Land Balloons Removed (?????!)

[CTXRover]

There were two of the balloons in the Scenic Shop on the Backlot Tour at MGM on 12/3/04. They just happened to catch my eye as the tram went through the Creative Costuming and Scenic Shop section. I don't know if they will still be there very long, since they really weren't on display.

I think perhaps the most shocking thing for me is WHY are they starting already? I too kept putting off my visits to the Land to take pics thinking I still had time. Too late, I guess. Obviously they had to bring in some type of equipment to get up there and remove the banners and balloons. And since it obviously seems like it didn't take them long, it could have been done on the first day of the 3 month rehab easily. What has them so fired up to start already? Its sad to see, but hopefully in April we'll all be happy with the final product.

Anyway, on another thread about the missing balloons, I theorized that perhaps the balloons were removed early to allow them additional time, beyond the three month rehab, and also give them an early start on what could perhaps just be restoration of the balloons. At that time some of us were thinking that if true, the balloons might show up at MGM's scenic shop where they would be worked upon. Thanks to NitroStitch's observations quoted above, it seems like that has indeed come true. So MAYBE they really are just restoring/rehabbing/altering them and they could return after the rehab (?) Why the banners had to come down so soon too, I haven't got the slightest clue.

I am intrigued though on what they are doing at the Scenic shop at MGM. If they were really going to trash them, would they still send them there?

 

[General Grizz]

I think we've decided that the balloons are coming back. Sadly, I think the balloons will have lost their meaning should they be brought back to the Land with just "fancy designs."

I still think they'll be at It's a Small World.

 

[CTXRover]

I think we've decided that the balloons are coming back.

I still think they'll be at It's a Small World.

Oh, I didn't realize that :lol: I thought we were still assuming the balloons were going to the junk yard :hammer: Anyway, I hope they come back to The Land or something else realy neat goes up in that atrium in their place, as now that you mention it, I too could see the balloons installed as new props throughout It's a Small World...which would be a neat place to re-install them if they are really permanently removed from The Land.

 

[KevinPage]

The first thing that came to my mind when I saw that picture was "Soarin' better be pretty darn good".

Soarin' really is a great attraction. It's legs will vary with everyone, but when the wife and I went to DL/DCA 2 years ago, we hit Soarin' about 5 times.

Normally a ride loses some of its magic after repeated viewings (nothing like your first time) but Soarin' held up quite well compared to others attractions.

Any film or show attraction tends to bore me after awhile, since you are just sitting there. But the fact that with Soarin' you are high up in the air adds a really nice element to the ride along with great music.

The Land balloons would work really well with IASW and if they ever added them Grizz would be happier than Pressler in a shopping mall. :lol: :lol:

 

[KevinPage]

That big empty area is really depressing...

I'm getting a sick delight out of it, knowing that Grizz is all peeved about it.

:fork: :fork: :fork:

 

[General Grizz]

Soarin' really is a great attraction. It's legs will vary with everyone, but when the wife and I went to DL/DCA 2 years ago, we hit Soarin' about 5 times.

Normally a ride loses some of its magic after repeated viewings (nothing like your first time) but Soarin' held up quite well compared to others attractions.

Any film or show attraction tends to bore me after awhile, since you are just sitting there. But the fact that with Soarin' you are high up in the air adds a really nice element to the ride along with great music.

The Land balloons would work really well with IASW and if they ever added them Grizz would be happier than Pressler in a shopping mall. :lol: :lol:

It would be nice, but that wouldn't make me ecstatic. A decent Land rehab, however, would. . .

 

[CubbieMan]

I think we've decided that the balloons are coming back. Sadly, I think the balloons will have lost their meaning should they be brought back to the Land with just "fancy designs."

I still think they'll be at It's a Small World.

I like the possibility of that...it would not surprise me in the least. Would also explain why the disappearence of the balloons so soon before the refurb...perhaps to get ready for the IASW installation...i'm sure there was a reason...if they were simply being trashed they would have waited for the rehab.

 

[tirian]

That picture shocked me. Really; I gasped.

That might be pathetic, but I gasped.

I wish the balloons were merely undergoing a refurb then returning; but with the rumored Land Travel Agency, I'm kind of expecting airplanes and hang gliders, not hot-air balloons.

Maybe they will be used in IaSW; but where? Possibly in the redesigned queue? I'm sure the patterns would be altered.

Oh, well, there goes another piece of the classic, heartfelt, meaningful Disney company. Say hello to StitchPrincessPoohFairyGenericMickeyBodyParts land!

j/k I'm not really that cynical.

 

[GymLeaderPhil]

I went to The Land on the 10th too, kept looking around at the cealing. I really couldn't put my finger on what was missing, as you could see the wire supports for the banners quite clearly. Too wrapped up in my Strawberry Shortcake and the fact that some guy in the queue showed me his Lilo and Stitch tatoo...

I really shouldn't be wearing those Stitch ears if I attract the weirdos. :lol:

 

[tigger248]

That picture is so depressing! It makes me want to cry. The area looks so barren without them.

 

[StevenT]

Here's a couple more images from the now bare looking Land Pavillion I took this morning. As an aside, Living With The Land was quite busy today with a pretty steady wait time at 35+ Minutes.

 

[General Grizz]

Thank you.

 

[DisneyWorld30th]

I miss Food Rocks!

And the Balloons!

Nice Pictures...Thanks!!

:sohappy:

 

[LilDucky]

On Dec. 30th around 1pm, my family and I rode the Backlot Tour. To my sheer amazement, I was witness to some good news. I personally saw the land balloons being retouched and refurbished. I know I shouldnt post something like this without pictures (aka proof) but I saw it with my own two eyes, I kid you not.

Am I jumping to conclusions? Maybe they just looked like them...

Nope. Our tour guide CLEARLY said thats what they were!! But I wasn't slick enough to get a picture by the time he confirmed it. They had the door up and you could see some of the balloons, and I saw a guy touching up the winter one. I have to say, They were looking sharp!

The good thing is that they are not lost forever, but I dont know if they are going back into the land, or if they are going to be placed in IASW. I'm guessing the Land since the tour guide mentioned the land and not IASW.

Can anyone else help me confirm this?

 

[NemoRocks78]

On Dec. 30th around 1pm, my family and I rode the Backlot Tour. To my sheer amazement, I was witness to some good news. I personally saw the land balloons being retouched and refurbished. I know I shouldnt post something like this without pictures (aka proof) but I saw it with my own two eyes, I kid you not.

Am I jumping to conclusions? Maybe they just looked like them...

Nope. Our tour guide CLEARLY said thats what they were!! But I wasn't slick enough to get a picture by the time he confirmed it. They had the door up and you could see some of the balloons, and I saw a guy touching up the winter one. I have to say, They were looking sharp!

The good thing is that they are not lost forever, but I dont know if they are going back into the land, or if they are going to be placed in IASW. I'm guessing the Land since the tour guide mentioned the land and not IASW.

Can anyone else help me confirm this?

This is VERY interesting....

 

[BwanaBob]

Awesome!

(Was there last night...and I must say...

...the place looked VERY naked!)

It was very surreal knowing that the place was to be closed within 48 hours. It was kind of like paying reverance to "The Sunshine Food Fair". They even turned off the lights that illuminate the sign inside the pavillion.

 

[General Grizz]

I was told the Land balloons were returning to the pavilion, so great news! Share to post the designs/colors you saw?

 

[tigger248]

Yay! If they do indeed come back, they will definitely be a very welcome site next November. On my last trip, it was so sad in The Land pavillion when I thought it was the last time I'd ever see those beautiful balloons.

 

[TinkerBell9988]

Woo hoo!! I am so happy right now!

*does backflips in room*

I just realized, even though its 1 in the morning, today (Jan 2) is the last day the Land will be open before its big refurbishment.

 

[remingtonsteele]

Actually, The 1st was the last day for The Land. They started gutting the building within 1 hr. of closing on Sat. night. The only people working on the 2nd will be F&B cleaning the food court.