Magic Kingdom’s 53-Year-Old Main Street, U.S.A., Changed Forever

Changes are coming to Walt Disney World Resort‘s first theme park destination, Magic Kingdom Park.

Magic Kingdom Park opened on October 1, 1971. Walt Disney didn’t live to see his “Florida project” come to life, but his brother Roy added “Walt” to the “Disney World Resort” name to ensure his legacy lived on. The theme park consists of six themed lands: Main Street, U.S.A., Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, and Fantasyland.

Change is coming to the original Central Florida Disney park. Last year, The Walt Disney Company confirmed that it would build a Disney Villains Land “beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.” Additionally, two all-new Cars (2006) attractions are set to replace the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island in Frontierland.

But the latest updates to Magic Kingdom Park have nothing to do with the promised expansions. As Walt Disney World Resort files permits and prepares to break ground over in Frontierland, crews are hard at work restoring the Main Street, U.S.A., Walt Disney World Railroad Station.

On February 12, WDWNT reported that the construction walls covering the station’s center staircase had been removed. However, Disney Park guests still can’t access the stairs, as rolling planters block the entrance. One wooden construction panel and some tan scrims are currently blocking half of the top of the platform.

Previously, guests had access to both the left and right side staircases as the center staircase underwent refurbishment. However, wooden construction walls now cover the left staircase with signs encouraging guests to “please use the adjacent stairs.”

The Walt Disney World Railroad is operating normally despite the construction. Guests can use the right-side staircase to board and disembark the train on Main Street, U.S.A. Stanchions with rope barricades and construction walls block guests from using the out-of-service staircases when they get off the Walt Disney World Railroad.

Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t issued a public statement on this Magic Kingdom Park refurbishment, which isn’t unusual. The Central Florida Disney park rarely acknowledges routine refurbishment unless it impacts the operational status of attractions.

What changes have you noticed around Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments!