The New Hub

[kcb1dizbksfan]

I am at the MK right now and I am extremely disappointed in the hub renovation. The beautiful placid body of water is gone and what your left with is more concrete. Not only the pond by Crystal Palace is gone but the sunken area where the yellow umbrellas and tables used to be is also gone from that former area facing the water... I understand the need to restructure to reduce congestion but in my opinion this change is not going to help reduce congestion. At nite it's all blocked off for FP plus for wishes so this larger space is not available for most people unless they planned ahead months in advance.

 

[AndyPok1]

I, on the other hand, absolutely loved it. Ya, it would have been nice to keep the water, but the way it improves the flow of crowds with the extra ring was SO needed and absolutely worth losing the water (also there's still some). Also, the front half still isn't done.

 

[kcb1dizbksfan]

I, on the other hand, absolutely loved it. Ya, it would have been nice to keep the water, but the way it improves the flow of crowds with the extra ring was SO needed and absolutely worth losing the water (also there's still some). Also, the front half still isn't done.

I disagree ... I have been here all day and watched the traffic patterns of people and it has done nothing to reduce congestion. Also, the body of water is barely noticeable.

 

[SorcererHeidi]

I still can't get over the Astro Turf......really????!!!!

 

[rteetz]

I am at the MK right now and I am extremely disappointed in the hub renovation. The beautiful placid body of water is gone and what your left with is more concrete. Not only the pond by Crystal Palace is gone but the sunken area where the yellow umbrellas and tables used to be is also gone from that former area facing the water... I understand the need to restructure to reduce congestion but in my opinion this change is not going to help reduce congestion. At nite it's all blocked off for FP plus for wishes so this larger space is not available for most people unless they planned ahead months in advance.

That was the point of this area. FP+ viewing for fireworks. During the day people seem to like it by relaxing and often laying down on the grass. I think this is the best option Disney could have gone with in expanding the hub because without it it would only get worse. Again this is only half of the eventual new hub that will be completed in the fall. The fountains are a very nice add that Disney didn't need to do, they also moved the character states from the center of the hub to surrounding the fountains which gave them a more permanent home. I think this does relieve congestion in many ways especially when it will be full completed without the expansion it would only get more crowded with increased attendance.

 

[rteetz]

I still can't get over the Astro Turf......really????!!!!

Its actually not astro turf. While similar yes astro turf is usually used specific for sports venues and uses the rubber pellet/sand base. This grass does not have that and is much better for a pedestrian area.

 

[SorcererHeidi]

Its actually not astro turf. While similar yes astro turf is usually used specific for sports venues and uses the rubber pellet/sand base. This grass does not have that and is much better for a pedestrian area.

Okay, thanx for the correction on what to actually call "the substance", since I'm not a sports (or Astro Turf) expert - but still - they could not have come up with something BETTER?? ANd I have no idea what - I'm not an Imagineer either......but again.......seriously???!!!!

 

[rteetz]

Okay, thanx for the correction on what to actually call "the substance", since I'm not a sports (or Astro Turf) expert - but still - they could not have come up with something BETTER?? ANd I have no idea what - I'm not an Imagineer either......but again.......seriously???!!!!

Actually when you think of it this is better than just more concrete. Real grass would have gotten bad quickly and would have been costly because it would have to be replaced very often because of the thousands of guests walking on it every day of the year. I'll take the turf over more concrete.

 

[AndyPok1]

I disagree ... I have been here all day and watched the traffic patterns of people and it has done nothing to reduce congestion. Also, the body of water is barely noticeable.

I was there for about 3 hours midday last Sunday and saw the Trolley Show and the Castle Stage show... I was able to walk around the people gathered for the shows and get to Adventureland/back down Main Street so much easier than ever in the past 5 years.

 

[kcb1dizbksfan]

I was there for about 3 hours midday last Sunday and saw the Trolley Show and the Castle Stage show... I was able to walk around the people gathered for the shows and get to Adventureland/back down Main Street so much easier than ever in the past 5 years.

I was there all day today and did not see any improvement in reducing congestion. So for the sake of this discussion, let's go with your premise of the hub saving a couple of minutes of time ... Is the cost of destroying a beautiful vista on both sides of the hub worth this perceived benefit ... Adding a few water fountains does not add substantially to the aesthetics of this newly created hub.

 

[SorcererHeidi]

Actually when you think of it this is better than just more concrete. Real grass would have gotten bad quickly and would have been costly because it would have to be replaced very often because of the thousands of guests walking on it every day of the year. I'll take the turf over more concrete.

Let me first preface my remarks by saying I have not yet watched the podcast, which supposedly discusses the Hub, nor have I seen it for myself. Last but not least, perhaps I'm not conveying my disappointment with the "surface" that was put down correctly. Let me first say that the fountains look very nice, and that part I love from the pictures I've seen. But - While I totally get, and agree, that "regular grass" would very quickly get trampled down, not look great, and need to be replaced, and more concrete would certainly not be very attractive, I still say I am disappointed that "something else" was not implemented by Disney. ANd again - I don't know what the "something else" could/should/would have been - but I certainly continue to be disappointed that Disney - yet again - is not "stretching the bounds of its Imagineers" (which - again - I am NOT) to come up with that "something else". I used to depend on them to do just that, and they constantly exceeded my expectations. With stuff like this (or slamming "whatever sells" all over the place, like Frozen, or Starbucks, or whatever) they let (IMHO) all of us, our ideals, themselves, and Walt's legacy down. Besides - I think one more "elitist area" *for those with FP's) is just "segregating" what used to be a place for everyone - even further. Improve traffic flow - definitely - but stop those who don't have a FP from going through that area, or watching fireworks from it - not cool. Not IMHO.

 

[quandrea]

From what I've seen it looks great. I love that people are using it like a park--sitting, lying down, playing. The fountains are lovely. I think it's an ingenious use of space.

As for the turf--that's what you call it--I love it. It is soft and comfortable to sit on. Looks natural too. I'm biased though--half my yard is artificial turf and it was one of the best purchases I've ever made. As time passes the turf looks more and more natural. Well done Disney!

 

[Princess Jes]

With stuff like this (or slamming "whatever sells" all over the place, like Frozen, or Starbucks, or whatever) they let (IMHO) all of us, our ideals, themselves, and Walt's legacy down

This seems very extreme considering the topic is a bit of grass and concrete taking the place of a bit of water way...

 

[SorcererHeidi]

This seems very extreme considering the topic is a bit of grass and concrete taking the place of a bit of water way...

Sorry - but ONLY IN MY OPINION - in this snapshot in time - yes - it IS "just about a bit of grass and concrete, and a bit of waterway" - but - AGAIN - IN MY OPINION ONLY - shows a "general trend" by Disney in "taking away a bit here and there" and "doing a half-you-know-what-job here and there" and "cutting a corner here and there" that is an overall trend towards taking about and/or not caring at all from "the show", "the guest experience", "Walt's legacy and what the parks were built FOR and ABOUT" in the first place. It may be "taking away from the magic" bit by bit, and it may be making the "bottom line and the bean counters" happy - but it IS taking away - slowly, and steadily. And I say that as a long time stockholder. SO yes - I've been "making money" -but I've also been watching bits and pieces of "my happy place" get taken away "bit by bit" to fit more people in, make more money, etc., etc. - and - I can tell you as a "richer stockholder" - for me - and ONLY for ME.....SOMETIMES IT AIN'T ALL ABOUT THE MONEY!!!!.........

Had to edit to add........they're even talked about this on the podcast - several times - so I ain't "the only one" that feels this way. Will I stop going? No. But am I "less than happy" each time I see something being done "any kind of way just to get it done" while caring less and less about "the guest (and my) experience" and more and more about "the bottom line", and does it make me sad all over again for "what once was, and is still supposed to be?" Yes, yes, yes!!!!!

 

[Princess Jes]

Sorry - but ONLY IN MY OPINION - in this snapshot in time - yes - it IS "just about a bit of grass and concrete, and a bit of waterway" - but - AGAIN - IN MY OPINION ONLY - shows a "general trend" by Disney in "taking away a bit here and there" and "doing a half-you-know-what-job here and there" and "cutting a corner here and there" that is an overall trend towards taking about and/or not caring at all from "the show", "the guest experience", "Walt's legacy and what the parks were built FOR and ABOUT" in the first place. It may be "taking away from the magic" bit by bit, and it may be making the "bottom line and the bean counters" happy - but it IS taking away - slowly, and steadily. And I say that as a long time stockholder. SO yes - I've been "making money" -but I've also been watching bits and pieces of "my happy place" get taken away "bit by bit" to fit more people in, make more money, etc., etc. - and - I can tell you as a "richer stockholder" - for me - and ONLY for ME.....SOMETIMES IT AIN'T ALL ABOUT THE MONEY!!!!.........

Had to edit to add........they're even talked about this on the podcast - several times - so I ain't "the only one" that feels this way. Will I stop going? No. But am I "less than happy" each time I see something being done "any kind of way just to get it done" while caring less and less about "the guest (and my) experience" and more and more about "the bottom line", and does it make me sad all over again for "what once was, and is still supposed to be?" Yes, yes, yes!!!!!

Whoa, calm down soldier.
All I was saying is that you said disney is letting down your ideals by creating extra space, regardless of what it's for, they've utilized space that was once a bit of water, to now be a bit of grass and concrete to accommodate the growing masses.
If your ideals in life rest on that, then you're setting yourself up for disappointment.
I can understand you're less than impressed by it, but again, if it's shaking your ideals, maybe a reevaluation is needed?

 

[kbelle8995]

I actually like The New Hub. It looks like gardens from Palaces in Europe. I do wonder how they are going to keep it clean. And astro turf, I'm not sure about. But the fountain is really pretty and it has a nice look to it.

 

[SorcererHeidi]

Whoa, calm down soldier.
All I was saying is that you said disney is letting down your ideals by creating extra space, regardless of what it's for, they've utilized space that was once a bit of water, to now be a bit of grass and concrete to accommodate the growing masses.
If your ideals in life rest on that, then you're setting yourself up for disappointment.
I can understand you're less than impressed by it, but again, if it's shaking your ideals, maybe a reevaluation is needed?

Okay - I'm obviously not getting my point across successfully at all, so I'm going to stop trying.

By the way - this "solider" is actually a former "sailor" - never been in the Army, sorry.

 

[auroralark]

We were there last week and we really liked the new hub. I thought it was very pretty and much more open. It didn't feel nearly as crowded in that area. I'm looking forward to seeing it again when it's complete.

 

[AndyPok1]

Is the cost of destroying a beautiful vista on both sides of the hub worth this perceived benefit ... Adding a few water fountains does not add substantially to the aesthetics of this newly created hub.

Yes. Yes it does. Because beyond the "perceived benefit of saving a few minutes", it improves the guest experience to where I'm not dreading going to the MK like I have been lately.

 

[UpstateMick]

When we were there last month it was a disaster and a congested mess because of all of the construction, but from the few videos, it looks like it cleaned up very nice. I don't know...I don't spend any time in the Hub...just usually pass through, so I really can't comment on the viewing areas or concrete vs. water. I always watch Wishes from Fantasyland and the parades from Frontierland. If I want to see the projection show we book the desert part. Other than that, it is interesting listening to all the different perspectives. I do want to see it in person.