Ugly Hub

[Robo]

But I also think Walt would be disappointed by all the construction vehicles and mess everywhere. It kills the "show." Walt was a stickler for people being caught up in the fantasy, as if they were in the movie.

What do you suppose he thought when his new Matterhorn looked like this?

 

[sonofanarchy]

And you know Disney isn't working overnight how?

I don't. But if they were, these jobs would obviously get done faster. I've used this analogy before: Universal started work on Diagon Alley well after Disney started work on 7DMT. I want to say at least 1 year (maybe more). Diagon Alley is 2 major E-Ticket rides, shops, restaurants, etc. They're both opening within a couple weeks of each other.

I love both parks, but Disney is slow as molasses at getting things done, at least by comparison with Universal.

 

[sretav]

The Hub construction barely even registered with us when we were there a few weeks ago. The construction walls are decorated with characters and faux lattice. Disney does a decent job decorating and hiding a lot of their construction and refurbs. It will only bother those that want to be bothered by it.

 

[sonofanarchy]

The Hub construction barely even registered with us when we were there a few weeks ago. The construction walls are decorated with characters and faux lattice. Disney does a decent job decorating and hiding a lot of their construction and refurbs. It will only bother those that want to be bothered by it.

That's a matter of opinion. I really don't think anyone goes into WDW looking to be bothered by something. Disney has set the bar so high in the past, that anything but the best of show will bother some.

I haven't seen any of the hub work yet, but the walls around the rest of the resort are hardly decorated. They're plain brown or blue walls with signs that have some Walt Disney phrase on them, or in the case of Epcot, "We're building the future Epcot".

 

[gwb]

I don't. But if they were, these jobs would obviously get done faster. I've used this analogy before: Universal started work on Diagon Alley well after Disney started work on 7DMT. I want to say at least 1 year (maybe more). Diagon Alley is 2 major E-Ticket rides, shops, restaurants, etc. They're both opening within a couple weeks of each other.

I love both parks, but Disney is slow as molasses at getting things done, at least by comparison with Universal.

Being involved in construction for far too many years there are far too many factors involved in why projects time lines vary. Some factors are complexity of the project, safety factors, availability of building materials, quality of the construction, the site itself, the size of the project etc. I could go in but unless you are involved in each separate project you really can't say how long it will take or why it takes the time it does to get it completed.

 

[StuckInKS]

The only thing that bothers me is a crane by the castle. Anything else, I just walk past it, wondering what it will look/be like when finished. But that crane...man. We have never been when I crane was in view (that I remember anyway), but I can see it in some of the pics from early April. I'm wondering if it is still there. Anyone got updated pics?

 

[thedonduck]

The only thing that bothers me is a crane by the castle. Anything else, I just walk past it, wondering what it will look/be like when finished. But that crane...man. We have never been when I crane was in view (that I remember anyway), but I can see it in some of the pics from early April. I'm wondering if it is still there. Anyone got updated pics?

Crane is gone and there is water back in the moat by the castle.

 

[PeterPanic]

The crane is gone now, but, you have hit one of my nerve endings. One that gets fired up every time someone complains about it. We all want the beautiful lights during the holidays, but, we cannot tolerate the fact that they are not put up there or taken down by magic. The castle is 187 feet tall, you cannot use a step stool to reach the top.

This year was longer then usual because the repainted the castle after they took down the christmas lights. We all want to see the castle looking pretty as well, but, heaven forbid that it be done when we are visiting. Can you imagine how difficult it would be to paint it in the dark? Or how awful it would look if done with artificial light? This is all part of the reality that is life. It shouldn't "bother" anyone. It is what is necessary to keep giving us what we demand from Disney.

For those of you that think that Walt wouldn't tolerate it, you need to read up on the man. He created fantasy, but lived in the real world. If he could hide it or have it done just at night, he did, otherwise, it has always been there for everyone to see.

 

[Sammie]

Walt would be 113, not sure he would care.

 

[DisneyPhotographics]

Rolydweller, Robo....Definitely some good points there. I wasn't in CA then, and you're right, the Internet brings things into our awareness. I was curious about what Walt would think, not on life support to know for sure. Dreaming a little bit about what could be done to make it better.

Don't get me wrong. I think Walt was a smart businessman, but I've read about all the "art of the show" detail he demanded, which people argued with him wasn't worth it. I do think he cared about people being immersed in the experience for more than just making a $.

Sretav, thanks for the update. I've only seen photos of the mess. Glad they have indeed done something to decorate it a bit.

Sonofanarchy, thanks too for your info and insight. I've heard about how long and expensive all projects are now compared to Universal due to management structure.

Wow, for everyone else so upset or ready to go off on me about my post... not sure what to say. I'm still going. I haven't contacted Disney to complain or anything. They still have my business and devotion. I don't really expect Disney to do it my way. I was interested in knowing if the construction pulled you out of the fantasy experience, if you had any creative ideas on how it could be improved.

I'm glad things are improving. Maybe there is already a thread on what others would like to see improved or updated in the Magic Kingdom, but I definitely won't stick my neck out and start that thread. Had no idea people would be so "spirited" about this.

 

[evilqueenmindy]

The construction doesn't bother me, but I live fairly close by and go often. If you're not building or improving, you're rotting, so I'm all for progress. The only thing on the hub construction that seemed sad was the occasional bewildered duck wandering around the drained pond. Will no one think of the ducks?!?

 

[DisneyPhotographics]

Well, I went two weeks ago and I have to admit it wasn't too bad. Honestly I think this was a case of seeing photos from various sites of the construction only and thinking it would be viewable from many elevations around the hub.

The only place you could see the construction mess was from the Tomorrowland Terrace area. They must be working at night because we didn't see anything active during the day.

The rest of the hub area has classic green painted barriers with some signage of inspirational quotes from Walt and nostalgic looking ads for stores like the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor.

I didn't spend much time up near the partners statue since I normally take the pathways right to Adventureland or through Tomorrowland Terrace to Tomorrowland.

So as I originally said I am glad they are moving ahead with improvements and was glad that it is covered well.

I wonder if signups for the dessert party on Tomorrowland Terrace are down because it is a weird juxtaposition of seeing the castle and fireworks in the background and all the construction below that in the foreground. One of the nights we passed through that area I'm not sure they had many guests at all because we saw no one leaving and the cast members were wheeling out a ton of unconsumed desserts by the cart full.

 

[nooneshome]

The target is the end of 2015.

When i first saw this I thought there may be a chance that it was finished for our Nov trip this year. Then I realized it said 2015!!! What takes so long???

 

[ArwenMarie]

When i first saw this I thought there may be a chance that it was finished for our Nov trip this year. Then I realized it said 2015!!! What takes so long???

I thought that too when I first read it...I think it said something like "In time for the holidays" and I was like, Oh ok, ....Wait, what...the holidays 2015?!?

 

[Malibustyle23]

News to me! I am apparently slow and haven't paid much attention since our last visit. What is the construction for or about? Details, please?

 

[ArwenMarie]

News to me! I am apparently slow and haven't paid much attention since our last visit. What is the construction for or about? Details, please?

They're expanding the concrete areas of the hub to improve traffic flow and create more fireworks viewing areas.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm more bothered by the fact that so much green space had to be sacrificed for this. I won't judge yet but the plans don't look very attractive so far.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

I thought the same thing. I had a job that was midnight until 7am. I survived and those weren't the hours asked when I even started.

Not trying to flame or be snippy...but there are tons of folks who work over night. It's amazing the world that goes on while many folks are fast asleep.

I have a second job, where I am required to watch construction workers of all trades in secure government buildings....these guys are used to over night work. Some of my schedules are 6 pm to 4 am. I have asked them if the government was the only company that required them to work over night and they said no. They have lots of companies who require them to do the work while folks are not in the building or on site. Think about road work...around here they do a lot at night.

Oh and the guys have also said that some of the over night jobs pay more than regular day shift. One guy said...heck with the weather this past winter, I am happy to have a job - I don't care what time it is.

So if Disney can come into the park at night and take it from Halloween/Fall Harvest to Holiday why can't construction workers do the same. Disney would just build that into the contract.

Now it might be difficult to move large equipment in and out every night, but they could camouflage it.

 

[luvthemouse71]

It doesn't look pretty but I like seeing construction. It means that they are changing it up and not staying stagnant.

Might affect my pictures that trip but in the long term it will be better.

 

[PeterPanic]

It doesn't look pretty but I like seeing construction. It means that they are changing it up and not staying stagnant.

Might affect my pictures that trip but in the long term it will be better.

I'm afraid that there are many that go by the motto: "I demand change just as long as nothing changes!"