Magic Kingdom Trip Report March 14th 2015

This is a report of our trip to Magic Kingdom. It will document new construction as well as some right place / right time shots as well.

So here goes:

Was at Magic Kingdom parking lot around 1pm on Sat March 14th. Just happened to look up from car as we were getting out and snapped this quick pic.
It's Cinderella's Coach being transported backstage along World Drive. I was parked at North-East corner of Magic Kingdom parking lot at TTC.

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

I have a hunch the tree was removed because people kept missing the sign.

Yes, I think the same thing.

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

Weird - are the names off of the stones on the MK logo?

The red stones that are all over the entrance to the area are still there, like the walkway to the ferry, buses, etc. I don't believe the names were ever in the area of the MK Logo, that I recall at least. I will have to research my pics though. I have been going monthly for the last three years or so and doesn't cross my mind.

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

Weird - are the names off of the stones on the MK logo?

Here's a pic of the name stones all around the entrance area. They are kept back from the true entrance to MK though. They are at the bottom of the picture. They are the brownish red hex shaped ones.

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

Appropos of nothing, and I know it's not typically appropriate to comment on random guests as they appear in photos, but can I just say how much I love the image of the man on the far left, with his arms spread and an expression of pure, unbridled joy on his face? This is exactly how I feel every time we arrive in the Magic Kingdom!

My wife saw him and said to me. That is how you feel each time we come here right? I said, why YES!!! Any day I can be at WDW is a good day.

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

I assume it was being brought to a wedding somewhere on property.

I was thinking the same thing. Perhaps there was a morning wedding at the Pavilion and it was being taken to backstage of MK when we saw it go by.

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

As added bonus Saturday was a Dapper Day. Realized this once we started seeing the sea of old fashioned attire. At first, for a moment though we were going to be caught in some sort of flash mob thingy. Some were better than others of course. Saw three kids ranging from about 10 to 18 and they were all three dressed to the early 1900's complete with hats, leggings, briefcase and cane. They were really in character. Others not so much.

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

Another weird thing. When my son purchased an item in the Emporium he was carded. CM asked him for an ID. We said, what???? How are we supposed to get that. CM said, well it is procedure for me to ask for it but will let it go this time. I said I know it is an option to get a state ID for a child. But, did not realize it was now mandatory before a chilc can purchase here with their passholder discount. FYI, CM's do not ask for ID when giving a child their Annual Pass in the first place. Which we had just received prior to park entry this day. My thoughts is that it was just a by the book CM or something else that I can't post here.

 

[wdwdude1]

Here are some shots around the new hub at mid-day.
View from Main Street towards Castle.
View attachment 87156

A new tree in the hub. Looks to be similar to the trees in Tomorrowland. At least in dormant mode.View attachment 87157

View looking toward the east from the south end of the hub. Looking into the new East Garden FP location.View attachment 87159 View attachment 87160
In the Outer Hub Ring looking North East.View attachment 87161 View attachment 87162

Another angle looking to the South East back into the East Garden area from the outer hub ring towards Tomorrowland.View attachment 87163 View attachment 87164
Nice shot of one of the fountains looking towards the Castle
View attachment 87166

I have a question. Are the railings still being installed on the East side of the new hub area, specifically the fastpass+ viewing area? I noticed the West side fastpass+ viewing area has railings around all of the landscaping but the East side does not. Just curious. Great update and pics by the way!

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

I have a question. Are the railings still being installed on the East side of the new hub area, specifically the fastpass+ viewing area? I noticed the West side fastpass+ viewing area has railings around all of the landscaping but the East side does not. Just curious. Great update and pics by the way!

Thanks! Yes, the East side of the hub is still being worked on near the castle (north east quarter of the hub), as well as the West side of the hub near the castle (north west quarter). The East FP viewing area by tomorrow land has all of it's railings. They were working on the gardens in the direct center of the hub, specifically on the railings there. They were up last week or so and then they were taken down at the end of last week to be fixed. Both fastpass viewing areas are shown earlier in this post and still have their railings.

 

[wdwdude1]

Thanks! Yes, the East side of the hub is still being worked on near the castle (north east quarter of the hub), as well as the West side of the hub near the castle (north west quarter). The East FP viewing area by tomorrow land has all of it's railings. They were working on the gardens in the direct center of the hub, specifically on the railings there. They were up last week or so and then they were taken down at the end of last week to be fixed. Both fastpass viewing areas are shown earlier in this post and still have their railings.

Awesome thanks!

 

[mrdrift]

Thanks for the update on the improvements done at the Magic Kingdom and the still standing construction walls. You have shown many details that we have forward to look for once we all go back to the park.

 

[Tom]

I, for one, think the hub looks absolutely fantastic!

 

[FlaggNL]

Appropos of nothing, and I know it's not typically appropriate to comment on random guests as they appear in photos, but can I just say how much I love the image of the man on the far left, with his arms spread and an expression of pure, unbridled joy on his face? This is exactly how I feel every time we arrive in the Magic Kingdom!

You are so right! That expression is exactly how we felt last October and absolutely will fell next October

 

[FlaggNL]

Thanks for the update! Can't wait to take our own pictures next October

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I was at the MK on the 14th too. I didn't see myself in any of your pictures though! LOL! I thought a lot of the Dapper Day people were really cool to see, and some of them had on great outfits, some were even dapper and disneybounding. I saw some girls with Teacup designed skirts, and Mary and Burt too. I did not like that they had a mass meet up at 8pm at the carousel. They line for that was crazy, all the way to the bridge by the 7D mine train for a long time!

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

I was at the MK on the 14th too. I didn't see myself in any of your pictures though! LOL! I thought a lot of the Dapper Day people were really cool to see, and some of them had on great outfits, some were even dapper and disneybounding. I saw some girls with Teacup designed skirts, and Mary and Burt too. I did not like that they had a mass meet up at 8pm at the carousel. They line for that was crazy, all the way to the bridge by the 7D mine train for a long time!

Haha. I would love to see the reaction to the managers that review the guest counts for rides. When they get to the CoP daily count. No, that can't be right, run the numbers again. No, still not right. Run them again. How can ride counts surpass any other rides.

Was talking to my wife and thought it would have been cool to see someone dressed as Walt and giving a tour to guests dressed in period costume as well. I think that would be pretty cool to recreate. I gotta start working on my Walt mannerisms for next year. LOL

 

[JasonDeyoung]

Another weird thing. When my son purchased an item in the Emporium he was carded. CM asked him for an ID. We said, what???? How are we supposed to get that. CM said, well it is procedure for me to ask for it but will let it go this time. I said I know it is an option to get a state ID for a child. But, did not realize it was now mandatory before a chilc can purchase here with their passholder discount. FYI, CM's do not ask for ID when giving a child their Annual Pass in the first place. Which we had just received prior to park entry this day. My thoughts is that it was just a by the book CM or something else that I can't post here.

I never get carded when I'm there unless I use my Passholder discount then they always ask for the discount card and possibly an Id

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

I never get carded when I'm there unless I use my Passholder discount then they always ask for the discount card and possibly an Id

Yes, it was for passholder. I understand the need to ask for ID. But, it just seems weird that they as for it for a child at the store when using the discount, but not at the ticket window when giving child their pass to start with. Seems like they should ask for it at both locations. If it becomes an issue at future purchases I guess I'll just have to make all of my child's purchases instead of letting them make their own.

 

[ShookieJones]

Thanks for all the pics and updates on recent construction. Good stuff.

Is it strange that I associate the blue sky and puffy white clouds (so prevalent in these pics) with a WDW vacation as much as the castle, main street shops and other sites?

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

Thanks for all the pics and updates on recent construction. Good stuff.

Is it strange that associate the blue sky and puffy white clouds (so prevalent in these pics) with a WDW vacation as much as the castle, main street shops and other sites?

So, true. Weather was great this past Saturday. 10% rain chance with temps in the mid to upper 80's.

I'll take any weather so long as I am at WDW, but pics like this make trips even better.