The Central Plaza / Hub area of the Magic Kingdom is scheduled to receive a major improvement to the walk-ability and flow from a guest perspective. We covered that story previously. But here’s a basic recap: a second ring of walkways will be added to the hub, new gardens will replace part of the moat and can be used as fireworks viewing party locations, the food vending and castle show out buildings will get makeovers, and lastly (but not least) Casey’s Corner and the Ice Cream Parlor will get expanded seating areas.
Now we’re back with the first of many updates tracking the progress of this major upgrade. Disney plans to take their time and make changes in small chunks so as not to disturb too much of the park’s central plaza at once, but some stuff just can’t be avoided. We’ll try and highlight how that might affect future visits as we go along.
As a starting point, here’s a short video with a look at how the hub looks as construction gets under way:
The end result will be something new for the Magic Kingdom style parks, but I think it will work. See our gallery of additional images below the jump:
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- Casey’s Corner Seating expansion is really the first part of the project to be completed
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- Alas, some of the beautiful flowerbeds are a casualty of the construction. I hope they return soon
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- The fabric covered lighting tower on the left will get much better themeing
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- So will this building, which now houses the production booth for stage productions as the Castle
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- Some of the outdoor food vending has already been relocated temporarily
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- The area to the left of this picture will get elevated and become a viewing garden for Fireworks A new pathway to the hub will be build along side of it, Roughly straight ahead from here.
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- Still one popcorn cart working
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- But this one is gone. I hope they find a use for these shelters. They’re very pretty. Perhaps at Port Orleans as Bus Shelters?
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- This small path never really saw much use, but the new paths will be wider
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- The rose garden is slated to go away, at least as we know it
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- Demolishment has already begun on the old Swam Boat dock. Oddly, it just came back from a major refurbishment a few months ago.
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- I hope they find a use for this topiary. A new crossing will be approximiately at the same place
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- This old seating area will go away and be an elevated area for extra seating andpart of the crossing and viewing gardens
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- Still limited seating on the Ice cream parlor side.
What Disney theme park doesn’t need better guest flow for parades and fireworks shows? It’s something that just makes sense to add. I’m glad they’re not afraid to make a major change like this when there’s an actual need for it. I hope they do it right and don’t skimp on the details that make Main Street U.S.A. and Cinderella Castle so magical.