Club 33 expansion and resulting new exteriors

[opus1guy]

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Agree looks much nicer in those photos. Also glad to see the Herb Ryman NOS art in the same spots they were before (on the far wall above). A little odd to see the castle art at the left there. They never had art from other parts of the park in the main dining room before. Just New Orleans Square and Pirates art. Oh well. Maybe it's temporary?

The members are getting their first look at the place by escorted orientation tours all day and night today. They will be filled in on the history and background on all of the changes. I'm sure we'll be getting more detailed reports very soon.

 

[Nonsuch]

...there HAD to be a way to recess it into the main structure vs. sticking it on the outside...

There seems to have been some disconnect between concept...

And reality...

 

[peterpanandwendy]

I found these pics of the exterior window at night, and while I totally agree it is off centre and looks weird right now… I kinda like where they are going with it…

http://www.disneylandclub33.com/Le Grand Salon Construction Screens Partially Removed.htm

When I was a kid I LOVED NOS, but I always fantasized about what was 'behind the doors and windows'. I didn't like how the doors and balconies and windows were 'closed' off because it did give off the impression that the buildings were just facades of empty shells, which was sort of disappointing… now, you can eat in Cafe Orleans and right above you is the ambient lighting pouring out of Club 33, complete with chandelier and dark wood ceiling beams… and I must say that I really like it. It gives the building a sense of life that it didn't have before. It makes NOS some how deeper and more 'real' than it was before because the buildings are no longer facades, but 'real', with life and light behind them… does that make sense?

 

[kylie71]

So, is that a glass elevator? For the 1 floor up? I see windows.....

I agree the dining room looks better that the pics we saw yesterday...
Anxiously waiting to hear what the members think.....

--Lori

 

[peterpanandwendy]

This is some good stuff to read too, from the same website:

"The project is being headed by Disney Imagineer Kim Irvine and much of her work is based upon the original design concepts of Dorothea Redmond and Walt Disney Studio Set Designer Emile Kuri."

"Please understand that the expansion has been in the development stages for several years. The work which is now underway has been carefully thought out and the enjoyment of the members was at the forefront of the planning. Members have been given the opportunity to see the concept drawings and discuss them with Disneyland personnel."

"A new ADA compliant elevator is being installed within The Court of Angels. The new conveyance will feature a larger capacity, allowing smaller parties to remain together. The design of the elevator will be in keeping with the traditional architecture of vintage New Orleans. The original French Lift will be kept at the club but will not be functional due to ADA regulations. For historic reasons, it will remain on premises."

"Many of the design concepts for Le Salon Nouveau were taken from Tiana's Place, the beautiful restaurant featured in Disney's The Princess and the Frog.
Here is an interesting, hushpuppy size bit of trivia you might enjoy. When Disney Animators were working on The Princess and the Frog, they visited Disneyland's French Market. Many of the design concepts for Tiana's Place were drawn using the French Market as an excellent source of classic New Orleans architecture. Of course, this eventually went full circle when Kim and her talented crew set to work designing Le Salon Nouveau. One might say they brought the downstairs up, but in a much more more grandiose style. Artistic architecture influencing animation and such animation re-influencing architecture. Walt would have been very proud."

"Ask any member you know what they're most excited about this July 18th of 2014 and the answer will be 'Le Salon Nouveau'. Part of the original restaurant concept as New Orleans Square was being designed and developed, The Jazz Lounge had always been a part of Walt Disney's true vision of his VIP club. Now, I shouldn't say VIP as all guests of the park are very important, but rather, Walt's place to entertain investors, dignitaries, celebrities and a location also doubling as a private space to conduct business within the park.

With the construction screens slowing being removed, visitors of the park are now able to view the exterior of Walt's Salon Nouveau."

http://www.disneylandclub33.com/Expansion.htm

So I have faith that everything this going to be OK. It is going to be beautiful, inside and out… and honestly, while I agree that the court of angels was very beautiful, how much time did I actually spend there of my trip? 5-10 min? Will I really miss it? Not really.

 

[pwillunlv]

There seems to have been some disconnect between concept...

And reality...

LOL, that's an understatement. Regardless, even if they have harmed the Court of Angels, I suppose it's Club 33 Members who should be upset. Not to say that us proles can't be furious over losing access to the Court of Angels (and I am furious ), but that's a separate issue.

More concerning to me is the damage they have done to the buildings. Judging by the photos posted, the lack of detailing and the clash with the rest of NOS is jarring. Here's to hoping that we are looking at an incomplete product!

Also, was looking for more pics on twitter on found this:

@AmyBethCombs Jul 14
All the off-center Club 33 window needs is patience from us. The braces & headgear match the stained-glass doors. pic.twitter.com/NyYNmqfAo0

 

[Disneyluvr2]

This is a pretty nice homage for the Court of Angels.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdcw-t8RojU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Love this video Gisele! Thanks for posting it.

 

[Disneyluvr2]

Wow, I saw a few new pictures of the interior, and it looks much better than I thought from the pictures yesterday. I'm glad about that! Still not wowed by the drapery or the big blank window, but the floor is pretty! I couldn't tell it was parquet before and you couldn't see the edge detail.

I don't know.....I'll reserve my final opinion for when I see it in person, but my first thought on the floor is that it reminds me of an ice cream parlor!

 

[pwillunlv]

… and honestly, while I agree that the court of angels was very beautiful, how much time did I actually spend there of my trip? 5-10 min? Will I really miss it? Not really.

I understand that most people did not spend a great deal of time there, but the same thing could be said of many places within DL--and, in IMHO, the Court of Angels was one of the most magical spots in all of the DLR. Also, many families utilized the Court of Angels for yearly pictures (myself included).

But, as to the exterior renovations, I share your hope that the final product improves upon (or is at least as good as) the original.

 

[peterpanandwendy]

Yeah, I worded that wrong.... I just mean, I was disappointed when they changed the SFR tree house into tarzans tree house, and Tom Sawyers into pirates lair, and got rid of bear country jamboree... But it doesn't ruin my trip... I still go and am just as happy without those things... Because there are new and different things...

 

[DizMe]

AHAHAHAHA, pwillunlv!! That picture had me chuckling

While I think there are many beautiful aspects to the project additions, I also find there are things that look out of place or downright bad. The new square windows with the stained-glass panels just don't fit. The magnolia panels are pretty, but I can't get past the lack of grace in the shape and decoration. I don't see how they can do anything more to this area, as it looks pretty permanent. I would post that picture but it's on my photobucket account and I'm not able to access it today for some reason. The one I'm talking about is back on a previous page (2?), where there are 2 arched blue windows and 2 square white ones. You can't add shutters or much else as far as I can see, and they certainly wouldn't install those stained-glass windows as a temporary feature.

In all the times I've dined at 33, I've never had an issue with it being too dark. I really don't understand why they didn't just make the faux windows that were already there real windows and leave that off-centered monster window out.

Original on the left, new on the right:

However, I concede that if they added a wrought-iron (maybe covered, like the buildings on either side?) balcony, paint, and some heavy interior drapes, it could be pretty. You might be able to disguise the fact that it's so off-center with a balcony and plants or something.

Thank you for the information about Art Nouveau, and also for the concept development for the interior. The trouble is, there is a notorious lack of connection with many of the suits that have the final say in projects of this type, and I don't believe that many, if any, of the club members had any input on the decisions that were made.

 

[pwillunlv]

Yeah, I worded that wrong.... I just mean, I was disappointed when they changed the SFR tree house into tarzans tree house, and Tom Sawyers into pirates lair, and got rid of bear country jamboree... But it doesn't ruin my trip... I still go and am just as happy without those things... Because there are new and different things...

Understood and agreed. I won't be boycotting DL anytime soon over it.

 

[keahgirl8]

Understood and agreed. I won't be boycotting DL anytime soon over it.

Exactly. I can be disappointed. I've been a Disneyland fan since I was little. It's allowed. However, I am not going to stop going or started hating it or anything.

 

[whoever]

One thing which struck me as HORRIBLE was the generic EXIT sign. They always has such beautiful exit signs in the past....

 

[peterpanandwendy]

I wonder it has something to do with California fire exit sign regulations... (Which the original one in the picture doesn't meet code). When I'm there in August I want to look at other fire exit signs in the park to see if they are the same.

I'm playing devils advocate a bit, because I totally agree with everyone that the new look really sucks, but I just can't believe that this is the final product

 

[keahgirl8]

I wonder it has something to do with California fire exit sign regulations... (Which the original one in the picture doesn't meet code). When I'm there in August I want to look at other fire exit signs in the park to see if they are the same. I'm playing devils advocate a bit, because I totally agree with everyone that the new look really sucks, but I just can't believe that this is the final product

I'm sure it does. California has pretty strict laws about those sorts of things. I have noticed them inside dark rides before.

I'm with you. It can't be finished.

 

[whoever]

I wonder it has something to do with California fire exit sign regulations...(

It most assuredly does, but lets be honest... if there's a fire, and there's a big red sign with a finger pointing in a certain direction, I think you'd figure it out. Common sense is anything but common.

 

[keahgirl8]

It most assuredly does, but lets be honest... if there's a fire, and there's a big red sign with a finger pointing in a certain direction, I think you'd figure it out. Common sense is anything but common.

Sure you'd figure it out, but that's not really how the law works.

 

[whoever]

Sure you'd figure it out, but that's not really how the law works.

I know. Doesn't mean I think the law is a good law and one-size-fits-all approach is warranted in all situations.

 

[DizMe]

I think you're right about it being a code issue. I tried googling it and gave up trying to figure it out, but it does appear that different cities require particular color combinations. Los Angeles is red and white, but I don't know if that applies to Anaheim or if there are different regulations for theme parks etc. One of the sites mentioned that the word EXIT was to be in block letters, but another didn't mention that .

Anyway, I suspect that if the sign is permanent, they were bound by the code laws and can't be blamed if the result is unattractive.