New Main Street U.S.A bypass to be built to address entry and exit congestion at the Magic Kingdom

[Next Big Thing]

It should have been done in six weeks. I'm back there every 4-5 months and am always stunned at how little has been accomplished.

Just out of curiosity (not being sarcastic at all), when was the last time you were back there? Honestly just interested as a lot of work has commenced since the plaza gardens opened.

And paving over the parking lot? I agree, that should have been done a lot faster. However, a big part of this is turning what was once a parking lot that CMs use to dump trash and move around merch, foods, etc backstage into an area where all of that can still happen while guests are flowing through and it not look like a piece of crap.

And as stated, this is a very low priority project. The bypass is in daily use and looks fairly "nice" at this point anyway. They have no reason to speed up work on this when they have a hub project that impacts tens of thousands more guests each day.

 

[Castle Cake Apologist]

Pretty impressive! We're 18 months into the construction of a walkway. And they aren't done yet.

If I were a jerk, this is where I would again mention that Universal built an E Ticket attraction dead center of an operating theme park in 11 months. But I'm not, so I won't.

Probably a good thing that you're not a jerk, since the two aren't even remotely comparable. Why would they have even tried to treat this like the construction of an E-Ticket? That's not even taking into consideration that while Transformers is a pretty awesome ride, it probably didn't take a lot of time to install an attraction with a recycled track layout and a bunch of screen based effects. Just sayin'.

I think people are ignoring the logistics of this project. The area in question is very heavily trafficked by Cast Members doing everything from waste management to stock transfer. Not to mention that the project isn't necessarily a huge priority when there are so many bigger things going on. I'm not sure why the construction timeline of a backstage passageway bothers some so much, but it will be done when it's done. Which will likely be soon... There's really not much left to do.

 

[Next Big Thing]

Probably a good thing that you're not a jerk, since the two aren't even remotely comparable. Why would they have even tried to treat this like the construction of an E-Ticket? That's not even taking into consideration that while Transformers is a pretty awesome ride, it probably didn't take a lot of time to install an attraction with a recycled track layout and a bunch of screen based effects. Just sayin'.

I think people are ignoring the logistics of this project. The area in question is very heavily trafficked by Cast Members doing everything from waste management to stock transfer. Not to mention that the project isn't necessarily a huge priority when there are so many bigger things going on. I'm not sure why the construction timeline of a backstage passageway bothers some so much, but it will be done when it's done. Which will likely be soon... There's really not much left to do.

Bingo. And correct in that there's not much left to be done.

 

[SirLink]

Probably a good thing that you're not a jerk, since the two aren't even remotely comparable. Why would they have even tried to treat this like the construction of an E-Ticket? That's not even taking into consideration that while Transformers is a pretty awesome ride, it probably didn't take a lot of time to install an attraction with a recycled track layout and a bunch of screen based effects. Just sayin'.

I think people are ignoring the logistics of this project. The area in question is very heavily trafficked by Cast Members doing everything from waste management to stock transfer. Not to mention that the project isn't necessarily a huge priority when there are so many bigger things going on. I'm not sure why the construction timeline of a backstage passageway bothers some so much, but it will be done when it's done. Which will likely be soon... There's really not much left to do.

SMH to the first bolded point.

Second bolded point ... like ... the only other construction project in the MK is the Hub ... if you mean construction across the resort, then haahahhahahahahaha ... that should not matter construction should be being done in parallel in all 4 parks without breaking a sweat.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

The fact that it is a heavily used area is the exact reason that you don't want an active construction zone for 18+ months. This was a very simple project in an area of high foot traffic.

And it's been about a month since I was back there, and I'm glad they are close to finally wrapping this thing up. But, man! This was a ridiculous build.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

SMH to the first bolded point.

Second bolded point ... like ... the only other construction project in the MK is the Hub ... if you mean construction across the resort, then haahahhahahahahaha ... that should not matter construction should be being done in parallel in all 4 parks without breaking a sweat.

I was wondering the same thing. What are these other things that are being built in the MK? The new Hub that probably could/should have only taken 6-8 months but is instead being dragged out to an almost 2 year endeavor?

Even across the resort, what else is there? Avatar? That's still a good 3 YEARS away. The new parking deck at Disney Springs? The hat removal/stage install at DHS? From the most recent pics, it doesn't look like that's moving at breakneck speed.

Really, I'm kind of at a loss here on how people can be ok with something like this taking this long, "low priority" or not. In fact, I'd argue that anything open to guest use on a regular basis should be high priority, no matter what it is. If guests see it, it needs to be show ready. Period.

 

[marni1971]

I think people are ignoring the logistics of this project. .

Not at all. It's in a controlled backstage environment, and is taking forever.

 

[Castle Cake Apologist]

SMH to the first bolded point.

Second bolded point ... like ... the only other construction project in the MK is the Hub ... if you mean construction across the resort, then haahahhahahahahaha ... that should not matter construction should be being done in parallel in all 4 parks without breaking a sweat.

Do tell, why exactly are you shaking your head at the first point? Transformers is literally a recycled ride from USH (who recycled it in the first place from Universal Singapore) contained in a sparsely themed warehouse with an incredibly similar track layout (and identical ride system) to Amazing Spider Man and features primarily screen based effects. All in all, a relatively easy build. It is also a completely different type of project than building a backstage bypass, so I (again) don't see the point of comparing the two. What exactly in my post has you so bemused? If we were comparing the build of Transformers to the build of 7DMT, then I MIGHT be able to give the point a little more credence.

As for other projects, we have the massive rebuild of the hub, the Main Street facade rebuilds, the reimagining of Adventureland Veranda, the redo of Liberty Tree Tavern, etc. not to mention that we're recently out of the busiest season at MK (Christmas/New Years) and are currently in the middle of another busy time of year (spring break). The bypass has been in active use and only so much construction can happen with that going on.

But by all means, compare the admittedly slow progress of a low priority backstage project with no real monetary gain for Disney to the build of a relatively simple E-Ticket that stood to make Universal a lot of money if that's what you need to do to further the pointless Uni vs. WDW debate that everybody just loves so much around these parts.

 

[marni1971]

Other things going on? Is that a joke? It's mainly regular refurb and Maintainence.

Building the Epcot resort area and infrastructure from scratch - in a swamp- whilst simultaneously building a theme park and five resort hotels in the middle of it was a lot going on. This is a minuscule band aid project.

I won't compare to Transformers since there is no comparison. I'll stick to TDO now compared to 25 years ago.

 

[Castle Cake Apologist]

Not at all. It's in a controlled backstage environment, and is taking forever.

Yes, but that controlled backstage environment is in pretty constant use by both guests and especially Cast Members.

I guess this just doesn't bother me that much. It literally affects NOTHING if this project takes a while to complete. It's not a ride and it's not even in an area that affects the average guest. It just feels like a pretty pointless thing to complain about. Who cares if this takes a bit of time to finish? More importantly, why does it matter so much?

 

[marni1971]

If you don't get it, doesn't mean others don't.

Some are excited over Avland. Others couldn't give two hoots.

Live and let live.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

But by all means, compare the admittedly slow progress of a low priority backstage project with no real monetary gain for Disney to the build of a relatively simple E-Ticket that stood to make Universal a lot of money if that's what you need to do to further the pointless Uni vs. WDW debate that everybody just loves so much around these parts.

???

That "relatively simple E-ticket" is leaps and bounds ahead of anything Disney has produced in the last 5-10 years.

And if you want to compare Transformers to 7DMT, by all means let's do that. Because 11 months for a special effects laden, 4 minute E-ticket simulator ride versus 2+years for a 90 second kiddie coaster with some rocks and fake trees is a loser for Disney as well.

 

[marni1971]

*tries to steer this away from another Uni v WDW debate no matter what's correct or not *

Nice weather we're having.

 

[SirLink]

*tries to steer this away from another Uni v WDW debate no matter what's correct or not *

Nice weather we're having.

Why @marni1971 why ....

 

[gmajew]

Do tell, why exactly are you shaking your head at the first point? Transformers is literally a recycled ride from USH (who recycled it in the first place from Universal Singapore) contained in a sparsely themed warehouse with an incredibly similar track layout (and identical ride system) to Amazing Spider Man and features primarily screen based effects. All in all, a relatively easy build. It is also a completely different type of project than building a backstage bypass, so I (again) don't see the point of comparing the two. What exactly in my post has you so bemused? If we were comparing the build of Transformers to the build of 7DMT, then I MIGHT be able to give the point a little more credence.

As for other projects, we have the massive rebuild of the hub, the Main Street facade rebuilds, the reimagining of Adventureland Veranda, the redo of Liberty Tree Tavern, etc. not to mention that we're recently out of the busiest season at MK (Christmas/New Years) and are currently in the middle of another busy time of year (spring break). The bypass has been in active use and only so much construction can happen with that going on.

But by all means, compare the admittedly slow progress of a low priority backstage project with no real monetary gain for Disney to the build of a relatively simple E-Ticket that stood to make Universal a lot of money if that's what you need to do to further the pointless Uni vs. WDW debate that everybody just loves so much around these parts.

I made the same comments after my trip to Universal first and got blasted. I rode transformers before spider man so I though Spider man was the knock off. LOL

 

[ford91exploder]

*tries to steer this away from another Uni v WDW debate no matter what's correct or not *

Nice weather we're having.

Yes it is pleasantly warm and sunny

 

[DisneyDebRob]

*tries to steer this away from another Uni v WDW debate no matter what's correct or not *

Nice weather we're having.

Little warm for my liking but I'll take it.

 

[Otterhead]

90 second kiddie coaster with some rocks and fake trees

That's kind of like describing Be Our Guest as "a sandwich joint" or Tower of Terror as "a carnival drop ride".

 

[ToTBellHop]

That's kind of like describing Be Our Guest as "a sandwich joint" or Tower of Terror as "a carnival drop ride".

Very well themed junior coaster with impressive Audio-Animatronics figures would be more appropriate. I'm sure my kids will by psyched when they hit 38". And I'll be psyched to share an impressive roller coaster with them. Then they will hit 40" and Mine Train will become less appealing like Barnstormer is to most adults.

 

[Brian]

If I were a jerk, this is where I would again mention that Universal built an E Ticket attraction dead center of an operating theme park in 11 months. But I'm not, so I won't.

But... you just did...