A New Transportation & Ticket Center

[Andrew25]

This might not be the most interesting/creative Blue Sky idea... but I think it's one of the most crucial experiences at WDW.

I don't think it's controversial to say that the current iteration of the TTC is a shell of itself and is underutilized.

This new version of the TTC will improve the guest experience and clean the aesthetics of the area through improved greenery, shade structures, and new thematic choices.

The Aesthetic - A similar design choice to the mature yet whimsical take on Shanghai Disneyland's DisneyTown shopping/entertainment area. The old ticketing windows will be completely removed, with guest relations and ticketing relocated off to the side.

Improved Tram/Parking/Bus/Drop Off Experience

• Not pictured, is an improved experience of the parking lot tram. This includes sheltered load stations at the TTC and the parking lot itself. In addition to improved signage, new trees will line the parking lot tram routes to provide shade during those hot Florida days (and will improve aesthetics). A new covered walkway will line the current tram route from the disability parking area to the TTC tram bridge.
• The bus loading station for 3rd party services will add more sheltered areas along with more greenery
• Traffic Circles - anyone who has driven into MK, knows it can be nerve-wracking since the entry/exit roads can be confusing to first-time users. Specifically, the exit road to get you onto Floridian Way and then World Drive. I'd put either a large traffic circle here or traffic lights (that can be changed by a cast member or automated to match crowd flows at MK). Either way, something needs to be done here since it can get messy.
• Sheltered and expanded load stations at the TTC for both trams.
• It seems like Disabled Parking is always filled to capacity, even on slow days, so Disney might need to expand this section or relocate. Either way, they need to provide shade and resting areas here.

Improved Security Screening Experience

• Currently, it's an unattractive arrival experience with no shade or clear signage to direct guests. This plan will finally provide a more 'rigid' structure to the entirety of the screening process with improved queue structure, clear signage, and permanent posts for security.
• On the map, you can see that there will be two security screening areas with each having their own proper queue areas (sheltered). On the majority of days you'd only need to run one queue with B closed off most of the time.

Improved Monorail Queue & Boarding

• A new permanent queue for the express line will be built where the existing ticketing facilities are now. This new queue will feature gardens and covered structures to provide shade and a cleaner look to the area. As you can see on the map, two sides of the queues are surrounded by greenery so that it can easily be closed off when not in use. (There's a direct path from security to the express monorail when the queue is no longer required beyond the morning rush).
• The monorail loading platform will be cleaned up with organized "holding pens" to ensure each train is loaded correctly and comfortably. The exit side of the platform will be expanded to avoid the current bottleneck that happens. (the exit down ramp stays the same, but the actual exit platform is too "skinny" to accommodate everyone.

MK Ferry

• Similar to the monorail, just a general cleanup of how Disney organizes the queue/crowds with more sheltered queuing available.

Food & Shopping

• A new "Paradise-Pier" area (just the name, not aesthetic) is added between the MK ferry and monorail station along the Seven Seas waterfront. This will include food & beverage offerings serving favorite theme park snacks and retail locations serving more nostalgia-geared merchandise. Could add a "WDW History Museum" that displays artifacts/ride vehicles from the past.
• A new lounge called 'WDW71 Lounge' will operate similarly to the Nomad Lounge at DAK, but with a Disney Parks twist featuring different themed rooms to favorite fan attractions and 'wish list' experiences (Haunted Mansion Parlor, Hollywood Tower Hotel, Carousel of Progress, 20K Leagues Under the Sea, Horizons, etc.)
• Joffrey's Coffee will be expanded to a larger space with seating.

You may be wondering if this will cannibalize sales at either Disney Springs or WDW parks/hotels, but I see this as an additional opportunity for WDW to take advantage (in a good way) of its fan base and celebrate its culture/history. The 'Paradise Pier' section can be very popular with APs that are blocked out during those long stretches of blackouts during Spring Break and the Holidays.

Other Notes & Comments:

• The layout above for the 'Paradise Pier' section is just an initial concept. Ideally, there would be a path that eventually connects to either an expanded area or an additional hotel north of the TTC if Disney ever decides to invest in this area.
• I kept the existing 'Disney Bus Station' here since WDW will occasionally use it, but this area can easily be removed and replaced with greenery or an improved/dedicated ride share drop off area (with fencing to direct guests towards security first obviously)
• Structurally, the plan is the same to minimize costs. Restrooms in the same area, same monorail stations with minor additions, etc.
• At the end of the day, it's reasonable to question why investment in this area is critical... but IMO, it's crucial for the guest experience to avoid a bad start or end to the day. No one likes to queue in the hot Florida sun nor do they like going through security (even though they know it's a necessity).

Other Ideas

• Didn't want to make this plan too Blue Sky, but I'd love to see a "Monorail Hotel" in the existing bus area/Topiary Ln section of the TTC.

*This is an unofficial fan-made concept

 

[Rambozo]

Yep, the current version is aesthetically unpleasing and it definitely needs an upgrade. Not only is it very boring looking it's a poor use of space.

 

[Andrew25]

Adding to my previous TTC upgrade plan, I also considered an additional project.

A new transport hub at the center of MK's parking with covered walkways (in grey) with moving walkways to help get guests to their cars quicker & safer. There are a variety of ways to get people to and from the TTC/MK.

For starters, you can run one or two Skyliner routes to the TTC. You can also continue both all the way to MK's bus hub or run one only to the TTC, and the other straight to MK and make it an "amenity" for preferred, disability, and resort guests.

This plan, or some form, would importantly provide more shade during the brutal Florida sun and shelter from inclement weather that the current tram setup doesn't have.

In addition to improving guest access via appropriate walkways, the entire arrival/departure experience for vehicles traveling through the area is adjusted for safer passage. For example, right now there are a lot of areas where a roundabout could be implemented versus the existing stop signs that can confuse guests and/or cause backups.

*You can also use an alternative form of transportation like an elevated people mover like the ones seen at airports.

 

[ThemeParkPriest]

A big part of my interest in becoming a transportation engineer was the transportation system at Walt Disney World. However, my last 3 trips, I have seen some of the downsides of the system including the Transportation Center. So this project would be much appreciated!

 

[Architectural Guinea Pig]

I really love your work- it’s criminally underrated!!

 

[Lord Fozzinator]

I really like this concept, good work lad. You really fixed the problems that the TTC has. You have been spitting out projects rapid fire (kinda reminds me of myself in my old days)