Today we are discussing a fascinating fact connecting various Disney parks around the World and this is their layout. There is no mistaking the familiarity of walking down Main St USA at Disneyland, Magic Kingdom and more to the Castle and connecting lands. This concept is called the Hub and Spoke.
What is a Hub and Spoke design? This consists of a wheel shaped layout, with a single entrance for guests. A hub is in a central location and walkways branching out like spokes of the wheel. The open area at the hub features a “wienie”, more typically known by guests as a park icon such as Cinderella’s Castle (Magic Kingdom) and the Tree of Life (Animal Kingdom). In the photo above from Google Earth, the wheel shape and spokes are apparent!
From the hub at Magic Kingdom guests can easily connect to each of the 5 main lands: Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Liberty Square, Frontierland and Adventureland.
Walt Disney did not invent the Hub and Spoke design (we have early Italian architects to thank for that). However, it is part of what makes Disney parks so successful. Disneyland in Anaheim, California was the first Disney park to use this design.
Disney Hub and Spoke Parks:
- Animal Kingdom (Disney World)
- Disneyland (Disneyland Resort)
- Disneyland Paris
- Disney Studios Paris
- Hollywood Studios (Disney World)
- Hong Kong Disneyland
- Shanghai Disneyland
- Tokyo Disneyland
- Magic Kingdom
What Makes the Hub And Spoke Work:
- Guests can find their way out and around the park. When at Magic Kingdom and looking for the exit, just look to the Castle! Having a central location with a large park icon as a constant reference, makes getting lost less likely.
- Guests feel less tired. By dividing up the theme park into different lands and themes, guests are transported emotionally and physically to keep exploring. EPCOT does NOT follow a Hub and Spoke design.
- Guests are more spread out. With different paths from the hub, guests flow into different areas and sections of the park. This organically distributes attendance.
Have you ever noticed the hub and spoke design at Disney parks?
Learn more about the Walt Disney World Parks including attractions, secrets, tips and more. Plus my friends at Destinations in Florida can help you plan your perfect Walt Disney World vacation.
@Dayngr says
I was refreshing an old UBP post, remember those? And thought I’d check to see if you were still blogging. Great to see another blogger who’s still at it!