MK Hub construction pics from Saturday.

[jade1]

Should be quite a change.

.

 

[DanInMN]

When is that work supposed to be completed?

 

[disneydude365]

what exactly are they doing?

 

[lroger01]

what exactly are they doing?

The bridge that goes into the hub is being widened. It will have areas for FP+ fireworks viewing, and an expanded main street area. They are also adding a ring of paths around the hub that will likely be used to keep pedestrian traffic moving during parades/fireworks.

It's great to see they are starting on the "pretty" stuff. It means the infrastructure of moving/damming/containing the moat is done. The project is supposed to take until late 2015, but I'm sure they'll open sections as they become finished.

 

[disneydude365]

so is al main street a construction zone? that doesn't sound too safe or picture worthy lol

 

[ktlm]

so is al main street a construction zone? that doesn't sound too safe or picture worthy lol

It's pretty well hidden. Everything is behind big decorated walls, which are positioned so that they do not impact too much and is off to the sides of the main area and the castle. The walkway coming around from Tommorrowland to Main Street felt a little more crowded to us, and the view from the Crystal Palace are of the castle and the castle stage is really obstructed, but other than that, it did not impact us much. I'm not sure where jade1 was to get these photos, but the only time we actually saw the inside of the area and this construction was when we rode the TTA. We didn't ride Astro Orbiter this trip, but that would give you a big view of it too.

 

[Priory]

And even with construction walls - its a better, less congested, entrance to Tomorrowland than disneyland's.

 

[LivingWithTheMouse]

It's pretty well hidden. Everything is behind big decorated walls, which are positioned so that they do not impact too much and is off to the sides of the main area and the castle. The walkway coming around from Tommorrowland to Main Street felt a little more crowded to us, and the view from the Crystal Palace are of the castle and the castle stage is really obstructed, but other than that, it did not impact us much. I'm not sure where jade1 was to get these photos, but the only time we actually saw the inside of the area and this construction was when we rode the TTA. We didn't ride Astro Orbiter this trip, but that would give you a big view of it too.

Looks like a combination of the wall on the Adventureland bridge being down, and lifting the camera over the walls.

(If you can call it walls. Maybe a better description is a Scrim type thing?)

 

[lustergirl]

Thanks for the pics

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

The area in front of the Plaza used to be a great "sleeper location" to watch the fireworks. Is that area now obstructed?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Great photos, jade.

Here is another, aerial photo.


http://www.wdwthemeparks.com/news/2014/11/05/avatar-and-magic-kingdom-hub-aerial-construction-update

http://wdwthemeparks.com/photos-disney/2014/11/05/r-1415229248-2014-11-MKHub1.jpg

 

[ktlm]

And even with construction walls - its a better, less congested, entrance to Tomorrowland than disneyland's.

This is true! We love Disneyland, but the Tomorrowland entrance there is insane compared to WDW! It is a Star Tours frenzy there! For those who don't know, at DL Star Tours is located in Tomorrowland, and unlike at DHS has long lines a good part of the day (I suspect it has less space and less ride vehicles than at DHS). Astro Orbitor is right at the entrance off of Main Street, and then directly beyond that Star Tours and Buzz are across from each other in a narrow section. There is congestion down that path most of the day.


You can see the top of the castle and the fireworks from the Plaza area, but I would not say that it is a great area to view from right now. We like to watch from there too, but this trip decided it was not the best option. I would walk over there and see for yourself what you think, but I would have a back up plan ready.

 

[Webpixie]

Is in front of the Christmas shop an ok spot for fireworks with this going on?

Kind of not sure where to go now -lol-

 

[Alpha1]

When is that work supposed to be completed?

I believe the permits run through Oct or Nov of 2015. That doesn't mean they cant extend the work, but from the looks of it, I think it should be completed on time, if not sooner.

 

[jade1]

Was back last week-not much new but one from the other side.

 

[cindyfan]

I'm just so very sad that my favorite quiet resting/castle-viewing area is gone!!
Maybe they will put in a couple other quiet spots..... but seems they are just going to spread the crowds out and therefore get rid of the "quiet" spots.

 

[BroganMc]

We abandoned all ideas of watching the fireworks from the front of the Castle as of last October. With the construction at the hub it's a big ol' mess. Extremely disappointing. This project is taking forever ad seems to have very little benefit. It's much worse than the well-publicized FantasyLand Expansion. This one has been delayed and delayed with very little progress and almost no communication to staff or guests. A major screwup as far as I'm concerned.

Instead we now watch fireworks from behind the Castle. It's actually much nicer back there. Less crowded, very scenic and pretty much every fireworks show feels panoramic because you get the low Castle fireworks on one side and the high exterior park fireworks on the other. NYE's display was incredible.

 

[jlhill4444]

We also enjoy watching from behind the castle. We sit on the concrete benches before entrance to the Big Top by Dumbo. The wall to 7dmt is directly in front of us and the music is piped in there also. Last week the shop there had just closed and gave out the rest of the pretzels to us right before the fireworks started. It was about as perfect as we can get with all the construction walls blocking views.

 

[chefmb]

We also enjoy watching from behind the castle. We sit on the concrete benches before entrance to the Big Top by Dumbo. The wall to 7dmt is directly in front of us and the music is piped in there also. Last week the shop there had just closed and gave out the rest of the pretzels to us right before the fireworks started. It was about as perfect as we can get with all the construction walls blocking views.

Wow! I'm going to have to try this in April. DH and I were disappointed in November with Wishes. Couldn't get in front of the castle without tons of people all around. Tried standing right by fence on pathway from CP, but it wasn't fantastic (good compared to other areas). We felt that the construction made a big impact on castle show viewing. I'll have to remember to try your spot when we go for a quick trip in April.