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

[elchippo]

When I visited DLP, one of my favorite parts of that park were the arcades-I love the idea of them being in MK, if they are at least half as well executed as DLP's they will be cool. I suspect it will be well themed, with some character based references thrown in subtley....and I'm sure the vast majority of visitors won't bypass Main St. If anything, it will just become the next basic "hot tip" that those in the know like to take advantage of-similar to "left side of the queue always moves faster", we will now have "If you want to move through Main St faster, use the hidden arcade behind the East Side".

 

[LucyK]

I would think it would be similar to what they have done at Disneyland Paris. The pictures of the one at paris rock.

I posted before I saw the DLP pictures! Very well done, they are beautiful! I'd have no problem using an exit themed like that.

Like I said, my main concern is the themeing. And say what you want but WDW does themeing beautifully, i.e Tangled bathrooms, so as long as TDO use the same expertise to model the backstage area into a nicely themed onstage exit I see no reason to complain.

 

[Captain Chaos]

Going to wait and see how this is themed. May wind up just a bunch of cardboard cut out facades. Wouldn't surprise me in the least since this is not something which will be used every day. But if they go all out, then kudos. Time will tell. Regardless, relieving the crowding issues on Main Street will be welcome.

 

[Tim Lohr]

uhhhhh? You've been able to bypass Main Street since 1971 by taking the train to and from Frontierland, and even after they build this thing you'll still be able to walk up and down Main Street if you want to...

but what I'm hoping for is that this will finally be an opportunity for them to address the weird backside of the Plaza Restaurant

 

[NowInc]

Although I would LOVE to see a level of detail such as what is in Paris (seriously, in person its incredible), I don't see something THAT elaborate happening here. But, that being said, its not a row of cast members and planters. Theme it to match mainstreet and that will be a huge step up.

 

[James122]

I've never been to DLP, but everything I've heard about the arcades has been positive. If the MK bypass is more along the lines of Paris's arcades, I'm all for it.

Actually, I'm all for it anyhow. Anyone who's been on Main Street after Wishes and the MSEP knows what a nightmare it is.

 

[Bolt]

They had a crane already there today working on it - due to open for Christmas season.

It will be themed - not just planters. Redoing backside facades.

 

[EPCOTCenterLover]

Seems like it is nothing to do with crowd control. Main Street is just wall to wall people. My opinion is the bypass is the best way to deal with this. It works wonderfully well in Paris.

Yes, it works GREAT in Paris- and the arcades are lovely and well themed. Photos are in one of my three trip reports. can't remember which.

 

[maxairmike]

Unfortunately they can't do something as well done as the DLP arcades because of the arrangement and nature of the backstage facilities, and if they plan to have it open by Christmas, that's not enough time to rearrange things like Cast dining areas, utilidor access areas, storage rooms and delivery entrances, security access, etc. in order to do something that elaborate. Don't set your expectations too high, folks.

 

[alissafalco]

If themed well this is a great idea. I look forward to seeing what they will do.

 

[phi2134]

Makes total sense why they were trying to get rid of the curbs on Main Street and now this. Not only is it massively congested at times, but Stroller mania can also cause massive amounts of havoc and issues. Strollers are funneled into lanes based on where they are on the street or the sidewalk, if they want to make the transition from street to sidewalk or vice versa, that can cause a lot of backup with people slowing down or needing help, not to mention going over the trolley tracks in strollers. Like a lot of people have been saying, one family/stroller can cause a lot of issues.

 

[disneyflush]

This could be really cool, if they put enough effort into it.


MK exit after wishes was an uncontrollable mess of people before FLE and would still be so even if it wasn't built. Things like this have to be done to sustain the increasing attendance at MK.

Now once you have this massive amount of people out of the park quicker, what are you going to do about transportation?

This is hopefully addressed soon. I love the idea of the bypass after trying to navigate through that insanity after the fireworks some nights. That is an emotionally charged group of people walking out of the park and lots of bumping and pushing can lead to some uncomfortable situations.

 

[Finiamh123]

I know how crowded it gets, and I've never even been during peak times, but the only thing that has stopped Main Street being closed off for FP holders and VIPs to have an exclusive front-and-centre view of the fireworks is the fact that it can't be closed off due to access issues. Once guests have an alternative exit the velvet rope can go up.

VIP Parade viewing is just before Liberty Square, FP+ Fireworks view is in the Rose Garden. Neither of which are directly off Main Street. Though I have not seen FP+ parade viewing so I can't comment on that but I believe it is in front of castle correct?

I have been there on summer nights with crowd level 10 and seen the worst come out of people from being gridlocked and poor CMs can do nothing but wave their sticks and hope people listen. Screaming and ankles half broken from strollers and ECVs. If the route is themed better than planters it is an improvement in show and safety.

As far as handling transportation with more people exiting at a time, the bus area is being expanded already and rope queues are already setup at peak exit times for monorail and boats. It also helps that there are no more one at a time turnstiles to exit through.

 

[WDWYankee15]

I have had the pleasure of listening to Marty speak on a number of occasions, and he always talks about something when it comes to park design - "Meet the needs of the people." At the moment, Main Street U.S.A entry and exit does not meet the needs of the people. It needs to be changed, and if done right, could be a very welcome addition.

Exactly. This is like the idea of a small one lane highway leading from the city to a quiet farm community 40 years ago, that is now completely gridlocked with traffic everyday at rush hour because the farm lands have been sold off and turned into surburban cul-de-sac communities. Usually the transportation department will eventually call for the the expansion of a highway to a two or three-lane highway to accomidate the traffic. Can't do that on Main Street USA, so alternatives need to be made.

Perhaps this change is not just a simple addressing of a current problem, but also allows for continued and future growth and expanision of the park. We can all find many examples on here about building more rides, revamp Tomorrowland, build the Western River Expedition, etc. They can't really do that as it will bring in more crowds and some of the ideas will increase the park's size and therefore increase the park capacity, unless they make some changes to improve crowd control messures.

We can all be negative, but I will choose to be positive. MyMagic is "suppose" to be about increasing efficiency and guest experience. I choose to thing this falls in the same thinking and that perhaps they are taking the tactic of improve guest experience in the form of comfort and efficiency, before adding more to the parks that may lead to the further decrease of these items. Now you may not agree with TDO's methods, but this certainly is a plausible theory and if true could be very positive.

 

[ExtinctJenn]

Just to add some humor into this... at my own expense as I'm just yuck over the idea... my husband is a fan of the idea and reminded me how often I've complained about the people who don't walk and just stop in the middle of the exiting crowds and how it drives me nuts. He has a point. As I told him... as an exit I'll consider it. I don't have to LIKE it to use it. You try to force me off Main to enter though... nope!

 

[aladdin2007]

Makes total sense why they were trying to get rid of the curbs on Main Street and now this. Not only is it massively congested at times, but Stroller mania can also cause massive amounts of havoc and issues. Strollers are funneled into lanes based on where they are on the street or the sidewalk, if they want to make the transition from street to sidewalk or vice versa, that can cause a lot of backup with people slowing down or needing help, not to mention going over the trolley tracks in strollers. Like a lot of people have been saying, one family/stroller can cause a lot of issues.

I think the stroller situation is really out of control in general.

 

[aladdin2007]

Exactly. This is like the idea of a small one lane highway leading from the city to a quiet farm community 40 years ago, that is now completely gridlocked with traffic everyday at rush hour because the farm lands have been sold off and turned into surburban cul-de-sac communities. Usually the transportation department will eventually call for the the expansion of a highway to a two or three-lane highway to accomidate the traffic. Can't do that on Main Street USA, so alternatives need to be made.

Perhaps this change is not just a simple addressing of a current problem, but also allows for continued and future growth and expanision of the park. We can all find many examples on here about building more rides, revamp Tomorrowland, build the Western River Expedition, etc. They can't really do that as it will bring in more crowds and some of the ideas will increase the park's size and therefore increase the park capacity, unless they make some changes to improve crowd control messures.

We can all be negative, but I will choose to be positive. MyMagic is "suppose" to be about increasing efficiency and guest experience. I choose to thing this falls in the same thinking and that perhaps they are taking the tactic of improve guest experience in the form of comfort and efficiency, before adding more to the parks that may lead to the further decrease of these items. Now you may not agree with TDO's methods, but this certainly is a plausible theory and if true could be very positive.

Problem is not really the MK, the other parks are being neglected without new attractions/updates.

 

[peterpanic74]

as others have said, the arcades in DLP are absolutely wonderful, both aesthetically and functionally, and don't take anything away from the excitement of entering/exiting down Main St. I'm sure this won't be nearly as elaborate, but it is still a welcome addition. I hope they add one in DL too, as has been rumored for awhile.

 

[MissM]

Not only have they been routing people from Tomorrowland through to Main Street for YEARS (and I've done it many times!) they also set up fireworks viewing back there. Main Street was closed for HOURS and so they had a stage, DJ, lights, etc. all behind Main Street as an alternate fireworks viewing location. Here's this past New Year's Even 2012-2013:

I wonder if this will be impacted with the more permanent pathway?

And then if that isn't enough, same night, they ALSO had pathways open going on the OTHER SIDE. You went off stage near the First Aid Station. They would not let you walk directly down Main Street.

 

[montyz81]

If the gate setup is only for exiting at night...this has nothing to do with bypassing the "opening credits" and the alternate route currently starts/ends past the entrance of main st. anyway.

The fith gate was a joke.