Iconic Purple Directional Signs Being Replaced

[Tony the Tigger]

#themagicisgone



I don’t see why anyone cares about this.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Good Riddance purple, still prefer the brown signs

…I bet you Slay at the parties?

 

[Casper Gutman]

#themagicisgone



I don’t see why anyone cares about this.

Because for people who drove across country to go to WDW, many as kids, the signs were the first indication that they were finally there!! They have a very unique role in nostalgia for many.

 

[James Alucobond]

I'm sorry that my eyes (and those of many in this thread) don't align with the research on this topic.

From whence comes your very specific knowledge of the font and contrast used here?

A brief history of Highway Gothic, Interstate, and their ilk is a common topic touched upon in practically any course on typography.

Contrast can be checked by anyone using a color contrast checker, available as a plugin for most design software or for free online, but the fact that it has far more contrast than other blue road signage should be immediately apparent to everyone.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

Right. And my comments weren't really about the road signs, because I don't really care about them. I do think the purple ones were unique in a way the new ones aren't, but it's so minor it's almost irrelevant.

It was more of an observation of the value of nostalgia to Disney parks and their ability to keep bringing people back as repeat visitors.

Certainly, I agree.

I think, again, Disneyland is better at achieving the balance between providing an experience that plays on nostalgia but always feels fresh. WDW often just leans into never changing.

 

[lazyboy97o]

#themagicisgone



I don’t see why anyone cares about this.

Why spend so much money on something nobody cares about?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Why spend so much money on something nobody cares about?

You are assuming they paid for these? I’m guessing they didn’t.

I doubt it was: “should we put up blue signs, or build something to address our pathetic ride capacity in 2 of 4 parks?”

(Yes…I’m kidding…I know they don’t give rat’s about #2)

 

[CastAStone]

I'm sorry that my eyes (and those of many in this thread) don't align with the research on this topic.

From whence comes your very specific knowledge of the font and contrast used here?

I don’t think knowledge of Highway Gothic is that unusual or specific.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I don’t think knowledge of Highway Gothic is that unusual or specific.

Ok…stop it with the Pa signs…this is the second warning

 

[seascape]

Ok…stop it with the Pa signs…this is the second warning

Hershey Park area. A great place to visit.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Because for people who drove across country to go to WDW, many as kids, the signs were the first indication that they were finally there!! They have a very unique role in nostalgia for many.

There will still be signs. They will still be the first indication.

Why spend so much money on something nobody cares about?

Because the purple wall was throwing their weight around?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Hershey Park area. A great place to visit.

Thanks…I’m familiar with the whole map…

 

[MaryJaneP]

If you are going to post a comparison using PA signs, please post Gothic and Clearview pictures of the misspelled signs that were directing drivers to the town of Ephrata. Please know that these misspelled signs were actually installed and it took a certain volume of calls to get them removed.

 

[Casper Gutman]

A brief history of Highway Gothic, Interstate, and their ilk is a common topic touched upon in practically any course on typography.

Contrast can be checked by anyone using a color contrast checker, available as a plugin for most design software or for free online, but the fact that it has far more contrast than other blue road signage should be immediately apparent to everyone.

You singled me out, but a lot of folks here seem to feel it is less distinct, so that “everyone” seems somewhat limited. It was absolutely my first impression.

I mean, we’ve been told that painting giant warehouses blue will make them virtually invisible to the naked eye, but blue road signs against the blue sky are really going to pop?

 

[RSoxNo1]

 

[mightynine]

Good Riddance purple, still prefer the brown signs

 

[denyuntilcaught]

I echo the sentiments of others - the purple was dated and felt TOO 90s or whenever they were established. They also reminded me of DLP, which isn't a positive thing. While I appreciate the deep psychology of color analysis that went into the color choices, I think the new design is at least more visually appealing.

 

[James Alucobond]

You singled me out, but a lot of folks here seem to feel it is less distinct, so that “everyone” seems somewhat limited. It was absolutely my first impression.

I mean, we’ve been told that painting giant warehouses blue will make them virtually invisible to the naked eye, but blue road signs against the blue sky are really going to pop?

I didn't say the signs would "pop" more. They may not; I have not conducted or read studies on road sign color relative to the environment, though I am sure they exist. All I said was that white text is, without exception, more legible when its contrast ratio relative to the background color behind it is higher. This is why WCAG, for instance, requires websites to meet certain color contrast thresholds for all typographic and interactive elements in order to be considered compliant.

Whether or not this particular shade of blue is as effective at grabbing your attention is a separate issue.

 

[JAB]

I mean, we’ve been told that painting giant warehouses blue will make them virtually invisible to the naked eye, but blue road signs against the blue sky are really going to pop?

You know there's more than one shade of blue, right?

 

[Casper Gutman]

You know there's more than one shade of blue, right?

You know the sky changes shade, right?