How do you like the Hub Expansion?

[WEDWDW]

Love it.

I get the nostalgia,but SOMETHING had to be done to help with the traffic through there!

I think when they are completely finished and add all the "finishing touches",most Guests are going to love it.

The 4 new Castle turrets(the 2 that haven't been completely unveiled yet are the "sound/light show control "booths'"") look awesome!

 

[bibba410]

I'm still holding off on a final opinion until they're finished. Disney usually manages esthetics well, and what they've done so far looks pretty good, even though,to me, it is radically different from the original hub. I hate the loss of all of the mature trees. To me the hub feels hotter than before. And don't get me started on them bulldozing the rose garden. But I think it will accomplish their primary aim, which was to decrease congestion.

They bulldozed the rose garden?! Wow. That really stinks. That's where we always watched Wishes. It was of my favorite spots to people watch and take a little break.

 

[dixiegirl]

I have not had the pleasure of seeing it in person yet but that will come soon enough (Oct). From what I can see from various pics online it looks really nice and if it relieves the horrible traffic issues that happen right there - that much better!!

 

[momimouse27]

Thanks, that is what I am afraid of. I guess we will have to try to get a FP+ in order to sit down and wait for Wishes. I hear they ask you to stand during the show.

They do, they allow sitting until just as Celebrate the Magic starts and then they ask everyone to stand, I would love to be able to sit but so far theres been standing room only (not by choice)[/QUOTE]

I was not in the actual hub area during Wishes. I was sitting at Casey Jr.s having a snack with my daughter, so if it was FP+ only I wasn't aware. Sorry if I gave incorrect info! Also, we were there during the very first day or two of May on a day when the crowds were very low. My impressions of the hub came during the daytime, walking through as people were sitting in areas around the hub, having a snack or relaxing. It was much more open and as I sat and had my snack that night I watched people walk down Main Street and out of the MK, it seemed much less congested than usual. Even when the crowds are low, there is that awful bottleneck and I didn't see that this time.

Another note, when we left earlier in our trip, we came from Tomorrowland and they opened up the area behind The Plaza Restaurant and you could leave the park from behind all the Main Street buildings. That really cut down on the traffic through Main Street after the parade. I have never seen this done, ever. Did anyone else experience this or have you ever? You could even see the backs of the Main Street buildings...it was surreal.

 

[Rgonzalez79]

I was skeptical going in but I dig it! After Wishes we hung around for the 2nd Celebrate the Magic show and were able to watch from one of the grassy areas and it was great.

 

[set1208]

Is there someplace that we can view pictures of the progress?

 

[mom2rtk]

Another note, when we left earlier in our trip, we came from Tomorrowland and they opened up the area behind The Plaza Restaurant and you could leave the park from behind all the Main Street buildings. That really cut down on the traffic through Main Street after the parade. I have never seen this done, ever. Did anyone else experience this or have you ever? You could even see the backs of the Main Street buildings...it was surreal.

They have been doing this on high crowd nights for a long time. They did it on our last night in mid-December 2012. I prefer a walk down Main Street, but when it's that busy, the ambience is lost already anyway. It was like a breath of fresh air to have all that space suddenly open up.

 

[momimouse27]

So weird...in all the times I've been I've never experienced that.

 

[maxiesmom]

Another note, when we left earlier in our trip, we came from Tomorrowland and they opened up the area behind The Plaza Restaurant and you could leave the park from behind all the Main Street buildings. That really cut down on the traffic through Main Street after the parade. I have never seen this done, ever. Did anyone else experience this or have you ever? You could even see the backs of the Main Street buildings...it was surreal.

We were routed to the back exit in May. So much nicer than having to fight your way down Main Street.

 

[mom2rtk]

So weird...in all the times I've been I've never experienced that.

You must not have been there on a peak crowd night.

 

[Nancyg56]

I am anxious to see it. Last October it was sad to see all of the walls. I hate change. but something needed to be done. it was far too crowded!

 

[Jennasis]

I'm looking forward to seeing it this December!

 

[Robo]

Is there someplace that we can view pictures of the progress?

wdwmagic.com then use the search.

 

[Meriweather]

Love it.....very well done.

 

[evilqueenmindy]

It's very nice. Much more open, way better views of the castle from more angles, and after seeing it a time or two, you forget it ever looked different.
I'm looking forward to it being finished, it's going to look awesome

 

[WEDWDW]

They are planning on the Bypass being used on a "regular" basis-they are even in the process of "theming" it some to take some of the "backstage plainness" out of the walk.

 

[AshleeH]

I can't wait to see it! The congestion was one of the worst things about MK.

 

[Skywise]

Love/hate... I like the additional room and the reserved FP+ spaces (which couldn't happen without the changes) but don't care for the destruction of the rose garden/moat views from the back - It's too much like a "concrete city park" then the woodsy feel it had before. I also don't like the new lamps. Too big and ornate and detracts from the castle view (Did you ever notice the lamps before? You do now). It's not that I'm a luddite or against change but, like all the other changes in recent times the new changes reflect functional and economic over decorative and themeing.

 

[Robo]

I have to say that we don't know if they are going to rebuild the rose garden. It's quite possible that they will.

 

[set1208]

wdwmagic.com then use the search.

Thanks!