Why would they change costumes at the American Adventure?

[myjourney]

For me this change takes the magic out of the American Pavillion

 

[MissionMouse]

It appears Disney is adopting a new standard of "Good Enough." Its very noticable and as a customer, not appreciated.

 

[JimmyV]

1) Ah-Ha !
2) Just learned some info.
3) THIS IS A COST REDUCTION MOVE !
. . . cheaper to make costume
. . . cheaper to have several sizes
. . . cheaper to repair/sew costume
. . . cheaper to launder costume
. . . cheaper to maintain (no pressing)
. . . cheaper to store (less shelf/hanger space)

I can get on board with all of this, and can even agree that getting rid of the Town Crier costumes is a welcomed change. After all, the pavillion celebrates the entirety of US history-not just the colonial period. But what I can't get on board with is the designs that they landed on. I would have mixed things up and had some costumes that represented the span of American history. Maybe something colonial. Maybe a Rosie the Riveter costume. Maybe a baseball uniform from the early 1900s. And yes. Maybe a Mod 1960s flight attendant costume, as those are certainly iconic. But to have everyone sport the "Soarin'" look seems like a lost opportunity.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

It appears Disney is adopting a new standard of "Good Enough."

If that was the case, wouldn't they just keep what they had?? It just seems like they made an odd choice but are trying to be responsive to complaints.

I can get on board with all of this, and can even agree that getting rid of the Town Crier costumes is a welcomed change. After all, the pavillion celebrates the entirety of US history-not just the colonial period. But what I can't get on board with is the designs that they landed on. I would have mixed things up and had some costumes that represented the span of American history. Maybe something colonial. Maybe a Rosie the Riveter costume. Maybe a baseball uniform from the early 1900s. And yes. Maybe a Mod 1960s flight attendant costume, as those are certainly iconic. But to have everyone sport the "Soarin'" look seems like a lost opportunity.

Agreed. I really don't get the Soarin look... seems odd. Then again, we usually just walk past American Adventure (sorry), so we'll live.

 

[Planogirl]

Maybe they want to be able to use the same costumes at several attractions. Whatever the reasoning, these don't fit.

 

[gmomof15]

If that was the case, wouldn't they just keep what they had?? It just seems like they made an odd choice but are trying to be responsive to complaints.




Agreed. I really don't get the Soarin look... seems odd. Then again, we usually just walk past American Adventure (sorry), so we'll live.

Walking past the American Adventure is a huge mistake. It's a wonderful show highlighting our great country's past and future. Stop and watch it the next time you're there. It's a must do for every proud American.

 

[MaxsDad]

I can get on board with all of this, and can even agree that getting rid of the Town Crier costumes is a welcomed change. After all, the pavillion celebrates the entirety of US history-not just the colonial period. But what I can't get on board with is the designs that they landed on. I would have mixed things up and had some costumes that represented the span of American history. Maybe something colonial. Maybe a Rosie the Riveter costume. Maybe a baseball uniform from the early 1900s. And yes. Maybe a Mod 1960s flight attendant costume, as those are certainly iconic. But to have everyone sport the "Soarin'" look seems like a lost opportunity.

I agree but I don't really think having costumes from various periods is very practical either for some of the same reasons. So if they had to replace the colonial ones for whatever reason (really any reasons are just assumptions because again disney hasn't announced a reason for this change, just like some of their other changes lately) it raises a legitimate question of what would suffice for acceptable costumes. I think the colonial theme fit simply because of the design of the pavilion, so I think new costumes from various periods wouldn't necessarily work, nor does the one they have settled on.

I am trying to remember what some of the other pavilions costumes look like. Off the top of my head I can only think of Mexico, Germany, Japan, China (traditional) Canada (stereotype). While the new outfits take away a bit of the magic for me in the end they aren't going to keep me from visiting the pavilion.

Also I would be surprised if some of the entertainment like the voices of liberty or the fife and drum corps don't keep the old outfits.

 

[Missus Toad]

Huh. On this last trip, my DD said when she grew up she wanted to work at the American pavilion because they have the best costumes in all of WDW.

 

[ttintagel]

I agree but I don't really think having costumes from various periods is very practical either for some of the same reasons... I think the colonial theme fit simply because of the design of the pavilion, so I think new costumes from various periods wouldn't necessarily work, nor does the one they have settled on.

That's my feeling,too. While the American Adventure show takes us through American history, all of the buildings are specific to one time period. It just makes visual sense to have the costumes from the same period.

 

[MaxsDad]

That's my feeling,too. While the American Adventure show takes us through American history, all of the buildings are specific to one time period. It just makes visual sense to have the costumes from the same period.

Couldn't that be said about other countries though too? They don't wear aztec outfits in Mexico, they wear 19th century traditional mexican outfits. Why not viking outfits in Norway? Italy is based on renaissance era architecture but I don't believe the cast members wear renaissance outfits (although I am going on memory here so I could be wrong I tried googling for pictures but didn't have much luck).

I guess my point is that other countries represent a certain period in time for their respective countries, but the cm's outfits don't represent that same time, and people aren't up in arms about it. Maybe this is a way for Disney to incorporate multiple periods or concepts of the american adventure. (but I doubt that was their reasoning, as already mentioned it was most likely cost based)

 

[yooperfan]

Maybe they figured since they are getting away with imported souvineers guests didn't expect much from the American Pavillion anyway. If people wanted a feel for a modern day American look, they could just drive into Orlando. We have such beautiful items being hand produced in this country, the stuff they sell there is sad and embarrassing. Sorry, got off topic,but this really burns me!

 

[Googelibear]

Thanks for the link Dan. Those new outfits are ugly. I cannot believe they would change from the beautiful outfits they have now into those Hideous things. Can you pitcher the Voices of Liberty singers in those outfits.

I think those new outfits are very nice looking for maybe Soarin' or Spaceship Earth or Mission:Space but certainly not for the American Adventure.

 

[larryz]

Maybe they figured since they are getting away with imported souvineers guests didn't expect much from the American Pavillion anyway.

Well, if that were the case, they could just borrow a rack of Mao jackets from the China pavilion...

 

[RetroCOTfan]

Thanks for the link Dan. Those new outfits are ugly. I cannot believe they would change from the beautiful outfits they have now into those Hideous things. Can you pitcher the Voices of Liberty singers in those outfits.

I actually can picture the Voices of Liberty in those outfits. Well, in outfits that are substantially similar, since they already have that type of outfit and perform in them regularly when they hold performances apart from their normal, daily performances.

At the dedication of the National Treasures collection in the pavilion:

At Epcot's 25th anniversary celebration:

At the annual 4th of July concert:

And, more recently, at the USPS postage-stamp ceremony at Art of Animation:

So yeah, definitely not unprecedented.

Do I like the current costumes? Sure. Will changing them take away the spirit of the pavilion? Not to me. To me, the pavilion is not set in a certain time period (like Liberty Square is in MK), but instead reflects an American experience. Think about it: you get a concert (with Voices of Liberty), a museum experience (with the collection), and a stage performance. None of these things screams "you're in the 1700s," so I don't think the costumes have to be from that time period.

I'm not crazy about the new costumes, but they certainly won't ruin my experience in the pavilion.

 

[FigmentChick]

My opinion is the colonial costumes fit the pavillion. However, I do agree with The Rusty Skipper that the costumes could have been made with better and different materials. I'm very disappointed in the new costume design....I don't think it fits in with the pavillon at all.

 

[yooperfan]

Almost gives me a President/first lady vibe only they shopped at a discount store not to be named.

 

[MissionMouse]

If that was the case, wouldn't they just keep what they had?? It just seems like they made an odd choice but are trying to be responsive to complaints.

There is a new management trend to get things done without regard to quality, appearance, appeal, etc...just cut the cost, get the project done and streamline inventory. This fits based upon the information Rusty provided.

 

[Violet Parr]

Am I the only one who kinda gets it? I mean, I love the historical costumes, but I do get that World Showcase is supposed to be just that...a showcase of the countries for those who have not visited them (or those who have and want a little taste of them again.) The new costumes don't make me think of airlines (because I never flew in the era of flight attendant uniforms that look like that) but they DO make me think of the uniforms the US Olympic team wears for the opening/closing ceremonies. It's more of an ambassadors costume and gives the American pavilion more of a timeless feel to it, which I think would translate better for international visitors.

Liberty Square still has historical costumes in MK, doesn't it? (Correct me if I'm wrong.)

Anyway, just my thoughts. Not saying that those who hate them are wrong. Just a different perspective.


VP