The Walt Disney World Resort is currently enhancing the overall guest arrival experience at all its theme parks. From the parking lots to the theme park entrances, nearly every step in between those points is being reconfigured, including walkways and transportation loading and unloading zones, and the Magic Kingdom is no exception, with most “Disney’s Walk Around the World” commemorative bricks lining the entrance set to be removed.
Arriving at Magic Kingdom this morning, we noticed quite a number of changes around the entrance. It seems like the first phase of construction is getting underway.
As we arrived at the Magic Kingdom bus stop, we spotted walls up around both ends. On the side of the bus loop closest to the Contemporary Resort, we can see crew members actively digging up the ground and removing the foliage in the area.
Closer to the Magic Kingdom security point by the buses, we see the ground has been torn up and more walls up. These barriers are short enough we can see what’s happening with the pavement.
There are also some barriers around the bus stop signs, but you can still read the sign.
There are several short, green boxes placed on the pathway, over the bricks near security. It’s only a matter of time now before the brick removal process begins.
One of the covered areas that was once the old security checkpoints is completely closed off. Many people seek shade or rain shelter under these, so it was interesting to see a crowd of people huddling in the shade of the hedge walls.
The hedges work their way around towards the Will Call window. There are tape markings on the ground next to the fake bushes to guide guests to the queue.
It might feel a little more crowded in the area during the process, but hopefully the changes will make a smoother start to the day when visiting the Magic Kingdom. You can get a feel for all the changes on the ground in this video walkthrough of current construction at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom:
Are you excited for all the changes coming to the entrance of the Magic Kingdom, or are you not looking forward to having your brick removed?
Hi
Yes we’re excited but also feel it’s to much all at once. We are not from the US so are only able to come to disney every few years maybe. This year is particularly bad HS lots of stores closed. Lengthy time Magic Kingdom outside work going on areas coverd. Epcot what can I say from sept 8 lots of closures. BB water park sept closure. To much all at once it takes the shine off the Disney experience but you pay the same money. Understand these changes have to be done to better the experience but they should stagger them better and at least have a few finished before closing more.
The ‘fake bushes’ are actually live plants, they’re just portable.
How long do you think will this construction take?
Should we to wait until the 50th Anniversary of WDW?