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

[Ignohippo]

I don't like the idea of losing the encircling water. I understand more viewing area, but I also see them taking out more trees and making it look more and more blah and desolate. I also don't like the flat Main St. without sidewalks while we are at it.

If you look at the rendering, there really isn't any added viewing area. I may be wrong but I'm betting the new ring will be used for traffic flow and standing will be prohibited.

The new ring flows perfectly into the bypass. There's no way they're going to spend all of this money and then let people block the path into it.

This is for crowd control – not to add anything that actually makes a visitor's view of the parades or fireworks better.

 

[kap91]

My feelings are pretty mixed on this... I know it needs to happen but I hate that they are removing the Rose Garden and the seating near the Plaza (that is where we always watched Wishes from and it was hardly ever crowded. But mostly, why are they putting in artificial grass? Have they always used artificial grass?

I believe it was said the artificial grass is because they are building the area with the intention of people standing on said grass. Real grass wouldn't last more than two nights with the kind of crowds MK has.

 

[HenryMystic]

They are building a proper bypass. It may not be themed as well as the Arcade in Paris but they are building one.

By proper, I really meant another MSUSA.

 

[dstrawn9889]

wow how fast these photos get passed around. just got a facebook post (the third) with that PS y'all did earlier today(the overlay). the main street mouse-- credited to user 'Disney Dining'
http://www.themainstreetmouse.com/2...ing-around-the-hub-at-magic-kingdom-park-wdw/

 

[Dads 2 Boys]

Any idea when the construction portions will start and end?

 

[aladdin2007]

Now that they so wondefully already removed the trees to the left of the Plaza and its planter, what are they going to do about the building that sticks out like a sore thumb now from the side behind the plaza??

 

[PhotoDave219]

Hey kids… I was at Magic Kingdom today and I took a very hard look at things based upon the proposed renderings that we've seen…

Couple of things. First? Construction has already started. Small construction walls are already up at the intersection points on the existing spokes of the hub. And it lines up perfectly with where we are expecting things to curve.

Second? This is going to fix a lot of traffic congestion and problems that have existed more and more with parades and a late night entertainment. It will be much easier to navigate that part of the park with out having to walk around the entire park.

I think this will probably end up being a really good thing. I am hopeful that they will bring in some larger, mature trees to provide more shade… but the realist him he says they will cut down every tree that they have to in order to keep people from whining about not being able to the fireworks.

I miss a nice shady bench area.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Now that they so wondefully already removed the trees to the left of the Plaza and its planter, what are they going to do about the building that sticks out like a soar thumb now from the side behind the plaza??

Sore.

 

[aladdin2007]

Sore.

ok fine sore, i was typing in a hurry, fixed.

 

[Clever Name]

Sore.

It could be a flying thumb...

 

[The Visionary Soul]

I've just gotten some more info on the trees issue. Some trees are being saved and moved. Many new small trees will be added, but will be contained in tree pots that appear to be full planters. This will allow them to easily change out the trees when they get too tall with shorter ones. Lots of new flowers are going everywhere. And I mean everywhere. It's actually going to look pretty nice. Just wish the MK had taller trees and hedges to block the views from these new routes. But the good news is that the MK is getting some nice new trees, they're just smaller than I would have liked. Can't say too much now, as I just don't have time, but I'll post some more later. If you have any specific questions, try tagging me in a post and I will be sure to answer.

 

[sshindel]

Hey kids… I was at Magic Kingdom today and I took a very hard look at things based upon the proposed renderings that we've seen…

Couple of things. First? Construction has already started. Small construction walls are already up at the intersection points on the existing spokes of the hub. And it lines up perfectly with where we are expecting things to curve.

Second? This is going to fix a lot of traffic congestion and problems that have existed more and more with parades and a late night entertainment. It will be much easier to navigate that part of the park with out having to walk around the entire park.

I think this will probably end up being a really good thing. I am hopeful that they will bring in some larger, mature trees to provide more shade… but the realist him he says they will cut down every tree that they have to in order to keep people from whining about not being able to the fireworks.

I miss a nice shady bench area.

Thank you for this. It makes sense I guess that they are getting the hustle on ASAP. I'd guess if they are going to do something, they'll want to try to be done by the summer months. I'm interested to see how this work impacts spring break crowds. If it does at all, I'm not sure how many of the smaller paths will need to be closed to work on the bigger secondary hub.

 

[aladdin2007]

I've just gotten some more info on the trees issue. Some trees are being saved and moved. Many new small trees will be added, but will be contained in tree pots that appear to be full planters. This will allow them to easily change out the trees when they get too tall with shorter ones. Lots of new flowers are going everywhere. And I mean everywhere. It's actually going to look pretty nice. Just wish the MK had taller trees and hedges to block the views from these new routes. But the good news is that the MK is getting some nice new trees, they're just smaller than I would have liked. Can't say too much now, as I just don't have time, but I'll post some more later. If you have any specific questions, try tagging me in a post and I will be sure to answer.

So the landscaping wasn't cut from the project then after all, thats good news. Thanks for the update.

 

[The Visionary Soul]

So the landscaping wasn't cut from the project then after all, thats good news. Thanks for the update.

It was cut from the original plans I saw, but replaced with landscaping that wasn't as tall, and will not be as effective at controlling crowds.

 

[Father Robinson]

The question that keeps getting asked and keeps getting ignored, is what's the time frame? Does anyone have any info? When is this projected to be completed??

 

[yellowstone7123]

Nah, let's all talk about how WDW is finally addressing the MK's overcrowding -- something that Disney has been ignoring for 15 years now

So this part at least is a good thing, right?

 

[prfctlyximprct]

The question that keeps getting asked and keeps getting ignored, is what's the time frame? Does anyone have any info? When is this projected to be completed??

The permit runs out in November 2015 so before then.

Thanks to @danlb_2000 for this info!

 

[NowInc]

The question that keeps getting asked and keeps getting ignored, is what's the time frame? Does anyone have any info? When is this projected to be completed??

...I dont think anyone was IGNORING it...but no one has a solid answer.

 

[TTA94]

Maybe Im wrong but I do not see how this new design is going to improve crowd control.. I can see guests getting "lost" on these walkways and not knowing which direction they want to go in lol. One of the biggest issues is everyone wants to go in different directions. They may as well just remove all of the planters because guests will still walk through them to get to where they want to go quicker...

 

[SpectroMan93]

Maybe Im wrong but I do not see how this new design is going to improve crowd control.. I can see guests getting "lost" on these walkways and not knowing which direction they want to go in lol. One of the biggest issues is everyone wants to go in different directions. They may as well just remove all of the planters because guests will still walk through them to get to where they want to go quicker...

I think you're making it sound more complicated than it actually is. I mean, an extra ring and bridges are being added, not a maze. Sure, some guests may get a little turned around, but that's where cast member traffic control comes in. If you notice during the fireworks and parades at night, there are cast members with traffic wands that help direct guests through the hub, separating one directional flow to one side of a path, and the opposite flow to the other side. Of course, at one point there is just too many people packed for them to have any effect, which is where this expansion comes in.