Disneyland construction crews return for limited ‘essential work’ during coronavirus closure
Disney construction crews have returned to resume limited “essential work” on Avengers Campus and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway while the Anaheim theme parks remain closed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In line with direction from government and health officials, essential work will be performed periodically by limited crews to protect Avengers Campus, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway and other projects at the Disneyland resort, according to Disney officials.
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Disney’s two Anaheim theme parks, three hotels and outdoor shopping mall remain closed until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The limited construction marks the first step toward ramping up work at the Disneyland resort as Disney prepares for the eventual reopening of its Anaheim theme parks.
The skeleton crews will be weather protecting the Avengers Campus project at Disney California Adventure and receiving steel deliveries for the Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway dark ride at Disneyland. The work crews at the Anaheim parks will include some Disneyland employees, Walt Disney Imagineering staffers and third-party contractors.
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A pair of Downtown Disney refurbishment projects are also underway at the Sanuk sandal store and one of the Starbucks coffee shops. Both projects were in the works before the coronavirus closure of Downtown Disney and the rest of the Disneyland resort.
Disney halted construction at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure following the coronavirus closures of the Anaheim theme parks in mid-March.
Work has not resumed on the Haunted Mansion, Snow White’s Scary Adventures, King Arthur Carrousel and Disneyland hub refurbishment projects that were underway before the closure of the parks, according to Disney officials.
The previously announced July 18 opening date for the new Avengers Campus themed land coming to Disney California Adventure has been delayed, according to Disney officials. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Disneyland’s Toontown is scheduled to debut in 2022.
The delivery of steel for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is a good sign for Disney dark ride fans. It suggests the long-term project is moving forward and that vertical construction could begin soon on the graded construction site behind Mickey’s Toontown. Disney has paused $900 million in construction and refurbishment projects at its theme parks as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, according to the company’s latest quarterly report.
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