New Touches To The Magic Kingdom

As always, there’s something going on at the most popular theme park in the world. Let’s take a look at some of the more new touches to the Magic Kingdom.

The show support tower to Cinderella Castle. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

The first of the new show support towers was slightly unveiled. It’s not complete, but you get a sense of what is being added to the courtyard in front of Cinderella Castle.

Here's the part of the tower that faces the castle. Photo by J. Jeff Kober. — Here’s the part of the tower that faces the castle. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Here's a closer look at the detail to this structure. It's assumed that the second one on the other side toward Liberty Square will be similar. Photo by J. Jeff Kober. — Here’s a closer look at the detail to this structure. It’s assumed that the second one on the other side toward Liberty Square will be similar. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Note that there is a new popcorn stand nearby:

The facility is large enough to cover the food and beverage offerings, but still not be in the way of those watching shows and parades in front of the castle. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

It appears that the ramp seems to be more leveled out to the street to make it easier for those in strollers, wheel chairs, and ECVs. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

It will be interesting if the walls leading up the ramp will be taller to avoid guests leaning over too far or sitting on the wall. More work to be done to this project.

What is done, however, is the compass rose in front of the castle.

Note the red pavement around the compass. That pavement look and feel has been dramatically reduced around Central Plaza. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

One thing that you can count on by September each year is the crane putting lights up on the castle for the Christmas season. Two months of the crane putting up lights, and two months in January and February taking down lights and doing general maintenance for the castle, seems fairly excessive. But the effect on the castle is amazing.

There has to be a better way. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Take a look at this PhotoPass cast member photographing this child at the Sword in the Stone location:

Note the child has pulled out the sword. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

I’ve seen the sword pulled out of the stone during ceremonial activities–even in recent months. And I’ve seen a PhotoPass photographer taking photos here. But I’ve never seen someone pull out the sword during a non-ceremonial moment. I came back a few times later to see the same thing repeat itself. I saw the photographer, but I didn’t see everyone pull the sword out. Perhaps this child is the rightful heir to the throne of England, but if you’ve always wanted to pull the sword out, you may want to check this out.

The front to the Country Bear Jamboree is still under remodeling:

This kind of facade work during repairs is a real commitment of the park. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Two weeks ago there was simply a blackened tarp in front of this attraction. Now they have a photo facade. My guess is that this will be here for the remaining months leading up to the Christmas holiday.

We end with a visit to see The Orange Bird:

Orange juice concoctions are all available here at the Sunshine Tree Terrace, but I prefer the Pina Colada drink the most (non-alcoholic, of course). Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Orange Bird was at The Sunshine Tree Terrace when the Terrace and its menu was located next to The Enchanted Tiki Room. But then the name and menu switched to the front side of Adventureland. Orange Bird was the last item to join this new location.

That’s it at the Magic Kingdom for this week. What you can depend on is that in the weeks to come, there will be more changes. No park is more constantly under the knife these days than the Magic Kingdom.