Eyes on Walt Disney's Plane

[*NikkiBell*]

I remember a few weeks back someone on the show mentioned the fact that eyes were supposedly painted on Walt Disney's private plane and can be seen during DHS' backlot tour. A friend posted this on FB tonight apparently confirming it was true...

 

[mikelan6]

I think it's cute.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

I think it's cute.

same here it's like waht they did with the monorails in Disneyland

 

[jcb]

It isn't just the eyes, they added a "smile" (the line under the cockpit) as well.

 

[HubbDave]

Ties to the very forgettable (just saw it this evening) Planes movie

 

[*NikkiBell*]

While the eyes and big smile are cute, part of me questions whether or not this should have be done in the first place. For me, it's a cheap trick to promote a movie using a historic item.

Should Disney modify the bird in the famous birdcage to look more like one in Mary Poppins? We could promote Aladdin by turning it into Iago!

Should they carve the name "ANDY" into some of Walt's old toys?

Should Walt's school desk be restructured to look more like the ones in The Adventures of Ichabod Crane?

While we're at it, let's take the original model of DL and doctor it up so it looks more like the park today. Or take the one of WDW and add Starbucks. That'd be a treat!

This is a slippery slope and uncalled for in my opinion. Would Walt approve? We will never know the answer to that question. Still, I take issue with a company doctoring up an artifact that is on display for a reason - to honor and memorialize the man who started it all - to sell a few more movie tickets. Shame on Disney.

 

[SDSorority]

Maybe it's just a removable screen cling-on thing?? ....I hope.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Maybe it's just a removable screen cling-on thing?? ....I hope.

That's my guess, but it still brings about the question as to whether or not it should have been done.

 

[jcb]

To be honest, I think it is more creepy than cute. Perhaps the photos don't do it justice.

I would be more disturbed if these were permanent changes.

And we have to remember that without anthropomorphism and personification, Walt Disney's only movie would have been Sleeping Beauty without the forest waltz.

 

[disneysteve]

This is a tough one. I definitely see your point, Nikki. It is messing with a historic object, even if only temporarily. There's something inherently wrong with that. On the other hand, this is Disney we're talking about. In Disneyland, they do a whole holiday overlay for Small World and convert Haunted Mansion to Nightmare Before Christmas. They have redone Cinderella's Castle how many times now, including the infamous pink birthday cake for the 25th anniversary. I'm sure we could list plenty of other times they "defaced" a classic item in the course of a promotion. Personally, I have a lot more trouble with them making permanent changes to POC by adding Jack Sparrow to a classic attraction. The plane thing is easily reversed when the promo is over but we're stuck with the new POC long term.

 

[HubbDave]

My opinion is that Walt would have no problem with this...I think he would have a problem with how poor the Backlot Tour has become.

I am guessing these are removed within a month or 2

 

[Greenfield1984]

The slippery slope argument is a slippery slope in of itself.

What I mean by that is once you start using slippery slope arguments for one thing you can use it for everything thereby making a trivial matter into something blown way out of proportion.

It of course would be bad if the company started defacing all precious historical pieces. But that's not what's been done here.

Quite simply it's Walts plane that has had something added onto it that appears to be easily stripped off.

Now if they permanently modified the plane that would be a different matter.

Personally I think it looks kinda nice and brings a little life to an attraction that has grown increasingly stale over the years to the point that its not really worth taking part in.

 

[sayhello]

The slippery slope argument is a slippery slope in of itself.

What I mean by that is once you start using slippery slope arguments for one thing you can use it for everything thereby making a trivial matter into something blown way out of proportion.

It of course would be bad if the company started defacing all precious historical pieces. But that's not what's been done here.

Quite simply it's Walts plane that has had something added onto it that appears to be easily stripped off.

Now if they permanently modified the plane that would be a different matter.

Personally I think it looks kinda nice and brings a little life to an attraction that has grown increasingly stale over the years to the point that its not really worth taking part in.

When they're talking about the DHS backlot tour, is that the tram thing?

Sayhello

 

[HubbDave]

When they're talking about the DHS backlot tour, is that the tram thing?

Sayhello

The remnants of that ride, yes

 

[disneysteve]

The remnants of that ride, yes

We rode it last year for the first time in ages partly because DD didn't really remember it and partly because I figured it was going to disappear in the near future and wanted to see it one more time. It is certainly way past its prime. It was originally a 2-hour experience which was admittedly too long. Then they split up the ride part from the walking part which was fine. Once they stopped actually doing any production on-site, it got less interesting - seeing the soundstages was one of the best parts. And the Golden Girls house lost its appeal once the show had been off the year for a decade. Finally, they got rid of the street part all together leaving really little to see.

Bring on Cars Land!

 

[LionKingRules84]

This is a tough one. I definitely see your point, Nikki. It is messing with a historic object, even if only temporarily. There's something inherently wrong with that. On the other hand, this is Disney we're talking about. In Disneyland, they do a whole holiday overlay for Small World and convert Haunted Mansion to Nightmare Before Christmas. They have redone Cinderella's Castle how many times now, including the infamous pink birthday cake for the 25th anniversary. I'm sure we could list plenty of other times they "defaced" a classic item in the course of a promotion. Personally, I have a lot more trouble with them making permanent changes to POC by adding Jack Sparrow to a classic attraction. The plane thing is easily reversed when the promo is over but we're stuck with the new POC long term.

Being a huge fan since I was 2 of POC I thought they did a great job with the addition of Jack Sparrow. Then again I think it helps that I love that character but still I don't think it took away and actually added to the attraction.

 

[Cherinva]

I don't like the thought of it either Nikki......

 

[disneydad78]

While the eyes and big smile are cute, part of me questions whether or not this should have be done in the first place. For me, it's a cheap trick to promote a movie using a historic item.

Should Disney modify the bird in the famous birdcage to look more like one in Mary Poppins? We could promote Aladdin by turning it into Iago!

Should they carve the name "ANDY" into some of Walt's old toys?

Should Walt's school desk be restructured to look more like the ones in The Adventures of Ichabod Crane?

While we're at it, let's take the original model of DL and doctor it up so it looks more like the park today. Or take the one of WDW and add Starbucks. That'd be a treat!

This is a slippery slope and uncalled for in my opinion. Would Walt approve? We will never know the answer to that question. Still, I take issue with a company doctoring up an artifact that is on display for a reason - to honor and memorialize the man who started it all - to sell a few more movie tickets. Shame on Disney.

I agree. Its Walts, please DISNEY dont mess with history. Im sorry but I would protect Walt and his personal belongings.

 

[mytripsandraces]

I agree. Its Walts, please DISNEY dont mess with history. Im sorry but I would protect Walt and his personal belongings.

I thought that was a corporate plane. Did Walt have a private/personal jet? In any event, it's not a permanent change, so history has been preserved, but has also been made a little more accessible for today's younger park visitors and Planes fans.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

I can speak for him (since he's frozen), but I don't think Walt would have a problem promoting a Disney film inside the Parks.

Remember, this is the same man that put a castle at the center of his flagship Park to promote a movie that wouldn't be in theaters for another 4 years.