What WDW USED to look like

[NewRVLady]

KristaTX posted this link inside a long thread



http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2014/05/i_miss_the_little_things.html


I really think it deserves it's own, so more folks can see the old(and not really that old) and new pics of some things that have changed at WDW

This biggest shock to me is I forget how many TREES there were at MK that have been removed!

 

[cabanafrau]

That's probably the most stunning blunder to me -- in a place that understood to the nth degree how integral landscaping was to the experience.

 

[Luv2Run]

Thank you for posting this! It's really fascinating to see what WDW used to look like back in the day - I've only been going to WDW since 2011, because I was always a west-coast gal before then, so Disneyland was my thing.

And is it weird that I found this passage hilarious? "At the Coral Reef Restaurant, I miss butter shaped like Mickey Mouse. It was fun to cut his head off", followed by this pic:

It really is the little things...

 

[DopeyDame]

Awesome post!

I absolutely agree with him about missing breakfast at Tony's. It was a family tradition to start our day there. A random bagel or piece of fruit just doesn't quite fit the bill.

 

[sukhakuli]

I miss the plastic kid cups. They would change depending on the season and the promotion. We would wash them and take them home for the kids to use, and they would talk about the trip whenever they used the cup, which was really cute.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I agree with him about the trees at Magic Kingdom and the "fireflies" that lit up in them at night. I loved that.

 

[eliza61]

Thank you for posting this! It's really fascinating to see what WDW used to look like back in the day - I've only been going to WDW since 2011, because I was always a west-coast gal before then, so Disneyland was my thing.

And is it weird that I found this passage hilarious? "At the Coral Reef Restaurant, I miss butter shaped like Mickey Mouse. It was fun to cut his head off", followed by this pic:

It really is the little things...

I can't tell you how many times I get "flamed" here on the dis because I mention some thing that has been decreed "a little thing".

I think many people can't see beyond the rides so little things like "fireflies" twinkling at night seems like whining.

I love the "little" things. IMO it's what use to set Disney apart from great adventure.

What gets me is that they close some thing down like the magic shop and put in stuff that is so unimaginative. Now don't get me wrong, I love great Joe and I have absolutely nothing against starbucks but it totally lacks any type of imagination or Imagineering. It has the look and feel of 50, 000 other starbucks. that's what I miss, the feeling of "wow, only at Disney".

I don't mind change if it enhances, I do mind change that the only benefit is because it's cheaper to do without.

I totally agree with the cars at HS. they definitely added to the atmosphere.

I'll add another. before the shows like Indiana Jones and fantasmic they use to have "characters" entertain you. for example they had a singing group called "4 for a dollar" an acappella quartet or a character called "rosie the cleaning lady". both were very enjoyable. Please get rid of those lame cm's at the beginning of Fantasmic that attempt to be so "cool" but are soo annoying.

 

[KristaTX]

KristaTX posted this link inside a long thread



http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2014/05/i_miss_the_little_things.html


I really think it deserves it's own, so more folks can see the old(and not really that old) and new pics of some things that have changed at WDW

This biggest shock to me is I forget how many TREES there were at MK that have been removed!

 

[cabanafrau]

I can't tell you how many times I get "flamed" here on the dis because I mention some thing that has been decreed "a little thing".

I think many people can't see beyond the rides so little things like "fireflies" twinkling at night seems like whining.

I love the "little" things. IMO it's what use to set Disney apart from great adventure.

What gets me is that they close some thing down like the magic shop and put in stuff that is so unimaginative. Now don't get me wrong, I love great Joe and I have absolutely nothing against starbucks but it totally lacks any type of imagination or Imagineering. It has the look and feel of 50, 000 other starbucks. that's what I miss, the feeling of "wow, only at Disney".

I don't mind change if it enhances, I do mind change that the only benefit is because it's cheaper to do without.

I totally agree with the cars at HS. they definitely added to the atmosphere.

I'll add another. before the shows like Indiana Jones and fantasmic they use to have "characters" entertain you. for example they had a singing group called "4 for a dollar" an acappella quartet or a character called "rosie the cleaning lady". both were very enjoyable. Please get rid of those lame cm's at the beginning of Fantasmic that attempt to be so "cool" but are soo annoying.

All those little things make a guest less likely to be annoyed they only managed to squeeze in four attractions that day because it's so crowded & Splash Mountain went down for the day before they got a chance to ride. Disney is so intent on giving its guests more time to dine & shop instead of ride or watch entertainment, yet they pare down their food offerings & the little details more and more and each shop you walk in is just like the shop around the corner or down the street -- or in the last park you hopped out of because there was nothing left to do there because your fast passes are all used up.

A place like the magic shop to poke around in for a pleasant half an hour or so would cushion the blow just a little bit. A nice bench w/ a view of the trees twinkling with fireflies where you can enjoy your Mickey bar and rest your feet would be a pleasant break for a wide variety of guests. I doubt you're going to find many families reflecting nostalgically on their trek around the new and improved concrete expanse of the hub where they caught the express lane exit to the new backstage corridor where they found themselves magically transported out the front gates with the certainty they don't have to worry about any pesky Disney theming or imagineering in any way, shape or form.

 

[skylizard]

All those little things make a guest less likely to be annoyed they only managed to squeeze in four attractions that day because it's so crowded & Splash Mountain went down for the day before they got a chance to ride. Disney is so intent on giving its guests more time to dine & shop instead of ride or watch entertainment, yet they pare down their food offerings & the little details more and more and each shop you walk in is just like the shop around the corner or down the street -- or in the last park you hopped out of because there was nothing left to do there because your fast passes are all used up.

A place like the magic shop to poke around in for a pleasant half an hour or so would cushion the blow just a little bit. A nice bench w/ a view of the trees twinkling with fireflies where you can enjoy your Mickey bar and rest your feet would be a pleasant break for a wide variety of guests. I doubt you're going to find many families reflecting nostalgically on their trek around the new and improved concrete expanse of the hub where they caught the express lane exit to the new backstage corridor where they found themselves magically transported out the front gates with the certainty they don't have to worry about any pesky Disney theming or imagineering in any way, shape or form.

 

[skater]

It was the little things that brought me back to Disney 2-3 times a year when I could afford it. I still love it, but I really miss some of those little touches. Losing the special napkins or stirrers, or trees, or whatever is not so bad by itself, but when you add it all up, it just equals less for more money.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Folks say, that us "old timers are burnt out", thus the reason for our displeasure with the current state of the World. These photos show some of the changes, that make us miss our beloved Disney.

I've said it many times, WDW is sliding. It's quickly becoming an amusement park. I truly miss the old days....and all "the little things".

 

[Glenn]

I miss lots of the little whimsical things that make memories. Miles of concrete do not make memories. I miss the trees & lights at the hub, lights of winter, odd things to buy, lots of benches, figuring out dinner the day before. Now I dont bother shopping much, too much generic, over prices and low quality things. Eating is simpler, forget sit down except for Germany & do hotels and counter service. I think Disney is losing $ from repeat customers but then I dont think they worry about anyone coming back very often. Such a sad state of affairs.

 

[NewRVLady]

I doubt you're going to find many families reflecting nostalgically on their trek around the new and improved concrete expanse of the hub where they caught the express lane exit to the new backstage corridor where they found themselves magically transported out the front gates with the certainty they don't have to worry about any pesky Disney theming or imagineering in any way, shape or form.

Sounds like herding cattle

 

[Simba's Mom]

At least I'm not the only one who misses those rocking chairs by LTT. For a while the ones further down in Frontierland, by the underpass to Adventureland were gone too. Then I was REALLY mad! In Epcot, I miss the former entrance, before the leave a legacy graveyard, when they had all the flowers.

 

[Micca]

Not that it makes it right, but weren't the trees removed to improve/increase viewing for fireworks and parades?

I miss the Mickey butter too. Probably still have some in my arteries.