Disney and Universal Studios fans hoped one silver lining of the current theme park closures in California and Florida would be that work crews would have unfettered access to tackle a variety of construction and maintenance projects.
Disney theme parks in California and Florida remain closed “until further notice” due to the global health crisis, while Universal’s U.S. parks officially remain closed through “at least May 31.”
When it comes to the COVID-19 crisis, the theme park giants have taken opposite approaches to major new attractions for 2020 and beyond: Disney has largely halted construction while Universal continues working on ongoing projects.
The construction decisions principally come down to differing corporate approaches to the pandemic. In short, Disney has chosen to batten down the hatches during the storm while Universal has decided to spend its way out of the crisis.
In line with direction from government and health officials, the temporary closure of the Disneyland Resort includes construction sites and maintenance projects, Disney officials said in a statement.
Universal Parks & Resorts chairman and CEO Tom Williams told employees in March that construction projects at its theme parks around the globe would “all remain active and on track under protocols established by government officials and with their support.”
All theme park companies are facing the same decision as the coronavirus pandemic stretches toward the busy summer season: Press forward or pull back.
Theme park industry expert Frank Stanek urged theme parks to “keep moving forward” during the global pandemic, urging Disney and Universal to continue with ongoing projects in anticipation of an eventual recovery.
“Now is not the time to regress or ‘pull-back’ from moving forward with projects that are tourism, entertainment or visitor-related,” wrote Stanek, an executive advisor with the Producers Group, in an open letter to the theme park industry. “In fact, this is an ideal time to continue the development of well thought out projects, having attractive, market appealing concepts, sound business plans, and execution strategy.”
The Disneyland Resort has halted construction on the Avengers Campus themed land and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway dark ride while postponing renovation work on the Haunted Mansion, Snow White’s Scary Adventures and King Arthur Carrousel amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Universal Studios Hollywood was just a few weeks from opening the Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash dark ride when the park was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Construction work continues on the ongoing Super Nintendo World projects in California, Florida and Japan, according to the Universal statement to employees.
The Walt Disney World Resort shuttered most construction operations in mid-March due to coronavirus concerns, according to the Orlando Business Journal. Construction work continues on the Reflections Disney Vacation Resort property, according to OBJ.
Disney World was working on a number of 2020 projects when the four Florida theme parks closed amid the COVID-19 pandemic — including the Space 220 restaurant, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure dark ride, Harmonious nighttime spectacular and Cinderella Castle makeover. Major 2021 Disney World projects well underway included the Tron Lightcycle Power Run, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster, and Star Wars hotel.
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Let’s Hear From You
While the world seems essentially shut down due to “safer at home” orders, do you think that Universal is taking a smart approach by continuing theme park construction? Or is Disney’s abundance of caution the best route? And, while it looks like Universal’s projects will all be completed on schedule, do you think all of Disney’s projects will be completed, or will some of the currently announced plans be canceled or indefinitely delayed? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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