Hello, and welcome to [B]Dateline Disney World![/B] This week, we have a very large [B]Magic Kingdom[/B] update with lots of things happening around the park, including progress on the major Fantasyland expansion project. Let’s get started!!
[img]http://datelinedisneyland.smugmug.com/Other/DDW/i-tgSgFTp/0/O/magickingdom-5.png[/img] |
Welcome to the Magic Kingdom!!
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1245.jpg[/img]
Wait times from around 4PM the day I was at the park this week. Nothing too bad.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1166.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1167.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1168.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1169.jpg[/img]
We’ve started to see some of the summer crowds go away since the schools are going back. Look at these relatively empty shots from right after parade time!
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1170.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1239.jpg[/img]
[center][size=5][b]Construction Kingdom[/b][/size] [img]http://datelinedisneyland.smugmug.com/Other/DDW/i-M7dg4fZ/0/O/inside-magickingdom-02.png[/img][/center] |
Starting as we always do, a few things have changed at the Tangled/new restroom area.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1171.jpg[/img]
The wire mesh for the rock work has blue ‘tags’ on it now.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1175.jpg[/img]
Views from Columbia Harbor House that I got some very interesting looks from guests while shooting!
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1176.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1177.jpg[/img]
These things are new.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1178.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1179.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1180.jpg[/img]
Definitely still a long way to go on this project.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1181.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1182.jpg[/img]
Over at the Castle Wall, things appear to keep progressing every week, with more and more final touches happening to some parts, and other parts playing catchup.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1183.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1184.jpg[/img]
These details are new.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1185.jpg[/img]
As are these parts at the bottom of the spire.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1187.jpg[/img]
Can’t wait to get on the other side and see everything!
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1186.jpg[/img]
Lots of the right side of the wall has caught up to the left side.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1189.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1190.jpg[/img]
Looking nice!
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1191.jpg[/img]
How it fits in with the Pinnochio Haus behind it.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1192.jpg[/img]
View from over near Winnie the Pooh.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1197.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1198.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1230.jpg[/img]
Looks like some lighting has been installed in the back of the wall.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1233.jpg[/img]
Arches and arches.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1234.jpg[/img]
Details!
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1236.jpg[/img]
It also looks like these parts of the walls will function as drainage, perhaps?
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1235.jpg[/img]
Over at the Beauty and the Beast area, things look about the same. There has been substantial progress made, but none that we can see on this side of the walls.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1194.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1196.jpg[/img]
Looks like lots of work is happening between Gaston’s and Bonjour!
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1195.jpg[/img]
Maurice’s.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1199.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1210.jpg[/img]
At the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, the large structure is starting to expand sideways more and more each week.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1200.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1201.jpg[/img]
Lots of steel, soon to be hilly and grassy.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1203.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1204.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1206.jpg[/img]
This framing will certainly look nice once the project is done.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1207.jpg[/img]
Over at Under the Sea, there was more grass put on the building.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1202.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1205.jpg[/img]
They aren’t finished with that yet, as there are spots marked to receive more grass.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1226.jpg[/img]
In Storybook Circus, the entrance to Big Top Gifts got worked on some more, with the second doorway receiving its framing this week.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1208.jpg[/img]
Really nothing new over at the yellow tent.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1211.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1212.jpg[/img]
I’d imagine they will hide this cement on the back of the tent a little better once things are completed.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1213.jpg[/img]
What Pete’s Silly Sideshow currently looks like, seems it is getting the same treatment on the entryways that Big Top Gifts is.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1214.jpg[/img]
[center][size=5][b]This and That[/b][/size] [img]http://datelinedisneyland.smugmug.com/Other/DDW/i-M7dg4fZ/0/O/inside-magickingdom-02.png[/img][/center] |
Lots of things were going on this week at the park. Refurbishment finished up on one of part of the Tomorrowland bridge.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1242.jpg[/img]
But not on others.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1243.jpg[/img]
The tarp came a little loose on the smoking section that is being refurbished, probably due to some of the nasty storms we’ve been having here lately.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1244.jpg[/img]
Underneath that tarp, they have removed all the tables and chairs in that smoking section for the time being.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1241.jpg[/img]
The new meet and greet area built next to Winnie the Pooh has proven to be quite popular.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1231.jpg[/img]
In Fantasyland, part of Sir Mickey’s has gone under for refurbishment.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1237.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1238.jpg[/img]
The Country Bear Jamboree closed this week for refurbishment.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1172.jpg[/img]
This is the one that is rumored to make some serious changes/cuts to the show.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1173.jpg[/img]
Hopefully my theory is true that they’re just installing the holiday overlay!
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1174.jpg[/img]
Down on Main Street, some repaving was being done.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1162.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1163.jpg[/img]
Pretty soon these planters will be filled with Halloween decor, as the first Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is on September 11th!
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1246.jpg[/img]
This refurb at the left side of the entrance to the park continues. It’s been probably two months that these walls have been up, so I’m very curious what exactly they are doing back there.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1248.jpg[/img]
I saw something I had never seen at Disney before this week, a monorail being pulled from the station and then taken off stage to the barn.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1252.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1253.jpg[/img]
From what I can tell, Monorail Peach is one of the newer and more stable monorails WDW has, so hopefully this was just a small issue and no cause for concern.
From across the lagoon, the DVC wing of the Grand Floridian is rising quickly and changing the skyline of the Magic Kingdom resort area.
[img]http://www.miceshots.com/usr/72/DatelineDisneyWorld822-IMG_1254.jpg[/img]
Well, that wraps things up for this week’s Dateline. Are you nervous about the Country Bear refurbishment? Are you like me and in disbelief that it’s already almost Halloween season at WDW? Let us know in the comments!!
If you’d like to support Dateline Disney World and you shop regularly at Amazon.com, please CLICK HERE before you do. It won’t cost you any extra, and it’ll help out the column!!
If you enjoyed the column, especially the photos, and you want to check out more photos and tutorials on Disney photography, please check out my photo site, [URL=”http://www.DisneyPhotographyBlog.com”]Disney Photography Blog[/URL]. And if you like listening more than reading, you can hear us talk about Disney and photography on my podcast, [URL=”http://www.ISO5571.com”]ISO5571[/URL]