News New Theater to be built at the Magic Kingdom - now cancelled?

[Ignohippo]

I am originally from Kansas City and kind of a KC architecture buff. I've been to many of the historic theaters in downtown (saw Empire Strikes Back in one when it first came out) and I had never heard of this theater.

That's for good reason, because the theater was only around for 16 years. It was built in 1902 and was destroyed by fire in 1918. What the connection Walt is, besides that obviously he was living in KC at the time, would be interesting to find out. It's an odd choice and it's significance to Walt may be a stretch. Still, I'm glad to see something from Kansas City's history represented.

The Mainstreet Theater in KC is much better known and opened in 1921 (when Walt would have been living there as well) and was right down the street from the Willis Wood Theater. Perhaps it couldn't be used because it is still an active theater (at least the facade is, the actual beautiful theater was sadly torn down to create a theater mega-plex about 15 years ago).

 

[mm121]

I hope the shows are rotated semi regularly.

if they built theatres at a few parks accross the globe it would be pretty easy to "rotate" the shows

 

[mm121]

It would be easy to add small narrow shops on backside of Main Street shops like they did in DS (new pathway created between Portobello & Raglin) to complete the theming.

Could they put the dumpsters and things that are behind the buildings, down one level onto the utilidoors level, as that space is technically the "second floor" so they could put the things they need on the first level to add shops to the 'show" level

 

[DisneyFan 2000]

Not sure why, but this announcement has me more excited than anything else (save, perhaps, for the new Mickey ride) This is EXACTLY what MK needs. Something to eat the crowds, without drawing more into the park. This 1, 2 punch along with the Tron "bonus" coaster should really help the park handle the massive crowds it's been drawing these past few years.

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

Wow this is cool. I've always been a bit envious of DLR with their theater. This will be really cool. A little interested to see how this will impact an already crowded Main Street but we'll see.

 

[jmuboy]

It would be easy to add small narrow shops on backside of Main Street shops like they did in DS (new pathway created between Portobello & Raglin) to complete the theming.

I wonder if the eastern end of center street could be rebuilt to open onto the bypass. Even if it's not used all day.

 

[danlb_2000]

I wonder if the eastern end of center street could be rebuilt to open onto the bypass. Even if it's not used all day.

That would make sense since it would likely come out right near the entrance to the theater.

 

[huwar18]

It would be easy to add small narrow shops on backside of Main Street shops like they did in DS (new pathway created between Portobello & Raglin) to complete the theming.

That's what I was thinking. Even if they were just fascades or a small store that was like a counter service (like snacks).

 

[djkidkaz]

I agree this should go into the bypass which would open up more space in MK. Maybe the building is so large because it needs to block Tomorrowland views?

 

[PREMiERdrum]

I agree this should go into the bypass which would open up more space in MK. Maybe the building is so large because it needs to block Tomorrowland views?

I think the building is so large because theaters of this size are, well, large.

Seriously though, the footprint required for venues like this can be astounding. I'm currently involved in designing a new 800 seat PAC as a part of our new high school building, and even on this much smaller scale, it's a load.

 

[djkidkaz]

I see people saying it's just the town square theater, but is that building even big enough for something like this?

 

[danlb_2000]

I see people saying it's just the town square theater, but is that building even big enough for something like this?

It is not the town square theater.

 

[WEDwaydatamover]

This is great news for Magic Kingdom but the building its self looks incredibly dull. I know it's just a rendering but I hope they improve it aesthetically.

 

[brb1006]

Not sure why, but this announcement has me more excited than anything else (save, perhaps, for the new Mickey ride) This is EXACTLY what MK needs. Something to eat the crowds, without drawing more into the park. This 1, 2 punch along with the Tron "bonus" coaster should really help the park handle the massive crowds it's been drawing these past few years.

I hope that theater contains bathroooms unlike the one at DCA.

 

[Jeremy P]

No. You have been very negative or sarcastic on just about all of the announcements:

LOL Raven kept all the receipts

 

[mm121]

This is great news for Magic Kingdom but the building its self looks incredibly dull. I know it's just a rendering but I hope they improve it aesthetically.

here's the original vs this concept art

it definitely is missing some details, especially on the side walls

would be curious what the capacity of the original was versus what this one will be

the original has lots of ornate detail on the front and top that the concept art is lacking, which means it wont look anything like the original, since the concept art is the best anything looks before it gets dumbed down in the actual design phase

 

[SpectroMan93]

here's the original vs this concept art

it definitely is missing some details, especially on the side walls

would be curious what the capacity of the original was versus what this one will be
View attachment 215807

the original has lots of ornate detail on the front and top that the concept art is lacking, which means it wont look anything like the original, since the concept art is the best anything looks before it gets dumbed down in the actual design phase

View attachment 215808

The capacity is supposed to be comparable to the Hyperion at DCA, so it should be around 2,000. And although it may not be as ornate as the theater it's based on, at leasts it's better themed than the Hyperion:

 

[Kman101]

That should change, hopefully, since we are finally getting a legitimate quality performance space.

This is long overdue and I'm very happy about this addition. And it's an ADDITION too. So is TRON. They seem to be getting the picture the parks need MORE, but then we have two replacements also on the table, so it's one step forward two steps backwards ...

 

[mm121]

The capacity is supposed to be comparable to the Hyperion at DCA, so it should be around 2,000. And although it may not be as ornate as the theater it's based on, at leasts it's better themed than the Hyperion:

wheres the actual show building? that looks really short for a 2000 seat theatre

 

[ToTBellHop]

wheres the actual show building? that looks really short for a 2000 seat theatre

The sky...

Our theatre will have restrooms available.