This week, we’re looking at the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where big changes are underway.

Welcome to the Magic Kingdom!
Welcome to the Magic Kingdom!

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Some refurbishment happening right here at the entrance.
Some refurbishment happening right here at the entrance.

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It's that time of the year - Main Street USA refurbs.
It’s that time of the year – Main Street USA refurbs.
The Hub is looking very different now.
The Hub is looking very different now.
Partners in a box!
Partners in a box
The railing and benches all gone.
The railing and benches have been removed to accommodate construction.

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The old control towers are walled off now, and will be changed to resemble castle turrets a la Tokyo Disneyland soon.
The old control towers are walled off now, and will be changed to resemble castle turrets as they are at Tokyo Disneyland.
A (I think) temporary control tower.
A (I think) temporary lighting tower.

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Movement on the Hub expansion.
Movement on the Hub expansion.
The crane is also up to remove the dream lights from Cinderella Castle.
The crane is also up to remove the dream lights from Cinderella Castle.
Space Mountain turned 40 last week!
Space Mountain turned 40 last week!
If only they could give it a nice paint job and clean it up a bit.
If only they could give it a nice paint job and clean it up a bit.
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From Tomorrowland it’s a short walk to New Fantasyland.

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Opening lines for the Mine Train are still crazy!
Opening lines for the Mine Train are still crazy!
We rode Winnie the Pooh using FP+.
We rode Winnie the Pooh using FP+.

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Backside view of the crane.
Backside view of the crane.

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Sign detail for the Haunted Mansion shop.

 

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We also took advantage of the Haunted Mansion with FP+.
We also took advantage of the Haunted Mansion with FP+.

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Splash Mountain is still down for its annual refurbishment.
Splash Mountain is still down for its annual refurbishment.

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Pirates is rumored to be going down for an extensive refurb later this year. Stay tuned!
Pirates is rumored to be going down for an extensive refurb later this year. Stay tuned!

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Sunglass Hut opened in Adventureland.
Sunglass Hut has opened in Adventureland.

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Kind of a bummer.
Kind of a bummer. A barely themed mall store inside the park. We are very interested to hear your thoughts about this.

Get your Ray-Bans in the tropical jungle!

Work continues here in Adventureland.
Work continues here in Adventureland.

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Lots of progress happening on this side of the Hub.
Lots of progress happening on this side of the Hub.

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Water features should be coming soon.
Water features should be coming soon.

Let's head to DHS!

 

Let’s head to Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
Welcome to the Studios!
Welcome to the Studios!
Woohoo!!
Woohoo!! They hat is now just a cap. You can just make out the Chinese Theater beyond.

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Starbucks is almost here.
Starbucks is almost here.

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Walls are down on the backside.
Walls are down on the backside.
This old entrance to the toy store looks to now be employees only for Starbucks.
This old entrance to the toy store looks to now be employees only for Starbucks.

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The Sorcerer Hat removal is really moving along.
The Sorcerer Hat removal is well underway.

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The top of the Hat on the ground!
The top of the Hat on the ground!
Soon, Chinese Theater. Soon.
Soon, Chinese Theater. Soon.

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Attraction posters around the Hat.
Attraction posters around the Hat.

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Coming Soon . . .

Some changes happened inside One Man's Dream.
Some changes happened inside One Man’s Dream.

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Avatar concept art.
Avatar concept art is now on display.

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Rivers of Light concept art.
Rivers of Light concept art.

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Mini California Adventure!
Mini California Adventure!
Shanghai art.
Shanghai art.
There is a preview now for the live action Cinderella movie.
There is a preview now for the live action Cinderella movie.

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Another angle on the deconstruction of the Hat.
Another angle on the deconstruction of the Hat.

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That's it for this week!
That’s it for this week!

That’s going to wrap things up for this week’s edition. How do you feel about these major changes to two central areas of the WDW parks? And what are the positives and negatives to adding mall stores to shops within the parks? Let us know in the comments!!

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If 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]

Cory Disbrow
Cory likes Walt Disney World so much, he recently packed his bags and moved to Orlando. Cory is a photographer and writes MiceChat's Dateline Disney World columns every Friday.