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Couple of World Showcase observations

zooey

zooey

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I just got back from the world about a week ago, and I had a few surprises. First, Splash Mountain's hopping Brer Rabbit was miraculously working, as was the angler fish in Nemo.

On to my topic...

What are all the antennae on the pavilions around World Showcase? I've never noticed them before, but once I did I saw them absolutely everywhere. I'm not sure what they're for, and why they can't be hidden a little better. They pretty much top any kind of spire or right angle in every single pavilion.

Also, why is there a large camera dome looking apparatus on the right side of the Mexico pavilion, and is it my imagination or has that thing gained more limbs and other weird additions recently? It's a really ugly looking object that they should really hide better.

And also, is it standard procedure to keep those pinkish flood lights on during December, now? Those flood lights ruin the lighting around the lagoon, but I can see the need for more visibility. It's just one of those things that are difficult to ignore even though they make functional sense. It just bugs me that every time I go in December the nighttime World Showcase lighting is completely jacked.
 
Horizonsfan

Horizonsfan

Well-Known Member
zooey said:
I just got back from the world about a week ago, and I had a few surprises. First, Splash Mountain's hopping Brer Rabbit was miraculously working, as was the angler fish in Nemo.

On to my topic...

What are all the antennae on the pavilions around World Showcase? I've never noticed them before, but once I did I saw them absolutely everywhere. I'm not sure what they're for, and why they can't be hidden a little better. They pretty much top any kind of spire or right angle in every single pavilion.

Also, why is there a large camera dome looking apparatus on the right side of the Mexico pavilion, and is it my imagination or has that thing gained more limbs and other weird additions recently? It's a really ugly looking object that they should really hide better.

And also, is it standard procedure to keep those pinkish flood lights on during December, now? Those flood lights ruin the lighting around the lagoon, but I can see the need for more visibility. It's just one of those things that are difficult to ignore even though they make functional sense. It just bugs me that every time I go in December the nighttime World Showcase lighting is completely jacked.
Click to expand...

All the antenna are lightning rods. They have an abundance to ensure that they get the lightning strikes, not you. You really can't hide them all that much more and really for the most part guests don't notice them.

Can't help you with the other two though.
 
zooey

zooey

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Horizonsfan said:
All the antenna are lightning rods. They have an abundance to ensure that they get the lightning strikes, not you. You really can't hide them all that much more and really for the most part guests don't notice them.

Can't help you with the other two though.
Click to expand...

Ahh, that makes sense. Thanks! Have they always been there?
 
M

maxairmike

Well-Known Member
zooey said:
I just got back from the world about a week ago, and I had a few surprises. First, Splash Mountain's hopping Brer Rabbit was miraculously working, as was the angler fish in Nemo.

On to my topic...

What are all the antennae on the pavilions around World Showcase? I've never noticed them before, but once I did I saw them absolutely everywhere. I'm not sure what they're for, and why they can't be hidden a little better. They pretty much top any kind of spire or right angle in every single pavilion.

Also, why is there a large camera dome looking apparatus on the right side of the Mexico pavilion, and is it my imagination or has that thing gained more limbs and other weird additions recently? It's a really ugly looking object that they should really hide better.

And also, is it standard procedure to keep those pinkish flood lights on during December, now? Those flood lights ruin the lighting around the lagoon, but I can see the need for more visibility. It's just one of those things that are difficult to ignore even though they make functional sense. It just bugs me that every time I go in December the nighttime World Showcase lighting is completely jacked.
Click to expand...

To address the last two points, the camera mount/cargo crane "thing" on Mexico is most likely a part of Illuminations equipment. Yes, it is getting obtrusive, though I would guess it is only visible because it has to be placed there.

The increased lighting on the tops of the pavilions and on other temporary light posts are brought in during the busy seasons. They are there for Food & Wine, and then are used during the following holiday seasons. I can't remember if they use them during the summer, Easter, and Flower and Garden, but I do know they use them for Food & Wine through New Years. They're unsightly, but with the kinds of crowds they have during those times, the extra lighting is needed.
 
marni1971

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member
Yes and yes, and a bit of trivia: the rooftop lighting units were actually installed for 1988s IllumiNations. They used to hold the neon signs segments. They were adapted to parcan holders for 1999s Tapestry of Nations.
 
Alektronic

Alektronic

Well-Known Member
maxairmike said:
To address the last two points, the camera mount/cargo crane "thing" on Mexico is most likely a part of Illuminations equipment. Yes, it is getting obtrusive, though I would guess it is only visible because it has to be placed there.

The increased lighting on the tops of the pavilions and on other temporary light posts are brought in during the busy seasons. They are there for Food & Wine, and then are used during the following holiday seasons. I can't remember if they use them during the summer, Easter, and Flower and Garden, but I do know they use them for Food & Wine through New Years. They're unsightly, but with the kinds of crowds they have during those times, the extra lighting is needed.
Click to expand...

The lighting was originally installed for the parade - Tapestry of Nations. They are all permanently installed none are temporary but are only used during busy periods. Flower and Garden, Food and Wine, 4th of July, Christmas holiday period and NYE.

Like Martin said, the light lifts on France and Italy were originally used for Illuminations and now used for area lighting. The light lifts on China and AA aren't being used.
 
marni1971

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member
Alektronic said:
Like Martin said, the light lifts on France and Italy were originally used for Illuminations and now used for area lighting. The light lifts on China and AA aren't being used.
Click to expand...
I don't know if chinas are still there. I know the Am Ad used to,just have one left.
 
M

maxairmike

Well-Known Member
marni1971 said:
I don't know if chinas are still there. I know the Am Ad used to,just have one left.
Click to expand...

China was used last year during a busy period (don't recall specifically, but know I saw them up many nights). When I mentioned temporary, I was speaking specifically to some standalone lights and towers that are mounted in various other places around the Showcase. Ones that come to mind are over where you can go left to France or straight to exit the park, and then a few others over in the vicinity of China and Norway.
 

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