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Downtown Disney Orlando Transformation Update

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Downtown Disney is at the start of a multi-year project that will transform it into a shopping, dining, and entertainment complex called Disney Springs. With construction of the first parking garage underway, things are getting serious. Over the weekend, I stopped by to see how traffic and parking was flowing.

It turns out things aren’t too bad. However, Disney is being crafty with its directions to open parking lots. The T-Rex and marketplace parking lots will always fill up early on busy days, but there was still plenty of parking down by Cirque du Soliel’s La Nouba, even though the street signs all directed guests to park and one of the two remote parking lots across the street. I followed the signs just to see where they led and ended up parking at Team Disney building. It was actually a pleasant experience with a shuttle that picks up and drops off right at La Nouba. I avoided the unpleasant hunt for a parking spot and only added a few minutes delay in waiting for the shuttle. You can walk across the street if you desire.

At Downtown Disney itself, there are walls everywhere, a bit more demolishing has occurred, and they have started construction on what will be the first new building of Disney Springs. That and more in our photo tour below the jump:

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Magic Kingdom – Photo Update, The Slow Pace of Change

Work on the sidewalk infront of the Emporium has expanded

Yesterday we took a walk around the construction site for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train roller coaster. Lots of work being done, even if it’s slow. Slow is the theme for the rest of the Magic Kingdom as well. Lots of stuff going on, but nothing much is happening fast.

So let’s head out on our photo update and see what’s new since our last trip around the park:

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Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Construction Update – August 2013 – New Fantasyland

Another look at the big drop out of the interior

Another look at the big drop out of the interior

We check in again on the progress Disney is making on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. It’s schedule to open in 2014, the last of the New Fantasyland expansion area to be finished. Hard to see much change since we last updated the project, bit it’s there. There’s more finished rock-work and more of the yellow rock contour installed. On the exterior portion they’ve really started to do some detail work in the tight twisty portion of the track.

Still, we’re a long way from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs moving in. All we know so far is sometime in 2014. I wish they’d hurry up.

Photo gallery below the jump:

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Downtown Disney Construction Update

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Construction on the Disney Springs transformation of Downtown Disney is now underway in earnest. Get ready for a maze of walls, some extra time to get to your destination from the parking lot, and the occasional interruption from construction crews. Fans of Pleasure Island may want to take one last trip to pose in front of the remaining signs and buildings. I’m sure some elements will eventually end up on ebay too.

So without any further ado, here are the photos from my walkabout yesterday:

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Magic Kingdom Update – A Photo Tour

Yes, it’s that time again. Time to take a slow tour around the Magic Kingdom and see what’s new. It’s been a couple weeks since I last did an update, but then it’s summer, so in theory things don’t change that much. Turns out that’s not exactly true. We have a lot to cover today. First, if you haven’t seen the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train update, start here, then come back and continue on our tour.

Fastpass has come to Pirates of the Caribbean. Totally unneeded. Never had more than a 45 minute wait on even the busiest days. Now we get artificially inflated standby waits, ugh.

Fastpass has come to Pirates of the Caribbean. Totally unneeded. Never had more than a 45 minute wait on even the busiest days. Now we get artificially inflated standby waits, ugh.

The Enchanted Tiki Room is scheduled for a refurbishment, although I hear it's been postponed. The water fountain was off anyway

The Enchanted Tiki Room is scheduled for a refurbishment, although I hear it’s been postponed. The water fountain was off anyway

Much more below the jump:

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Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Construction Update – July 2013

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Here’s an updated look at the construction on New Fantasyland’s Seven Dwarfs Mine Train roller coaster at the Magic Kingdom. There is still a long way to go on one side, but when you turn around the back to where Prince Eric’s Village will be, it looks nearly finished. Current plans call for it to be open sometime in 2014, but it’s hard to tell if they’re on pace or not.

As before we have both video and photos of the area

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Disney Springs Construction Underway in Earnest

The first signs of serious construction on the announced Disney Springs makeover of Downtown Disney has begun. Disney recently announced a plan for the limited parking the construction is expected to create and now video of Pleasure Island’s Comedy Warehouse being dismantled was aired on… Read More »Disney Springs Construction Underway in Earnest

LEGOLAND Florida Readies World of Chima, First New Land

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LEGOLAND Florida is getting ready to reveal its first major expansion later this week. The World of Chima is a tie-in to the new Cartoon Network animated series LEGO Legends of Chima. This video shows some of the final stages of construction focusing on a dramatic “floating” centerpiece, called Mount Cavora. The installation, which will tower 55 feet above the attraction, marks the final major construction milestone ahead of the area’s July 3 opening.

Mount Cavora, based on The LEGO Legends of Chima storyline, is a mystical floating mountain that provides animals with the energy source CHI via its waterfalls. The attraction structure will cascade water into the interactive splash-battle family ride, The Quest for CHI, soaking everyone below. The Quest for CHI will be one of three new attractions at LEGOLAND Florida when The World of Chima opens July 3.Read More »LEGOLAND Florida Readies World of Chima, First New Land