Will the moat still be drained late April/May

[Q-man]

When in 2015 is this suppose to be completed?

November.

 

[JanaDee]

So, what is Disney supposed to do? Seriously? Improvements have to be made. Things have to be done. It will impact SOMEONES vacation no matter what they do. This is a long term project. Not something that can be done in a matter of weeks or months. But they NEED to extra walkways.

There is absolutely no reason why filling in part of the moat, digging up some grass and laying concrete should take 18 months. If they had winter weather to deal with, I could see it taking that long.

But then again, this is also the same company that took over 3 years to build a roller coaster...

 

[Skjhjb]

Well, coming from somebody who is about to go in May, and this is almost a "once in a lifetime" for us (more like a "kids are starting University and no travel will be had for quite a few years now" kind of thing)

I'm pretty laid back, and just think that it is what it is. I can't change it, trip is booked and about to be fully paid for. We are in Disney, for probably the last (and only second) time ever.

Will it not be magical? To us, it will be magical. We are in Disney for our 20th anniversary, and construction be damned. We will be having the time of our lives, and a few fences and construction around the castle are not going to ruin it for us.

Sure, castle photos may not be fantastic, but I can't change it. So I resolve to not let it ruin my trip!

 

[Q-man]

There is absolutely no reason why filling in part of the moat, digging up some grass and laying concrete should take 18 months. If they had winter weather to deal with, I could see it taking that long.

But then again, this is also the same company that took over 3 years to build a roller coaster...

This is likely the only project that justifies the timeline. This is not a just pour some concrete and landscape project. There needs to be tons of fill brought in as nearly all of the hub that slopes down to the water will need to lifted to even with the center of the hub island, and retaining walls built to keep that dirt in place before the dirt can be compacted and new the outer hub ring can be laid and landscaped. Then think that the Main St bridge is going to be expanded such that the width is from between Casey's and CP on the west end to between the Plaza restaurant and and Tomorrowland Terrace on the east end. Due to the location most of the work can only be done at night after the last guest has left and stopped with enough time to clean up before the first character breakfast guests enter in the morning. Realistically you're looking at 6 hours or less of heavy machinery work time a night weather permitting. That kind of dirt work in Florida's torrential downpours can be a challenge.

 

[JanaDee]

This is likely the only project that justifies the timeline. There needs to be tons of fill brought in as nearly all of the hub that slopes down to the water will need to lifted to even with the center of the hub island, and retaining walls built to keep that dirt in place, before the new the outer hub ring can be laid and landscaped. Due to the location most of the work can only be done at night after the last guest has left and stopped with enough time to clean up before the first character breakfast guests enter in the morning. Realistically you're looking at 6 hours or less of work time a night weather permitting. That kind of dirt work in Florida's torrential downpours can be a challenge.

The heavy work (bringing in extra fill, etc) can only be done at night. I would guess that is the very first part of the project. The rest of the work should be able to be done anytime.

 

[Q-man]

The heavy work (bringing in extra fill, etc) can only be done at night. I would guess that is the very first part of the project. The rest of the work should be able to be done anytime.

Can you imagine the complaints about the noise during the 6 daily castle shows, the parades, and Wishes? Or the amount of our vacation was ruined posts?

I would bet on the expansion of the bridge on the Main St side of the hub, at least on the Plaza and Tomorrowland Terrace side, being first as that would provide the shortest distance from offstage to the area under construction and keep from having to clean construction dirt from the parade route every morning. Otherwise, they'd have to bring everything in and out through parade entrance and exits as that route is structurally reenforced for the weight of the parade floats and could handle the heavy machinery. That would also explain why the plans show that kind of structural reinforcement for the path/bridge to the Main St bypass.

 

[cablguy2]

Truly amazing!! Time after time everyone is screaming IMPROVMENTS!!! then when Disney does they get ripped apart by complainers!! It takes time to do things and especially in the dead center of everything. How about they just shut Disney down for a few months so they can get the work down faster? NO cause you would complain then that you wanted to go during that time. Its no different then you favorite department storing remodeling to improve guest interaction. Yes its a pain cause barriers are up an you have to go around this an that for a bit, but in the end there have been nice improvements that you enjoy.
No one will ever be truly happy with any change at Disney. But good grief stop complaining about every little thing. Seems to me they are trying to make it better. Yes me an my family have been several times the last few years an there is alway a wall or crane up somewhere. But people are getting bent out of shape about something they want in the long run. you want new rides an shows an resturants but don't want to wait for it or deal with it being built. Take a breath and relax an enjoy what you have.

 

[Luv0fDisney]

That sucks that they are removing the moat.
I feel like the moat is "historic" to the park. What is going through the people's minds at Disney? I wish I was the president or whoever was in charge of making these decisions.

 

[BrianL]

That sucks that they are removing the moat.
I feel like the moat is "historic" to the park. What is going through the people's minds at Disney? I wish I was the president or whoever was in charge of making these decisions.

They are NOT removing the moat. Two small parts of it, away from the Castle on the Main Street side will be covered over for additional walkways. The moat isn't even the most affected part of this, as they are putting paths through lots of the green areas of the hub. The only consequence for the moat is that it will be dry while construction is ongoing. It can't be helped.

 

[BrianL]

Truly amazing!! Time after time everyone is screaming IMPROVMENTS!!! then when Disney does they get ripped apart by complainers!!

I agree with you on this. Yeah, construction walls stink, but they can't be helped. Disney at least does a great job of sheilding us from the work areas, and I've never had a vacation ruined beacusse of some construction. It needs to be done, and at least they are making improvements.

 

[LilyWDW]

That sucks that they are removing the moat.
I feel like the moat is "historic" to the park. What is going through the people's minds at Disney? I wish I was the president or whoever was in charge of making these decisions.

Look at the pics earlier in the thread. They are NOT removing the moat (as has been covered).

Disney needs to add walkways due to increases in crowds. It is a safety concern and something that guests need/want.

As for those who say "It shouldn't take X amount of time!"... how do you know? Do you work construction? Do you have the details that Disney has? I HAVE worked with construction (though as a designer) and, yes, I can see why this project would take as long as they are projecting. Especially since they have limitations while guests are inside the park. They can't close off the hub. That would be impossible if they wanted to keep the park open. Which means limited working hours and limits to what CAN be done at specific times.

 

[cablguy2]

I agree with you on this. Yeah, construction walls stink, but they can't be helped. Disney at least does a great job of sheilding us from the work areas, and I've never had a vacation ruined beacusse of some construction. It needs to be done, and at least they are making improvements.

Thank you. I think they do a decent job of at least somewhat decorating the walls an tarps to help make it not so ugly. Long as I am with my family I don't think my vacatioin will be ruined.

 

[The V Gang]

Look at the pics earlier in the thread. They are NOT removing the moat (as has been covered).

Disney needs to add walkways due to increases in crowds. It is a safety concern and something that guests need/want.

As for those who say "It shouldn't take X amount of time!"... how do you know? Do you work construction? Do you have the details that Disney has? I HAVE worked with construction (though as a designer) and, yes, I can see why this project would take as long as they are projecting. Especially since they have limitations while guests are inside the park. They can't close off the hub. That would be impossible if they wanted to keep the park open. Which means limited working hours and limits to what CAN be done at specific times.

I worked in industrial construction planning and believe the project can be completed in less time than 18 months. I also know quite well that a project of this magnitude takes a very long time to plan.

On a personal level I think Disney should have listed this project on the refurb list a year ago so that families like my own could have decided if they wanted to visit WDW during substantial construction or use the bit of personal time they have elsewhere. Like many, our airfare has been purchased and vacation has been paid for. It's too late to go elsewhere.

Seems to me Disney knew this would drive away more business than it was willing to lose therefore they decided on a last minute announcement.

 

[JeremyGNJ]

Seems to me Disney knew this would drive away more business than it was willing to lose therefore they decided on a last minute announcement.

Would you have done it different if it was your business?

 

[*disgal*]

If the construction around the castle is going to make the area dismal for a while anyway they should theme it around Sleeping Beauty's castle during her dormancy.

(yes, I know it's Cindy's castle, but it's all we got)

Good one, surferdave!

It looks like it's going to be really pretty when it's done. Will I enjoy looking at it on my trip next month? probably not. But oh well.

 

[Q-man]

I worked in industrial construction planning and believe the project can be completed in less time than 18 months. I also know quite well that a project of this magnitude takes a very long time to plan.

Obviously 18 months has a cushion built in for any issues but, look at it on google earth and imagine all trucks being funneled through a one vehicle width road and limited greatly in the number of hours they can be run so as to minimize issues with park operations.

Do you think they can use the drained moat to truck fill dirt around all the pathways by going under the bridges?

This seems like something that would be done one section at a time so as to not have construction walls up all around the hub. Again looking at photos, the hub has 6 sections of green space to be back filled and new walkways laid out.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I agree with you on this. Yeah, construction walls stink, but they can't be helped. Disney at least does a great job of sheilding us from the work areas, and I've never had a vacation ruined beacusse of some construction. It needs to be done, and at least they are making improvements.

Yeah, but how long has MK been under construction? And, I'm not really impressed with the improvements. Jmo

One positive ~ Epcot will be beautiful.

MK, not so much.

She will love the flowers, that's what is important.

 

[Viva Las Disney]

Truly amazing!! Time after time everyone is screaming IMPROVMENTS!!! then when Disney does they get ripped apart by complainers!! It takes time to do things and especially in the dead center of everything. How about they just shut Disney down for a few months so they can get the work down faster? NO cause you would complain then that you wanted to go during that time. Its no different then you favorite department storing remodeling to improve guest interaction. Yes its a pain cause barriers are up an you have to go around this an that for a bit, but in the end there have been nice improvements that you enjoy.
No one will ever be truly happy with any change at Disney. But good grief stop complaining about every little thing. Seems to me they are trying to make it better. Yes me an my family have been several times the last few years an there is alway a wall or crane up somewhere. But people are getting bent out of shape about something they want in the long run. you want new rides an shows an resturants but don't want to wait for it or deal with it being built. Take a breath and relax an enjoy what you have.

My thoughts exactly reading this thread. I'm starting to wonder why a lot of the posters here are even WDW fans because no matter what WDW does they hate it.

When WDW makes improvements everyone complains because construction walls and cranes ruin their pictures but at the same time everyone complains that Disney doesn't reinvest in the parks. When they build a new ride everyone complains it's not bigger, faster, longer but at the same time everyone complains there is nothing new. When they add additional seating to restaurants everyone complains because it removes landscaping but at the same time everyone complains there is nowhere to sit, when they add new restaurants everyone complains that money should have been spent on new rides but at the same time everyone complains it's ridiculous they have to reserve a restaurant 6 months early.

Added Soarin to Epcot - people hated the building was visible from WS. Built a whole new land in MK - people complained it was to kid themed! Building a whole new land in AK - people complain they didn't like the movie! No matter what Disney does some people are just going to complain!

 

[FutureMayor]

One of the key elements to the construction project will be the opening of the walkway behind the shops (bakery, art, jewelry, & confectionery) to speed exit from the parks following the fireworks. Currently it lacks the theming Disney would like. It will be interesting to see how they theme it, but I would imagine it would feel much like Main Street.

Opening an additional exit from the hub will alleviate some of the congestion on Main Street, but will still hit a choke point at the two paths below the train station. There's only so much room at those pathways regardless of how you spread the crowds throughout the park.

 

[horse11]

Truly amazing!! Time after time everyone is screaming IMPROVMENTS!!! then when Disney does they get ripped apart by complainers!! It takes time to do things and especially in the dead center of everything. How about they just shut Disney down for a few months so they can get the work down faster? NO cause you would complain then that you wanted to go during that time. Its no different then you favorite department storing remodeling to improve guest interaction. Yes its a pain cause barriers are up an you have to go around this an that for a bit, but in the end there have been nice improvements that you enjoy.
No one will ever be truly happy with any change at Disney. But good grief stop complaining about every little thing. Seems to me they are trying to make it better. Yes me an my family have been several times the last few years an there is alway a wall or crane up somewhere. But people are getting bent out of shape about something they want in the long run. you want new rides an shows an resturants but don't want to wait for it or deal with it being built. Take a breath and relax an enjoy what you have.

I can understand Disney wanting to make improvements but the amount they are doing all at once seems to be the problem. They are doing HUGE amount of construction at The Poly, Downtown and now Magic Kindom. It may not be a big deal to you and it may not be a big deal to people who are able to go yearly or even every other year but for people like us whom have saved for three years to treat our children for their first trip to Disney it becomes very frustrating. The chances of us being able to come back may be slim. AT best we may be able to come back in three years. If we could of had some advance info on this we could have waited to go to Disney. I am not normally a complainer but every where we have turned during our planing of this trip so far as led to MAJOR CONSTRUCTION!!! We never even found out about this until we had arleady booked. I was never even sent an information about the Poly and only found the info on these boards otherwise I would have never known until we go to the resort. We had decided against the Poly because of the amount of construction there that we only heard about through these boards. We then switched our reservation. We have limited our time downtown a quick dinner out because of the construction, and now (though it may not be a big deal to you) may not have the complete magical feel of my childrens first time laying eyes on Magic Kingdom!!! I have not expressed my disappointment to the children and continue my up beat feeings about our vacation. We are going to have a blast no matter what. But I can tell you for the amount we are spending and as much rearranging we have done to avoid the MASSIVE amount of CONSTRUCTION it is FRUSTRATING and we should be able to express this through these boards. Again I understand improvements but did they have to do the amount of constrution there are doing EVERYWHERE. Could they limit this to an area each year? I am not on the bussiness end of course so I could never answer that question. It is what you make of it and we are planing on a FANTASTIC TRIP!!! However there comes a time when you just need to VENT!!!!!