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

[psuchad]

Disney didn't become what they are today by always putting the profit above all else.

My statement does not imply that. I truly believe that the hub changes are for a better guest experience. No matter how much you want to feel all warm and cuddly inside thinking that Disney has not put profit above anything else, it is simply not true. I guarantee you that every single thing planned by Walt himself and everyone since was a response either directly or indirectly to the want/need to make a profit.

Case in point. Sleeping Beauty castle does not make any money, but the decision to build it was to 1) attract people to the park to spend money 2) sell tickets to see the movie

 

[danlb_2000]

My statement does not imply that. I truly believe that the hub changes are for a better guest experience. No matter how much you want to feel all warm and cuddly inside thinking that Disney has not put profit above anything else, it is simply not true. I guarantee you that every single thing planned by Walt himself and everyone since was a response either directly or indirectly to the want/need to make a profit.

Case in point. Sleeping Beauty castle does not make any money, but the decision to build it was to 1) attract people to the park to spend money 2) sell tickets to see the movie

But that is a balancing act. You are right Walt did a lot of things to make the parks a great experience which he hoped would translate into profit. Today there seems to be more of a focus on what things can be done that will directly drive profits, instead of making things better so that the profits will happen naturally. Not saying this is the case with every project, and for me the jury is still out on the hub, but it just seems to me that the focus has shifted recently.

 

[Coaster Lover]

Castle turrets went up last night...

 

[Rteetz]

Castle turrets went up last night...

They've actually been up for a couple days now only difference is they have put scaffolding around the left one.

 

[Coaster Lover]

Huh... Totally missed them when I was here yesterday...

 

[marni1971]

Disneyland's hub is much smaller and doesn't have many trees. They are larger, but the castle is not the main nighttime show. Fantasmic and World of Color are the major draws. Yes, those areas have been cleared and reconfigured to maximize attendance and profit.

Disneylands hub is absolutely the main draw for a show, as they discovered in 2005 and had to rush to fix.

 

[marni1971]

I think people are just more aware of the heat in AK because there are fewer indoor attractions in which for them to cool down in in between walking around.

DAK is acknowledged as being a "hot park" due to the foliage.

Increased vegetation traps heat more.

 

[psuchad]

Disneylands hub is absolutely the main draw for a show, as they discovered in 2005 and had to rush to fix.

I agree, but it is not the main show. Fantasmic, the castle, and World of Color all take place at relatively the same time. That park is different than WDW. At Disneyland there are three major shows within walking distance. This spaces out the crowd.

Unless things have changed since I was there in 2008, Fantasmic is/was the most popular show at Disneyland, not including California Adventure since WoC didn't exist then.

Anyway, back on topic. I believe the hub enhancements are strictly for guest experience and not a money grab. The changes allow for better traffic flow, sight lines, and greater attendance. The young foliage will mature over time and make the area look even better. The turrets are an excellent way to hide mechanicals for shows and parades while providing continuity with the castle.

 

[Cesar R M]

Are you saying they should be a charity? It is not an excuse to say an entity is a business. It is a simple fact. They have to make money. When they stop making money, they go bankrupt and no longer exist.

This image is relevant yet again...

 

[psuchad]

This image is relevant yet again...
View attachment 88376

What exactly was the point of your post and use of the condescending Willy Wonka meme?

 

[RayTheFirefly]

DAK is acknowledged as being a "hot park" due to the foliage.

Increased vegetation traps heat more.

Oh, I know. I was just saying I think people also are probably much more aware of it at DAK.

 

[note2001]

Castle turrets went up last night...

More pics are always appreciated, thank you for sharing! Sorry about the grey skies.

 

[Cesar R M]

What exactly was the point of your post and use of the condescending Willy Wonka meme?

That everyone who defends Disney for every single thing.. uses the "But mooooooooooooomm... disney is a businesssssssssss!" excuse ad nauseam.
just ask @PhotoDave219 or @ford91exploder . I think we've seen that overused excuse like 20+ times in this single month alone.

*edit*
I think at this rate.. "the disney is a business" maneouver will surpass the usage of the infamous "Reductio Ad Hitlerum" Fallacy to end discussions in this forum.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Are you saying they should be a charity? It is not an excuse to say an entity is a business. It is a simple fact. They have to make money. When they stop making money, they go bankrupt and no longer exist.

How much money tho? Exactly how much of a profit margin do they need Do they need to be cutthroat with everything and squeeze every dollar? Does that behavior alienate your core audience? How much of those revenues should be used as reinvestments? How should you grow your business?

So. Yes. Disney is a business. By all means, feel free to elaborate in essay form to some of those questions posed above.

 

[note2001]

That everyone who defends Disney for every single thing.. uses the "But mooooooooooooomm... disney is a businesssssssssss!" excuse ad nauseam.
just ask @PhotoDave219 or @ford91exploder . I think we've seen that overused excuse like 20+ times in this single month alone.

Please file your complaints at the town hall.

 

[Cesar R M]

Please file your complaints at the town hall.

Yeah, perhaps they will wish me to "have a magical day" then telling me how treasured guest I am.

 

[note2001]

Yeah, perhaps they will wish me to "have a magical day" then telling me how treasured guest I am.

I have never bothered to lodge a complaint, can't think of anything I'd have to complain about except other guests, but I have an image in my head of the CMs standing there all day taking down complaints in the computer when what they're really doing is playing video games.

 

[gmajew]

So you don't like what they did with the hub?

No I loves the new hub! It was so so much nicer for walking a inc that area enjoying shows and not being trampled.

 

[Cesar R M]

I have never bothered to lodge a complaint, can't think of anything I'd have to complain about except other guests, but I have an image in my head of the CMs standing there all day taking down complaints in the computer when what they're really doing is playing video games.

or redirecting the complains to Universal Studios's yelp reviews

 

[marni1971]

Anyway, back on topic. I believe the hub enhancements are strictly for guest experience and not a money grab. .

Primarily for safety, which could be turned into an experience thing.

The 40th anniversary brought it home how close they came to guests being seriously injured. The night the crowds spilled over the grass and flower beds. The night CMs were pulled out of the guest areas when they were overwhelmed. The night it was an uncontrolled free for all. The night it was more than just gridlocked. For a few minutes it was dangerous.

The night the hub broke.