As was announced in February, the Magic Kingdom’s central Plaza (aka the hub) is undergoing a major improvement project. It will increase walk-ability and flow from a guest perspective and give Disney a few areas that they can use for dedicated parade or fireworks viewing.… Read More »Magic Kingdom Plaza / Hub Improvement – September 2014 Construction Update
Guests attending Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this year have a new upgrade option to consider. Make Villain’s Sinister Soiree: A Wicked Takeover of Cinderella Castle, your last stop of the night and enjoy preferred viewing for the parade and fireworks, plus a new dessert party.… Read More »Villain’s Sinister Soiree adds an upgrade experience for MNSSHP
The Magic Kingdom’s Plaza / Hub area is getting some upgraded viewing areas and extra walking paths. Here’s a look at the status of construction through August 2014.
The project is expected to be completed in phases with the new fireworks viewing areas to the left and right of main street opening first then they’ll add additional pathways around the hub and more landscaping. The eventual goal will add a very garden like feel to the Plaza.
Related to this improvement is a project to upgrade the frequently used backstage alley on the Tomorrowland sideo of Main Street. They’ve been doing some tests backstage where cameras aren’t allowed, but you can start to see some of the changes form on stage now too. I hope they enclose it into a beautiful arcade, but I’ll be happy with some decent theming and an alternate route.
Photos from around the hub and the backstage arcade below the jump:
Read More »Magic Kingdom Plaza / Hub Improvement – August 2014 Construction Update
Actress and country music artist Jamie Lynn Spears posted with her husband, Jamie Watson, her six-year-old daughter Maddie and Minnie Mouse in front of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom. Of course, there might have been a stop at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for Maddie included in… Read More »Celebrity Spotting: Jamie Lynn Spears at Magic Kingdom
It was such a beautiful day yesterday, that I had to stop and shoot this short video of Walt Disney and his friends hanging out in the Magic Kingdom hub. Always a popular photo spot. Have you had your picture taken here?
Since it’s been awhile since the Plaza redo was announced, I thought I’d start the video off with a look at the concept art Disney released. Unlike other videos of the project, this time there’s more than just some dirt that’s been pushed around. The Adventureland side of the hub has actual construction with what looks like a concrete footing having been laid for what will eventually support the parade and fireworks viewing garden.
Also interesting to note that there is now an earthen dam holding the water back on the Tomorrowland side instead of the giant black rubber inflatable dam that never really succeeded in holding back the water. This version is a little better at it’s job.
Read More »Magic Kingdom Plaza / Hub Construction Update – July 2014
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
We finally got the entire Frost family on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train together. Of course, I had to break out the camera and record the moment resulting in this on ride POV video taken from the back row. There is a bit of an extended… Read More »Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – On Ride POV Video