Magic Kingdom To Grand Floridian Floating Bridge

[WEDWDW]

OP, i did get nosy and looked at your other pictures... It is great seeing the Christmas decorations up around the world. Thank you for taking them.

The great pictures are from wdwnewstoday.

 

[baileybrad]

Floating?

I would love to see a swinging type bridge similar to what you see in Swiss Family Robinson or Indiana Jones, the movie. You could walk up an incline walkway. It would be an attraction unto itself.


DISCLAIMER:
Obviously, this is in jest. I see the reason why this cannot happen.

 

[rock_doctor]

With a floating bridge like this, it could just be moved out of the way. Seems like a simple solution to the problem, but I'm sure there are other factors that we haven't anticipated.

True but i wonder... They would have to move the ramps that go from the walkway to the floating bridge and then move the bridge barges out of the way. It doesn't seem like an elegant solution to fix the problem. I suspect they will hard affixed the two halves like a standard floating dock and then have a draw portion between the two halves. At this point, when they move the parade barges out, they have security in boats at the canal entrance. No reason one can't be there to open and close the draw bridge portion. I am certainty curious to see how it will work.

 

[Son of Gadsden]

Could it be possible that they didn't build the bridge, not only because of the technicalities, but because of viewing of the backstage area and parade barges?

Would they feel the need to hide the barges from view? and how would they do that?

 

[Robo]

Interesting to note.

The waterway inlet actually allows boats to connect to a major inside-the-MK waterway.

There already IS a drawbridge on that waterway inlet.
It is farther backstage.

At that same point, there is a "canal lock" that balances the
water level for boat travel between MK's
Rivers of America (surrounds Tom Sawyer Island) and the water level
of the Seven Seas Lagoon that fronts MK.

 

[jade1]

DH and I have had this discussion. If there were a walkway AND we were staying at either GF or Poly, no WAY would we walk. We'd take the launch. In fact, we'd take the launch OVER the monorail. That walk is too far. The walk from MK to CR is perfect. I get the appeal of the walkway though.It would be highly impractical for Poly guests though.

Some GF area's would be fairly close compared to BLT.

BLT to bag check is about 0.50 miles.

GF convention center is about 0.60-BUT only if they add a short cut there as well. If they leave the path out to the road-it would add another 0.20.

With the 2nd shortcut the GF main pool is about 0.75 miles to bag check. But its also 0.20 from the main pool to the GF boat launch and the drop off at MK to bag check. So really an extra 0.55 miles than taking the boat.

BWV main pool is about 0.65 to DHS which is a ways but used by many.

We would probably use the walkway to GF after Wishes anyway, unless the boat oddly has room at that point, and happens to be sitting there.

 

[jade1]

Interesting to note.

The waterway inlet actually allows boats to connect to a major inside-the-MK waterway.

There already IS a drawbridge on that waterway inlet.
It is farther backstage.

At that same point, there is a "canal lock" that balances the
water level for boat travel between MK's
Rivers of America (surrounds Tom Sawyer Island) and the water level
of the Seven Seas Lagoon that fronts MK.

Very nice work.

Could you zoom in on the GF convention area and see if it would be major work to cross that small body of water?

 

[POOHsie]

...

Robo, in your Closeup C picture, ppl can also see the MK Railroad Swing Bridge which crosses the inlet. The Swing Bridge opens to let the big Liberty Belle Riverboat in and out of Rivers of America for maintenance. The boatyard is on the north end of Bay Lake, past CR and BLT.

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=890895

 

[Robo]

Robo, in your Closeup C picture, ppl can also see the MK Railroad Swing Bridge which crosses the inlet. The Swing Bridge opens to let the big Liberty Belle Riverboat in and out of Rivers of America for maintenance. The boatyard is on the north end of Bay Lake, past CR and BLT.

Thanks!
I have now updated my "C" image in my original posts in this thread to include that info.

 

[Robo]

Very nice work.

Could you zoom in on the GF convention area and see if it would be major work to cross that small body of water?

Here ya go.
These are facing WEST.

 

[POOHsie]

Thanks!
I have now updated my "C" image in my original posts in this thread to include that info.

I like your updated picture. Thanks!

 

[jade1]

Here ya go.
These are facing WEST.

Thanks.

Hmm while easily crossed with maybe some culverts, not a great spot to come out near the service vehicles.

 

[POOHsie]

I just had a thought... We have read that Poly construction involves the addition of new "South Seas huts" built over the water. And it looks like there's no accessible construction staging area at Poly. Maybe the backstage area next to the inlet (in OP's picture) will be a Poly construction staging area and these floating bridges (or ramps) will be used in some way for that project. In OP's picture, the big white pieces are at a utility dock (not seen in pic). Behind we can see a couple vehicles and a pile of green pipes. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

 

[rock_doctor]

I just had a thought... We have read that Poly construction involves the addition of new "South Seas huts" built over the water. And it looks like there's no accessible construction staging area at Poly. Maybe the backstage area next to the inlet (in OP's picture) will be a Poly construction staging area and these floating bridges (or ramps) will be used in some way for that project. In OP's picture, the big white pieces are at a utility dock (not seen in pic). Behind we can see a couple vehicles and a pile of green pipes. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

This is very possible. They have in fact used this area in the past as a staging area. I noticed the plastic pipes also. Not really needed for bridge construction.

 

[jrtoastyman]

DH and I have had this discussion. If there were a walkway AND we were staying at either GF or Poly, no WAY would we walk. We'd take the launch. In fact, we'd take the launch OVER the monorail. That walk is too far. The walk from MK to CR is perfect. I get the appeal of the walkway though.It would be highly impractical for Poly guests though.

It's definitely a longer walk, no doubt about it. If I were staying at GF, though, it might be worth it at the end of the night when there's a huge wait and you just want to get home. Even as long as that walk is, it's a drop in the bucket compared to the walking you've already done that day, and you'd be buoyed by the promise of being in bed soon.

I'd at least like to have the option, you know?

 

[jade1]

It's definitely a longer walk, no doubt about it. If I were staying at GF, though, it might be worth it at the end of the night when there's a huge wait and you just want to get home. Even as long as that walk is, it's a drop in the bucket compared to the walking you've already done that day, and you'd be buoyed by the promise of being in bed soon.

I'd at least like to have the option, you know?

Agreed, it's app longer by the Dole Whip stand to the bag check. So arguably it depends where you are in the MK as to which one is further.
If you watch Wishes from the flag pole, or Wishes from Liberty Square etc.

But like you-we just like the option, it can be faster if you just missed the boat and monorail-it can be more peaceful, and I think stroller folks would really like it even though the other options aren't bad.

Wouldn't joggers like this?

 

[mikek]

Agreed, it's app longer by the Dole Whip stand to the bag check. So arguably it depends where you are in the MK as to which one is further.
If you watch Wishes from the flag pole, or Wishes from Liberty Square etc.

But like you-we just like the option, it can be faster if you just missed the boat and monorail-it can be more peaceful, and I think stroller folks would really like it even though the other options aren't bad.

Wouldn't joggers like this?

and MOST IMPORTANT- more bricks to sell!



kidding aside- would be a nice walk at times.

also- while i'm posting- those green pipes in the original picture- i thought they looked like natural gas pipeline- but i'll have to go back and look. Basically steel that is coated (with an epoxy?) for all but the ends (which they wrap after they weld). It looked to me like black/rusty ends but maybe I'm imagining it.

 

[KYMickey]

also- while i'm posting- those green pipes in the original picture- i thought they looked like natural gas pipeline- but i'll have to go back and look. Basically steel that is coated (with an epoxy?) for all but the ends (which they wrap after they weld). It looked to me like black/rusty ends but maybe I'm imagining it.

Actually, they look more like large diameter PVC water pipes! That's the exact color of those and it looked to be about 12" in diameter which is a very standard size for water mains. It's awful larks for natural gas mains except for those used in transmission situations which certainly wouldn't be in this area.

 

[glvsav37]

It's definitely a longer walk, no doubt about it. If I were staying at GF, though, it might be worth it at the end of the night when there's a huge wait and you just want to get home. Even as long as that walk is, it's a drop in the bucket compared to the walking you've already done that day, and you'd be buoyed by the promise of being in bed soon. I'd at least like to have the option, you know?

Honestly that's why we stay at BLT....the short walk at the end of the night vs waiting in line for buses or monorails.

While it may not be a lot, there my be a slight drop in monorail crowd if the walkway as built. Your feet are the most environmentally friendly way to travel anyway.

 

[Chuck S]

Are you sure those aren't just ramps for the Fonzie Shark Jump, part of a new attraction "Happy Days, the Experience" Remember Happy Days was an ABC show