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

[novawildcat18]

Did they start this side first to get the alternate exit route behind MS opened sooner? Hoping it's not insane with summer crowds.

I hope so. I was there a week and a day ago (last Monday) and the alternate route was open. It was totally unnecessarily opened, it was empty back there and Main Street was not unusually packed. I also hated it as it exposed guests to backstage areas, which show that the Main Street stores are just facades and it shows cast members on their breaks. I have never been so abruptly taken out of the magic before, and I'm a cast member so I've seen it all.

 

[Father Robinson]

I understand that the video of the plans is only a rendition of what it will look like, but to me it's interesting that what is not shown are the small bronze statues of the characters that are spread throughout the hub. It would really be a shame to not replace those if they are taken out during the work. I always considered them sort of extensions of the Partners statue.

 

[Otamin]

The view down Main Street will look very different. If you haven't watched the rendering video, it's a pretty good approximation of what is happening.

I've seen the video, but it's hard to decipher exactly how it'll look when looking down Main Street.

 

[ABQ]

I understand that the video of the plans is only a rendition of what it will look like, but to me it's interesting that what is not shown are the small bronze statues of the characters that are spread throughout the hub. It would really be a shame to not replace those if they are taken out during the work. I always considered them sort of extensions of the Partners statue.

Scroll back in the 40+ pages, it was shown somewhere on blueprint or landscape plans or whatever, that the statues appear to be moved, but still within the hub, just further out from the center.

 

[articos]

I've seen the video, but it's hard to decipher exactly how it'll look when looking down Main Street.

Best way to describe what's happening is the hub is being widened. So instead of looking directly down Main Street and seeing the central plaza where the trees and planters used to be together, now Main Street will look down and open out on a larger central plaza. The planters are spaced wider apart so that the view of the castle is unobstructed, but you will see the greenery and flowers, and in the center, lower, will be "Partners" and the new circular planter.

I understand that the video of the plans is only a rendition of what it will look like, but to me it's interesting that what is not shown are the small bronze statues of the characters that are spread throughout the hub. It would really be a shame to not replace those if they are taken out during the work. I always considered them sort of extensions of the Partners statue.

Scroll back in the 40+ pages, it was shown somewhere on blueprint or landscape plans or whatever, that the statues appear to be moved, but still within the hub, just further out from the center.

Correct, the statues should still be there.

 

[Father Robinson]

Scroll back in the 40+ pages, it was shown somewhere on blueprint or landscape plans or whatever, that the statues appear to be moved, but still within the hub, just further out from the center.

That's ok, I have no problem believing you, if you say they were in the plans somewhere. Thank you!

 

[stevehousse]

Any time frame for when this is suppose to be done?

 

[wogwog]

Any time frame for when this is suppose to be done?

2015.

 

[ABQ]

That's ok, I have no problem believing you, if you say they were in the plans somewhere. Thank you!

Yeah, I even tried to find the post, but it's possible it's in this thread, the one about the east side exit from the hub or possibly the moat being emptied thread. I've lost all track and can't find anything.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I know I'm in the minority here, but I kind of like being able to see the whole castle from town square. Maybe it's because I'm younger and I don't remember when there were trees in the hub. Though, I do believe trees in the hub are necessary and will liven up the area.

Main Street, USA has lost almost all of its identity. The layering of trees created a visual distinction, but without a difference of identity to distinguish there is not as much to miss.

 

[dstrawn9889]

they are trees... they have been gone so long i no longer remember what the hub looked like prior to their removal. we did not lose CBJ or PoTC. just a mass of cellulose and chlorophyll, replanted elsewhere on property, or had saplings planted to offset the loss of them on the property. they were removed for a purpose, and probably chewed into mulch to retain moisture in the beds. what is it you are longing for?

 

[jt04]

Main Street, USA has lost almost all of its identity. The layering of trees created a visual distinction, but without a difference of identity to distinguish there is not as much to miss.

If you talk to someone from the early days they might say the trees eventually overwhelmed the view down MSUSA.

 

[Ariel1986]

Is there any news on when the moat will be refilled?

 

[note2001]

Is there any news on when the moat will be refilled?

Nope. Hopefully sooner than later. The empty moat bothers me more than the trees.

 

[MickeyPeace]

Personally I'm ed at seeing bridges flattened, moats filled in, small eateries gutted for garden chairs, backstage exposed to guests- all to "accommodate" guests.

Open the damn shuttered restaurants to start with. That would result in less congestion and happier guests.

And if this is really all about fireworks viewing, maybe they should shoot them off in the parking lot instead of changing Magic Kingdom to look like one.

 

[prfctlyximprct]

I hope so. I was there a week and a day ago (last Monday) and the alternate route was open. It was totally unnecessarily opened, it was empty back there and Main Street was not unusually packed. I also hated it as it exposed guests to backstage areas, which show that the Main Street stores are just facades and it shows cast members on their breaks. I have never been so abruptly taken out of the magic before, and I'm a cast member so I've seen it all.

Boo this makes me really depressed.

 

[WDW1974]

If Disney installs two new fountains in the hub, does that mean that every excuse for the malfunctioning of all the other MK fountains is bollox? No drought, no Fla regulation, no environmental concers?

The drought that was used as an excuse to destroy the fountains was about 15 years ago.
We aren't California. We have plenty of water.

 

[WDW1974]

That's interesting to know.

What's the likelihood the trees will be big enough to see from Main Street though? I know they won't as big as they once were, but I'm hoping it'll look better than the mess we have now:

It's just so soulless.

Yes. Like an O-town outlet mall with a fake castle.

it used to be so beautiful ... trees down MSUSA and a shady oasis in the Hub that twinkled at night more than the typical 18-year-old CM fresh off the farm ... oh yeah, Walmarted all the way.

 

[WDW1974]

There will be trees back in the Hub, but not directly in sightlines with Main Street or obstructing the Castle. It will absolutely look better than now.

My home's landscaping looks better than what we have now.

 

[Gabe1]

Looks like someone popped a big castle at the end of Main Street. Without plantings there's no forced perspective at all.

That is one of simplest ways I've heard the barren wasteland of a the hub/castle described and likely the best.

Kudos.