The non existant walkway from Grand Floridian to Magic Kingdom

[LSUfan4444]

Does anyone know why this project was ever scrapped and left uncompleted?



For those who are unaware, there is a paved walkway from Magic Kingdom that comes to an end right at the canal.

 

[TDC Nala]

I'm guessing because they were unable to put a pedestrian bridge across that canal - the Water Pageant floats are stored in there, and they are tall. It would have had to be a drawbridge.

 

[mesaboy2]

I'm guessing because they were unable to put a pedestrian bridge across that canal - the Water Pageant floats are stored in there, and they are tall. It would have had to be a drawbridge.

Ditto--Occam's Razor.

 

[LSUfan4444]

The monorail isn't a drawbridge. They could have certainly made the bridge high enough.

They couldn't have started it from there the path actually ends now, but had they started it further back, it's certainly feasible.

Why build the path in the first place if you do not plan on crossing the canal?

 

[mesaboy2]

The monorail isn't a drawbridge. They could have certainly made the bridge high enough.

They couldn't have started it from there the path actually ends now, but had they started it further back, it's certainly feasible.

Why build the path in the first place if you do not plan on crossing the canal?

Funding changes or priority changes to name a couple possibilities.

A tall-enough footbridge would be problematic with ADA considerations.

 

[cigar95]

An alternative to the drawbridge, such as they have in World Showcase, would be a swinging-gate style bridge, which likely is far less expensive. It only has to be open about ten minutes a day.

I really would love to know how many guests at the Floridian actually ask for this - they would be the ones most likely to be listened to.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Funding changes or priority changes to name a couple possibilities.

This seems like the most obvious, but wasn't sure if there was anything else that was known.

The money they spent on the walkway is already wasted without a connection to GF, it just seems hard for me to accept Disney "ran out of money" for all intents and purposes.

A tall-enough footbridge would be problematic with ADA considerations.

You have to think that was all taken into account before the project began right. I mean, it seems like they started building a railroad in the 1800's and hit a ravine and didn't know what to do. Plus, people walk from water level to monorail level to take the monorail from Magic Kingdom. How would a bridge that is monorail height by any different?





I guess I am just bored in between trips trying to wrap my head around Disney either:

1 - Not realizing the complexities of building a bridge high enough or cost of a bridge that allows both boat access and pedestrian access

2 - Scrapping a project because priorities shifted

It just doesn't very Disney-like to me, which is why I was curious of any "insider" info.

 

[Jennasis]

It's because they were/are waiting to break ground on the new resort that's going into that space to the left of MK.

 

[jaykorf001]

As a Disney upcoming first timer, I've been wondering why the CR is walking distance to MK but the GF is not. I love this board

 

[PACVII]

What money? Disney did not have to spend any money they sold each of the paver stones for a nice little profit each. So at worse a break even project to put the walkway in. They paved the whole front entrance of the Magic Kingdom for little to no cost. I can not remember the price but i know it was 50 times the cost of a paver stone. I have one near the very end of the path in the coulda sac area. They should do this again for the big downtown, sorry Disney Spring area and rise capital.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Isn't the entire thing lit? If so, the lights cost money, wiring for the lights costs money, labor costs money, mortar for the pavers costs money, labor to engrave the bricks costs money, etc.

 

[Jennasis]

Simple answer is: because they (Disney) doesn't want to build it...at least not now. If they did want to build it, it would be built.

 

[rgf207]

This seems like the most obvious, but wasn't sure if there was anything else that was known.

The money they spent on the walkway is already wasted without a connection to GF, it just seems hard for me to accept Disney "ran out of money" for all intents and purposes.


You have to think that was all taken into account before the project began right. I mean, it seems like they started building a railroad in the 1800's and hit a ravine and didn't know what to do. Plus, people walk from water level to monorail level to take the monorail from Magic Kingdom. How would a bridge that is monorail height by any different?

I guess I am just bored in between trips trying to wrap my head around Disney either:

1 - Not realizing the complexities of building a bridge high enough or cost of a bridge that allows both boat access and pedestrian access

2 - Scrapping a project because priorities shifted

It just doesn't very Disney-like to me, which is why I was curious of any "insider" info.

Nothing to add but a "Thank You"

 

[SueM in MN]

This seems like the most obvious, but wasn't sure if there was anything else that was known.

The money they spent on the walkway is already wasted without a connection to GF, it just seems hard for me to accept Disney "ran out of money" for all intents and purposes.


You have to think that was all taken into account before the project began right. I mean, it seems like they started building a railroad in the 1800's and hit a ravine and didn't know what to do. Plus, people walk from water level to monorail level to take the monorail from Magic Kingdom. How would a bridge that is monorail height by any different?





I guess I am just bored in between trips trying to wrap my head around Disney either:

1 - Not realizing the complexities of building a bridge high enough or cost of a bridge that allows both boat access and pedestrian access

2 - Scrapping a project because priorities shifted

It just doesn't very Disney-like to me, which is why I was curious of any "insider" info.

That ramp up to the monorail at MK is actually too steep to meet ADA guidelines.
It is grandfathered in, but could not be built like that if it was new construction.

It is problematic for people who are propelling their own wheelchairs and I have seen people driving ECVs up it with someone pushing from behind because their ECV has difficulty with it.

I think a bridge like in World Showcase would work.
If they wanted to do it, they could. So, I'm agreeing with changing priorities.

 

[LSUfan4444]

I didn't know that about the MK ramp being too steep, but you're right as well in saying they could have started building the ramp further out to lessen the grade of the slope. By the looks of the way it is now, it doesn't even look like a low grade slope was ever even an idea, BUT, I don't know when the plan was scrapped.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Nothing to add but a "Thank You"

Simple answer is: because they (Disney) doesn't want to build it...at least not now. If they did want to build it, it would be built.

Well, it is answer, but it doesn't really answer the question of why. Unless I'm talking to my kids.

There has to be a reason(s) and wasn't sure if they ever publicized them; with the vast knowledge and years of exposure on TheDis, it looks like just a Magical Mystery that leaves only to speculate and assume.

 

[goodfood4ursoul]

Simple answer is: because they (Disney) doesn't want to build it...at least not now. If they did want to build it, it would be built.

I think that's the bottom line.

That ramp up to the monorail at MK is actually too steep to meet ADA guidelines.
It is grandfathered in, but could not be built like that if it was new construction.

It is problematic for people who are propelling their own wheelchairs and I have seen people driving ECVs up it with someone pushing from behind because their ECV has difficulty with it.

I think a bridge like in World Showcase would work.
If they wanted to do it, they could. So, I'm agreeing with changing priorities.

Or like this recent bridge (1 year old) which was build to ADA guidelines:
This would work...
http://www.bankersteel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/BankerSteel_WardsRdLYH_panosign.jpg
Because of space limitations the tower on the right houses an elevator, but in the case of WDW they could easily just mirror what they did with a gradual incline as on the left.

But here's the real question:
Would you rather they spend $1.5 million on a pedestrian bridge or would you rather they spend that on upgrading and improving some of the rides at MK or Epcot?

I'm thinking that would go a long way towards freshening up Soarin'

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

Simple answer is: because they (Disney) doesn't want to build it...at least not now. If they did want to build it, it would be built.

If you build it, they will come!!!!
Sorry had to say it..

I have no clue why they don't build it..
It doesn't really effect me.. we will most likely not be staying there for a LONG time anyways... We enjoy POR to much! ;-)

 

[LSUfan4444]

But here's the real question:
Would you rather they spend $1.5 million on a pedestrian bridge or would you rather they spend that on upgrading and improving some of the rides at MK or Epcot?

I'm thinking that would go a long way towards freshening up Soarin'

Depends, if I was a DVC owner with young kids at Grand Floridian, I want the walkway. Heck, I don't own at GF and I want the walkway more anyway. At least then I could justify the cost a little more.

If indeed it came down to an either or situation, don't you think that's weird though?

Someone at Disney has an idea for a walkway, they price the project, the project gets approved, the project gets underway, then the Walt Disney Company suddenly has to divert the funds to another project more pressing?

They complete projects all the time that seem to be a complete waste of time and money, but for some reason abandoned this one. I will be interested to see if something is reborn after the new DVC area is up and running.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

Someone at Disney has an idea for a walkway, they price the project, the project gets approved, the project gets underway, then the Walt Disney Company suddenly has to divert the funds to another project more pressing?
.

Yup! To buy Star Wars, and gut the original fantasy land project, and make it a shadow of the original idea (still VERY VERY upset about that one)