Construction Kingdom

[jhaig]

Has there ever been a time in recent WDW memory where there has been more construction across the parks and resorts? The Hub, Poly, Downtown Disney, TTA, scrims up all over the place, etc. And soon the bulldozers will be headed to AK for Avatar land, the WL pool is shutting down soon, and HS may soon be laid to waste to make way for Carsland, Star Wars land or both.

I understand the need for rehabs and upkeep, but it just seems it's all happening at once this year. This year's theme should have been the Year of a Million Scrims.

 

[notnothin]

I guess you didn't visit 'Tarp Kingdom' back in 2012. On the bright side, at least we are seeing progress in WDW.

 

[DizDaD7]

Am I missing something? Where's the problem?

 

[Momoftwins+1]

People complain when things stay the same, people complain when there is construction. There is no way for a place like Disney that stays open 365 days a year to win in this situation. They don't have an off season where workers can busily work uninterrupted so construction is what you see if you want new things...and today's society is all about new shiny things...not the same old rides/stores etc that amused people for decades. We were there this year and the construction didn't bother anyone in our party one bit, other than a talking point wondering what is going to be put there, made from, etc.

 

[boufa]

Reading this forum from several years ago, and most posts were about the LACK of activity in the parks. Few new things, few rehabs, and the parks were starting to feel run down.

Then came the clean up. "Tarp Kingdom" as previously posted. Now the process continues. We always complain that either a) there is too much construction, or the parks are getting old/tired (For example... If I say that Epcot and HS are the only parks that aren't receiving very much construction, I bet your first thought is "And those are the parks that need it most")

First - You won't notice Avatar Land being built. Maybe a few cranes in the distance, but the construction site is already very active and is mostly hidden by trees. It WILL NOT be anything like the Fantasyland expansion.

Second- we all want progress so long as we don't have to see it happening. Well, Disney is sooooo HUGE that there is no way to hide the progress. You are bound to stumble on it somewhere.

Construction is the pain that we have to go through to get progress. I always go in September and I have never gotten a day time shot of the castle without the crane up installing the xmas lights. Its all part of the process.

 

[jhaig]

I guess you didn't visit 'Tarp Kingdom' back in 2012. On the bright side, at least we are seeing progress in WDW.

Yes there is progress. At least Disney is not sitting back and watching stuff decay around them.

 

[jhaig]

Am I missing something? Where's the problem?

It's not necessarily a problem, but it just seems like there's a lot going on right now all at once.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

And soon the bulldozers will be headed to AK for Avatar land,

they've already been there for a few months.

 

[POOHsie]

Has there ever been a time in recent WDW memory where there has been more construction across the parks and resorts? The Hub, Poly, Downtown Disney, TTA, scrims up all over the place, etc. And soon the bulldozers will be headed to AK for Avatar land, the WL pool is shutting down soon, and HS may soon be laid to waste to make way for Carsland, Star Wars land or both.

I understand the need for rehabs and upkeep, but it just seems it's all happening at once this year. This year's theme should have been the Year of a Million Scrims.

The resort pools need refurb from time to time, and if all the other construction wasn't going on at the same time, it wouldn't be worth mentioning. I'm not sure I love the way DTD is being made over into mega-shopping, but the changes being done to strolling paths and parking are things I wished for years ago.

Avatarland is in a corner of AK where you won't notice what's going on. The Hub remodeling addresses chronic traffic flow problems to/from Main St. Were you not annoyed with how crowded it was at parades and fireworks. Any enlargement of people paths there is a welcome change. TTA/Astro Orbiter overhaul is long overdue. Maybe Fall/Winter would be a slower time for that, but bringing in big equipment to do the Hub and TTA at the same time is smart.

Hollywood Studios. Hmmm. I love that place. I hate that place. Don't like the backstage tour since it was cut in half. Don't really like Lights, Motor, Action. American Idol and Sounds Dangerous were taking up prime real estate better used for new, exciting venues. Overall, almost ANYTHING they do to enhance that tired park will be most welcome by me, in any month of any year. Construction can't start soon enough!

 

[jcemom]

While unsightly the construction usually doesn't bother me much. It has to be done some time. We go in the off seasons so we usually encounter far more scrims and tarps than those who go in the summer, I think. I'm sure regular summer visitors are surprised by all the construction because they usually limit it during the busy seasons. I think much of what's happening now is major though and can't be completed over only a couple of months.

Downtown is the area that surprised me most, from the recent photos I've seen. It's a mess. Not only visually but traffic flow seems to be impacted to a moderate degree, with the "detours" and "hallways" to get from one side to the other.

I can't wait to see what it looks like when it's finished though!

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

While the construction is unpleasant... I am super excited for all of the new things coming to WDW!

 

[katt789]

There definitely is a TON happening right now!

I find AK's to be pretty secluded, especially with the new parts of Harambe open now, it's mainly down the long path towards the old CMM.

MK doesn't bother me too much (at least as of the end of May) I'm just used to the crane by now and the walls don't take away that much of the experience.

The Poly however...THAT REALLY bothers me! I'm VERY glad we didn't stay there, and am appalled at the prices they're still charging for the resort with all the construction going on. From the moment you pull up in the DME, to the lobby, to the beaches, it's all so UN impressive and I'm not a fan of it at all.

 

[CFioren317]

The Hub remodeling addresses chronic traffic flow problems to/from Main St. Were you not annoyed with how crowded it was at parades and fireworks. Any enlargement of people paths there is a welcome change.

THIS IS SO TRUE!!! I was at MK last Tuesday, 6/24, and getting out of MK at around 9:45-10:15 after dinner at the castle was the single worst trip I've ever experienced.

They herd everybody to the left walking out...but the idiots who act like they have never seen a firework before stand in the way when they start and simply will not move. Too dark and not nearly enough CMs to control the crowd who already did what they wanted to do and are now trying to LEAVE THE PARK!!!

And OF COURSE, once the fireworks are over, all these commandos come running out of the park like it's a sprint to the monorails barging over everybody like they own the road. It amazes me that more people aren't hurt or maybe they are and we just don't hear about it. Had I farted, I would have blown over the 5 people who were up my butt while I was walking to the monorail.

But dinner at the castle was great as my 6 YO daughter dressed in her Anna dress and all made up from BBB got to meet all the princesses and then the young couple next to us got engaged (they brought out a desert plate with a glass slipper and then the kid gets down on a knee and proposes to his girl...great moment). So while the crowd tried to kill my good mood, it failed miserably. But now that I am at work thinking about it, I'm happy to read WDW is ripping things apart and doing something to control traffic.

 

[coconutprincess]

It's a pain but a welcome change. I seriously hope your projections are true on HS! I am excited to see anything new Disney.

 

[sydneysmom]

People complain when things stay the same, people complain when there is construction. There is no way for a place like Disney that stays open 365 days a year to win in this situation. They don't have an off season where workers can busily work uninterrupted so construction is what you see if you want new things...and today's society is all about new shiny things...not the same old rides/stores etc that amused people for decades. We were there this year and the construction didn't bother anyone in our party one bit, other than a talking point wondering what is going to be put there, made from, etc.

THIS!

when we first went in 2010, it was during "Tarp-Fest" and the first of the walls for new Frontierland. The second trip in 2013 was the walls getting ready for new Frontierland.... and you know what? it makes it all the more exciting!! And it worked... we're going back because we want to see all the fun too!

People complain if Disney charges more for tickets, then sits idle collecting all their money .... if they turn around and spend profits by putting it back in the parks, people complain. Here's the choice... if you are bothered by the construction, go someplace else. But they have to stay on top of everything for upkeep, safety and to build new things. Go Disney!! Keep up the good work, I say!

 

[maxiesmom]

People complain when things stay the same, people complain when there is construction. There is no way for a place like Disney that stays open 365 days a year to win in this situation. They don't have an off season where workers can busily work uninterrupted so construction is what you see if you want new things...and today's society is all about new shiny things...not the same old rides/stores etc that amused people for decades. We were there this year and the construction didn't bother anyone in our party one bit, other than a talking point wondering what is going to be put there, made from, etc.

Exactly.

 

[mcconnellfam96]

Had I farted, I would have blown over the 5 people who were up my butt while I was walking to the monorail.

This is why people outside my office door are wondering why I just busted out in to laughter. LOL

 

[lustergirl]

Even though it may be an inconvenience I welcome the change And just like a previous poster said I would love to see change at HS as it needs something more to hold my interest as it is my least favorite park

 

[ForeverAlice]

People complain when things stay the same, people complain when there is construction. There is no way for a place like Disney that stays open 365 days a year to win in this situation. They don't have an off season where workers can busily work uninterrupted so construction is what you see if you want new things...and today's society is all about new shiny things...not the same old rides/stores etc that amused people for decades. We were there this year and the construction didn't bother anyone in our party one bit, other than a talking point wondering what is going to be put there, made from, etc.

Agree 100 percent!!!