Recession slows some construction at Disney World — but not all

Saturday’s newspaper carried a story looking at how construction at Walt Disney World has slowed amid the weak economy. Data from the Reedy Creek Improvement District show building permit activity during the past year fell 25 percent from a year ago and total value of construction permitted fell 61 percent (from $409.4 million to $158.7 million).

So what IS getting built? Here’s a look at some of the biggest projects that Reedy Creek has permitted over the last year (according to monthly reports that the district’s building department submits to its board of supervisors):

– Upgrade facility controls, ride controls and smoke control at Space Mountain (valued at $12.3 million)

– Renovate rooms at Disney’s BoardWalk Villas ($4.4 million), the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort ($3.7 million), Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort ($2.8 million), Disney’s Yacht Club Resort ($2.5 million) and the Shades of Green Resort ($1.5 million)

– Install hardscape and infrastructure for Flamingo Crossings ($2.6 million)

– Resume construction of a Holiday Inn ($1.8 million)

– Demolish the Magic Kingdom Skyway building in Tomorrowland and renovate restrooms ($1.1 million)

– Repair exterior stair towers at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa ($1 million)

– Build a new bus stop at Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas ($741,000)

– Replace the roof at the Team Disney executive office building ($703,000)

– Replace the roof at the Pinocchio Village Haus restaurant in the Fantasyland section of the Magic Kingdom ($643,000)

– Refurbish the Mickey’s Star Traders gift shop in Tomorrowland ($500,000)

– Repair the Catastrophe Canyon section of the Studio Backlot Tour at Disney’s Hollywood Studios ($475,000)

– Upgrade ride controls, exit lighting and smoke control at the Universe of Energy pavilion in Epcot ($474,000)

– Refurbish the Villains room in the World of Disney store at Downtown Disney ($395,000)

– Install KUKA robot arms for The Sum of All Thrills at Epcot ($276,000)

(NOTE: This isn’t a comprehensive list.)