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

[Tim Lohr]

The value of parade/fireworks/show passes is just like ride FPs... it's not that you get an UPGRADED experience.. it's that you get an experience without having to fuss over prolonged waits, queuing early, etc.

If they are in creasing viewing capacity everywhere around the hub having to fuss over prolonged waits, queuing early, etc... shouldn't be an issue anymore, making the two small area FP+ areas kind of pointless

 

[flynnibus]

If they are in creasing viewing capacity everywhere around the hub having to fuss over prolonged waits, queuing early, etc... shouldn't be an issue anymore, making the two small area FP+ areas kind of pointless

A postulation that assumes capacity (even expanded) far outweighs demand.. which it does not. So until such a time exists, FP offers that advantage of not having to camp out or show up excessively early.

 

[Tim Lohr]

A postulation that assumes capacity (even expanded) far outweighs demand.. which it does not. So until such a time exists, FP offers that advantage of not having to camp out or show up excessively early.

I don't know what you're talking about, because every time I've been in front of the castle for the fireworks, parade, or stage show in recent years it jam packed with people to a dangerous degree, and exiting the park is just as bad. This is expansion of the hub is absolutely necessary

 

[flynnibus]

I don't know what you're talking about, because every time I've been in front of the castle for the fireworks, parade, or stage show in recent years it jam packed with people to a dangerous degree, and exiting the park is just as bad. This is expansion of the hub is absolutely necessary

I never said otherwise... so I ask that you read my posts again. You said they are expanding capacity that would in turn make FP+ pointless for fireworks. A statement that requires the new expanded capacity to be enough to satisify all demand. And as you said, the demand far far far out paces the available space (jam packed with people to a dangerous degree). So this new capacity will NOT make FP+ pointless (because this new capacity can not possibly offset all the possible demand) so FP+ will still offer value here because you avoid having to arrive that much earlier to be ahead of the crowd.

 

[Tim Lohr]

I never said otherwise... so I ask that you read my posts again. You said they are expanding capacity that would in turn make FP+ pointless for fireworks. A statement that requires the new expanded capacity to be enough to satisify all demand. And as you said, the demand far far far out paces the available space (jam packed with people to a dangerous degree). So this new capacity will NOT make FP+ pointless (because this new capacity can not possibly offset all the possible demand) so FP+ will still offer value here because you avoid having to arrive that much earlier to be ahead of the crowd.

Ok, I see your point now I just disagree with it

 

[ford91exploder]

Because as humans we don't like change. Especially with WDW. And from comments made with changes made anywhere, there is a definite split in opinion. Remember that book something like Who Moved My Cheese? Always hated that book.

Always wanted an alternate ending, one with NO cheese instead of New Cheese, It would have been more representative of modern life.

 

[CTXRover]

Thanks to those who posted pics of some of the plans. Having been stuck in non-moving crowds of people around crystal palace during a recent trip last October after fireworks, I understand the need for additional paths and they would have been very welcome that night. As long as they keep a 'park' feel to the whole area, this could turn out nice. Thankfully the rumors of the moats being filled in should be put to rest other than the small sections near Casey's and Plaza restaurant.

Still hard to visualize how this will all look. Could look like nice...could look overpaved.

Two quick notes/questions, it looks like the new fountains are as you enter the hub on either side. The one set of plans identifies "relocated sculptures" around the fountain. Based on the small size, are these the small character sculptures currently in the center of the hub? If so, I like that to protect them better. Also, it looks like the path to the majority of the rose garden (down towards the old swan boats dock) is untouched by the majority of the plans. Will that remain more or less untouched then?

 

[Goofnut1980]

How come no one has ever mentioned this until the moat was drained??

 

[The Visionary Soul]

How come no one has ever mentioned this until the moat was drained??

Oh, I did, or at least I hinted at it. A couple others had hinted at it as well. But I didn't have these images to post. Now we have the images. So, here's some things I want you to understand about this project:

It's 100% necessary. If you have ever tried to navigate the Hub during a parade or fireworks show, you know what I am talking about. The current layout is just plain bad.

The new landscaping package was cut. I'm not too happy about that... it will still make the audience control cast members jobs very difficult with the creation of more areas where you can watch the parade and wishes from. Plus, I am always a big fan of trees. This new plan doesn't have them.

All this talk about "filling in half the moat" just isn't true. The water will still be there, all areas still connected. Those new FP+ viewing areas are built on new bridge extensions. Take a look. Very little is actually being filled in. The water still will flow in a complete circle around the Hub... it just won't be as wide in that area.

The two new fountains are a nice addition, as are the relocation of the tiny character sculptures that surround the Partners statue. Moving water always triumphs still water. Kinetic energy and all that you know.

On that map you see some areas of the pathway that are much darker with extra lines. Those are tubular steel reinforcements that are going in the concrete. That's because they expect parade floats to pass over those walkways. That said, I have no idea why they want a parade float to go down that new Main Street bypass, but that is exactly what they are preparing to do.

Looks like they are moving the two food kiosks in the hub to the outer ring. They are even cutting out an area of the remaining planter to use as a queue for those kiosks. That's actually good thinking.

Looks like the new tip board will be angled the opposite direction as it is now. Same with that tip board pin kiosk. I question the use of both of those. A tip board is no longer necessary to the parks, and that pin kiosk is useless. Why are they re-building those? Turn them into benches! (Something Main Street is actually lacking)

Anyway, that's my take on everything. Hopefully I was able to answer any questions you had as well as provide some extra informed opinion on the expansion.

 

[Sped2424]

Oh, I did, or at least I hinted at it. A couple others had hinted at it as well. But I didn't have these images to post. Now we have the images. So, here's some things I want you to understand about this project:

It's 100% necessary. If you have ever tried to navigate the Hub during a parade or fireworks show, you know what I am talking about. The current layout is just plain bad.

The new landscaping package was cut. I'm not too happy about that... it will still make the audience control cast members jobs very difficult with the creation of more areas where you can watch the parade and wishes from. Plus, I am always a big fan of trees. This new plan doesn't have them.

All this talk about "filling in half the moat" just isn't true. The water will still be there, all areas still connected. Those new FP+ viewing areas are built on new bridge extensions. Take a look. Very little is actually being filled in. The water still will flow in a complete circle around the Hub... it just won't be as wide in that area.

The two new fountains are a nice addition, as are the relocation of the tiny character sculptures that surround the Partners statue. Moving water always triumphs still water. Kinetic energy and all that you know.

On that map you see some areas of the pathway that are much darker with extra lines. Those are tubular steel reinforcements that are going in the concrete. That's because they expect parade floats to pass over those walkways. That said, I have no idea why they want a parade float to go down that new Main Street bypass, but that is exactly what they are preparing to do.

Looks like they are moving the two food kiosks in the hub to the outer ring. They are even cutting out an area of the remaining planter to use as a queue for those kiosks. That's actually good thinking.

Looks like the new tip board will be angled the opposite direction as it is now. Same with that tip board pin kiosk. I question the use of both of those. A tip board is no longer necessary to the parks, and that pin kiosk is useless. Why are they re-building those? Turn them into benches! (Something Main Street is actually lacking)

Anyway, that's my take on everything. Hopefully I was able to answer any questions you had as well as provide some extra informed opinion on the expansion.

so by landscaping package do you mean there would have been more greenery or flowers or what not with the new redesign? Also no more parade going through frontierland and liberty square? How long should this project take and does anyone know when its going to start.

 

[The Visionary Soul]

so by landscaping package do you mean there would have been more greenery or flowers or what not with the new redesign? Also no more parade going through frontierland and liberty square? How long should this project take and does anyone know when its going to start.

No, the main parade still will go through Frontierland and Liberty Square. This is an additional access to the main route. No idea why they are building it, but they are, at least, according to these plans.

The old landscaping package had more trees and hedges to block views of the fireworks from the outer pathways to allow the crowds to move more quickly and to discourage people stopping to watch the show. This doesn't seem to be the case anymore. This package just adds the extra pathways, but it doesn't prevent viewing the show. Not quite as effective at managing crowds, but at this point, anything will help.

This project has already started, and it should last a while.

 

[Goofywilliam]

Oh, I did, or at least I hinted at it. A couple others had hinted at it as well. But I didn't have these images to post. Now we have the images. So, here's some things I want you to understand about this project:

It's 100% necessary. If you have ever tried to navigate the Hub during a parade or fireworks show, you know what I am talking about. The current layout is just plain bad.

The new landscaping package was cut. I'm not too happy about that... it will still make the audience control cast members jobs very difficult with the creation of more areas where you can watch the parade and wishes from. Plus, I am always a big fan of trees. This new plan doesn't have them.

All this talk about "filling in half the moat" just isn't true. The water will still be there, all areas still connected. Those new FP+ viewing areas are built on new bridge extensions. Take a look. Very little is actually being filled in. The water still will flow in a complete circle around the Hub... it just won't be as wide in that area.

The two new fountains are a nice addition, as are the relocation of the tiny character sculptures that surround the Partners statue. Moving water always triumphs still water. Kinetic energy and all that you know.

On that map you see some areas of the pathway that are much darker with extra lines. Those are tubular steel reinforcements that are going in the concrete. That's because they expect parade floats to pass over those walkways. That said, I have no idea why they want a parade float to go down that new Main Street bypass, but that is exactly what they are preparing to do.

Looks like they are moving the two food kiosks in the hub to the outer ring. They are even cutting out an area of the remaining planter to use as a queue for those kiosks. That's actually good thinking.

Looks like the new tip board will be angled the opposite direction as it is now. Same with that tip board pin kiosk. I question the use of both of those. A tip board is no longer necessary to the parks, and that pin kiosk is useless. Why are they re-building those? Turn them into benches! (Something Main Street is actually lacking)

Anyway, that's my take on everything. Hopefully I was able to answer any questions you had as well as provide some extra informed opinion on the expansion.

I bet it is for the street parties. By having the floats coming out near the bypass, you won't have the crowd control issues of the floats having to travel all the way down Main Street, which would be an improvement in my opinion. It would be much more direct.

 

[The Visionary Soul]

I bet it is for the street parties. By having the floats coming out near the bypass, you won't have the crowd control issues of the floats having to travel all the way down Main Street, which would be an improvement in my opinion. It would be much more direct.

Hmm, if that's the case, then I think we're going to see a new parade float storage facility being built in that MK East parking lot. Poor Phil, he might loose his parking spot!

 

[Goofywilliam]

Hmm, if that's the case, then I think we're going to see a new parade float storage facility being built in that MK East parking lot. Poor Phil, he might loose his parking spot!

Didn't even think about them having to build a new storage building. Of course, they could always store them in a tent... RIP Spectro

 

[kap91]

No, the main parade still will go through Frontierland and Liberty Square. This is an additional access to the main route. No idea why they are building it, but they are, at least, according to these plans.

The old landscaping package had more trees and hedges to block views of the fireworks from the outer pathways to allow the crowds to move more quickly and to discourage people stopping to watch the show. This doesn't seem to be the case anymore. This package just adds the extra pathways, but it doesn't prevent viewing the show. Not quite as effective at managing crowds, but at this point, anything will help.

This project has already started, and it should last a while.

No Trees? Waaaaaaaaaaah!!!!

Really - I give TDO a lot more credit than most but what the heck do they have against trees? If it couldn't be confused with a topiary it doesn't get planted at WDW - and it doesn't seem like it would be a budget thing - relatively inexpensive compared to most of what gets built. Are guests requesting more places to get skin cancer or something?

 

[kap91]

No, the main parade still will go through Frontierland and Liberty Square. This is an additional access to the main route. No idea why they are building it, but they are, at least, according to these plans.

The old landscaping package had more trees and hedges to block views of the fireworks from the outer pathways to allow the crowds to move more quickly and to discourage people stopping to watch the show. This doesn't seem to be the case anymore. This package just adds the extra pathways, but it doesn't prevent viewing the show. Not quite as effective at managing crowds, but at this point, anything will help.

This project has already started, and it should last a while.

No Trees? Waaaaaaaaaaah!!!!

Really - I give TDO a lot more credit than most but what the heck do they have against trees? If it couldn't be confused with a topiary it doesn't get planted at WDW - and it doesn't seem like it would be a budget thing - relatively inexpensive compared to most of what gets built. Are guests requesting more places to get skin cancer or something?

 

[The Visionary Soul]

No Trees? Waaaaaaaaaaah!!!!

Really - I give TDO a lot more credit than most but what the heck do they have against trees? If it couldn't be confused with a topiary it doesn't get planted at WDW - and it doesn't seem like it would be a budget thing - relatively inexpensive compared to most of what gets built. Are guests requesting more places to get skin cancer or something?

I think the no trees thing in the Magic Kingdom has to do with two things:

1. The root system can hurt the utilidoors if not properly monitored.

2. In the hub, all trees and shrubs have to be under a certain height now, as to not block the line of sight from the projectors to the castle.

 

[novawildcat18]

If you've ever been in the parks around Christmas-time, you should be grateful that this is happening. It took me and my family at least a half hour to get from the Partners Statue to the exit. It was utter madness. Hopefully this project will alleviate some of that chaos.

 

[Lee]

I'm still going over the plans. Lots to sort out.
Looks like some topiary gardens on each side.

 

[kap91]

I think the no trees thing in the Magic Kingdom has to do with two things:

1. The root system can hurt the utilidoors if not properly monitored.

2. In the hub, all trees and shrubs have to be under a certain height now, as to not block the line of sight from the projectors to the castle.

How dare you bring logic and reason into this conversation.

In all seriousness, I didn't think of the projector issue. Seems like something that could be gotten around if there was a real desire - but I can see where they don't want to go ripping out all that infrastructure. The Utilidor problem theoretically should be not a huge issue considering there were very large oaks in the hub directly over it for the better part of 3 decades without any issues I know of. And most of the area surrounding hub has nothing under it.

I get that there are real reasons to all of it, it's just every time I go to Disneyland I reminded of how much more beautiful everything looks when surrounded by 80ft tall eucalyptus trees and other foreststation. Heck those huge trees are all around their projection show and are planted on top of and around a 1950's era show building housing the submarines.

One day. Sigh.