Howdy! Today was a beautiful, but busy day in the Magic Kingdom. I think I spoke too soon, the cheerleaders are still running around the parks. That didn’t stop me from my usual shenanigans of finding new merchandise and construction updates. I am really excited to see what comes of the Magic Kingdom area over the next few years.
Monorail Morning
I started my morning by taking the resort monorail to Disney’s Grand Floridian to check on the progress of the lobby refurbishment. Along the way, I was gifted an official monorail captain’s license and wings, but I still couldn’t ride in the front with these credentials.
Back in the day when I was a small child, you could ride in the front with the driver. Due to some changes in protocol, guests aren’t allowed to ride in the front anymore. If you are a Cast Member, you may be able to ride in the front if you make the right friends.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa Lobby Update
When I arrived at Disney’s Grand Floridian, everything appeared relatively unchanged. It seems that work has been focused on the front desk where the wallpaper has already been removed. The furniture in the tea room at the opposite end has had all the furniture removed. Progress seems to be moving rather slowly on this project.
Good Morning from Magic Kingdom
Good morning from a very busy Magic Kingdom. There are huge groups of children running around with adults who are certainly outnumbered. Cheerleader season is a well-known yearly takeover in Lake Buena Vista. Granted, the kids today are much better behaved than the stunts and literal cheering in the queues of my generation.
Emporium Update and New Americana Lug Bag
The interior refurbishments in the Emporium continue to progress. The new blocked-off section is right at the beginning of Main Street U.S.A., in the back closer to the Barbershop. This is where a popular checkout counter is located.
When one wall is built, another is torn down. The previous walls have been removed, revealing the new, more open space. This refurbishment mimics the refurbishments we have seen previously. For a more in-depth look at the new space, please visit our website.
I also found a new Lug bag featuring Mickey Mouse on an Americana design. This bag is part of the new Fourth of July collection that just released this week. The Lug bag is available for $65.
The Delightful Dapper Dans of Magic Kingdom
The Dapper Dans were spreading magic down Main Street U.S.A. this morning. This is my favorite suit they wear. It reminds me of the Fruit Stripe juicy gum I was obsessed with as a child. It’s definitely the vest.
I am grateful to live in the era of athleisure, especially in the heat of Florida. However, there is a certain level of class these costumes exude. I love the historic look on Main Street, which is why I was and remain upset with the costume changes.
WET PAINT!
In Adventureland, I was immediately met with WET PAINT signs featuring our favorite troublemaker, Stitch. I understand they are painting the rocks darker to appear like lava rocks, and to create more of a difference between them and the gray concrete below.
If you walk around the flowerbed to the other side, you can see some of the rocks that haven’t been painted yet. They remain the same light gray color as the concrete pathway.
I do love that even the wet paint signs are Disney-themed.
Aloha Isle Tiki Torches Remain Unlit
Oi! I have a question. Why have the statues lining Aloha Isle not been lit in weeks? I loved the vibe it gave this area. Maybe it’s because Orlando is in the middle of a drought and the grass roof could present a fire hazard. I truly do not know. I am coming up with excuses for likely what is just a budget cut for the propane that runs them.
McKim’s Mile House New Sign
In Frontierland, McKim’s Mile House, also known as the new DVC Lounge, has installed a new sign at the entrance. The sign reads, “Youngins & Outlaws Welcome – Hot Baths Coffee Meals.” I think it would have been funnier if it said Youngins and In-laws, a play on words since it is a Vacation Club lounge.
There is no update on the DVC Information kiosk. The holes that made the tower look like a lookout tower are still patched over and hardly noticeable unless you are looking for them.
Haunted Mansion Disapearring Pathway Remains Missing
The Haunted Mansion is still working on the exit pathway. For now, all that is in the place of the cobblestone are these black plywood boards, which are not cute. I also noticed that there is a scrim on the brick at the first exit gate. Even worse is the black duct tape along the scrim’s edges.
The only thing scary about the exit is that there seems to be something wrong with the pathway.
King Triton in Magic Kingdom
King Triton is doing well. If this is your first photo report with me then this is incredibly random, but let me join you in on my obsession. I tracked Triton’s disappearance for literal months. I then noticed when he was brought back that there were strange chips in his paint within weeks — on his finger and naval. Then those was touched up. Today, he is good.
Disney Tech – Muppet Magnet – Doctor Julius Strangepork
In Launch Depot at the D-Tech Made machines, the newest Muppet 70th Anniversary magnet has been revealed. I don’t know why these haven’t become a bigger deal given the outrage over closing the Muppet Vision 3D.
The newest magnet features Doctor Julius Strangepork, who I remember from “Pigs in Space.”
Stoney Clover Lane Wannabe Sweater – $59.99
In Star Traders in Tomorrowland, I found a new pink sweater for adults that is giving Stoney Clover Lane. It is a really popular brand that has collaborations with Disney. Don’t get me wrong, this is a really cute sweater. It just feels a little too similar to that aesthetic.
That being said, a LOT of guests were grabbing at these. I saw one person buy two in each size, but they were probably a reseller.
Liberty Belle Boat Ride and Big Thunder Mt. Update
The Liberty Belle is always something I look forward to at the end of my Magic Kingdom walks. It’s been so nice to ride the boat, then go hop on the train and ride it back to the front. It’s a slow way of doing rides at Disney World, and I love it.
On the boat, I noticed that some serious progress had been made at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. A new piece of track has been laid going through the tunnel on the far right near the water. You can see where the track peeks out at the top. All things considered, I still think this project is ahead of schedule.
Roger E. Broggie Train Ride and Big Thunder Mt. Update
After a wonderful break on the boat, I ran over to the train station in Frontierland. I hitched a ride on the Roger E. Broggie, which is good with me. I noticed crew members were installing a roof on the newly constructed frame behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
On Big Thunder Mountain Railroad I noticed crews were still hard at work painting the saloon. Over the past few days, they have made some progress. They were working on the right side of the building on Wednesday.
Fort Wilderness Campground Updates
From Magic Kingdom, I took a boat ride to the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds to pick up a s’mores kit for the weekend, but also checked out any progress made around Pioneer Hall.
Lakeshore Lodge is well underway, but I can’t help but tell you about the flying porta-john. There was a literal portable toilet on the crane flying into the future hotel, and I can’t unsee the whole thing spinning around before finally finding its home. Freakin’ nuts, the things you see in this place.
The cabins being constructed across from Pioneer Hall are still in progress. Crews are still working on getting the deck done on both cabins. The bus stop in the Settlement is still located in the Cast parking lot while the cabins are under construction.
Express Monorail Escape
I was picked up by a Magic Kingdom bus, as if it knew I was coming there. Then the same thing happened when I went to the express monorail to go home. I love it when that happens. Sometimes you just have really well-timed Disney days, and those are the best days.
I hope you enjoyed our day in Magic Kingdom. I really enjoyed just being out in the park today. I don’t know what it is. Maybe it’s all the huge changes coming to Magic Kingdom in the coming years. Call me nostalgic. Even though I’m excited about the coming changes, I’ll miss what I’ve known.
Let me know how you feel about all the changes coming to Magic Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom resort area in the comments below.
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