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

[wogwog]

I didn't notice/check, sorry!

Passing track is still there. But as @steve2wdw said only one trolley lives.

 

[ford91exploder]

Obviously extending the monorail to DHS/AK.

This is just the start of such a task.

Monorail expansion discussion will bring forth the ghost of the Professor and no one wants that

 

[DisneyOutsider]

Thought about posting this in one of the Photos forums, but thought instead it may be relevant here.

I got the opportunity to tour Paris for the first time last week, and I came across this park called Place des Vosges. This may not be news and it may have already been discussed, but I couldn't help but think of the newly reconstructed hub when I saw this park:

The layout is very similar to the new hub, with four identical sections like this centered around a fountain.

I have my own observations about this as it pertains to the functionality of MK's hub, but I think I will leave these photos without further commentary for now and see what others may have to say about it.

Here is a poorly-executed smartphone panoramic for good measure:

Spoiler: Panoramic View

 

[Cesar R M]

Thought about posting this in one of the Photos forums, but thought instead it may be relevant here.

I got the opportunity to tour Paris for the first time last week, and I came across this park called Place des Vosges. This may not be news and it may have already been discussed, but I couldn't help but think of the newly reconstructed hub when I saw this park:

The layout is very similar to the new hub, with four identical sections like this centered around a fountain.

I have my own observations about this as it pertains to the functionality of MK's hub, but I think I will leave these photos without further commentary for now and see what others may have to say about it.

Here is a poorly-executed smartphone panoramic for good measure:

Spoiler: Panoramic View

I dont see your main image.. weird.
it shows a denied icon.

 

[DisneyOutsider]

I dont see your main image.. weird.
it shows a denied icon.

Hmm.. does the spoilered image at the bottom show up for you?

 

[DisneyOutsider]

I dont see your main image.. weird.
it shows a denied icon.

The photo is uploaded to this post. Sorry about that.

 

[anchorman314]

Wow. That is really similar to the new plaza gardens. Does this mean a Ratatouille-themed area is coming soon?

 

[Cesar R M]

The photo is uploaded to this post. Sorry about that.

can see the pic now, much appreciated!

 

[WDWtraveler]

Photo update as of Saturday, May 21. Perhaps this can be the last post on the virtually completed Magic Kingdom hub redevelopment. I post here because this photo is an update to previous work on the castle ramps. (The castle stage refurbishment has its own thread now.) While the ramp railings were installed some months ago, the top was unfinished. Here is the top design. The right ramp has this installed and is completed. The left ramp only a few installed. The angular top provides a smooth surface without excessive ornamentation.

 

[Donaldfan1934]

Photo update as of Saturday, May 21. Perhaps this can be the last post on the virtually completed Magic Kingdom hub redevelopment. I post here because this photo is an update to previous work on the castle ramps. (The castle stage refurbishment has its own thread now.) While the ramp railings were installed some months ago, the top was unfinished. Here is the top design. The right ramp has this installed and is completed. The left ramp only a few installed. The angular top provides a smooth surface without excessive ornamentation.

View attachment 142968

I loved what they did with the castle ramp overall, but does anyone know why the railings were changed? I know they extended the ramp a bit, but the change in railing design seems like an odd decision to me.

 

[RandySavage]

If you mean replacing the masonry balustrade with metal railings, cost could be a reason.

 

[Donaldfan1934]

If you mean replacing the masonry balustrade with metal railings, cost could be a reason.

That's what I thought. It was out of sheer cheapness. The old masonry balustrade was gorgeous. Boo metal railings, but yay cobblestone themed pavement

 

[ParksAndPixels]

That's what I thought. It was out of sheer cheapness. The old masonry balustrade was gorgeous. Boo metal railings, but yay cobblestone themed pavement

Two problems:
1. Despite what may be said we no longer have Walt or Roy and their belief that the details really matter.

2. Simple fact that materials cost more today then they used to, so issue #1, becomes more important. Because why spend more when "no one will care" / "it doesn't really matter"

 

[Goofyernmost]

Two problems:
1. Despite what may be said we no longer have Walt or Roy and their belief that the details really matter.

2. Simple fact that materials cost more today then they used to, so issue #1, becomes more important. Because why spend more when "no one will care" / "it doesn't really matter"

Or it could be that Walt and Roy didn't have to worry about ADA compliance. Easily accessible and usable hand railings are a vital part of equal access, like it or not.

 

[ParksAndPixels]

Or it could be that Walt and Roy didn't have to worry about ADA compliance. Easily accessible and usable hand railings are a vital part of equal access, like it or not.

Wow... They could have done something with masonry and still implemented a handrail attached. I said nothing about not wanting this to be ADA accessible. I've been in a wheelchair at the Orlando parks, so I know how frustrating that can be to get around at times. You made some real assumptions...

 

[Goofyernmost]

Wow... They could have done something with masonry and still implemented a handrail attached. I said nothing about not wanting this to be ADA accessible. I've been in a wheelchair at the Orlando parks, so I know how frustrating that can be to get around at times. You made some real assumptions...

I didn't say you did, but, what I was trying to say is that Roy and Walt didn't have to worry at all about things like that, They could go as medieval as they wanted without any concern. I think that they did a very detailed job on the hand rails and that they look very nice plus they are helpful for those with balance or walking problems. That was my point, not that I felt that you didn't care about accessibility. Always remember that we are talking about a plastic castle.

 

[halltd]

I didn't say you did, but, what I was trying to say is that Roy and Walt didn't have to worry at all about things like that, They could go as medieval as they wanted without any concern.

They didn't have to worry as much about legal requirements back then because said legal requirements didn't exist yet. But, I would argue they went above and beyond what was required to make a safe park. Safety has always been a priority at Disney. But, safety can be made to appear invisible. That's what I think they skimp on lately...they still go above and beyond with safety requirements, you just see a lot of the safety "devices" now because they're not hidden/themed well.

 

[Goofyernmost]

They didn't have to worry as much about legal requirements back then because said legal requirements didn't exist yet. But, I would argue they went above and beyond what was required to make a safe park. Safety has always been a priority at Disney. But, safety can be made to appear invisible. That's what I think they skimp on lately...they still go above and beyond with safety requirements, you just see a lot of the safety "devices" now because they're not hidden/themed well.

You must be young because back then people with handicaps were expected to remain home unless it was an emergency. There were no ramps, there were no handicap entrances or parking. It just wasn't expected. Kids with what is now called autism were put away in institutions. There was no need to accommodate anyone. Wrong? Of course, but, it wasn't until later that this started to be realized. ADA came into existence because so many had lived in that world that thinking about that need wasn't even hinted at and in many ways fought against. I'm sure if someone in a wheelchair shown up in Disneyland they would have done what ever they could to help accommodate them, but, nothing was in place. Stairs were still stairs and if you couldn't negotiate a stair you simply could not go there. Seems cruel now, but, was a standard way of life back then. I'm also thinking that if you are handicapped one of the last things you want is for anyone to "hide" your means of help for the sake of theme! Hiding it kinda of makes it seem like there is something wrong with having issues so we must hide any attempt to accommodate them.

 

[halltd]

You must be young because back then people with handicaps were expected to remain home unless it was an emergency. There were no ramps, there were no handicap entrances or parking. It just wasn't expected. Kids with what is now called autism were put away in institutions. There was no need to accommodate anyone. Wrong? Of course, but, it wasn't until later that this started to be realized. ADA came into existence because so many had lived in that world that thinking about that need wasn't even hinted at and in many ways fought against. I'm sure if someone in a wheelchair shown up in Disneyland they would have done what ever they could to help accommodate them, but, nothing was in place. Stairs were still stairs and if you couldn't negotiate a stair you simply could not go there. Seems cruel now, but, was a standard way of life back then. I'm also thinking that if you are handicapped one of the last things you want is for anyone to "hide" your means of help for the sake of theme! Hiding it kinda of makes it seem like there is something wrong with having issues so we must hide any attempt to accommodate them.

Wow. You totally misinterpreted my post and took it to the worst possible place. I wasn't only talking about accessibility, but also safety (such as fall protection/handrails - like on the castle ramps, emergency exits for rides, etc...). For the accessibility piece, Disney has always been recognized as one of the most inclusive destinations in the world for everyone. Has it always been perfect? No? But, have they always been ahead of the curve? Yes. Just look at how many ramps existed at WDW when it opened. That was my point. And, for the hiding part, I was talking about handrails, safety rails, exits, fire alarms, etc... They've always been there, but in the past they were hidden much better. Now you can see a lot of these safety devices because they aren't themed as well (rooftops of MK buildings anyone?). I'm really not sure how you took my post to mean that people should stay home, be put in institutions, or be hidden away.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Wow. You totally misinterpreted my post and took it to the worst possible place. I wasn't only talking about accessibility, but also safety (such as fall protection/handrails - like on the castle ramps, emergency exits for rides, etc...). For the accessibility piece, Disney has always been recognized as one of the most inclusive destinations in the world for everyone. Has it always been perfect? No? But, have they always been ahead of the curve? Yes. Just look at how many ramps existed at WDW when it opened. That was my point. And, for the hiding part, I was talking about handrails, safety rails, exits, fire alarms, etc... They've always been there, but in the past they were hidden much better. Now you can see a lot of these safety devices because they aren't themed as well (rooftops of MK buildings anyone?). I'm really not sure how you took my post to mean that people should stay home, be put in institutions, or be hidden away.

Sorry, if it misread it, but, to be fair... no those safety rails, etc. have not always been there. In many "grandfathered" places they still aren't. My point is that it is a different world now as compared to our memories of the past. What would have worked back then will not always be acceptable now. What I see are very well made and crafted railings that look very nice and comply with needs, not just of the fantasy aspect, but, of the reality of today's world. That was my point.