The construction cranes were still surrounding Cinderella Castle on Monday, the first day of Disney World’s temporary closure. Was it a sign Disney might be continuing on with some of its many projects that are currently underway?
Magic Kingdom Today
It appears not. According to the Orlando Business Journal, Disney has halted all construction due to the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping our country.
In recent days, health and government officials have placed even tighter restrictions on public gatherings. What was once groups of no more than 250 could assemble for the next 8 weeks quickly became groups of 50 and the latest number has been reduced to 10. This new safety recommendation has come at a time when Disney World has several construction projects in the works for its 50th-anniversary celebration happening in 2021.
Cinderella Castle Construction
While Disney has yet to release an official statement, Mark Wylie, president and CEO of the Central Florida chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors Inc. says these new limitations will make construction nearly impossible to carry on at Disney World. Central Florida construction sites have begun to shut down due to these closures. According to WFTV 9, construction workers were let go from places like Buena Vista Construction after the parks shut down. The Disney affiliated company deals with park maintenance and repairs, which have currently been halted.
Dreamers Point construction
There’s some hope for “less intensive projects” such as Cinderella Castle’s refurbishment which might be able to continue on, but according to Wylie, Disney’s larger projects such as Epcot’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, as well as the new Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, could be impacted by this disruption.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Postponing construction could also drastically affect the timeframe Disney had originally planned for these new attractions to open. We could possibly see grand opening dates for Disney’s upcoming attractions pushed back as a direct result.
This would include work on the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel that is scheduled to open in 2021 as well as the massive Epcot Transformation, Space 220 Restaurant, Spaceship Earth’s refurbishment which was slated to take kick-off starting in May. We might also see Magic Kingdom’s TRON Lightcycle Run, once expected to be open in time for Disney World’s 50th-anniversary deferred.
TRON Coaster at Magic Kingdom
While no delayed openings are confirmed, it is simply a possibility since they aren’t able to proceed with construction at the moment. We’ll continue to update you as this story unfolds including if or when Disney makes an announcement regarding the construction of its upcoming attractions and experiences, so stay tuned.
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun!
Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!
With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs!
With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet.
Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Your order will include a FREE instant download of the 2020 Edition of the Guide!
Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today!
Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. 🙂
Are you surprised that Disney World has stopped its construction? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
Subscribe via RSS
Subscribe via email
Here is what I don’t understand. I have an apartment complex being built right by me and they haven’t stopped construction on that but because it’s Disney they have to stop? Doesn’t make sense sorry
How many people at a time do they need to work on Space220? This is disappointing.
This should be the optimum time period to do construction, not shutting it down. Except for the morning (or shift) safety briefing, construction workers are outside and not in large groups: one person operating a piece of equipment, tying rebar, directing beam placement, etc. It makes no sense.
If park closures are extended then I would say most definitely. I would also think the Spaceship Earth closing date would also be postponed.
It’s too bad they couldn’t have taken this as an opportunity to enhance construction efforts since the parks are empty. To me it’s just another example of an excessive abundance of caution. I wish WDW financial health during this time and look forward to visiting ASAP!
The news you provide is great but very difficult to read with adds placed every 4 or 5 lines. In the “Disney World Has STOPPED Construction” story alone there were five advertisements (six if you count the banner at the bottom.) scattered amongst only about 11 sentences. Give your readers a break. Keep this up and we will have to look elsewhere for Disney news.
I think this was a wise decision. Why? Because I value the health and lives of the construction workers and their families. In addition, we all have a responsibility to help flatten the curve. Let’s not be selfish. We all have to make sacrifices.
When I talked to the cast member today because we rebooked for August he told me construction is happening in smaller groups but remain on schedule. Let’s hope we get to go in August.