Disney Doesn't Want You to See This

[_caleb]

No, this is not clickbait! In the ongoing discussion about the Galactic Starcruiser (RIP), several members have shared an unflattering image of the Halcyon's dining room during the day, where it appears to fall short of the expectations of quality theming that many of us share.

That image, though, brought to mind all the scenes around the parks that most people don't notice and Disney certainly doesn't want you to notice, but as fans, we notice!

I'm not talking about backstage areas (though these shouldn't be visible, either), but places right in front of us that Disney uses tricks to draw our attention away from.

There are dozens, but here are two examples:

I've long talked about how much I dislike the use of acoustic tile drop-ceilings in the parks. I'm sure WDI was hoping I wouldn't notice (they do tend to paint them flat/matte black), but I NOTICE!

Pretty sure those acoustic tiles weren't designed by Mary Blair ​

Another thing I notice is the untamed floor and spotlights in the loading area of Star Tours (between the briefing area and the ship itself). If you look to the left/right as you walk through these doors and across the "jet bridge," you'll see what I mean. It's the inside of the simulator building's infrastructure. I'm pretty sure WDI wanted me to focus my attention on the ship as I enter, but I notice this section every time!

If you look to the left as you walk through here, you'll see what I mean! ​

Who else notices things in the parks that Disney doesn't want you to notice, but you definitely notice?! What are some other examples of this?

 

[MAGICFLOP]

Brings up an interesting point, I thought for a long time that Small world is old and worn out, they should re imagine it.. I would say something Star Wars themed would go nicely..

 

[JoeCamel]

No, this is not clickbait! In the ongoing discussion about the Galactic Starcruiser (RIP), several members have shared an unflattering image of the Halcyon's dining room during the day, where it appears to fall short of the expectations of quality theming that many of us share.

That image, though, brought to mind all the scenes around the parks that most people don't notice and Disney certainly doesn't want you to notice, but as fans, we notice!

I'm not talking about backstage areas (though these shouldn't be visible, either), but places right in front of us that Disney uses tricks to draw our attention away from.

There are dozens, but here are two examples:

I've long talked about how much I dislike the use of acoustic tile drop-ceilings in the parks. I'm sure WDI was hoping I wouldn't notice (they do tend to paint them flat/matte black), but I NOTICE!

View attachment 749581
Pretty sure those acoustic tiles weren't designed by Mary Blair ​

Another thing I notice is the untamed floor and spotlights in the loading area of Star Tours (between the briefing area and the ship itself). If you look to the left/right as you walk through these doors and across the "jet bridge," you'll see what I mean. It's the inside of the simulator building's infrastructure. I'm pretty sure WDI wanted me to focus my attention on the ship as I enter, but I notice this section every time!

View attachment 749583
If you look to the left as you walk through here, you'll see what I mean! ​

Who else notices things in the parks that Disney doesn't want you to notice, but you definitely notice?! What are some other examples of this?

You bring up ISW but not Mermaid ceiling?

 

[AdventureHasAName]

To me, the most obvious was the layer of caked dust that was all over The Great Movie Ride before it was destroyed. It would have looked like excellent theming in the Tower of Terror. I mean, hand an employee a wet rag and let them wipe down everything at the start and end of the day.

 

[NelsonRD]

What is wrong with drop ceilings? Unless it is missing tiles like the show interior of small world, not sure how drop ceilings subtract from an attraction.

 

[Sweet tears]

Not a big deal. If you’re focused on this much minutiae you’ve been to Disney too many times if it causes you distress. I can certainly find faults but I’m not going to let it ruin my experience.

 

[_caleb]

What is wrong with drop ceilings? Unless it is missing tiles like the show interior of small world, not sure how drop ceilings subtract from an attraction.

It's not the "drop" part, but the fact that they've spray painted same acoustic tiles used in office buildings across the country for use regardless of the themed environment.

As @JoeCamel mentioned above, it's especially bad in places like Mermaid, where they didn't bother to do much theming at all. It's seems like they're hoping our attention will be fixed on the AAs and not notice the fact that they've stuck plastic fish to the wall and wavy cardboard cutouts from the standard department store ceiling.

What are the alternatives, you might ask? Look no further than the queue for Mermaid! Rockwork would be great, as would paneling, coroplast, visqueen, projection mapping of waves, etc. Na'vi River Journey handles the themed ceilings pretty well, in my opinion, as did Splash, and even Pirates (which I think is just a matte mesh material).

 

[NelsonRD]

It's not the "drop" part, but the fact that they've spray painted same acoustic tiles used in office buildings across the country for use regardless of the themed environment.

As @JoeCamel mentioned above, it's especially bad in places like Mermaid, where they didn't bother to do much theming at all. It's seems like they're hoping our attention will be fixed on the AAs and not notice the fact that they've stuck plastic fish to the wall and wavy cardboard cutouts from the standard department story ceiling.

What are the alternatives, you might ask? Look no further than the queue for Mermaid! Rockwork would be great, as would paneling, coroplast, visqueen, projection mapping of waves, etc. Na'vi River Journey handles the themed ceilings pretty well, in my opinion, as did Splash, and even Pirates (which I think is just a matte mesh material).

I am sorry, I am still struggling to understand what is wrong with a black drop ceiling, even if it is the same black 4x2 panels found in office buildings. Mermaid has thematic issues beyond the ceiling. Not obstructing show lighting is a bigger issue.

 

[Weather_Lady]

I always notice the tunnel/floor cut-outs in the backwards portion of Expedition Everest, where during daylight hours, you can see directly into the "guts" of the mountain and view the internal support structure (which apropos of nothing, looks just like the inside of the Statue of Liberty). I'm not sure how or why Disney didn't do anything to "theme" the visible area (simply skinning it and painting it black, or the brown/gray of the tunnel walls, or white like snow, would be all that was needed), or why they think people will miss what's right in front of them simply because they're moving backward, but it interrupts my suspension of disbelief every time.

You can see glimpses of the area I'm talking about here, starting around 3:25:
)

 

[_caleb]

I am sorry, I am still struggling to understand what is wrong with a black drop ceiling, even if it is the same black 4x2 panels found in office buildings. Mermaid has thematic issues beyond the ceiling. Not obstructing show lighting is a bigger issue.

It's ok if it doesn't bother you! For me, seeing those 4x2 panels takes me out of the experience right away with a huge reminder that we're in a giant warehouse; something that Disney has supposedly gone to great lengths to hide for the sake of the ride's story and experience.

They spend millions to make a ride that "transports" us into these imaginary worlds, and they have to make creative solutions to logistical/mechanical/technical impediments to transporting us (like the show lighting you mention). Sometimes, their solutions are extremely effective. Other times, not so much.

 

[_caleb]

I always notice the tunnel/floor cut-outs in the backwards portion of Expedition Everest, where during daylight hours, you can see directly into the "guts" of the mountain and view the internal support structure (which apropos of nothing, looks just like the inside of the Statue of Liberty). I'm not sure how or why Disney didn't do anything to "theme" the visible area (simply skinning it and painting it black, or white like snow, would be all that was needed), or why they think people will miss what's right in front of them simply because they're moving backward, but it interrupts my suspension of disbelief every time.

You can see glimpses of the area I'm talking about here, starting around 3:25:
)

Wow! I never noticed this. But you're right, it does look like the inside of the Statue of Liberty!

And this is EXACTLY the sort of thing I'm talking about. Of course they HAVE to make decisions about what to theme, what to leave unthemed. They typically do a very good job of this. I just think it's fun/interesting when fans like us notice the things they don't want us to pay attention to.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

Actually, the black tiles don’t bother me as much as visiting 3 years in a row, and seeing:

The same leprechauns not working
The same ceiling AA’s not working
The same 5 sections of white lights on the roller coaster not working. That means it’s not burned out bulbs, that section’s sockets or wiring needs to be repaired or replaced and no one cares…THAT BOTHERS ME

 

[Phonedave]

It's ok if it doesn't bother you! For me, seeing those 4x2 panels takes me out of the experience right away with a huge reminder that we're in a giant warehouse; something that Disney has supposedly gone to great lengths to hide for the sake of the ride's story and experience.

They spend millions to make a ride that "transports" us into these imaginary worlds, and they have to make creative solutions to logistical/mechanical/technical impediments to transporting us (like the show lighting you mention). Sometimes, their solutions are extremely effective. Other times, not so much.

I think it is more for maintenance purposes. I don't know how high the building ceiling is above the tile, but if you had some sort of non easily removable ceiling up there, you would have to have enough room above the false ceiling to service the pantograph motor and other things that are all over the place in there. You also don't have to drag things like replacement motors through the ceiling crawl. You just lift them right into place.

 

[_caleb]

I think it is more for maintenance purposes. I don't know how high the building ceiling is above the tile, but if you had some sort of non easily removable ceiling up there, you would have to have enough room above the false ceiling to service the pantograph motor and other things that are all over the place in there. You also don't have to drag things like replacement motors through the ceiling crawl. You just lift them right into place.

I agree. It's done this way to facilitate maintenance (and hide electric/HVAC). But that's the trade-off. They're making it easier to maintain at the expense of theming/immersion/show.

If they were to prioritize show (which would certainly cost more money), they might approach it differently with, say, roof access to these elements or the fabrication of non-standard materials.

 

[_caleb]

Actually, the black tiles don’t bother me as much as visiting 3 years in a row, and seeing:

The same leprechauns not working
The same ceiling AA’s not working
The same 5 sections of white lights on the roller coaster not working. That means it’s not burned out bulbs, that section’s sockets or wiring needs to be repaired or replaced and no one cares…THAT BOTHERS ME

I know, right?! I think they hope we don't notice this stuff. Many guest may not, but we do!

 

[Smiley/OCD]

I agree. It's done this way to facilitate maintenance (and hide electric/HVAC). But that's the trade-off. They're making it easier to maintain at the expense of theming/immersion/show.

If they were to prioritize show (which would certainly cost more money), they might approach it differently with, say, roof access to these elements or the fabrication of non-standard materials.

The only problem with that notion is, EVERY TIME you cut a hole in the roof for access, that’s a potential roof leak. Ask any roofer or homeowner with skylights and they’ll tell you…the more openings, the more leaks. It’s better they access the ceiling components from inside.

 

[TalkToEthan]

, I am still struggling to understand what is wrong with a black drop ceiling, even if it is the same black 4x2 panels found in office buildings.

You don’t understand? Really?

It detracts from storytelling.

There is a monumental difference in ceiling treatments of Tower of Terror lobby vs Mermaid’s which look like they could be interchanged with a public school classroom.

 

[James Alucobond]

I always notice the tunnel/floor cut-outs in the backwards portion of Expedition Everest, where during daylight hours, you can see directly into the "guts" of the mountain and view the internal support structure (which apropos of nothing, looks just like the inside of the Statue of Liberty). I'm not sure how or why Disney didn't do anything to "theme" the visible area (simply skinning it and painting it black, or the brown/gray of the tunnel walls, or white like snow, would be all that was needed), or why they think people will miss what's right in front of them simply because they're moving backward, but it interrupts my suspension of disbelief every time.

You can see glimpses of the area I'm talking about here, starting around 3:25:
)

I'm guessing they felt it read as scaffolding or trestle for the track or something when viewed so quickly?

 

[lazyboy97o]

It's not the "drop" part, but the fact that they've spray painted same acoustic tiles used in office buildings across the country for use regardless of the themed environment.

You don’t spray paint ceiling tiles. They’re available for purchase in black along with matching black track.

The only problem with that notion is, EVERY TIME you cut a hole in the roof for access, that’s a potential roof leak. Ask any roofer or homeowner with skylights and they’ll tell you…the more openings, the more leaks. It’s better they access the ceiling components from inside.

You wouldn’t cut a hole in the roof. You’d design the access and build it in place, although a door in a wall would be much easier than a large hatch.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I think it is more for maintenance purposes. I don't know how high the building ceiling is above the tile, but if you had some sort of non easily removable ceiling up there, you would have to have enough room above the false ceiling to service the pantograph motor and other things that are all over the place in there. You also don't have to drag things like replacement motors through the ceiling crawl. You just lift them right into place.

Most modern attractions have catwalks. No way is Disney letting someone climb up to such heights on a ladder and the logistics of getting in lifts is an even bigger headache to coordinate with the show design. Even at “it’s a small world” you can see some of the access through the grated tiles.