refurbs or sneaky cost cuts?

[eeyoreguy]

screamscape.net speculates that Disney may be cutting attraction costs by saying theyre "refurbs".

"According to an insider Disney may be planning on putting a few extra attractions into lengthy rehabs in 2009. This isn’t because they are falling apart or need the extra work, instead it may be their way of putting a friendly disguise over a new cost cutting concept. The idea is that they can shutting down some of the most costly to run attraction for longer than necessary in order to save money here and there from not having to operate them. One such rehab being given the eye as a possible test concept may be the Backlot Tour at the Hollywood Studios, which would cut the cost of not only running the trams, but also the expensive power and gas bill that comes from Catastrophe Canyon. Another attraction that already seems to have been put under wraps is the Universe of Energy at Epcot, which is already listed as being closed through March. There may be an even darker force at work here, as some recall that 20,000 Leagues was also shut down an “extended rehab” and then it just never reopened again. This has got people wondering if we might see another attraction quietly fade away in the same manor."

[Skywatcher]

Like wonders of life is s'pose

[Beccaberry]

I miss WoL

[eeyoreguy]

Jan 16th - Disney today filed some papers for the demolition of Fitness Fairgrounds (one of the interior show components) inside the already closed Wonders of Life. Wonders of Life Pavilion is currently being used for special events, such as Flower and Garden Festival and Food and Wine.

sigh

[Beccaberry]

Demolition...such and ugly word

[PsychoAlice]

Hmm I wonder what Big John has to think about this "speculation"

[Britchick]

there do seem to be a lot of refurbs at the moment.

[PsychoAlice]

Its down season though...is there more things down now than there were last year?

The Hall of Presidents - 11/1/08 - 7/1/09
We do have a new president...

Splash Mountain - 1/4/09 - 1/18/09
Rather have them do it in the winter..and its just for 2 weeks

Mickey's Philharmagic - 1/18 - 2/6/09
When I was there in September this place needed a good scrub down...

Pecos Bills - 1/17- 2/20/09
Maybe the fryers need replacing?

The Liberty Square Riverboat is going to be closed from February 19 - 28, 2009
The one is Disneyland is always down for 101 because they are having to fix things that people mess with.

Buzz Lightyear 3/2 – 3/6/09
Maybe there is an update on the computer that runs it...

Space Mountain 4/19/2009-late 2009
Maybe a year and a half...the one in Disneyland was closed for 3 years for its major overhaul.

Tomorrowland Transit Authority - 4/19/09 - 8/19/09
How old is this ride? Maybe they are updating it!

Backlot Tour - January 4 – February 28, 2009
Wasnt there a rumor going around that they were going to take this out?

Voyage of the Little Mermaid January 27-29, 2009
New paint? new puppets? Fixing and cleaning the puppets they already have?

Sounds Dangerous- temporarily closed, operates seasonally

Please realize that John Lassiter and Al Weiss are still trying to clean up Michael Eisners mess

[BigThunder]

Oh I hope Universe of Energy isn't going to close for good. I love that one. I love Ellen! I really wanted to do it this past trip, I like to see how young she was in it, lol. But alas, it was closed. So is WoL pavillion closed for good now?

[Tink]

We were talking about this over the weekend (well, Sunday to be exact while walking around the WS).

I would imagine there is some room to think that the economy is bad, so folks are out of work due to layoffs (effectively reducing the workforce resulting in longer time needed to complete tasks) and it may be that same reason that might be delaying parts needed to repair broken items in the attractions?

Not saying that is so, mind just sharing our thoughts.

EPCOT was exceptionally busy yesterday for the time of year. Many groups, it seemed. Several Brazilian and several school groups (US). Spaceship Earth had a wicked line!