Cool Stuff Backstage as seen from Google

[P_Radden]

Interesting, it actually looks like an entire golf hole with two sand traps and a green. Based on the Google Earth images it was built sometime between 2/2015 and 3/2016.

View attachment 189945

I noticed this too. What do you suspect the purpose of this 1 hole golf course hidden away from guest areas is for? Maybe so George K can go out by himself and hit a few?

 

[danlb_2000]

I noticed this too. What do you suspect the purpose of this 1 hole golf course hidden away from guest areas is for? Maybe so George K can go out by himself and hit a few?

It is close to ESPN, maybe a practice green was needed for a golf event?

 

[P_Radden]

That's a good point... I'm surprised the ESPN WWOS doesn't at least feature a driving range.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

I noticed this too. What do you suspect the purpose of this 1 hole golf course hidden away from guest areas is for? Maybe so George K can go out by himself and hit a few?

Maybe it's also used for promo ads with the Disney characters when they play golf?

 

[P_Radden]

Maybe it's also used for promo ads with the Disney characters when they play golf?

Good guess, but this image shows a third sand bunker straight ahead that is not seen in the aerial image

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

Good guess, but this image shows a third sand bunker straight ahead that is not seen in the aerial image

Yes, and water feature as well.
Edit: I wonder if the old promo of Mickey and Goofy could have been taken at the first Mickey Sand Trap. The one West of TTC. It has a water feature in it.

 

[GlassHalfFull]

Here's a few cool shots of a Mickey Sand Trap. This is in the Golf Course to the West of TTC Area. The Mickey is in the red circle.
View attachment 189779


Here is a zoom shot of the same area in the red circle above.
View attachment 189780

These are not the same location... The lack of bunkers in the second photo, and the lack of water being there in the first photo tell em that is not where the mickey bunker is.. The red circle should be further south and slightly west to where it really is..

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

These are not the same location... The lack of bunkers in the second photo, and the lack of water being there in the first photo tell em that is not where the mickey bunker is.. The red circle should be further south and slightly west to where it really is..

good catch! Sorry, here's corrected wide-view. With correct location in red.

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

I know its been a while. But this is gonna be good. Thanks to Google Maps latest updates as of Jan 2018 imagery.
So here we go. This is might end up being a big post. But I think it will be worth it. We are going to cover multiple areas of WDW property. So sit back drink some coffee and enjoy the show. LOL

Our first stop takes us to EPCOT backstage. Here we can see where they kept most of the Food & Wine Fest buildings when not on-stage. Here are some behind France. This is now the location of the new coming Ratatouille Ride.

Mar 2016

Jan 2018

Here you can see some new backstage buildings behind Morocco. the pink/purple ones center-right. This is needed due to others beind removed for new ride.


So with the Food and Wine Fest Storage location now gone. They have made a new and in my opinion, better storage location complete with concrete apron. This is behind the Friendship Boat shop area.

Jan 2018

There are also are new backstage buidlings, large ones behind Germany. Both pink/purple building are brand new this year.

Jan 2018

Here's the Gondola Station work at IG Entrance

Jan 2018

Next stop takes us backstage at Magic Kingdom.
Here you can see all of the various tree stands that hold up the sections of each large Park Tree when not assembled in the parks. In addition I marked the semi trailers used to move them. Looks like they are all ready to go.
Jan 2018

Here's the MK tree still in the park.
Jan 2018

Now lets head over to AK area.
Here we see Walt's Plane. It is now over next to the Wastewater Treatment Plant protected by some Jersey Barriers. Others have shown photos, so nothing new. But now you can see it on Google.
Jan 2018

Also in this area you can see many Kali River Rapids Boats on dry ground.
Jan 2018

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

So much to post, we are back for round 2.

Now we head over to ESPN Wide World of Sports.

Here you can see the large staging area used for construction of Toy Story Land as well as Star Wars Galaxy's Edge.

Here's before in Mar 2016

And here's in Jan 2018

Then here's a zoom of the staging lot.

Also of note in this area. The hidden golf green is now gone. This is just a bit north of the staging area.

Here is is in Mar 2016

and now in Jan 2018

That's all for now.

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

Though while this is not on Disney property it is still pretty amazing. This location is roughly northwest of Disney property near Hwy 27. I saw it in a video posted by Adam the Woo a while back when he visited the site. Looks like someone likes the Mickey!!

Mickey is in top left of image while Disney property is to the bottom right. I know, property lines are approximate.

View attachment 58709

and here is a zoom view

View attachment 58708

I expect the Mickey Forest will be totally gone on next year's Google update. The area is not owned by Disney, it is privately owned and is currently being developed as a sand mine by Cemex. Last photo that I saw elsewhere showed almost half of the lower part of Mickey head gone. So now the newer Solar Farm Mickey by EPCOT is now the largest Hidden Mickey.

 

[P_Radden]

Great update, thanks for sharing @Monorail_Red_77