How did the Disney Village looked like in 1992? I found rare Photos!

[designingdisney]

Hi everyone,

I hope you are doing fine!

A few days ago, I have posted on my Designing Disney Blog a brand new and exciting blogpost. It is about the 'lost treasures' (closed restaurants and shops) of the Disney Village.

I have found some great photos of how the Disney Village looked like back in 1992. It was so different, so magical, so nice...

Have a look at these rare / unique photos, and discover some untold stories (I had never heard them before, until I did the research)!

You can find the article and photos here.

I hope you like the articles / posts...

What do you think of today's Disney Village? Do you like it or not? Do you have any ideas how they could improve / upgrade the Village?

Do you like today's Disney Village, or was the 'old one' (version 1992, as described in my blogpost) better?

Looking forward to hear about you all,

Max

P.s. I also found some great artwork & the soundtrack of the new 'World of Color' spectacular (at Disney's California Adventure). You can find all these wonderfull things on the Desiging Disney Blog too (click here).

 

[jillrobinson]

Thanks once again for a very interesting read, I much preferred the overhead starry night effect to the current coloured globes and as I'm not a fan of RFC I think I'd have much preferred the Key West restaurant, that could be coloured by my love of Key Lime Pie.

 

[mommy2ash]

thanks for the link, very interesting read

 

[Jonjo]

I did enjoy the overhead star night effect lights but I found the origonal towers ugly. The Village does look a lot greener these day with the trees that have been installed.

But I do think that once the World of Disney store is open the existing block of Disney Stores should be closed and converted to more evening type venues. Like Disney's BoardWalk contains at Walt Disney World Resort.

I'd like to see a version of Jellyrolls a nice lively piano bar with dueling pianos, and a replacement for Hurricanes but aimed at familes and a few more resturants to help deal with the crowds that go looking for dinner once both parks close. A Mulan themed Chinese resturant would be nice.

 

[Iain Chapman]

... and a few more resturants to help deal with the crowds that go looking for dinner once both parks close.

...and if, with the exception of Summer and other 'special' periods, they didn't close the parks so darn early, those crowds would be eating in one of the numerous park resturants!

Always seems a shame to me that the DLRP has so lovely looking resturants that as soon as I want an evening meal....aren't available.

 

[jillrobinson]

...and if, with the exception of Summer and other 'special' periods, they didn't close the parks so darn early, those crowds would be eating in one of the numerous park resturants!

Always seems a shame to me that the DLRP has so lovely looking resturants that as soon as I want an evening meal....aren't available.

Totally agree, as our children are older and we're usually visiting offseason, we tend to eat in the village in the evening, to maximise park time and pass the evening hours, it would be fab if even selected park restaurants stayed open.

 

[designingdisney]

What (other) changes should be made, if any, to the existing Disney Village?

Stick to today's theme, return to the old (1992) or maybe a totally new one?

What should Disney do to make the Village a more appealing place?

Do you have any ideas for new shops, restaurants, themes, scenery, franchises (like Subway, M&M Store, Lego Store,...)?

Looking forward to hear from you all...

 

[designingdisney]

I did enjoy the overhead star night effect lights but I found the origonal towers ugly. The Village does look a lot greener these day with the trees that have been installed.

But I do think that once the World of Disney store is open the existing block of Disney Stores should be closed and converted to more evening type venues. Like Disney's BoardWalk contains at Walt Disney World Resort.

I'd like to see a version of Jellyrolls a nice lively piano bar with dueling pianos, and a replacement for Hurricanes but aimed at familes and a few more resturants to help deal with the crowds that go looking for dinner once both parks close. A Mulan themed Chinese resturant would be nice.

Thanks for your feedback Jonjo!

It would be great fun if we all could think about / imagine our ultimate / ideal 'Disboards' version of the / a future Disney Village...

I still have some questions for you:

* Does the 'Mulan themed Chinese restaurant' already exist at a Disney Park or Resort?

* Could you give me some examples of 'evening type venues' (that could work at Disney Village)? How should they look like? Do you think of a specific franchise (like Earl of Sandwich or Starbucks)? Or something else...?

 

[disney_princess_85]

Interesting article, thanks. I liked the starry sky effect too.

 

[Happy Tappy]

The star effect looked great at night but was ugly in the day time.

After the World of Disney store opens, it will be interesting to see if the old shops remain.

One big step would be for the cinema to change to a Disney cinema showing classic films such as Snow White, Aladdin, The Lion King etc. It'd also be nice if they showed more films in English.

There clearly needs to be more entertainment in the village. Live music would be good. Perhaps a jazz bar?

There's been rumours that Hurricanes will be transformed into an ESPN bar. I suppose that makes sense (Disney own ESPN).

A mini version of Disney Quest would be pretty cool but I'm not sure where it would go. Perhaps they'll develop a 2nd street to the village where that long path is now (near the iMax).

 

[disney_princess_85]

Perhaps they'll develop a 2nd street to the village where that long path is now (near the iMax).

That would be cool.

 

[dlpSteve]

The biggest change I'd like to see is to get rid of McDonalds and replace it with a proper themed restaurant that offers something you don't see in every single town the world over.

 

[Happy Tappy]

The biggest change I'd like to see is to get rid of McDonalds and replace it with a proper themed restaurant that offers something you don't see in every single town the world over.

I don't mind McDonalds tbh. It's tucked away so it's easy to ignore if you don't like it. It's probably the cheapest option for 'food' in the resort and is handy in the summer when you've stayed late in the parks and just want something quick before heading back to the hotel.

 

[dlpSteve]

Nope - can't convince me, I hate it I hate all McDonalds though so I'm very biased! It's such a big building that could be put to so much better, themed, use - in my opinion of course. If I had my way I'd get rid of all 'high street' names in Disney, yes that includes you Starbucks - bring back Buffalo Trading Co.

 

[zinderella]

Great article....does anyone else think that there seemed to be more there in 1992 than there is now...I mean...childcare...venues...unique shops...interesting food!!!

 

[Jonjo]

Thanks for your feedback Jonjo!


* Could you give me some examples of 'evening type venues' (that could work at Disney Village)? How should they look like? Do you think of a specific franchise (like Earl of Sandwich or Starbucks)? Or something else...?

I would like to see The Village kept franchise free. Disney run restaurants, bars and entertainment venues only. I would get rid of Planet Hollywood, the Rainforest Cafe and King Ludwigs Castle. But I would keep McDonalds.

A Dinner Cabaret Club resturant called '"The House of Mouse", themed on the animated television series. An 'Around the World in 80 Days' themed world food resturant. A high quality French resturant called "Gusteau's". And a cafe called "La Ratatouille".

If money was no option I would build three new theatres a concert venue and an 8 screen Disney cinema.

The Disney cinema would not only show the latest Disney blockbuster movies, which would be chargeable, but the other screens would show classic Disney movies in a number of languages through out the day. Entry to these screens would be free on production of a vaild park ticket or Annual Pass.

The main theatre would be of West End / Broadway size with 2,000 seats, where productions of the Little Mermaid, Lion King, Tarzan, Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast would be held. The show would change every two years.

The second theatre would host an ice rink with a capacity of 1,500 seats for ice skating during the day and for the hosting of Disney on Ice shows by Feld Entertainment in the evening for example the Disney Nemo on Ice and Princess on Ice shows.

The third theatre would be a smaller 500 capacity venue which would be used to host shows for younger children in the day time like the Disney Live! touring productions by Feld Entertainment and Imagination Movers shows. In the evening it would be used for smaller shows aimed at a teen & adult audiance.

Finally a 1,000 capacity concert venue which could host High School Musical concerts, visiting Disney music stars and orchestral concerts of Disney music (like the proms). It could host a different concert each day. I was thinking it could be an open air style venue like the Hollywood Bowl amphitheatre in Los Angeles, California.

 

[designingdisney]

I would like to see The Village kept franchise free. Disney run restaurants, bars and entertainment venues only. I would get rid of Planet Hollywood, the Rainforest Cafe and King Ludwigs Castle. But I would keep McDonalds.

Did you know that almost all restaurants at today's Village are operated by third parties! Even 'Café Mickey': operated by 'Group Flo': www.groupeflo.com

 

[designingdisney]

There's been rumours that Hurricanes will be transformed into an ESPN bar. I suppose that makes sense (Disney own ESPN).

Hurricanes replaced by ESPN Bar? That would be great! I didn't know that...

But there wouldn't be much difference with today's 'Sports Bar'...

What do you think folks: is it a good thing that Disney closed / will close Hurricanes? In your opinion, does DLP needs a disco? Have you ever been to Hurricanes? How was it? I've never been there... Does anyone has a photo?

 

[Jonjo]

Hurricanes replaced by ESPN Bar? That would be great! I didn't know that...

But there wouldn't be much difference with today's 'Sports Bar'...

What do you think folks: is it a good thing that Disney closed / will close Hurricanes? In your opinion, does DLP needs a disco? Have you ever been to Hurricanes? How was it? I've never been there... Does anyone has a photo?

Hurricanes was very expensive drinks wise and to be honest it turned into a hard core RnB night club for the CM's and not for the guests and I'm glad it has closed. IMO The Village does need a dance venue whether it be a family type DISCO venue or a dinner dance venue. Everyone likes a bop while on holiday

 

[dlpSteve]

Some fantastic suggestions Jonjo. I'd love a family disco and in general more for kids to do, other than just eat and shop!

They used to have a stage and open air concerts but I haven't seen that in a while. I remember in the summer of 2004 seeing a great rock band who did covers of famous songs. There was quite a crowd and on a warm summer's night it was a fantastic atmosphere.