They killed the magic at MK

[sorcerormickey]

WDW can't ever win with EVERYONE at ALL TIMES.

If it doesn't get updated - people complain. When it does get updated - people complain. Certainly people are overdramatic when a couple of attractions being closed RUINS their trip. Good gravy.

 

[Tinkerbella001]

Magic is a state of mind.

When we visit there are always things that, if allowed to, can ruin the magic. Construction, rehabs, tour groups, mean/rude guests or cm's, screaming children, prices; the list is endless. Try to enjoy the things that are magical and don't let the things that aren't detract too much from the experience.

No kidding! I have a friend who went to WDW last year for the first time. She HATED it. Will NEVER go back. I ask her what is so horrible, and all she says is the hot dogs at CSR were $8. Literally, she has no other complaints. It was early december so weather and crowds were great. I totally don't get her, but like said on here before, more for me!! (And yes, I gave her a "shards of glass" pop, haha)

 

[MomofKatie]

IMO, the alternative to having walls up during the FL expansion would be to close FL altogether for the duration of the construction. That's even less magical. I'll take a few walls over a closed land any day.

 

[java]

I actually volunteered to take my youngest on Dumbo last trip just so I could peek inside the rehab area!! It didn't seem so large but stuff was happening and this is early into the project. Can't wait to see what they do with it all. (still wish it was more gender neutral though vs. so "girl central" as we have 3 boys)

 

[hulagirl87]

I'm glad that we won't be going back to Disney World until 2014. I never thought I would hear myself say that but we will miss the construction and I'll get to read and research all the new things before we go down there.

 

[wdwmom2]

WDW can't ever win with EVERYONE at ALL TIMES.

If it doesn't get updated - people complain. When it does get updated - people complain. Certainly people are overdramatic when a couple of attractions being closed RUINS their trip. Good gravy.

I do agree. Renovation is an ongoing process, have to keep every clean and in working order. Or even a whole new makeover!! Since I don't believe WDW ever closes, it is bound to affect some people in one way or another. I certainly wouldn't let it ruin my vacation!!!

BTW, when is this rehab supposed to be done??

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

The area is being Refurbished for your future enjoyment. It stinks, but you can't do new things in an invisible fashion.

I think the CM egress is to help ease he congestion of exiting the park. I do not think it is mandated. Our last visit was in July. I saw the gates opened---but noone was forced through it. The magical option of taking the sardine route was still available.

In the future, Disney doesn't keep their refubishment plans a secret or their construction plans. If the magic will be ruined if any of that occurs on your vacation, then you can plan it for a different time. A major construction project like that in Fantasyland was public knowledge long before your vacation. It wasn't a last minute activity.



The only other option is to close magic kingdom entirely....but then tons of people will complain how the magic was ruined because their princess could not see the castle on their trip. Can't please everyone. (oddly---I had that same complaint when they made it a pink birthday cake. Lol!)

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

Maybe Im not picky but ive yet to be in the MK without some kind of refurb going on ... I just deal with it and enjoy the other areas where you are immersed Frontierland is still find, adventureland, tomorrow land etc.

Those who go in with a negative attitude have negative opinions. I always look at things optimistically such as so there is a lack of magic now but in a couple years it is going be 1010101923929 times better and have a whole new experience of magic to enjoy!

The negativity on this board astounds me we're disney lovers not disney haters. I usually avoid the what is the worst ride, what restaurant won't you eat at again, has disney gone down hill threads... but my goodness we all are here to share our love of disney not dislike of it.

So here is my positive this remodel of Fantasy Land is going to be SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO awesome when its done its worth the sacrifice!

 

[EMom]

I understand where you are coming from, OP. While I'm excited to see new construction in Fantasyland, they are doing a lot of rehabs in the same area.

The Teacups are set to go down in September, so there could be rehabs/tarps on 3 rides in Fantasyland, not to mention the wall. I can't wait to see the finished product though!

Rachel

Nooooooooooo!!!!!!!! DD loves those and we may visit in December. How long do you think they'll be out of commission?

 

[kirbsam]

just got back from a 9 day trip and did notice the construction. kill the magic. not for my family. we were too busy enjoying being at the magic kingdom.

 

[KristaTX]

I'm sorry the magic was kind of ruined for you. The same thing happened to me at MGM when they placed the Sorcerer's hat right in front of another park icon (The Great Movie Ride), and then again when they closed down Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Play-It.

Seriously, Disneyland Park (Ca's MK) is the most charming and magical. Even moreso than when WDW's Fantasyland is at it's most perfect. If you want charm and magic, visit there, it's wonderful!

So, so true. I can't wait to see how Fantasyland in the MK ends up. It's missing some of the best rides from DL (e.g. Pinocchio, Alice), and I've always found it kind of ugly because there's hardly any grass, trees, etc. It desperately needs this major rehab. I hope they make better decisions than they did with the placement of the Sorcerer's Hat at MGM. I also hope they make a place for stroller parking that doesn't clutter up huge sections of the walkways like it is now.

 

[MomofKatie]

Nooooooooooo!!!!!!!! DD loves those and we may visit in December. How long do you think they'll be out of commission?

9/26- 11/10, according to rehab dates. If your trip is in December, you will get to ride the Teacups, all fresh and new from refurb.

 

[Jennasis]

9/26- 11/10, according to rehab dates. If your trip is in December, you will get to ride the Teacups, all fresh and new from refurb.

Aww...I love the teacups! Guess I'll miss them in October. Just as well...they DO make me violently ill. I loved them as a kid (they were my favorite), but as I've gotten older I have found my ability to tolerate certain rides (affectionately known as "whirly-pukes") has waned considerably.

 

[Loves Disney]

As a former MK Cast Member, I can tell you that the alternative exit route is mainly for safety reasons. The congestion in the park during major exit times (i.e. after fireworks, parades, etc.) can get pretty intense at times (NYE celebration anyone? lol) and because nearly everyone is racing out of the park, it becomes a safety hazard. Especially with strollers and small children - a lot of people don't look down as they rush and push through people. Lots of falling, toe crunching, and injuries can be caused with such a congested situation. Also, sometimes with the intense cluster of people, it's next to impossible to move when the crowd is at a stand still if main street gets the bottle-neck "syndrome" lol. The alternative route may not be the most "magical" scene, but it will lower your chances of getting hurt. While the CMs will not FORCE anyone down this route, it is strongly encouraged because of the fact that it is a safety assurance.

As far as the construction goes, dirt piles are not exactly the pixie dust guests expect during visits. However, the Fantasyland expansion project is a big one and will take longer than the usual renovation period. The refurb. walls can only go so high before it appears as though the park is being entirely enclosed - especially with such a large amount of land being affected. I was down there this summer and I'll admit, I'm not a huge fan of the dirt, but I know that Disney is doing everything they can to preserve the magic. That much I know for a fact. There is only so much "magic" that can be produced - reality is reality at a certain point. For what guests could be seeing, I think Disney is doing a better job than given credit. There are a LOT of things that we could be seeing that we aren't. Honestly, I think Disney is far due for a big change lol.

 

[Colleen27]

August is a slow period. The rehabs were necessary. Would it be better for them to do rehabs (Small World and WtP) in July? Spring Break? They are necessary and the overhaul of Fantasyland will take YEARS to finish.

I have a hard time reconciling the idea that this is a slow period in which guests should expect to find a great deal of construction with the fact that they're using that behind Main Street alternative exit. I've only seen that used once, on the Saturday before Christmas, and that was also the most crowded I've ever seen any of the parks, ever.

This is still summer; even many southern schools don't start until tomorrow, and much of the midwest/northeast doesn't go back for another 2 weeks. The years-long project I can understand, but the smaller refurbs really should have waited until the off-season IMO.

I'm glad we're not going back for a while, maybe a couple days in April and then not until 2012, because I'd be disappointed with the construction too. I expect to have some things closed when we go in September or January, but it just seems like bad planning to have two popular Fantasyland rides closed for refurb at the same time the whole area looks like a construction site. Fantasyland is, for many, the heart of the Magic Kingdom and I think they should have done more to stagger closures in that area to preserve as much of the "fantasy" vibe as possible.

 

[C.Ann]

Sorry it was less than magical for you.. MK is my favorite park.. I can understand why it would be hard seeing it all torn up..

 

[Jennasis]

I have a hard time reconciling the idea that this is a slow period in which guests should expect to find a great deal of construction with the fact that they're using that behind Main Street alternative exit. I've only seen that used once, on the Saturday before Christmas, and that was also the most crowded I've ever seen any of the parks, ever.

This is still summer; even many southern schools don't start until tomorrow, and much of the midwest/northeast doesn't go back for another 2 weeks. The years-long project I can understand, but the smaller refurbs really should have waited until the off-season IMO.

I'm glad we're not going back for a while, maybe a couple days in April and then not until 2012, because I'd be disappointed with the construction too. I expect to have some things closed when we go in September or January, but it just seems like bad planning to have two popular Fantasyland rides closed for refurb at the same time the whole area looks like a construction site. Fantasyland is, for many, the heart of the Magic Kingdom and I think they should have done more to stagger closures in that area to preserve as much of the "fantasy" vibe as possible.

It's probably because I don't have kids, but it's no biggie for me to lose out on some of Fantasyland. Particularly since the payoff is so great later. And as luck would have it, our next planned trip after this October is 2012! Just in time to enjoy all the new Fantasyland.

Somebody will ALWAYS bemoan the refurbs and closures. It's just part of the deal. Some things will be closed. I don't know that I've ever been there when everything was open. If they close in January, the Jan people would complain that they get dumped on for going during non-peak times and are missing out on rides for the refurbs.

As was stated earlier. Can't please everyone all of the time.

If Fantasyland wasn't under construction, would the complaints be so bad? I just think the added "stress" of all the major construction has made the minor refubs (which usually take only a few weeks) less tolerable.

I have been shown out the backstage exit for Fantasmic a few times just because the crowd crush is so great as the CM pointed out upthread. And that was during non-peak time. We've also been ushered out the CM exit in MK during non-peak times when the crowds were unusually heavy.

Disney does the best it can, and the refurb schedule is available well in advance of everyone's trip, so it should come as no surprise what is closed. Those on the DIS know where to find the info, though the lay-person may not. Then again, there are no lay-people here...

 

[dis-happy]

Main Street alternative exit. I've only seen that used once, on the Saturday before Christmas, and that was also the most crowded I've ever seen any of the parks, ever.

I can speak from personal experience that the alternative exit has been in use every night we've been there for fireworks this summer, including nights in the months of June, July and August.