new yeti is apparently very expensive, from what everyone seems to be saying. Raising that money is apparently not "easy" due to departmental squabbling, but that's just the first step. Once it is designed and completely built, many seem to say that it would be "easy" to install. I still think we would have a pretty lengthy shutdown even under that scenario.
Taking out the old one will likely take at least a day under the best of circumstances, and I can't imagine Disney would allow the ride to operate while that is going on. Then, installing a new machine that large will be fraught with potential problems. The moving parts will also have to be connected, which always takes more time than people would like. Testing a huge machine on a fast moving ride that thousands of people are around everyday will take lots of time beyond that.
An apt comparison would be when the two halves of the cruise ships are connected. It's delicate and careful work, but technically the two huge halves can be joined in one day. But then all the electrical, plumbing, ventilation, mechanical, and hydraulic components have to be connected and tested. That process assuredly takes a long time in the shipyard. Replacing the yeti is not like replacing a light bulb; it's more like connecting two halves of a ship. Things will assuredly go wrong. Unseen stuff and complex components will have to be connected by various trades people (plumbers, electricians, etc . . .). Testing will have to done under dozens of different temperatures and other variables. I would hazard to guess that EE would be down for at least a month. If everything went perfectly well, which is highly unlikely, I would hope that it could be done in a week. Again, one wrong move, and your $100,000,000 attraction is out for months. Remember what happened when Miller Park in Milwaukee had a crane collapse? Without excruciating care, that's what could go wrong with the yeti. Being that careful will assuredly take time, and they have to be that careful.
Meanwhile, if it was just a matter of money, Walt, Roy or Eisner would have had the authority to order it done. I think Iger has the authority and personality to force it, but taking down the attraction pre-Pandora would have been economically devastating to the park.
