The Hub, or Central Plaza, of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is in the middle of a major makeover that will bring a lush garden like setting with more room for viewing parades and fireworks. There will also be new permanent stage lighting and control… Read More »Magic Kingdom Plaza / Hub Construction Update – April 2015
As we have posted before, the Central Plaza, or hub, at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World is undergoing an update. The finished version will have more of a park like setting, with ample walking space to navigate around parades and shows, more outdoor dining seating, plus special viewing areas for fireworks and more.
Since our previous update Disney has added sand and earth to provide a way for construction vehicles to get to and from each side of the moat. At few more of the structures have been removed. Most of the progress has been made on the Crystal Palace side of the hub with extra dirt brought in to level the ground. There has also been some work on the paths around the entrance to Adventureland.
I do find it interesting that they’ve essentially given up trying to keep water out of the area on the Tomorrowland side. It may account for how slowly the project is progressing. But given all the rain in Central Florida, I’m not surprised.
More photos below the jump for those who can’t watch the brief video:
Read More »Magic Kingdom Central Plaza Project Update for June 2014
Since our previous update, Disney has let water back into the moat all around the hub. On Main Street you can see that both the information booth and the retail booth are now closed. They’ve also closed the second popcorn vending location and moved them toward the periphery of the hub. Finally a Mickey and Minnie cutout has been added to the wall over by Crystal Palace.
The central plaza, or hub, at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World is undergoing an update. The finished version will have more of a park like setting, with ample walking space to navigate around parades and shows, more outdoor dining seating, plus special viewing areas for fireworks and more.
A gallery of photos is below the jump:
Read More »Magic Kingdom Central Plaza Construction Bonus Update
As announced in February, the Central Plaza, or Hub, at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World is undergoing a major update. The finished version will have more of a park like setting, with ample walking space to navigate around parades and shows, more outdoor dining seating, plus special viewing areas for fireworks and more.
I took a walkabout of the hub area earlier this week and captured a little video to show the progress. Right now they’re concentrating on the section of the hub that is closest to Main Street, where the additional fireworks viewing areas will be. However, lots of little projects are underway around the hub. The video ends with a look at the Rose Garden as it blooms for one last season in its current form.
Can’t watch the video? I have selected photos below the jump in a gallery:
Read More »Magic Kingdom Central Plaza Improvement Project Update
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:
Read More »Magic Kingdom Central Plaza Construction Update – March 2014
Disney has just released a concept video showing a short fly-over of a completely re-designed central plaza in the Magic Kingdom. I’d heard the rumors this was coming, but had not heard exactly how extensive the change would be. It’s dramatic. The end result will change the character of the main hub of the park, transitioning from moat to garden, an idea first conceived for Shanghai Disneyland. But Orlando is getting a version of it first.
Watch the video then join us below as we dissect a few key visuals:
The newly remodeled hub will feature several new elements, including fountains, sculpted gardens, additional pathways, expanded restaurant seating and even a special viewing area for fireworks and other performances.
Read More »Major Changes Coming to Magic Kingdom’s Central Plaza (aka the Hub)