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

[marni1971]

This was literally an unnecessary project

Oh, it was very necessary. It was only a matter of time before guests got hurt in the hub and whilst trying to exit.

And to make a legit walkway with some control for the guests who would force theirselves backstage to use the original bypass even if the gates were closed.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

I think that's kind of the kicker, though. It's not meant to be terribly impressive and really can't be from an operational standpoint. You can't have too much back there for people to gawk and fawn over when you're trying to move thousands of them out of the park.

Additional issues arise when you consider that they are essentially trying to retheme an area that was built over 40 years ago to never be seen by paying guests. Then there's the whole other issue of the need for backstage MSUSA to remain functional for Cast to perform essential park operations. That's a VERY busy and important area for a lot of departments.

I'm onboard the train that says Disney has not done their best work lately, but I don't think a lot of the criticism of the bypass is valid. This was literally an unnecessary project as they could have just kept lining the walkway with shrubs and calling it a day as they did for many years. This was Disney plussing an area that they didn't honestly have to. How can we be upset about that?

Yes, but most of that is true only in the most direct sense. The bypass may be necessary - the overcrowding is a disaster waiting to happen, and causes much aggression and stress. But that is all caused by WDW's own development of the property. A second MK, or fully developed other parks would have prevented the current overhaul of the MK.

The MK is meant to be awe-inspiring, fully themed down to every inch. You can have stuff everywhere for people to gawk and fawn over - just look at the MK 1.0, or DLP specifically for arcades.

Every intervention in recent years may have been 'necessary' from an operational point of view, but that is a necessity that is either the product of failures in the development of the property as a whole, or of unwillingness to go for the big, bold other solution, or even a simply deceptive necessity. For example, with two nighttime parades, fireworks, and a 1:00 AM closing time the exit stampede would be mostly solved. If that sounds excessive, that is exactly what WDW did during its heyday. And the MK had fifty percent less visitors too. If they now add some basic themeing to some shrubs while herding the masses out through backstage, that may an improvement in a strict sense, but it is of the kind of charging you $19.95 for ketchup on your fries instead of $19.99.

 

[Andrew C]

Yes, but most of that is true only in the most direct sense. The bypass may be necessary - the overcrowding is a disaster waiting to happen, and causes much aggression and stress. But that is all caused by WDW's own development of the property. A second MK, or fully developed other parks would have prevented the current overhaul of the MK.

The MK is meant to be awe-inspiring, fully themed down to every inch. You can have stuff everywhere for people to gawk and fawn over - just look at the MK 1.0, or DLP specifically for arcades.

Every intervention in recent years may have been 'necessary' from an operational point of view, but that is a necessity that is either the product of failures in the development of the property as a whole, or of unwillingness to go for the big, bold other solution, or even a simply deceptive necessity. For example, with two nighttime parades, fireworks, and a 1:00 AM closing time the exit stampede would be mostly solved. If that sounds excessive, that is exactly what WDW did during its heyday. And the MK had fifty percent less visitors too. If they now add some basic themeing to some shrubs while herding the masses out through backstage, that may an improvement in a strict sense, but it is of the kind of charging you $19.95 for ketchup on your fries instead of $19.99.

You think avatarland at AK and a newly developed DHS with a Star Wars land is going to reduce attendance at MK enough to not need the bypass? Because I don't. There is no way that is going to happen.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

You think avatarland at AK and a newly developed DHS with a Star Wars land is going to reduce attendance at MK enough to not need the bypass? Because I don't. There is no way that is going to happen.

No, that's too little, too late.

I do remember when EPCOT drew almost as many guests as the castle park. As does DisneySea. DCA 2.0 has alleviated DL too.

And yes, DAK I'm sure will help greatly, especially as an evening park. Star Wars and build-out DHS will be a fantastic help too. DHS is a superhit waiting to happen. What would really help is a second MK, a park for all the toon franchises. Disney never needed to completely rebuild the MK, it could also have build a toon kiddie kingdom outright while keeping the MK. And then there are options of really using that enormous space well, fully integrated, rather than just building a set of individual parks and hotels sorta close together.

Also, it is blasphemy, but pricing structure is a possibility too. Disney has finally priced the MK higher than the other parks. It could also limit visits to the MK to one in four days of your ticket. There are other options too. Nothing that happens at WDW is a given, or is done out of necessity. Everything is the result of managerial decisions.

 

[Mr. Peabody]

No, that's too little, too late.

I do remember when EPCOT drew almost as many guests as the castle park. As does DisneySea. DCA 2.0 has alleviated DL too.

And yes, DAK I'm sure will help greatly, especially as an evening park. Star Wars and build-out DHS will be a fantastic help too. DHS is a superhit waiting to happen. What would really help is a second MK, a park for all the toon franchises. Disney never needed to completely rebuild the MK, it could also have build a toon kiddie kingdom outright while keeping the MK. And then there are options of really using that enormous space well, fully integrated, rather than just building a set of individual parks and hotels sorta close together.

Also, it is blasphemy, but pricing structure is a possibility too. Disney has finally priced the MK higher than the other parks. It could also limit visits to the MK to one in four days of your ticket. There are other options too. Nothing that happens at WDW is a given, or is done out of necessity. Everything is the result of managerial decisions.

Also, they didn't do themselves any favors by largely ignoring Epcot, DHS, and DAK in their advertising for years.

 

[marni1971]

You think avatarland at AK and a newly developed DHS with a Star Wars land is going to reduce attendance at MK enough to not need the bypass? Because I don't. There is no way that is going to happen.

It will certainly hit attandence. As seen in 1998.

By how much is the question.

 

[Next Big Thing]

While this rationale makes perfect sense in the normal world, I think you *can* put expectations on something that you have spent $(insert painful amount of money here) on in order to experience the immersive world that WDW is, and was made famous, for. They spend money to theme trash cans and bathrooms and doorknobs so as to never break this illusion. Why not spend a little for an area that is going to be seen by quite a few folks? Besides - I don't want to have to stumble out of a dark alley after my "kiss goodnight." I'll save that for when I get back home.

My 2 cents FWIW

I've worked the bypass as a CM many times. It's only open during MSEP through to an hour after Wishes - you know, busy times. The VAST majority of guests LOVE it. When they see the insane crowds leaving down Main Street and are directed down a side road that is continuously moving (unlike Main St.), what do you think the guest response is? They LOVE IT.

This isn't about being pretty, it's about getting people out of the park safely.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Did Disney increase the number of people allowed into MK after the Fantasyland expansion? I thought the point of that project was to deal with exsisting crowds?

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I just think that everywhere you go at WDW, it should feel like you are at "Walt Disney World". Not WDW.

 

[BackOTheLine]

I've worked the bypass as a CM many times. It's only open during MSEP through to an hour after Wishes - you know, busy times. The VAST majority of guests LOVE it. When they see the insane crowds leaving down Main Street and are directed down a side road that is continuously moving (unlike Main St.), what do you think the guest response is? They LOVE IT.

This isn't about being pretty, it's about getting people out of the park safely.

Oh don't get me wrong - the function of it is great and very much appreciated by this guest as well. I'm sure that no one would choose a slow beautiful exit over a quick ugly one. I'm simply saying that anything worth doing is worth doing right (in the Disney sense). But I think they get that and are doing, at least, something in that direction.

Disney could throw up a few cheap Holiday Inn style hotels on the property that would create plenty of cheap places for guests to stay and lots of people would LOVE that, but it ultimately wouldn't be the right thing to do...in the Disney sense.

But I get what you're saying. There are worse things in the World.

 

[Andrew C]

Oh don't get me wrong - the function of it is great and very much appreciated by this guest as well. I'm sure that no one would choose a slow beautiful exit over a quick ugly one. I'm simply saying that anything worth doing is worth doing right (in the Disney sense). But I think they get that and are doing, at least, something in that direction.

Disney could throw up a few cheap Holiday Inn style hotels on the property that would create plenty of cheap places for guests to stay and lots of people would LOVE that, but it ultimately wouldn't be the right thing to do...in the Disney sense.

But I get what you're saying. There are worse things in the World.

So what would you have them do with the bypass? It's needed right now so closing it is not an option. It really has to be there so what would you do with it that disney is not? And you must keep the functionality of it for backstage CM's in mind.

 

[Tom]

While this rationale makes perfect sense in the normal world, I think you *can* put expectations on something that you have spent $(insert painful amount of money here) on in order to experience the immersive world that WDW is, and was made famous, for. They spend money to theme trash cans and bathrooms and doorknobs so as to never break this illusion. Why not spend a little for an area that is going to be seen by quite a few folks? Besides - I don't want to have to stumble out of a dark alley after my "kiss goodnight." I'll save that for when I get back home.

My 2 cents FWIW

To that, I guess I would say, position yourself so that you may exit via Main Street, and not the bypass. That will provide you with the experience you seek. While those who just want to get out of the park can take the bypass.

 

[BackOTheLine]

So what would you have them do with the bypass? It's needed right now so closing it is not an option. It really has to be there so what would you do with it that disney is not? And you must keep the functionality of it for backstage CM's in mind.

That's a great question, and an easy one to throw around but not an easy one to answer in a useful way without a lot of information to consider. Current building footprints, backstage traffic flow, etc.. I mentioned that I'm glad they are at least doing something about it so there's the acknowledgement of needing improvent but sometimes it's just putting a dress on a pig.

It's stuff that should be addressed by engineers and architects (of which I am neither). Of course it will be easy to say I'm a fool that doesn't understand the complexity of the situation - and you could be right - but I think larger mountains have been scaled.

And there's no need to close it during construction...just put a few plants in the way.

 

[DisneyDebRob]

How about just exiting the best way possible.... Wandering slowly around the park when it closes, enjoying the quiet and no crowds around and when you get to the exit 30-45 minutes after closing there's hardly anyone around. I do it everytime.Works at Epcot just as well.
Wait, bad idea, don't do that. I need to think these things through before spouting off.

 

[BackOTheLine]

To that, I guess I would say, position yourself so that you may exit via Main Street, and not the bypass. That will provide you with the experience you seek. While those who just want to get out of the park can take the bypass.

Fair enough.

 

[Andrew C]

How about just exiting the best way possible.... Wandering slowly around the park when it closes, enjoying the quiet and no crowds around and when you get to the exit 30-45 minutes after closing there's hardly anyone around. I do it everytime.Works at Epcot just as well.
Wait, bad idea, don't do that. I need to think these things through before spouting off.

Haha. So you are the person in the bench across from me 30 minutes after close!

 

[englanddg]

How about just exiting the best way possible.... Wandering slowly around the park when it closes, enjoying the quiet and no crowds around and when you get to the exit 30-45 minutes after closing there's hardly anyone around. I do it everytime.Works at Epcot just as well.
Wait, bad idea, don't do that. I need to think these things through before spouting off.

Shhh...stop telling all the secrets!

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

I'm simply saying that anything worth doing is worth doing right (in the Disney sense). But I think they get that and are doing, at least, something in that direction.

This is my biggest complaint with the Eisner era, they saved Disney and gave us several new parks but all of the parks feel like they were done of the cheap. For all the hate the Iger era gets at least it seems (or seemed) they have learned from the past and are trying to fix the mistakes of the past. The main reason I add seemed is because of the 7DMT and storybook circus, I love what they've done at DCA, love what they've done with NFL, and love what they're doing with AK but 7DMT and SC still feel like they chose the cheap route. A company the size of Disney that is building assets that should last for 25+ years should never take the cheap route, it just ends up costing them more in the long run. I thought they had learned that lesson with DCA.

 

[DisneyDebRob]

S

Haha. So you are the person in the bench across from me 30 minutes after close!

shhhhhhhhh.... Yup

 

[toolsnspools]

How about just exiting the best way possible.... Wandering slowly around the park when it closes, enjoying the quiet and no crowds around and when you get to the exit 30-45 minutes after closing there's hardly anyone around. I do it everytime.Works at Epcot just as well.
Wait, bad idea, don't do that. I need to think these things through before spouting off.

One of my favorite things to do at EPCOT is watch Illuminations from Mexico and then walk the long way around WS before exiting the park. By the time you get to The American pavilion there's almost no-one out there, and by the time you get to transportation the rush is gone as well. Makes for a very pleasant end to your day at the park.