Iconic Purple Directional Signs Being Replaced

[James Alucobond]

The old signs were designed for readability, and thus safety. That's the most important thing, and it worked. In a lot of people's minds these "clean, plain, and boring" signs have taken that a step backwards. I don't see that as an improvement.

This makes it sound as if the new ones aren’t designed for readability. They absolutely are, and typographically speaking, they’re potentially superior as they lean on the massive pre-existing body of research done for other highway signage around the country. The new ones are simply part of a blue-and-gold rebrand that a lot of folks find more boring and less fun than the previous system from the 90s.

 

[Basil of Baker Street]

Honestly not angry. You are right they are road signs. It was something that was unique
to Disney World that is no longer unique.

True. If they had removed the "Welcome to WDW" Arches, I'd have more of an opinion, but a sigh telling me MK stay in this lane, not so much.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

The old signs were designed for readability, and thus safety.

No they weren't. They were designed for shtick.

I bet this change was done for cost savings just like most things at WDW are done.

Yes, it's much cheaper to replace things than to not replace things. Few know this.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

 

[ToTBellHop]

No they weren't. They were designed for shtick.


Yes, it's much cheaper to replace things than to not replace things. Few know this.

That’s why my dad liked to get a new spouse annually.

Wait, which thread is this?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I find all this road sign talk so drab and boring…

If I drive…it would potentially eliminate ALL my drinking…
#DEALKILLER

Driving is so 20th century

 

[HauntedPirate]

No they weren't. They were designed for shtick.

Disagree.

Walt Disney World & Euro Disney - Sussman Prejza

Walt Disney World encompasses an area larger than the city of San Francisco; all visitors arrive by highway or freeway. Sussman/Prejza’s task was to develop a vehicular signing system that would be unique in spirit, clean, easy to follow, and capable of being expanded as the area continues to...

sussmanprejza.com

"Sussman/Prejza’s task was to develop a vehicular signing system that would be unique in spirit, clean, easy to follow, and capable of being expanded as the area continues to grow."

 

[bpiper]

The new ones are much clearer at night. It's hard to describe (or to photograph), but the reflective properties are much better.

Of course they are clearer, they are new. The reflective coating has worn off of the old ones.

Road signs are reflective thanks to the glass beads, microprisms, or encapsulated lenses present on reflective sheeting. These materials bend light, so it comes back to the source, making road signs highly visible at night to drivers with their headlights on. There are three different grades of this sheeting: engineer, high-intensity, and diamond.

Engineer Grade Reflective Signs​

Engineer grade signs use glass beads or prismatic optical technology to reflect light and have the lowest prices. Engineer grade signs have less visibility, usually around 400 to 600 feet, making them only suitable for non-critical uses. You will often see these signs in areas like parking lots and garages.

High-Intensity Grade Reflective Signs​

High-intensity signs use cube-corner or prismatic material to offer superior reflectivity. Most cities use these for their traffic signs. You will also see high-intensity grade reflective signs used for barricades and construction zones. They provide better visibility than engineer grade signs and can be seen from around 800 to 1,200 feet away. They work well in areas where street lights can affect reflectivity.

Diamond Grade Reflective Signs​

Diamond grade signs have the highest visibility, around 1,300 to 1,600 feet. They are used in areas where high visibility is critical, including interstate highways. These are the best option for cluttered urban environments that have a lot of lights and other signs.

 

[peter11435]

It’s crazy. I struggle to believe they don’t have a sign shop on premises that could churn these signs out. Signs get damaged and need to be replaced. They couldn’t just make all of the new signs first and then install them in close succession?

Things should start to pick up now. The only reason the others were installed so early was because of the addition of galactic starcruiser.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Things should start to pick up now. The only reason the others were installed so early was because of the addition of galactic starcruiser.

I do a lot of DOT consulting. They could have opened their own sign shop over by LBV…cranked out all the signs…and had them up in about a week.

Penndot could have pulled that off.

Not that it’s a big deal…but they certainly aren’t in a hurry here

 

[peter11435]

I do a lot of DOT consulting. They could have opened their own sign shop over by LBV…cranked out all the signs…and had them up in about a week.

Penndot could have pulled that off.

Not that it’s a big deal…but they certainly aren’t in a hurry here

They already have their own sign shop.

I never said they were in a hurry.

Just that it should go faster from this point. The two that went up before were outliers. They were fabricated and installed as part of the galactic starcruiser project. Since the new design was coming it made sense for them to be done in the new style at that time.

 

[MisterPenguin]

The old signs were designed for readability,

They may have *attempted* visibility, but the desire to color-fy everything led to putting a yellow-orange lettering on a red background. That is way down the list of optimal visibility.

While I'm OK with green or blue or purple backgrounds on informational signs. The use of danger-red for directional information is a big no-no.

Also, serif?

At least the arrow is very visible!! In fact, look at the next sign down the road. The arrow is super-visible!! An arrow to what? Who knows, but at least we know to go forward!!

This is a poster child for what *not* to do.

 

[JD80]

So we've got threads with armchair imagineering.
Now we've got threads with people pretending to know how to design traffic signs.

This should be entertaining.

Also the purple signs were ugly. They actively ruined all my vacations.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

So we've got threads with armchair imagineering.
Now we've got threads with people pretending to know how to design traffic signs.

This should be entertaining.

Also the purple signs were ugly. They actively ruined all my vacations.

…the 11 pm last call at Victoria falls, Bellevue, territory lounge and gurgling suitcase ruins mine

 

[JD80]

…the 11 pm last call at Victoria falls, Bellevue, territory lounge and gurgling suitcase ruins mine

Last calls everywhere ruin vacations.

 

[Disstevefan1]

I bet the new standard colors are cheaper. I bet the old colors were special order.
Bobby loves paint and Bobby loves saving money

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

I prefer the old color scheme but given the choice between shiny new blue signs and old faded purple signs that look like they haven’t been touched in decades the blue is an improvement.

 

[denyuntilcaught]

I really don't care to know the details around functionality, but I'm of the camp that the signs being replaced were ugly and appeared extremely outdated. New signs are...pleasant. Like new signage should be, perhaps.

 

[peter11435]

I really don't care to know the details around functionality, but I'm of the camp that the signs being replaced were ugly and appeared extremely outdated. New signs are...pleasant. Like new signage should be, perhaps.

Exactly. I love the purple signs. But when not viewed through the lens of nostalgia they are painfully outdated.

 

[Disstevefan1]

No they weren't. They were designed for shtick.


Yes, it's much cheaper to replace things than to not replace things. Few know this.

1. It sure looks like the signs need replacing.
2. I bet the new standard color paint is cheaper and that the old colors were a special order: