Construction work on the MK Castle...

[Q-man]

Okay, I spent the lunch hour reading a lot of the wdwmagic thread on this. Using the leaked construction plans, someone Photoshopped this as an approximation of the new hub layout.

Nowhere near as much moat loss as I would have thought. Apparently the new stuff will bridge over the top of what moat is lost for the water to continue to circulate in its' present manner.

Present-

 

[rteetz]

November 2015 seems like a REALLY long time. I don't understand why it takes Disney such a long time to do stuff. Didn't Uni build the HP expansion in a year?

well that doesn't mean it will take that long November just is the end of the permit so they could get it done sooner

 

[rteetz]

Okay, I spent the lunch hour reading a lot of the wdwmagic thread on this. Using the leaked construction plans, someone Photoshopped this as an approximation of the new hub layout. Nowhere near as much moat loss as I would have thought. Apparently the new stuff will bridge over the top of what moat is lost for the water to continue to circulate in its' present manner.

correct most of the water will stay but the moat part closest to Main Street will lose a little bit but everything else is pretty much staying. The entire moat will still get drained for routine maintenance tho.

 

[Q-man]

 

[DanBoris]

November 2015 seems like a REALLY long time.

I don't understand why it takes Disney such a long time to do stuff. Didn't Uni build the HP expansion in a year?

This is going to be a difficult area to work in since there will be no backstage access for it and they probably are not going to want to have large sections of the hub walled off at one time. If they do it in little pieces it will take time. Also, as someone else pointed out, the expiration date on the permit is the date by which everything needs to be done and the contractor can get final payment, so it's likely to finish earlier then that, although extensions can also be filed for the permits.

As for the HP expansion, Phase one took 29 months, and Phase 2 looks like it is going to take about the same.

 

[rteetz]

A new post on the Disney parks blog revealed some of the info on the upcoming hub project and just about confirms it all. http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...de-special-viewing-area-new-pathways-gardens/

It appears they may be going for a Tokyo Disney look if you watch the video in the link. They are adding castle spires in front of the castle and the whole hub will be getting a refresh. Disney calls it the plaza and they said it will be finished by 2015.

 

[rteetz]

http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2008/07/the_hub_tokyo_disneyland_1.html

If you look at the over head image of the hub at Tokyo Disneyland the new hub at MK in WDW will be very similar.

 

[Figmentforever24]

A new post on the Disney parks blog revealed some of the info on the upcoming hub project and just about confirms it all. http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...de-special-viewing-area-new-pathways-gardens/

It appears they may be going for a Tokyo Disney look if you watch the video in the link. They are adding castle spires in front of the castle and the whole hub will be getting a refresh. Disney calls it the plaza and they said it will be finished by 2015.

Not going lie this looks pretty cool if it turns out like the video. The new flower beds and gardens should give it a whole new floral feel.

 

[rrali33tt]

I think I will like the new layout, but does this mean the hub will be in shambles until the end of 2015 ?

I think I agree with a PP that they will have to do this in tiny pieces over time. I just dont see there being giant dirt holes all over the hub...its going to look nasty with all the cosntruction walls/drained moat/concrete etc.


Now time for my mini rant which you can all ignore - Although the plans and everything are nice and I support it. I just hope the MK isnt a construction zone when I have 100 wedding guests visiting WDW for the first time. It is such a magical feeling when you walk into the Magic Kingdom for the first time and see the castle in the distance. Its going to be sad to see construction walls and what not. I hope they are able to do the construction and not take away from the beauty of hte park while doing so. Its a shame for my family and others.

 

[Figmentforever24]

I think I will like the new layout, but does this mean the hub will be in shambles until the end of 2015 ?

I think I agree with a PP that they will have to do this in tiny pieces over time. I just dont see there being giant dirt holes all over the hub...its going to look nasty with all the cosntruction walls/drained moat/concrete etc.


Now time for my mini rant which you can all ignore - Although the plans and everything are nice and I support it. I just hope the MK isnt a construction zone when I have 100 wedding guests visiting WDW for the first time. It is such a magical feeling when you walk into the Magic Kingdom for the first time and see the castle in the distance. Its going to be sad to see construction walls and what not. I hope they are able to do the construction and not take away from the beauty of hte park while doing so. Its a shame for my family and others.

I am sure they will work out the entire thing in phases. I cant imagine they would try to work on everything at one time. There would be ALOT of unhappy guests. Then again it wouldn't be the first time Disney did something drastic like that.

 

[rteetz]

I am sure they will work out the entire thing in phases. I cant imagine they would try to work on everything at one time. There would be ALOT of unhappy guests. Then again it wouldn't be the first time Disney did something drastic like that.

they would probably have to if they didn't go in phases MK would become a very bad place to go to. The hub is one place where a lot of people are if you close even half of it off its going to be a nightmare.

 

[Son of Gadsden]

I dont know if this has been posted yet but this was uploaded by Disney Parks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWBktbaiFb8

 

[rteetz]

I dont know if this has been posted yet but this was uploaded by Disney Parks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWBktbaiFb8

it was in the disneyparks blog link above

 

[MickeyChix]

http://www.disneydining.com/video-fly-major-hub-changes-magic-kingdom

I just received this information. Not sure if this link will work but if you google subject it should come up.

 

[dvczerfs]

http://www.disneydining.com/video-fly-major-hub-changes-magic-kingdom

I just received this information. Not sure if this link will work but if you google subject it should come up.

that's cool!!! I remember it wasn't that many years ago the two big trees in the hub that blocked a lot of the view of the castle. glad there gone.

 

[Criffator]

Yes, they are removing lights and doing annual refurb to the castle. The draining of the moats is the beginning of expanding the hub.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/Theme_Parks_Attractions/Magic_Kingdom_Hub_expansion_announced.htm
PHOTOS: http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/main-street-usa/news/04mar2014-photos---a-look-at-the-moat-draining-project-at-the-magic-kingdom.htm
VIDEO: http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/main-street-usa/news/27feb2014-video---disney-releases-animated-rendering-of-new-hub-design-for-the-magic-kingdom.htm

 

[2012DisneyWorldBride]

I'm just curious how much renovation on the hub will be going on for May 23 for the 24 hour party... I'm not concerned about looks for pictures but more for congestion issues.

 

[rteetz]

I'm just curious how much renovation on the hub will be going on for May 23 for the 24 hour party... I'm not concerned about looks for pictures but more for congestion issues.

I'm sure not a ton of work will be going on for the party because of the amount of people going to be there. I wouldn't expect a lot of construction until later this year they are in the pre stages with the drained moats and the removal of the swan boats dock. They need to fill in the part of the moat that will be the new hub.