BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted February 12, 2015 Report Share Posted February 12, 2015 Interesting speculation from WDWMagic that the closing of the Richard Petty Driving Experience announced yesterday, may be tied to a much bigger project, with the possibility of a new northern entrance to Walt Disney World... Is a new northern entrance to Walt Disney World in the works?Feb 12, 2015 | 8:41am EST Disney has been busy over the last few years making a number of changes to the area around the northern edge of property behind the Magic Kingdom. Individually, the changes to parking, utilities and minor roadworks don’t look very significant. But together, they may signal that Disney is looking to create a new northern entrance to Walt Disney World. The latest, and perhaps most significant of the changes in the northern area, is the relocation of two backstage buildings - Cast Connection and Property Control. Both of these buildings are not accessible by guests, but can be found directly in the path of what could be a new entrance from Reams Road. Their move in March 2015 to an area behind Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Western Way frees up a great deal of space that would be critical to a new entrance. Similarly, yesterday’s announcement of the summer 2015 closure of the Richard Petty Driving Experience at the Walt Disney World Speedway due to “future transportation improvements” may also be tied to the project. A new entrance from the North would need to integrate into the TTC to handle a high volume of traffic, that does not currently exist, so the removal of the speedway may allow for that secondary entrance and parking plaza booths. Two key factors could be driving the addition of a northern entrance. Firstly, there is a huge amount of residential building in the area north of the Magic Kingdom, with Horizons West being among the most significant. Thousands of houses are being built, with many more planned over the next few years. Guests arriving from this area would find themselves having to take a long way around to reach one of the existing entrances to Disney property, which is not only inconvenient, but would also increase traffic on those other entrances. Secondly, the expansion of the Magic Kingdom with New Fantasyland brought even more Cast Members to work at the park, further increasing traffic in the northern area where Magic Kingdom cast park. The situation requires police supervision during peak periods, and cast members are frequently delayed getting to work due to traffic. It seems likely that any new northern entrance would address both of these issues, creating a new guest entrance that would bring guests directly into property along Floridian Way beside the Grand Floridian Resort, and improved access and parking for the ever increasing number of Cast Members arriving from the north. Disney has not yet made any comment about expanding the northern entrance, and always, this unconfirmed information should be treated as speculation. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted February 12, 2015 Report Share Posted February 12, 2015 That's an interesting rumor. I hadn't heard that Cast Connections and Property Control were moving. But, I don't follow how those two facilities moving has anything to do with the TTC and a new guest entrance. The area back there is very congested and industrial-looking. I can't imagine them wanting guests to drive through there on their way to the TTC. TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
devores 382 Posted February 12, 2015 Report Share Posted February 12, 2015 Plus. That whole area is cast parking. There's not enough of that to begin with. If they open that area to guests, CMs will not have anywhere to park. Not to mention that's where all the warehouses and textiles shops are. Definitely not where Disney wants guest. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
djsamuel 322 Posted February 12, 2015 Report Share Posted February 12, 2015 The closing of property control and cast connection is to move the cast entrance off of Reams Rd to that area; replacing Center Drive with parking spots. The intersection of Reams Road and Center Drive is always a mess, and too close to a curve in Reams Rd for a traffic light. Relocating it further down will be safer. Last day for property control and Cast Connection is February 20th; and they will be closed around 3 weeks. This has nothing to do with a north entrance. BradyBzLyn...Mo 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted February 12, 2015 Report Share Posted February 12, 2015 The closing of property control and cast connection is to move the cast entrance off of Reams Rd to that area; replacing Center Drive with parking spots. The intersection of Reams Road and Center Drive is always a mess, and too close to a curve in Reams Rd for a traffic light. Relocating it further down will be safer. Last day for property control and Cast Connection is February 20th; and they will be closed around 3 weeks. This has nothing to do with a north entrance. That makes sense, and will be a big improvement to that area. TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DramaMama .......... Janet 75 Posted February 13, 2015 Report Share Posted February 13, 2015 While we are pondering rumors, anyone know the deal about the arcade at the exit of Space Mountain closing? Something to do with new laws concerning internet cafe's? Are we reaching here? Details, anyone? http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/tomorrowland-arcade/news/10feb2015-tomorrowland-arcade-now-closed-at-the-magic-kingdom.htm Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fladogfan aka Gretchen 259 Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 The closing of property control and cast connection is to move the cast entrance off of Reams Rd to that area; replacing Center Drive with parking spots. The intersection of Reams Road and Center Drive is always a mess, and too close to a curve in Reams Rd for a traffic light. Relocating it further down will be safer. Last day for property control and Cast Connection is February 20th; and they will be closed around 3 weeks. This has nothing to do with a north entrance.I was told by a cast member who works there that a traffic signal was needed to help cast members safely and quickly move on or off property. Yes the present road is too close to the curve to safely put a light there, so the buildings will be torn down and the intersection relocated. I don't see this as a North Entrance either, where would cast parking go? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
djsamuel 322 Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 I was told by a cast member who works there that a traffic signal was needed to help cast members safely and quickly move on or off property. Yes the present road is too close to the curve to safely put a light there, so the buildings will be torn down and the intersection relocated. I don't see this as a North Entrance either, where would cast parking go? My wife works behind MK and has to use that intersection many times, as do I. If we get there around 3PM or so, thankfully there is usually an FHP officer there to direct traffic. Otherwise, the line is long and progress slow. They will pick up a few parking spots where Center Road currently exists as it heads to Reams Road. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 While we are pondering rumors, anyone know the deal about the arcade at the exit of Space Mountain closing? Something to do with new laws concerning internet cafe's? Are we reaching here? Details, anyone? http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/tomorrowland-arcade/news/10feb2015-tomorrowland-arcade-now-closed-at-the-magic-kingdom.htm The Space Mountain arcade is now closed and, that area is blocked off from the adjoining gift shop. The topic was discussed in this thread here last month: http://www.fortfiends.net/forum/topic/14615-rumor-tomorrowland-arcade-closing-2815/ TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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