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

[LuvtheGoof]

Actually, if they charged a lot less for park admission, you wouldn't want to go, since it would be even more crowded than it is now. Wall to wall every day. Not a pretty sight.

 

[halltd]

Speaking of the awesome parade lighting rigs, does anyone know what the green device is in this picture on the cantilevered arm (that kinda looks like a security camera, but is solid green)?

 

[Red Sox]

who the hell designed this stadium? ())

James E. McLaughlin 103 years ago.

 

[flynnibus]

again, the OUTER ring is for travelling, not standing and watching, and if you will notice, the light poles are between the INNER and OUTER rings, so out of view for the areas(except the FP+ viewing areas, and really if you use a FP for fireworks, you deserve to see poles --> LOL) that are designated for 'viewing'

What did my post have to do with if you are stopped for viewing fireworks? I was talking about how your eyes are drawn to things when they are the tallest thing in your view with little to busy the view. That's something that applies if you are walking around.. or sitting.

But to your point that this shouldn't matter... we should point out these light posts are 'behind' the ring on THIS side of the hub... but if similar posts are needed for the castle side of the ring... the posts will be in front of people on the MS side of the hub... both inner and outer rings.

Two.. regardless of your dismissal of using FP for fireworks.. you can't discount the reality of what the FP viewing areas seen.. as shown by wdwmagic's photos

Lastly... to your dismissal of using FP for fireworks... you act like you've never had to save a spot for fireworks.. or show up early.. which of course is complete garbage.

Anything you'd like to bring up... again?

 

[flynnibus]

Speaking of the awesome parade lighting rigs, does anyone know what the green device is in this picture on the cantilevered arm (that kinda looks like a security camera, but is solid green)?

Magicband radios?

 

[JoeCamel]

That and Wi-Fi routers maybe

Magicband radios?

 

[Goofyernmost]

Re: @Goofyernmost. You may be astonished at our ability to defend disney (which, incidentally, is not my intention, but rather to see a problem outside of the magic kingdom), however I'm astonished at people's ability to ignore budgets and money. You and others may think that priority one is guest experience, but priority one for TWDC is returns for stockholders. No returns=no new stock purchases= no new money= REAL stagnation. So given that, magic kingdom and tdo in general have to work within specific budgets; your options are telescoping light posts or the better turf stuff. They made a choice. If you don't like it, well...

Not sure why you tagged me... but, OK, I do tend to agree with you. Disney fans tend to get carried away with ideology and not have any reality based thoughts at all. Those that think that spending thousands and thousands of dollars so that three people standing directly behind and close to the pole will have a better view just makes me wonder. They may have what seems like a bottomless pit of money, and compared to most of us, I'm sure it's true, however, because they have it doesn't mean that they automatically need to or should spend it all.

 

[Cesar R M]

For real, did you just now come out of a 20 year coma?

 

[Cesar R M]

Speaking of the awesome parade lighting rigs, does anyone know what the green device is in this picture on the cantilevered arm (that kinda looks like a security camera, but is solid green)?

I dont know, but reminds me of these weather stations that collect water to analyse the rain fall.
maybe its the glow in the show emitter?

 

[Goofnut1980]

Are they going to add hanging planter baskets back to the light poles? it seems every one of those has a speaker on it.

 

[Cesar R M]

Actually, if they charged a lot less for park admission, you wouldn't want to go, since it would be even more crowded than it is now. Wall to wall every day. Not a pretty sight.

I honestly disagree.. the price just changes the pattern of spending of the people. because when they want to go and plan ahead.. they will still go.

so instead of expending 250 additional on merchandise, they will spend 50 only to counter the price hikes.

also, isnt it sort of an oximoron(the sentence)?
you said less prices.. means more people.. so people wouldn't want to go.
seems like a self-cancelling sentence.

 

[Figment2005]

You have my utmost respect. I'm a heave empath....

Its true though, working there I realized that code V's are the least of our worries. Voban is miracle worker.

 

[Goofnut1980]

One more question, Won't the new turrets block the castle projection or are they super short?

 

[Goofyernmost]

The crane that is used to do the castle work is one commonly seen driving our interstate highways. It is able to collapse (telescope) down fully. I have been there on many occasions and seen it up during the day with workers doing their thing. Then near dusk I have seen it fully retracted and in the down position in preparation for the fireworks. the area where the crane bas is behind the castle on the left side generally has the typical construction walls up. I'll have to see if I can find some pics of it for reference.

Not that one you haven't! The type used for that does not telescope. When working that high up they have to be using solid connections, because leverage is the key to them functioning. Any telescoping type would have it's strength compromised because there are no solid none movable joints from one part to the other. The higher up it goes the narrower the structure gets and the more it needs solid construction. Also the higher the boom goes the more added weight and stress that is put on the lower structures. The one's you see on the highways are rigging cranes that usually do not lift things to astronomical levels. Even those, however do not telescope 100%. They do have additional sections that must be added manually for certain functions. In fact, most of the cranes that you see of any size beyond a few feet have to have an additional crane on site just to assemble and dis-assemble the working crane.

 

[xdan0920]

Having actually walked on it myself yesterday, the photos don't tell the whole story. Unlike the smooth concrete that has historically been there, this has a lot of exposed small round stones in it. The result is that it ends up looking more like a natural gravel path you might actually find in a garden of this type. The transitions to the old red concrete are a little abrupt right now but I anticipate all of that will get sorted out as they finish this all up in the coming months.

All in all, having actually seen it in person and walked through the areas instead of judging by photos, I think the whole area looks quite nice and is a really pleasing addition to the hub. We've still got a few months of work yet to go to finish up the north half of the hub including the turret towers to replace the lighting and tech booths, and a few missing railings in the southern part but it's looking really good to me.

What degree burns did you suffer from contacting the artificial turf?

 

[JediMasterMatt]

From my experience, they collapse it to the point that you can't see it from MSUSA every night before Wishes. I've never seen it visible beginning shortly after dark.

Correct. They have to have the crane down to launch the pyro from Fantasyland and the Castle for both Wishes and the projection show.

This is also the reason why they don't have the pyro for Dream Along with Mickey when the crane is onsite and up.

The crane goes down each night.

The real question is why it's up all day instead of up either when needed during the day or even better questions, why isn't it up at night or why haven't they been able to complete the work that use to be done much quicker?

It's just poor show anyway you want to slice it.

Same as those lighting towers in the new gardens.

 

[RandySavage]

Not sure why you tagged me... but, OK, I do tend to agree with you. Disney fans tend to get carried away with ideology and not have any reality based thoughts at all.

Different people are on these boards for different reasons. Some are here to see updates before they take a family vacation, and criticism is viewed as unnecessary harping. Others may be in or interested in the design fields and wish to discuss those aspects, including best practice.

Those that think that spending thousands and thousands of dollars so that three people standing directly behind and close to the pole will have a better view just makes me wonder. They may have what seems like a bottomless pit of money, and compared to most of us, I'm sure it's true, however, because they have it doesn't mean that they automatically need to or should spend it all.

There's precedent for making improvements. The whole park is an example of the ongoing battle between Art and Commerce. Do you remember the similar discussion about the exposed showbuilding near the new Fantasyland bathrooms?

Some argued, "So few ever see this out-of-the-way vista, why should Disney Corp. waste cash to correct it? They have a responsibility to maximize shareholder returns." Others argued doing so would improve aesthetics, immersion and overall effect. Disney went on to address the sightline issue and art won that battle. Often Disney will go the extra mile to achieve an industry-leading level of execution.

The pole issue to me isn't about fireworks viewing for the three people behind it (they'd likely be raised anyway even if telescoping boxes were employed here in order to illuminate the paths right after the show); it's about the visual clutter during the day with no big trees coming (near the fountains) to help absorb the lighting rigs. If OLC can afford to build and maintain scores of pole elevators, TWDC, whose 11.4billion profits triple OLC's total revenue, can show best practice at their flaghsip park.

 

[marni1971]

Speaking of the awesome parade lighting rigs, does anyone know what the green device is in this picture on the cantilevered arm (that kinda looks like a security camera, but is solid green)?

I want to say an anemometer for the adjacent fountain but I'd assume it would have to spin somehow.

 

[dstrawn9889]

Not that one you haven't! The type used for that does not telescope. When working that high up they have to be using solid connections, because leverage is the key to them functioning. Any telescoping type would have it's strength compromised because there are no solid none movable joints from one part to the other. The higher up it goes the narrower the structure gets and the more it needs solid construction. Also the higher the boom goes the more added weight and stress that is put on the lower structures. The one's you see on the highways are rigging cranes that usually do not lift things to astronomical levels. Even those, however do not telescope 100%. They do have additional sections that must be added manually for certain functions. In fact, most of the cranes that you see of any size beyond a few feet have to have an additional crane on site just to assemble and dis-assemble the working crane.

i hate to disagree with you goofy, but that is a telescoping mast mobile crane with a cage top added on. (like this one but larger)

 

[LuvtheGoof]

I honestly disagree.. the price just changes the pattern of spending of the people. because when they want to go and plan ahead.. they will still go.

so instead of expending 250 additional on merchandise, they will spend 50 only to counter the price hikes.

also, isnt it sort of an oximoron(the sentence)?
you said less prices.. means more people.. so people wouldn't want to go.
seems like a self-cancelling sentence.

What I meant was this - maybe you get 40,000 people for an average day at the current pricing. If Disney lowered the ticket prices back down to $50-60 for a one day, with a corresponding reduction in multi-day tickets, you might then see 60,000 every day in the park, since more people might be able to afford to go. Would you rather be in the park with 39,999 others, or 59,999 others? Of course, since Disney will never do this, it is a moot point.

And no, I disagree that if Disney raised prices significantly higher for park admission that people would simply spend less elsewhere. I believe that most would say it is too expensive and stay away rather than spend less on other items. JMHO, of course.