Magic Kingdom barriers

[Karnak]

I just completed a stay at Walt Disney World, and will write a complete trip report in a few days; but just wanted to mention a couple of things about the Magic Kingdom and the Christmas Party that some who plan to attend this year may not be aware of.

I found that it took a great deal more time to walk from place to place in the Magic Kingdom this year, because of blockages. The castle was blocked from the front and the back, so that one must walk the long way around to get from Main Street to Fantasyland. When I asked a CM why the castle was boarded up he replied "So that we could stage the show in front of the castle." Perhaps so, but it sure makes it a much longer walk to get to Fantasyland for those who might want to visit it first. I would recommend that the show be restaged so as not to block the passageway through the castle, relocate or cancel that particular show.

The Castle blockage was made even worse during the Christmas Party evening of Friday, December 1, as there was a rope barrier in Fantasyland, located on the Tomorrowland side at about the Carrousel to about Liberty Square. All of this area was empty of tourists, and the blockage was repeated for at least 45 minutes twice during the evening, both at firework show times. When I asked a CM why the way was blocked, she
replied "Because of the fireworks; safety concerns."

So, if you wanted to go from, say, the Buzz Lightyear ride to the Haunted Mansion, you would have to walk through considerable crowds, around the front of the castle to get there. The passageway through Fantasyland was blocked during much of the Christmas Party.

I found the extra walking required through thick crowds, around the castle, to be not worth the effort and time required to get from place to place within the park. If Disney cannot display fireworks without creating a fire hazzard to the extent that entire sections of the park must be roped off for the sake of safety, I would recommend that they relocate the fireworks further away from the park, or discontinue them alltogether.

The hot coco and cookies at the Crystal Palace were good though, and I did enjoy the party. It's just that it could have been so much better without the barriers here and there.

Enjoy

 

[DisneyDadof3]

Thanks for the info, but I would rathter keep the shows and fireworks while having to walk a little further. I know these things ahead of time and plan accordingly.

 

[pixiedancer]

the castle is blocked off during the times of the shows even in the day it has always been like that. Disney is just trying to keep the guest and performers safe.

 

[shellybaxter]

I agree with DisneyDadof3, I would rather have the shows and fireworks block offs and all. These are not new block offs, they've been there since 2003 when we started going. I'm sorry they were an issue for the OP

 

[alicenwonder99]

The Castle blockage was made even worse during the Christmas Party evening of Friday, December 1, as there was a rope barrier in Fantasyland, located on the Tomorrowland side at about the Carrousel to about Liberty Square. All of this area was empty of tourists, and the blockage was repeated for at least 45 minutes twice during the evening, both at firework show times. When I asked a CM why the way was blocked, she
replied "Because of the fireworks; safety concerns."

It was blocked up like that in September, too. We were leaving MK just after watching the fireworks and we couldn't get through. We had to walk all the way around in the pouring rain. After we got around the castle, it seems they opened up the passage.

 

[shellybaxter]

It was blocked up like that in September, too. We were leaving MK just after watching the fireworks and we couldn't get through. We had to walk all the way around in the pouring rain. After we got around the castle, it seems they opened up the passage.

Aww - I'm sorry you had to walk in the rain. They probably did open the passage up, it is opened and closed several times during the day as shows are scheduled. They may have cancelled the show and therefore opened the passage

 

[Karnak]

Aww - I'm sorry you had to walk in the rain. They probably did open the passage up, it is opened and closed several times during the day as shows are scheduled. They may have cancelled the show and therefore opened the passage

The castle was closed all day on both Tuesday, Nov. 28, and Friday, Dec. 1. NOT JUST DURING A SHOW. As a matter of fact, when I entered the Magic Kingdom at 9:00 am on Tuesday (opening time that day), the castle was already boarded up. There was no show going on in front of the castle at opening time, and none scheduled at that time. And they were NOT opening and closing it during the day at any time.

My original point however, was not that extra walking is harmful (even in the rain), but rather that it is a shame that people must use up touring time walking around the castle in crowded conditions when there's no apparent reason to make for such blockage. It also escapes me how it would make for an unsafe area to walk through the castle as people have been doing for years.

All this is not to suggest that I didn't enjoy the Magic Kingdom however. In fact I think that particular park is the best of the four. (And they are all a ton of fun in my opinion.)

Enjoy.

 

[Joanna71985]

Ok, the castle has always been closed for shows during the day, dating back 3+ shows. Currently the one ramp is blocked because of construction but should be reopened soon. As for the parties, there are ropes up around 5pm because of regular Wishes, and ropes go up again about 8:30 or so for Holiday Wishes. There are always ropes up for the fireworks. It's for safety. It has always been this way. It's dangerous not to have this area blocked off.

 

[princessgirl2238]

The castle was closed all day on both Tuesday, Nov. 28, and Friday, Dec. 1. NOT JUST DURING A SHOW. As a matter of fact, when I entered the Magic Kingdom at 9:00 am on Tuesday (opening time that day), the castle was already boarded up. There was no show going on in front of the castle at opening time, and none scheduled at that time. And they were NOT opening and closing it during the day at any time.

My original point however, was not that extra walking is harmful (even in the rain), but rather that it is a shame that people must use up touring time walking around the castle in crowded conditions when there's no apparent reason to make for such blockage. It also escapes me how it would make for an unsafe area to walk through the castle as people have been doing for years.

All this is not to suggest that I didn't enjoy the Magic Kingdom however. In fact I think that particular park is the best of the four. (And they are all a ton of fun in my opinion.)

Enjoy.

the reason the castle was closed all day that thurs and fri (and maybe sat- i wasn't working there that day) was because they were prepairing/taping for the christmas day parade that they air on tv every year- also the castle was also closed during all the fireworks and special shows for the halloween parties. it is just so much safer for the performers of the show to keep it closed during those times (any stage that a costumed performer has to use needs to have a very close exit into a dressing room or into the tunnel as a safety percaution)

 

[makinorlando]

The castle was closed all day on both Tuesday, Nov. 28, and Friday, Dec. 1.
Enjoy.

It was not closed off all day on Friday. We walked through it a bit before 6pm.

 

[schmitty]

My original point however, was not that extra walking is harmful (even in the rain), but rather that it is a shame that people must use up touring time walking around the castle in crowded conditions when there's no apparent reason to make for such blockage. It also escapes me how it would make for an unsafe area to walk through the castle as people have been doing for years.

People would lose 5 minutes of having to walk around the castle if its blocked off. Its not the end of the world.

 

[ransom]

People would lose 5 minutes of having to walk around the castle if its blocked off. Its not the end of the world.

Don't be so sure.

Let's say Dad, Mom, and little Cindy are at the Magic Kingdom. They're in Fantasyland and headed to their cars. They notice the barriers, and spend five minute walking around it. No big deal, right?

Well, it is a big deal if they get in their car, head to the highway, and all die in an explosive crash that they wouldn't have been in if they'd only been able to get out five minutes faster!

And that'd be the end of the world, too, because if Cindy had been given the chance to grow up, she was going to be the one to come up with a cure for the UberPlague that will kill us all.

So don't be so dismissive about seemingly little things.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Don't be so sure.

Let's say Dad, Mom, and little Cindy are at the Magic Kingdom. They're in Fantasyland and headed to their cars. They notice the barriers, and spend five minute walking around it. No big deal, right?

Well, it is a big deal if they get in their car, head to the highway, and all die in an explosive crash that they wouldn't have been in if they'd only been able to get out five minutes faster!

And that'd be the end of the world, too, because if Cindy had been given the chance to grow up, she was going to be the one to come up with a cure for the UberPlague that will kill us all.

So don't be so dismissive about seemingly little things.

You're bad, ransom.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Don't be so sure.

Let's say Dad, Mom, and little Cindy are at the Magic Kingdom. They're in Fantasyland and headed to their cars. They notice the barriers, and spend five minute walking around it. No big deal, right?

Well, it is a big deal if they get in their car, head to the highway, and all die in an explosive crash that they wouldn't have been in if they'd only been able to get out five minutes faster!

And that'd be the end of the world, too, because if Cindy had been given the chance to grow up, she was going to be the one to come up with a cure for the UberPlague that will kill us all.

So don't be so dismissive about seemingly little things.

You're bad, ransom.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

You're bad, ransom.

Was bad ,but I'm not sure of Double post bad

 

[eeyoreiscool]

Don't be so sure.

Let's say Dad, Mom, and little Cindy are at the Magic Kingdom. They're in Fantasyland and headed to their cars. They notice the barriers, and spend five minute walking around it. No big deal, right?

Well, it is a big deal if they get in their car, head to the highway, and all die in an explosive crash that they wouldn't have been in if they'd only been able to get out five minutes faster!

And that'd be the end of the world, too, because if Cindy had been given the chance to grow up, she was going to be the one to come up with a cure for the UberPlague that will kill us all.

So don't be so dismissive about seemingly little things.

Perhaps they should have stayed onsite and used the Disney buses instead of their car.

 

[DisneyDadof3]

Don't be so sure.

Let's say Dad, Mom, and little Cindy are at the Magic Kingdom. They're in Fantasyland and headed to their cars. They notice the barriers, and spend five minute walking around it. No big deal, right?

Well, it is a big deal if they get in their car, head to the highway, and all die in an explosive crash that they wouldn't have been in if they'd only been able to get out five minutes faster!

And that'd be the end of the world, too, because if Cindy had been given the chance to grow up, she was going to be the one to come up with a cure for the UberPlague that will kill us all.

So don't be so dismissive about seemingly little things.

....or maybe they missed the accident because it happened 5 minutes before they got there