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.
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Are you surprised that Disney World has stopped its construction? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
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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.