Magic Kingdom - What a Mess!

[popsynic]

Just been looking at a you tube video to get the family excited about our trip there later in the year, as our dining reservation window opens up soon.

this one in fact - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqEc8zYx6Hg

Well all I can say is - what a mess it seems to look.

Fantasyland Construction - cranes, construction walls and lots of metal framework poking up

Old Skyway area - what an ugly looking corner of the park - and you can see the 'very non magical' ride building of Haunted Mansion

Big Thunder - construction panels and yellow 'do not cross the line' tape with no visible walls 'covering up 'the magic'

Outside the park - the view from monorail at the Grand Floridian expansion looks like a horrible building site

I do appreciate its a massive project, and will eventually be fantastic - but seems that all this construction is never ending - and from this video - as ugly as ever

And will continue into 2014 apparently (I believe that's when the centrally located mine train ride will be completed)

 

[Senator Tressel]

Most of this will be gone by the time you're there, so that's the good news. The Skyway thing isn't really an eyesore in the park, so I wouldn't worry about that.

 

[MikeOhio]

When there's nothing new or rides start to get run down...people complain.

When there is construction...people complain

 

[flortlebap]

Most theme parks close seasonally. WDW doesn't. It's just how it has to be, or it would end up in a total state of disrepair.

 

[mesaboy2]

You can let it bother you...or not. It's not much simpler than that.

 

[LilyWDW]

When there's nothing new or rides start to get run down...people complain.

When there is construction...people complain

Sometimes I think Disney can not win. People will be upset no matter what the do (or don't do). I would MUCH rather have construction going on and things being updates, expanded, and fixed then deal with messes, breakdowns, and no new things.

 

[ToddyLu]

Sometimes I think Disney can not win. People will be upset no matter what the do (or don't do). I would MUCH rather have construction going on and things being updates, expanded, and fixed then deal with messes, breakdowns, and no new things.

Ditto...with a lava smootie at the AKV pool, the World is beautiful !

 

[phyllis1966]

Sometimes I think Disney can not win. People will be upset no matter what the do (or don't do). I would MUCH rather have construction going on and things being updates, expanded, and fixed then deal with messes, breakdowns, and no new things.

I agree with you, but I can also understand OP's point of view, in that there's just an extraordinary amount of refurb/new construction taking place at once. It can make things seem a bit messy.

Much of this was underway during our last trip, though, and it didn't really bother us at all, with the exception of the loss of a lovely view on the walkway from the GF to the Poly, but we considered that a minor disappointment.

 

[monkyby87]

A tad off topic, but any idea when the Grand Floridian construction will be finished on that DVC wing?

 

[wallawallakids]

This doesn't bother me at all. I will still be in Disney and I can't wait!!!
BTW, they were doing the same thing last summer at CA for Cars land. It was fine. Only issue is it made some areas dead ends, so you had to turn all the way around to get to the other side of the park. But, honestly, it wasn't a big deal and I can't wait to to go back sometime and see how it looks when it is finished! But that will have to wait because this year we are going to WDW!!
Don't worry you and your family will still have fun. It is disney..you can't not have fun! Have a great trip

 

[kadesha]

Your forgot to mention all of the scrims on Main Street.

I understand that construction is necessary for bettering the park. And I understand rides refurbs are also necessary. My trip is coming up over Memorial Day. I booked at this time to avoid many closures since they are typically done during off peak times. I never would have thought that at the end of May, 2 headliners would be down and scrims would STILL be up on Main Street. We all know that the Fantasyland construction is happening, so work related to that is no shocker. While it's all necessary, it is disappointing that some of this couldn't be spaced out a bit.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

When there's nothing new or rides start to get run down...people complain.

When there is construction...people complain

~I agree. If I had to pick my poison of the two, I would choose the construction! It's only temporary and I have something brand new to look forward too, it could become a new favorite! I don't blame anyone for feeling a little disappointed.

 

[monkyby87]

Yeah, I totally understand people being upset/disappointed with the construction issues, but I also completely understand the need for it, and Disney has few options for it since it's a year round park.

 

[mom2rtk]

I've had a few moments the last couple of trips where I was sad to see it torn up. But honestly, I'm so excited about the upcoming changes that I swallow hard and move on. Can't wait for to see so much more open this December!

 

[minnie mum]

I understand that construction is necessary for bettering the park. And I understand rides refurbs are also necessary.
.....
While it's all necessary, it is disappointing that some of this couldn't be spaced out a bit.

So you'd prefer that the whole new construction and refurb of the MK be dragged out even longer??

It's like a bandaid- do you want to yank it off quickly or slowwwwlllyy?

 

[DebbieB]

A tad off topic, but any idea when the Grand Floridian construction will be finished on that DVC wing?

End of next year. The outside will be done before then.

If you think this looks bad, you should see California Adventure. To get around the park, you have to walk along the perimeter, no going down the middle due to construction.

 

[jm106]

I was thinking same as PP, I am excited for new things so its not causing me any issues. Its not littering the walk ways or closure of the parks, its a closed area that I pass or can see if I am on dumbo and up high.

 

[kadesha]

So you'd prefer that the whole new construction and refurb of the MK be dragged out even longer??

It's like a bandaid- do you want to yank it off quickly or slowwwwlllyy?

Actually, yes. I would prefer to have less things down at one time and stretch it out with smaller closures. Now the Fantasyland construction behind the walls is fine, everyone should know that's going to be going on for years and no one can really avoid it if they want to go anytime soon. But the ride closures, scrims, etc. could be spaced out. Think about first-timers who may never get to go again. Many of us visit Disney often so it's only mildly inconvenient. But for many people Disney World is a once in a lifetime trip.

There is no right or wrong, that's just my personal preference. I hate the fact that 2 headliners will be down while I'm there, on top of everything else. But I'll make the best of it since I know I'll be going back next year. But it truly sucks for someone who is taking their one and only trip during that time.

 

[Msmit002]

Reminds me of when we were there 15 years ago during the 25th WDW celebration. You know, where they transformed Cinderella's castle into a giant pink nightmare, ala a huge birthday cake?

People were complaining like CRAZY! People squawked and moaned that they had waited and saved for YEARS to take a trip to disney and get a family photo in front of the castle! The traditional castle! Not this pink...thing!

My husband and I just shrugged our shoulders. Yeah, we were there for our honeymoon, and my dream trip but hey, it was a celebration! 25 years! And I have amazing photos of a pink castle reminiscent of something you would find in the game CandyLand.

Happiness is what you make of it. Disney is ALL about suspending reality. Honestly, if you can suspend reality long enough to believe in fairy princesses, talking animals and lifelike feats of fantasy, then you should be able to suspend it long enough to look beyond what Walt Disney called "Progress."

 

[dogbert03]

The biggest point that was brought up is that many other amusement/theme parks have off seasons, where they can do whatever they need to without having to worry about guests. Disney is year round, so unfortunately there is only so much they can do to hide the construction. It may not always be aesthetically pleasing, but as long as the other attractions are working you just have to overlook some of the other issues. It won't last forever!