There’s a MAJOR Disney World construction coming up and it tends to fly under the radar.
We’re so focused on projects inside the parks like the EPCOT France Pavilion expansion or the upcoming Space 220 Restaurant, that we sometimes forget about the projects happening right outside the park gates. Take, for instance, the major World Drive overhaul to help ease traffic outside of Magic Kingdom. We haven’t thought about that one in a while but now, Phase 2 of the project is officially starting!
Earlier this year, we found permits with the South Florida Water Management District to approve major work on a section of World Drive right behind the Magic Kingdom parking lot. The ultimate goal is to widen the roadway, add several ramps, and add four new bridges to carry Floridian Way over the Magic Kingdom Road, making it much easier to access Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
Overall, the project should do a lot to alleviate traffic in the area once it’s finished, but in the meantime, it could have more adverse effects on your route. Today, we found the permitting for the commencement of the project meaning that we should see this phase of the work begin soon. We’ll keep an eye out to report if it affects the current traffic pattern in any way!
Again, this is a largescale project with the permit referencing a $33 million price tag at times. According to the notice, the permit is valid through December 22nd, 2022 which gives us some idea of how long this project might be in progress.
As always, stay tuned to DFB for the latest construction updates around Disney World!
Click here to learn more about the World Drive project!
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Are you driving to Disney World soon? Tell us in the comments!
Quincy, it looks like a worthwhile traffic flow improvement. But did you mean “Widen the RAILway…”(?)
BTW, from a “what if” safety perspective I’ve long thought the monorail should have more separation or protection from roadway traffic because a bus or heavy truck veering off into one of the monorail support columns might take down the elevated track, possibly with a train. Some years ago Disney apparently had the same thought and did add some guard rails to help prevent that possibility. My 50+ years engineering – aerospace – safety career has me constantly trying to outsmart “Murphy’s Law.” Currently I teach nuclear power plant emergency systems courses…lots of fun!
As a certified Disney nut who passed that trait on to offspring, I really enjoy reading the DFB, especially items about construction, new attractions, and park ops. Spent a crazy-fun weekend at WDW with my daughter in late Feb, doing all the big, new rides like Rise of the Resistance and Flight of Passage (my fav). Awesome!
There goes the last bit of the “Mick-yard”. AKA the Walt Disney World Speedway. It was a one groove race track. Almost impossible to make a pass without wrecking. Not good racing at all unfortunately.