Just What the World Needs: Another Makeover Show

[nytimez]

Came across this press release yesterday... personally, I can't stand these kinds of shows. But this may interest someone here.

HGTV TEAMS WITH DISNEY PARKS TO CREATE FANTASY-FILLED BACKYARDS IN "MY YARD GOES DISNEY"

New York, N.Y. [For Immediate Release - May 10, 2011] Homeowners who want a license to create over-the-top backyards worthy of a theme park will get it with HGTV's new weekly series My Yard Goes Disney, premiering on Monday, June 6, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. During the six-episode series, hosted by R. Brandon Johnson, HGTV and Disney Parks will team up to surprise lucky families with a spectacular backyard makeover. Whether it's a collection of water-spouting elephants, a miniature teacup ride or a magical pool inspired by Mickey Mouse, HGTV brings the fun and spirit of the Disney Parks home.

"Disney and HGTV are teaming up to transform backyards into the ultimate family hang-out spot," said Kathleen Finch, general manager, HGTV. "This series features spectacular fantasy makeovers that only the Disney team could imagine and HGTV could pull off."

In the premiere episode, viewers meet homeowners Tommy and Angie Bradburn, a couple who spent many childhood vacations at Disney Parks. Tommy and Angie now want to share their passion for the parks with their children. To create new family memories - and bring the distinctive look of a Disney design to their home - the Bradburns, along with the children's grandmother who lives next door, open their backyards for a Disney-inspired makeover.

While the kids enjoy the parks with their grandmother, Brandon and the design team arrive to install a 200-foot long Disney Magic Kingdom(R)-inspired train that runs between the two yards. A Tinkerbell-themed design, complete with an oversized teapot, is installed in the Bradburn's backyard. Next door, Grandma's outdoor space is equipped with an 8-foot tall sorcerer's hat. When it's time to reveal the amazing results, the whole neighborhood arrives to celebrate.

Visitors to http://www.hgtv.com/makemyyarddisney can get in on the Disney-inspired action from Tuesday, May 31, through Monday, July 18, 2011 by entering for a chance to win a five-day, four-night trip to Disneyland(R) or Walt Disney World(R) Resort. In addition, the winner will meet with a Disney horticulturalist and an Imagineer to find out how they can bring some of the Disney magic home.

Future episodes of My Yard Goes Disney will feature a Pirates of the Caribbean(R)-inspired makeover complete with a pirate ship, water cannons and a water battle station. Other makeovers will include a Disney's Animal Kingdom(R)-themed design with thatched-roof tree houses, a replica of a safari Jeep and a handcrafted fire pit.

About HGTV

HGTV, America's leader in home and lifestyle programming, is distributed to more than 99 million U.S. households and is one of cable's top-rated networks. HGTV's website, HGTV.com, is the nation's leading online home-and-garden destination, which attracts an average of more than 5 million unique visitors per month.

 

[lizabu]

wow...that would be awesome

 

[coloneldebugger]

if you listen closely it's like the screams of a thousand HOA presidents just began

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Just what we need, Disney entering the 'lowest common denominator' sweepstakes...

 

[elejpee]

Its a great post.

 

[TheLists09]

Watched the episode. They did a great job, family quite happy. And got themselves tons of advertising for Walt Disney World. Not sure what the problem with it is.

 

[mrsR123]

Just what we need, Disney entering the 'lowest common denominator' sweepstakes...

It wasn't so bad, Pirate. If you didn't see it, there were some nice bits with Imagineers and a bit of park history. They fabricated two ginormous (for a private backyard) fiberglass elements that were pretty cool.

It was enough to "almost" make me a fan of the BAH!

 

[nytimez]

Watched the episode. They did a great job, family quite happy. And got themselves tons of advertising for Walt Disney World. Not sure what the problem with it is.

You're allowed to enjoy whatever you want.

I think this stuff is pablum.

 

[Donut23]

You're allowed to enjoy whatever you want.

I think this stuff is pablum.

I have to agree and I was surprised the finished gardens were a little on the side of......tacky.

I had visions of gardens at the Grand Floridian or lush landscaping which would remind me of Flower and Garden topiaries and gardens.

It didn't seem to have a concept with the "legs" to last long.



Now bring in a Disney gardening show which transforms a backyard into Wilderness Lodge gardens - or maybe the gardens surrounding the Canada pavilion in EPCOT.....perhaps a show on Disney's magical hanging baskets (LOVE those), Gardens in Containers like Flower and Garden Festival, or the classic Grand Floridian gardens. Show us how you adapted gardens from across the country to southern Florida and how to adapt to OUR world....and you actually may have a hit!!!

Live up to your reputation, Disney!!!!!

 

[mrsR123]

Now bring in a Disney gardening show which transforms a backyard into Wilderness Lodge gardens - or maybe the gardens surrounding the Canada pavilion in EPCOT.....perhaps a show on Disney's magical hanging baskets (LOVE those), Gardens in Containers like Flower and Garden Festival, or the classic Grand Floridian gardens. Show us how you adapted gardens from across the country to southern Florida and how to adapt to OUR world....and you actually may have a hit!!!

Live up to your reputation, Disney!!!!!

I think the target audience, though, is the folks who love Pop Century because it "has that Disney feel" of gigantic fiberglass icons as opposed to those who appreciate the idea of being transported somewhere else like Polynesia or a grand national park lodge.

Huh, maybe I was wrong about the Pirate's prior comment.

 

[cassandrap83]

I hope they (and the mother-in-law) plan to stay in their houses a looonggg time.

 

[Queenofspoons]

I’ve seen the show, the first yard they did was interesting, it was for a family with two little kids (a boy and a girl), they put in mishmash of Disney Park stuff in their back yard, a Tinkerbelle themed tea pot house and a tiki bird cage swing for the little girl, a studios hat play house for the little boy, and a train running around the yard.

One thing I have to say about that is what happens when they outgrow that stuff, I don’t know how you sell a giant studios hat play hut or a giant bird cage swing, also how are you going to keep all that perfect, the train is going to break down eventually, and the decorations will likely get dirty and sun faded.

The second yard was for a women with a bunch of adopted kids from Africa, they choose an Animal Kingdom theme for their yard, but it was more like a cheap knock off version, it didn't live up to the park it was representing. There was a bunch of stone animals that reminded me of the kind you find in mini golf courses, a jeep, a jungle cruise-ish elephant fountain, and a fire pit.

Like I said above, they eventually going to grow out of it and its going to get worn down or damaged.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I’ve seen the show, the first yard they did was interesting, it was for a family with two little kids (a boy and a girl), they put in mishmash of Disney Park stuff in their back yard, a Tinkerbelle themed tea pot house and a tiki bird cage swing for the little girl, a studios hat play house for the little boy, and a train running around the yard.

One thing I have to say about that is what happens when they outgrow that stuff, I don’t know how you sell a giant studios hat play hut or a giant bird cage swing, also how are you going to keep all that perfect, the train is going to break down eventually, and the decorations will likely get dirty and sun faded.

The second yard was for a women with a bunch of adopted kids from Africa, they choose an Animal Kingdom theme for their yard, but it was more like a cheap knock off version, it didn't live up to the park it was representing. There was a bunch of stone animals that reminded me of the kind you find in mini golf courses, a jeep, a jungle cruise-ish elephant fountain, and a fire pit.

Like I said above, they eventually going to grow out of it and its going to get worn down or damaged.

Your point about the kids growing up is very appropriate. Plus the kids will get tired of this. Plus the family is going to have to hire a professional landscaper to maintain this (if they want to keep it up properly). This whole idea is not very well thought out.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I think the target audience, though, is the folks who love Pop Century because it "has that Disney feel" of gigantic fiberglass icons as opposed to those who appreciate the idea of being transported somewhere else like Polynesia or a grand national park lodge.

Huh, maybe I was wrong about the Pirate's prior comment.

Thant's exactly right.

But I must ask, do you disagree with my opinions so often that agreeing with me is a surprise?

 

[Virtucomp]

The second yard was for a women with a bunch of adopted kids from Africa, they choose an Animal Kingdom theme for their yard, but it was more like a cheap knock off version, it didn't live up to the park it was representing. There was a bunch of stone animals that reminded me of the kind you find in mini golf courses, a jeep, a jungle cruise-ish elephant fountain, and a fire pit.

We looked it up while watching the show with the Animal Kingdom back yard. Those cheap knockoff animals cost $2000-3000 a piece. I can't imagine how much the customer jeep and the three jungle huts cost to build and install.

They must have spent a fortune on those makeovers. Yes the kids will grow out of it but in the mean time they get something better than a swing set and dirt to play in.

 

[mrsR123]

Thant's exactly right.

But I must ask, do you disagree with my opinions so often that agreeing with me is a surprise?

Nah, I tend strongly toward the element , but I found myself rethinking my initial defense of the show.

I do still like the teapot from the first episode, though.

P.S. color and emphasis in honor of the Baron.

 

[arthuruscg]

The backyards are for the kids and the show is off to a decent start. If it makes it to the second season, then the quality of the redesigns will increase when the budget increases.

In a few years the family will have to redo the yard which you have to do anyways. Unless you like a dated look to your yard.