When The Magic Kingdom opened in 1971, many of the rides and structures, including the Mad Tea Party, did not have any cover or roof. The California based design team clearly did not think about how much it rains in Florida, or how uncomfortable it would be to stand outside in the sun all day.
Look Ma! No Roof!
Over the next few years, a number of attractions would receive some sort of shelter or cover, including an extended queue for The Hall of Presidents that still exists to this day as a food stand. Another one was a canopy over a portion of the Haunted Mansion's queue.
In 2007, this same canopy was expanded to cover more of the queue space:
https://i1.wp.com//wp-content/uploads/2011/02/haunted-mansion.jpg?fit=630%2C250&ssl=1
Unfortunately, as part of this expansion, the lampposts that once lined the queue were removed, but that's not the only problem.
Remember, the queue was never intended to be covered. The size of the house, the slope of the hillside leading up to it and the landscaping was all intended to work together to create the intended forced perspective.
Even with the growth of trees and shrubs over the decades, the overall look of the facade works better without a tent covering the exterior walkway:
It's been over 45 years since that first canopy went up. I understand why WED in their haste to improve operations and guest satisfaction decided to put one there in '72, but it's time for something more permanent looking to be installed. Phantom Manor at DLP aslo has an exterior covered queue, but it is much more polished looking and doesn't detract from the placement or visual impact of the facade. They could even lower the pathway closer to the river to preserve that intended perspective and maybe bring back those lampposts to the queue. It would be a nice upgrade for the 50th anniversary.
Look Ma! No Roof!
Over the next few years, a number of attractions would receive some sort of shelter or cover, including an extended queue for The Hall of Presidents that still exists to this day as a food stand. Another one was a canopy over a portion of the Haunted Mansion's queue.
In 2007, this same canopy was expanded to cover more of the queue space:
https://i1.wp.com//wp-content/uploads/2011/02/haunted-mansion.jpg?fit=630%2C250&ssl=1
Unfortunately, as part of this expansion, the lampposts that once lined the queue were removed, but that's not the only problem.
Remember, the queue was never intended to be covered. The size of the house, the slope of the hillside leading up to it and the landscaping was all intended to work together to create the intended forced perspective.
Even with the growth of trees and shrubs over the decades, the overall look of the facade works better without a tent covering the exterior walkway:
It's been over 45 years since that first canopy went up. I understand why WED in their haste to improve operations and guest satisfaction decided to put one there in '72, but it's time for something more permanent looking to be installed. Phantom Manor at DLP aslo has an exterior covered queue, but it is much more polished looking and doesn't detract from the placement or visual impact of the facade. They could even lower the pathway closer to the river to preserve that intended perspective and maybe bring back those lampposts to the queue. It would be a nice upgrade for the 50th anniversary.
