How Do You Keep Up on Lastest WDW Construcion?

I guess the title says it all. I ask because I watched a new Disney video on YouTube today about all the construction going on at the Magic Kingdom park, that contained actual video of typical Disney construction walls up (including the railroad entrance at the park entry) in a lot of places. It left me with the impression that more is going on than at any other time I’ve ever been there before. So I signed on to MDE and used Disney’s Day Calendar for a look see. All it showed for closures at MK right now were Big Thunder Mountain and Astro Orbitor, and nothing else. The YouTube video however clearly showed a lot more going on right now than Disney’s MDE revealed, including the Swiss Family Robinson site, frontier land, tomorrow land as well as a few gift shop refurbishments. We have a trip planned in a month and now I am wondering if maybe we should not go. So is there a way to find out what is really going on construction-wise at all Disney parks besides only what Disney wants to reveal via their Day Calendar disclosures, or am I making much ado about nothing? I’ve been at WDW before and seen their construction walls up, but this time it seemed much more prevalent than I’m comfortable with. Thanks in advance for any advice.

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We mostly go to DLR and because of that my sources for an update at that level are DLR focused, but it is going to be a blogger/vlogger (like the one you found on YouTube) that will have the most ‘on-the-ground’ updates for walls up for things unrelated to ride refurbishments.

Likely a lot of those walls are areas that just need some paint/paving or whatever TLC or prep for bigger projects coming and they schedule it during the lowest crowd season possible (which is historically January).

Unless it’s a once in a lifetime trip (and maybe even then still) I wouldn’t cancel the whole trip over it. There will still be plenty picturesque views in other places and many fun things to do.

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Unfortunately I spent time this morning scanning thru the Hours & Events Calendar on MDE for the week we are planning to go. At MK the Festival of Fantasy parade is not scheduled at all, and the night time fireworks is not showing either. Now I’m really suspicious. Either Disney is doing a poor job updating their calendars, or this is shaping up right now as a poor time to go. :face_with_raised_eyebrow:

I have subscribed to AllEars’s email and through that get frequent news updates about all the things that happen at WDW.

Disney is not going to post closures on a location that is permanently closed, they’re just going to delete it - like in Frontier Land the Shootin’ Arcade closed to make way for a DVC lounge (which is under construction). Another example is in Adventureland the former Pirate’s League space near the exit of PoTC, they are building a lounge.

I usually use the Touring Plans Refurb Calendar to get an idea of what’s going on. I’ll also look at the Touring Plans Crowd Calendar. The Disney Food Blog weekly video released on Saturday’s has a bit at the end talking about what to expect if you’re going this week. During that they typically talk about all of the closures.

For the Disney Hours & Events Calendar - I’m not sure how far in advance they update it for entertainment. I thought it was 60 days, which puts your trip within the time frame that things should be listed. The only reason there wouldn’t be entertainment is if there is an after hours party or something going on that day.

What are your specific days? Maybe we can crowdsource what’s going on.

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I don’t go as often as probably most Liners but it seems to me that Disney does a lot of tweaking to its calendar based on ticket sales, etc. I expect park hours for spring break to change between now and then. Unless there’s a documented reason that a nighttime spectacular or parade is not happening, I wouldn’t worry. The Touring Plans list of closures and refurbs is a great resource.

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I keep an eye on wdwmagic.com and blogmickey.com . They both post numerous news articles most days about doings at WDW, including construction updates and photos. Often they mention things that seem fairly minor and aren’t mentioned on the official Disney site, yet you would definitely notice them if you were there. They each had an article with photos about the construction walls up at the Main St. USA railroad station on 1/15.

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Thanks for pointing out the various sites one can check to see what is going on construction-wise. That was helpful, especially in all 4 parks, not just MK. We all have our own personal opinions, but it seems to me that there is a lot more going on right now at WDW than I’ve noticed before.

As an aside, we had an irritating experience with Disney’s scheduling disclosures a few years ago which is a reason why I’m still so suspicious. We’ve learned to enjoy watching YeHaa Bob at POR lounge when we go to WDW. A couple of years ago we actually did a slit stay at the POR resort for our very last night, one that he was also scheduled to be performing. But someone else was at the piano that night, and he was no YeHaa :stuck_out_tongue_closed_eyes: … for those of you who know what I mean. Our waiter told us Bob was on vacation that week. Good for Bob, he earned it! When we checked into POR earlier that afternoon, I got one of those welcoming text messages from the resort manager. So I decided to do what he asked for, and gave him some feedback expressing my displeasure with their inability to keep their resort schedules up to-date, and that I would not have done a slit stay if they had. To our our surprise,and Disney’s credit, the phone in our room rang about 9:30 that night. It was the Resort manger (Bob Berko, I think it was) calling me to personally explain what was going on, apologize, and that he was unaware of Bob’s schedule not being correct. Before we left Orlando the next the next morning, I looked for the POR schedule on MDE. Sure enough YeHaa’s schedule was changed showing “no performance” for that evening. True story.

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This is very common. They do not usually post these very far in advance. Nothing to be worried about.

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