Things That Used to Look Better

[Animaniac93-98]

Continuing with my moaning and groaning of Towers p) , I thought it best to make a general thread of current WDW things, that for one reason or another, just don't look as good as they used to (but still could!).

#1 Haunted Mansion

http://www./wp-content/uploads/2011/02/haunted-mansion.jpg

See how much nicer it looks without the trees in front blocking its view, or behind to throw off its scale, the manicured lawns, the lamposts (that were removed in 2007), the tasteful brick colour and the canopy free queue (which, yes, did not last long and yes, there's rain in Florida, but it looks great!)? Yes, the show building isn't as hidden, but more strategically chosen trees could solve that without compromising perspective issues.

I wish someone would get the hedge clippers out. There's secluded, and then there's just buried. Only problem now is that you'd reveal more of Rapunzel's tower as a result (and who's idea was it to put that there, anyway?).

Anything else you think is like that?

 

[tinkerblonde11]

I agree with that. The trees do give it an old, overgrown, creepy feel. But it also looks intimidating and ominous standing more alone. Draws the eyes to it more to spark more curiosity and sense of adventure!

 

[ParentsOf4]

I prefer the Haunted Mansion with trees. The trees add to the creepy feel.

Without the trees, the Haunted Mansion looks like with it is; a fake haunted house plopped down in the middle of Florida.

 

[litaljohn]

(personally I like them) but I just know somebody is going to put up a photo of "pre Starbucks" locations. and explain how they are the reason for every problem with Disney somehow, I've seen the threads.

 

[Disneykidder]

When I read the thread topic, I thought you were referring to me...haha.
I think Disney does a pretty good job of upkeeping, painting, etc., I like the Haunted Mansion with the trees. It looks finished with some landscaping.

Two rides come to mind that need renovating. The first is so old school (but I love it) is the Speedway. It really doesn't fit in Tomorrowland, especially that it still looks like it belongs in the 70's(more like yesterdayland). The other is The Great Movie Ride. The movies could use some updating and the Sojourney Weaver mannequin looks so bad. Back in the day this ride was packed and I would watch the b/w movies in the beginning many times standing in line...now you walk right on.

 

[JIMINYCR]

The HUB also was much nicer with more trees around, now looks barren.

 

[Tom Morrow]

Kind of on the fence about Haunted Mansion. I mostly prefer the trees, because they give it the feel of being "secluded" and they hide the show building, but you're right, they do throw off the illusion of scale.

A couple of "givens": the hub with trees, Hollywood Blvd without the BAH, Adventureland without flying carpets, Epcot entrance without LaL and with original fountain/prisms, Innoventions Plaza without "clutter".

 

[luv]

A couple of "givens": the hub with trees, Hollywood Blvd without the BAH, Adventureland without flying carpets, Epcot entrance without LaL and with original fountain/prisms, Innoventions Plaza without "clutter".

OMG!!!

Amen. Amen. Aaaaaayyymen!

 

[Tom Morrow]

A similar situation has happened with the trees in Tower of Terror's queue, though not that bad. The tower doesn't look quite as tall as it did with shorter trees. I don't have a side by side comparison available.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Assorted thoughts:

- Those HM pictures are from the very beginning. Once the vegetation had grown in the show building was well hidden.
- The two trees in front of the HM are misplaced. Return flowers in those four pots instead.
- There is too much clutter around the HM, from the Disney Playhouse queue to the hearst and canopy.
- The HM needs to stand apart from the rest of LS and FL again. That short walk is important, you need to leave civiliasation a bit, walk up the Hudson river, alone in the forest...the mansion on the hill.
- Rapunzel's village is the latest act to ruin an area that was perfect before. LS and the Bavarian hillside town with the Skyway forest and stream was perfect. The transition between these two lands was so subtle that it was both a transition that went unnoticed, and that was a great 'walking under the MS train station' reveal moment.
- The second building next to the erstwhile Keelboats dock needs to go. It is an unecessary later addition, that clashes in style and makes the area look like a densely build port.
- Disney tinkers with the MK the way George Lucas tinkers with the orginal trilogy. Just keep your hands off it, it was perfect all along!

 

[Tom Morrow]

^ Agreed, the only thing I *really* don't like about Tangled Restrooms is how much they encroach upon Haunted Mansion.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I hate how close Splash Mountain is to HM at DLR, that was one of the things that made WDW's version better.

Then Rapunzel moved in next door.

Here's a picture of DL's Mansion from 1964 (posted on Long Forgotten) before any modifications were made to the layout of the gardens to accomodate the final ride or SM moved in. It's wonderful:

 

[StarWarsGirl]

I hate how close Splash Mountain is to HM at DLR, that was one of the things that made WDW's version better.

Then Rapunzel moved in next door.

Here's a picture of DL's Mansion from 1964 (posted on Long Forgotten) before any modifications were made to the layout of the gardens to accomodate the final ride or SM moved in. It's wonderful:

I'm with you there. It bothers me how close together everything in DL is. I understand that it has to be, but still.

It also bothers me with their Haunted Mansion that the architecture is based on houses in Baltimore when it's in New Orleans Square. How about some houses around New Orleans? Since ours is in Liberty Square, it wouldn't bother me so much if ours was themed that way, but why is theirs that way?

And yes, it looks very much like old houses in this area.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I'm with you there. It bothers me how close together everything in DL is. I understand that it has to be, but still.

It also bothers me with their Haunted Mansion that the architecture is based on houses in Baltimore when it's in New Orleans Square. How about some houses around New Orleans? Since ours is in Liberty Square, it wouldn't bother me so much if ours was themed that way, but why is theirs that way?

And yes, it looks very much like old houses in this area.

The house is a Southern/Louisiana plantation home. Not Baltimore, LOL. Where in the world did you hear that?

 

[StarWarsGirl]

The house is a Southern/Louisiana plantation home. Not Baltimore, LOL. Where in the world did you hear that?

The official guidebook.

EDIT: This one. The one that Disney sanctions and sells in their parks!

 

[Californian Elitist]

The official guidebook.

Oh dear...

 

[Californian Elitist]

I hate how close Splash Mountain is to HM at DLR, that was one of the things that made WDW's version better.

Then Rapunzel moved in next door.

Here's a picture of DL's Mansion from 1964 (posted on Long Forgotten) before any modifications were made to the layout of the gardens to accomodate the final ride or SM moved in. It's wonderful:

At the same time, Splash Mountain, based on Song of the South, is placed in Frontierland at MK, which is odd.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Oh dear...

I'm inclined to believe them. I've lived in Baltimore my entire life and it's very similar to some of the older houses around here. Especially with the shutters. In colonial times into the Civil War, there were plantations in MD. But that was colonial times and we don't even consider ourselves a Southern state (politically or otherwise). Nor do we consider ourselves Northerners. We're just,well, Marylanders. Delaware has the same issue. But considering it's the guidebook that Disney sanctions and then sells in their parks...take a look the next time you see it. I edited my last post with a link so you can see which one I'm talking about. I have an edition from 2009 too that says the same thing. But I guess it only bothers me because I'm from Baltimore and everything else there looks New Orleans-ish, and then you throw in a building that looks like the older ones around here!

 

[Animaniac93-98]

At the same time, Splash Mountain, based on Song of the South, is placed in Frontierland at MK, which is odd.

But also why they altered the look of the exteriror to fit better in that land. It's much more south-west in its rock formations, vegetation and colour. The queue is also very BTMRRy.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Baltimore

Haunted Mansion