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

[RSoxNo1]

which one of them all? we have enough gods in the world to fill a dictionary.

Presumably a drunk Irish one?

 

[wogwog]

While the new hub is an improvement it really saddens me that I'll never get to see this
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I remember themed trash bins of all things. Those look so much better than the generic brown ones they use today. I am guessing the old themed ones are hiding out with the missing benches.

 

[Goofywilliam]

Goof, the sad thing is you are 100% correct. It could be worse, much worse.

Things shouldn't have to be like that ... at WDW or elsewhere. We shouldn't have to settle for 'nicer' or 'could be worse' etc.

I don't need to crowd the Hub to see fireworks. I can have a better experience viewing them in Fantasyland or even Liberty Square.

Of course, the infrastructure was put in with the Wishes replacement in mind too ... and you can bet it will be castle-centric.

New wishes replacement! This has me excited! Any time frame for this project? I would imagine Steve is working on it and he is beyond busy right now working on the 60th offerings over at Disneyland.

 

[Goofywilliam]

While the new hub is an improvement it really saddens me that I'll never get to see this
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Only had the opportunity to enjoy this view once. Although it looks nice and lush, I can't come to like the giant trees blocking the view of the castle. They look a little overgrown to me. I am obviously bias though as I grew up with the clear view looking down main street. I think that if they allow the trees on the outer ring to get some good size on them, creating a nice border encircling the hub, it would feel much more lush and park like. I for one think being able to see all of Tomorrowland from the hub really takes away from the place making. A large border would fix this problem.

 

[Sage of Time]

The old hub was better, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to enjoy an improved hub that could have been much much worse.

Not to mention a hub that looks like Tokyo Disneyland's. This isn't bad.

 

[Eric1955]

Only had the opportunity to enjoy this view once. Although it looks nice and lush, I can't come to like the giant trees blocking the view of the castle. They look a little overgrown to me. I am obviously bias though as I grew up with the clear view looking down main street. I think that if they allow the trees on the outer ring to get some good size on them, creating a nice border encircling the hub, it would feel much more lush and park like. I for one think being able to see all of Tomorrowland from the hub really takes away from the place making. A large border would fix this problem.

My first trip was in 2002. The trees were still there but I was only 11 and I can't remember them very well, but looking at pictures I definitely prefer the hub with the trees. They beautifully framed the castle and gave it an air of mystery. They seem to beckon you forward. I can imagine walking under the trees to then have the castle fully revealed.

Not trying to complain though. It definitely seems like the new hub is going to be an improvement. Just wish we still had this.

 

[jdmdisney99]

Anybody have some good footage of the "old" hub?

 

[Cousin Huet]

They definitely need to let whatever trees they do plant grow some because the photos posted are beautiful and I can't remember it at way anymore as I was pretty young when I was there and it looked that way. It broke up some of the terrible views you have now across the hub exiting one "area" and facing another. I really like a lot of the new component to the hub but growth in the trees will help a lot if they let it happen. I just don't see why they don't realize that people will find places to watch their shows around what growth is there....they always did before. As a matter of fact they could've been more strategic and planted to discourage stopping in areas they wanted to keep clear......maybe they did and the final product will provide all that.

 

[rioriz]

That picture kind of makes me chuckle. The amount of moaning about that single 6 inch wide light pole obstructing the view when all those trees almost blocked it out completely. My father used to say, I'm not sure why, "you'd b-itch if they hung you with a new rope". As a kid I always shook my head and thought to myself, "Of course I would, they would be hanging me and the ropes age is the least of my problems". Now that I think of it, maybe that is exactly what he meant.

I've got to agree with you....I love the projection show and how it highlights the castle. I am on the side this new hub is an improvement! Can't wait to lay down in the new "park" and look up at the castle!!!

 

[Rob562]

there are rooms off of the main utilidoor: Dacs, the creature warehouse, breakrooms....

All of those rooms along that corridor are under Fantasyland or the Main Street buildings. The stretch under the Hub and its waterway is just a corridor that slopes down and back up.

-Rob

 

[marni1971]

Another question that doesn't seem to be addressed is that since the area is expanded beyond where it used to be how do you light that area sufficiently for safety. .

It has been addressed and was accepted as obviously needed.

It's the execution that's poor.

 

[marni1971]

All of those rooms along that corridor are under Fantasyland or the Main Street buildings. The stretch under the Hub and its waterway is just a corridor that slopes down and back up.

-Rob

Indeed. The section under the hub is the only real tunnel below ground level of the whole network. It had to go lower than the rest due to the hub moat. Hence its just a corridor.

 

[marni1971]

New wishes replacement! This has me excited! Any time frame for this project?.

Educated guess would say 15-18 months. But it has been coming in one form or another since 2011.

 

[180º]

It has largely turned in a concrete wasteland. Now, it's simply a nicer concrete wasteland.

With even more concrete.

 

[Otamin]

Anybody have some good footage of the "old" hub?

Here's a couple:

1971:

2003:

 

[xdan0920]

My first trip was in 2002. The trees were still there but I was only 11 and I can't remember them very well, but looking at pictures I definitely prefer the hub with the trees. They beautifully framed the castle and gave it an air of mystery. They seem to beckon you forward. I can imagine walking under the trees to then have the castle fully revealed.

Not trying to complain though. It definitely seems like the new hub is going to be an improvement. Just wish we still had this.
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Where's the castle?!? I want to be able to see pictures of strangers projected onto it! Trees are LAME!!!!

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Here's a couple:

1971:

That one left me heart-broken.

 

[PREMiERdrum]

Anything happen within the last few days construction wise or has things let up since opening the FastPass+ sections? With no bridges or artificial turf to install, I was hoping to see them finish up work in the center of the hub (around Partners) before Easter then start putting up the construction walls to work on the side sections after the Spring break crowds start to tamper down...

Not to interrupt the Hub Nostalgia, but it looks as though the control tower on the Adventureland side has been completely demolished, and the tower on the Tomorrowland side is partially demolished. Both are being replaced by the new castle turret structures.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

Not to interrupt the Hub Nostalgia, but it looks as though the control tower on the Adventureland side has been completely demolished, and the tower on the Tomorrowland side is partially demolished. Both are being replaced by the new castle turret structures.

Thanks for the update. Really curious to see how these turn out and how they "frame" the castle from the Hub area

With the viewing areas newly opened, I think a lot of people are overlooking that there is still some substantial work that to be done (completing the outer ring paths, the castle turrets, new popcorn/concession stands, etc.). Lots to be on the lookout for.

 

[TurboCaroline]

Here's a couple:

1971:

2003:

I went in December 2003 and I don't remember the trees being there. I'll have to look through my old pictures...