Main Street U.S.A. hub redevelopment at the Magic Kingdom

[hpyhnt 1000]

In general it seems to be shaping up quite nicely, although I still can't get over how absolutely atrocious those speakers are...

Yup. For a company that excels in being able to hide the ordinary so all that remains is the extraordinary, this move was pretty lame.

What happened to the good old idea of hiding speakers in bushes and fake rocks?

Not to pick on you guys - others have mentioned the speakers as well so I am just using your quotes to broach the subject.

Why are some people so upset with the speakers on the lamp posts? For decades, the Magic Kingdom's Hub has had speakers integrated onto the lamp posts. Why the sudden disdain?

 

[danlb_2000]

9. Expiration date of notice of commencement (the expiration date may not be before the completion of construction and final payment to the contractor,but will be 1 year from the date of recording unless a different date is specified) November 17,2015

Thanks, I was getting tired of constantly having to post this.

 

[halltd]

Why are some people so upset with the speakers on the lamp posts? For decades, the Magic Kingdom's Hub has had speakers integrated onto the lamp posts. Why the sudden disdain?

I think it might be because they're a bit more noticeable because of the revised design of the light post (lamp sitting on top of wide speaker versus small arm coming out of top of wide speaker).

I don't mind the speakers so much (although there does seem to be a large number of light posts in general), but those parade lighting towers? Wow. In one picture they look to be installed haphazardly right next to the statue bases.

 

[djkidkaz]

Does anyone know if they Fastpass viewing area in the hub will be open during the day for Guests, or is it going to be closed off until just right before the fireworks?

 

[mj2v]

Not to pick on you guys - others have mentioned the speakers as well so I am just using your quotes to broach the subject.

Why are some people so upset with the speakers on the lamp posts? For decades, the Magic Kingdom's Hub has had speakers integrated onto the lamp posts. Why the sudden disdain?

View attachment 84214

Please don't interupt the senseless whining with boring things like facts. For god's sake man, this is the internet.

 

[NearTheEars]

from the upper perspective, id say we're 45% done.
from the heavy work needed (the new moats, reinforced bridges..etc..) the work is 70% complete (aka, all heavy work is done.. now its mostly landscaping and flooring)

That's true. Digging up grass and adding the new walkways probably isn't as hard as the bridge and water stuff was.

 

[steve2wdw]

Are they installing new parade lighting towers? Looks like it.

When it comes to parade lighting towers, I was hoping that the MK wasn't getting the DL treatment, but it appears it is. Not only are the DL towers really intrusive, the lighting rigs that rise up on the roofs of Main Street are horrendous. With so many lights, it makes Main Street look like a sports stadium. I'm not a lighting guy, but it appears DL's parade lighting still uses old style par cans with gels, hence requiring separate lights for separate colors, while the MK's are LEDs. Rooftop rigs at the MK carry far fewer lights making them far less intrusive. Hopefully the towers in the hub will carry the LED models requiring fewer lights overall.

 

[MissingDisney]

I'm sorry if it's answered somewhere..I saw pics on OTPN that showed a crane at what looked to be the castle, but didn't say why...it didn't look like an old pic. What's with the crane?

 

[danlb_2000]

I'm sorry if it's answered somewhere..I saw pics on OTPN that showed a crane at what looked to be the castle, but didn't say why...it didn't look like an old pic. What's with the crane?

They appear to be doing some exterior work on the castle. That same site had a picture of some workers in a basket hanging from the crane.

 

[mm52200]

Does anyone know if they Fastpass viewing area in the hub will be open during the day for Guests, or is it going to be closed off until just right before the fireworks?

If they kept it open during the day that'd be a really nice area to have a few benches and create a park like area. Wishful thinking of course....

 

[ABQ]

They appear to be doing some exterior work on the castle. That same site had a picture of some workers in a basket hanging from the crane.

And here I thought they were still removing xmas lighting.

 

[danlb_2000]

And here I thought they were still removing xmas lighting.

You might be right. I didn't realize that took so long, but based on last year it appears that it does.

 

[skimbob]

i wonder if they are doing something for the 60th like they did for Disneylands 50th.

 

[TTA94]

When it comes to parade lighting towers, I was hoping that the MK wasn't getting the DL treatment, but it appears it is. Not only are the DL towers really intrusive, the lighting rigs that rise up on the roofs of Main Street are horrendous. With so many lights, it makes Main Street look like a sports stadium. I'm not a lighting guy, but it appears DL's parade lighting still uses old style par cans with gels, hence requiring separate lights for separate colors, while the MK's are LEDs. Rooftop rigs at the MK carry far fewer lights making them far less intrusive. Hopefully the towers in the hub will carry the LED models requiring fewer lights overall.

Is the whole parade route getting these then? Or just the hub?

 

[ParksAndPixels]

In regards to speakers, while they might not blend as well as the old style given their size relative to the globes directly above them (and I wish they did disappear a little more). They have to be up above head height for Hi frequencies to be properly heard. Only low frequencies can be heard well when at lower heights like being hidden in concrete pedestals and below stage level etc. In regards to proximity, the hub utilizes lots of audio delay "rings" moving away from the middle & castle. This allows everyone to hear the same sound at the same time (otherwise you would hear a very annoying echo with every show / parade). I hope this explanation helps everyone understand why this was done the way it was done. But I agree, and understand the point being made about the look of the new system. When the everything is complete hopefully they won't stand out as much, and over time we will all get used to this look like were accustomed to the old style.

 

[Next Big Thing]

You might be right. I didn't realize that took so long, but based on last year it appears that it does.

It has to do with the CRT refurb.

 

[Cesar R M]

Orlando Theme Park News just posted a great new update that shows the permanent railings on the west side of the hub.
View attachment 84176 http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/02/magic-kingdom-hub-update-welcoming.html

they look really nice!

 

[PREMiERdrum]

When it comes to parade lighting towers, I was hoping that the MK wasn't getting the DL treatment, but it appears it is. Not only are the DL towers really intrusive, the lighting rigs that rise up on the roofs of Main Street are horrendous. With so many lights, it makes Main Street look like a sports stadium. I'm not a lighting guy, but it appears DL's parade lighting still uses old style par cans with gels, hence requiring separate lights for separate colors, while the MK's are LEDs. Rooftop rigs at the MK carry far fewer lights making them far less intrusive. Hopefully the towers in the hub will carry the LED models requiring fewer lights overall.

You are correct that DL still uses (at last check) traditional incandescent PAR cans with gels (see below), although I believe some of their fixtures have been upgraded with intelligent color scrollers.

The new towers in WDW's hub appear to have Red-Blue-Green LED PAR cans and some LED bars on top?

 

[betty rose]

If they kept it open during the day that'd be a really nice area to have a few benches and create a park like area. Wishful thinking of course....

I want some bench's too.

 

[note2001]

Orlando Theme Park News just posted a great new update that shows the permanent railings on the west side of the hub.
View attachment 84176 http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/02/magic-kingdom-hub-update-welcoming.html

Very nice.

I want some bench's too.

In a world where the .01% of the population that has no clue about personal safety will hop up on those benches, fall and then sue Disney for having them there... I doubt we'll see benches.
Good idea though.