Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/Latest-ID-82082.asp" target="_blank"><b>Latest: Track Completed at Seven Dwarfs Mine Train</b></a> <p>Disney has announced the track for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is now completed laid. Below is a picture from Imagineering of one of the last pieces going in.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" width="450" src="http://laughingplace.com/files/latest/20130605-1.jpg" /><br />{big}</p>
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt How many years has it taken? I feel like the Mine Train construction project has been going on forever.
Originally Posted By dagobert I alwways have the impression that Disney attraction take a longer time to be built than Universal's.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<How many years has it taken? I feel like the Mine Train construction project has been going on forever. >> It's been about 2.5 years or so.
Originally Posted By LuvsDsnyTrips I want to see this. In December...I poked my head thru every board I could to see this..
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 So all we need now is the rest of the Mt. to be finished and then the cottage. Woo Hoo!!!
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: Actually, they only have 6 dwarves building it. Sleepy is always sleeping on the job and refuses to work!
Originally Posted By TP2000 So this will open in early '14 about six months before Universal opens their Potter expansion with Hogwarts Express train ride and Gringotts Bank Coaster thrill ride? Yeah... that's not gonna be a problem for WDW at all.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<So this will open in early '14 about six months before Universal opens their Potter expansion with Hogwarts Express train ride and Gringotts Bank Coaster thrill ride? >> Less than 6 months, most likely.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Assuming that Universal can meet what seems like a very aggressive development schedule.
Originally Posted By TP2000 What's really scary is that there's a small army of cubicle drones in Lake Buena Vista office buildings prepping a major media blitz for this modest D Ticket family coaster. They'll loop it in with the Princess PhotoPass Experience opening in the old Snow White dark ride building, and hype this to the moon as the next big thing for New Fantasyland and "the biggest expansion in Magic Kingdom history". Puke. And then a few months later, either 5 months or 7 months it doesn't really matter, Universal Studios will open the mega-themed expansion of the Potter universe with the Hogwarts Express virtual reality steam train ride linking to the new London street scene and Gringotts Bank Coaster thrill ride. Meanwhile, the only major project going on at WDW is the new Sephora and a Darden Corporation themed carbo-loading restaurant coming to Disney Springs in 2015. Keep up the great work, TDO!
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: Don't forget about Avatar Land coming to Animal Kingdom! ORGOCH: Sure wish I COULD fergit 'bout that awful Lava-Tar Land comin' ta Animcal Cracker Kingdom!!!
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "A then a months later, either 5 months or 7 months it doesn't really matter, Universal Studios will open the mega-themed expansion of the Potter universe with the Hogwarts Express virtual reality steam train ride linking to the new London street scene and Gringotts Bank Coaster thrill ride. " And the MK will still end the year with almost double the attendance of Universal as the world's number 1 theme park. Disney has absolutely nothing to be concerned about. "Don't forget about Avatar Land coming to Animal Kingdom." Why do I get the impression that the only reason Disney agreed to the Avatar project was to prevent it from being shopped elsewhere?
Originally Posted By leemac <<Assuming that Universal can meet what seems like a very aggressive development schedule.>> It isn't particularly aggressive. Uni are using the same contractors that Disney use but instead they outsource the project management aspect and therefore can build far quicker than WDW Co. PCL are an exceptional contractor - I've yet to see them make a major mistake in 15 years in the industry.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Uni are using the same contractors that Disney use but instead they outsource the project management aspect and therefore can build far quicker than WDW Co"., Can you elaborate on how the difference project management makes it faster?
Originally Posted By FerretAfros While I don't know the details of the Disney or Universal contracts, when a project is contracted as design/build it gives a lot more flexibility to make quick decisions and work at a faster pace. For example, if something pops up in the field that requires a small-ish design change, the change can be implemented more-or-less immediately, instead of needing to go back to the designer and get it all done again. From my understanding, Tischman had a design/build contract on much of EPCOT Center's initial construction. This allowed them the scheduling flexibility required for such a big project and its many facets. For example, they strategically poured the concrete walkways in seemingly-random parts of the park as construction wrapped up there; by opening day, they had paved the entire park, with over 600,000 sf of pavement, which wouldn't have been possible under a traditional contract where the walkways were given to a separate builder, who would need to work in a more straightforward manner
Originally Posted By leemac Uni outsource all elements of construction - they only have the creative development in-house and some technical folks - it isn't cost-effective for them to retain a team dedicated to delivery. WDP&R still have delivery specialists - it has been downsized over the years but the basis engineering elements are still all in-house. It makes for a far harder construction program when you have a project split between company employees and outside contractors. WDI still provide project management for attraction construction and that is far more meticulous than PCL's own PMO. That doesn't mean that PCL cut corners - it just means they are far more efficient than WDI. WDI PMO has no incentive to come in under budget or early - they are scheduled to work on that engagement until the end. PCL execs are remunerated based on exceeding certain targets - both financial and non-financial.
Originally Posted By TP2000 Sounds like a mess at Imagineering leemac. And yet whenever WDI lays people off, the fans scream in bloody horror that they are killing the dream factory that Walt built. I never quite get that. Take animatronics. Yeah, Walt had his boys create the first ones fifty years ago. But now firms like Garner Holt make it their sole business, and deliver top products and competitive rates. And the results are fabulous, as Radiator Springs Racers can attest. Did Garner Holt also do the animatronics in the new Mystic Point ride? Those are amazing. WDI does amazing work, to be sure. But I do always wonder what these high paid celebrities like Baxter or Rhode do all day? Do they sit around dreaming up blue sky E Tickets that will never get built? Do they help Kim Irvine pick out new wallpaper for the latest Emporium remodel? If they aren't actively working on current projects headed to a park in the next three years, what is their purpose? I see Baxter tool around Villa Park in his Land Rover or company Cadillac with the gold Disneyland VIP parking stickers on the windshields. He lives a good life, but what does he do? (And yes, he's "retired" now, but I'm using him as an easy example.)
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "WDP&R still have delivery specialists - it has been downsized over the years but the basis engineering elements are still all in-house. It makes for a far harder construction program when you have a project split between company employees and outside contractors. WDI still provide project management for attraction construction and that is far more meticulous than PCL's own PMO. That doesn't mean that PCL cut corners - it just means they are far more efficient than WDI. WDI PMO has no incentive to come in under budget or early - they are scheduled to work on that engagement until the end. PCL execs are remunerated based on exceeding certain targets - both financial and non-financial." English please.
