Main Street U.S.A. hub redevelopment at the Magic Kingdom

[Nemo14]

The type of complaining I am noticing is not actually coming from longtime members.

So a person couldn't be a longtime fan of WDW without being a longtime member here? That makes no sense at all!

 

[Bocabear]

How interesting would a discussion board be if it was only back patting and gushing over everything the Disney company does? They already have that on the Disney Parks Blog where they censor and edit anything unflattering and any real discussion. This is the place to talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly... I give credit where it is due and I am critical over decisions that don't seem in line with the quality the Disney brand is meant to represent... If everyone has the same opinion, it's not much of a discussion...

 

[Goofyernmost]

Guest services got a huge amount of legitimate complaints (not whining) about the castle cake from once in a lifetime visitors who couldn't take their classic photo.

Even worse were the many newly weds who couldn't get the wedding photo infront of a castle. That really swung it. They realised what a huge mistake they had made.

If it were the Sistine Chapel or Buckingham Palace I would agree with you completely. However, we are talking about a plastic castle in a theme park. There is nothing even closely sacred about that thing. It's a prop. It's a prop in a place that is nothing but props. The cake was just a temporary, whimsical, plastic cover over a plastic castle. I understand that it is the park Icon. I also understand that as an adult we all need to be just a little more able to understand and appreciate the effort that was put in to that project, both artistically and physically. With that would be a little less whiny and rigid. That is my opinion and I am aware that many were upset about it. My opinion is that when we get all upset over a fantasy symbol we really need to reevaluate our priorities.

I also realize that there was nothing about it that would qualify it as a serious work of art. However, look at the detail (that so many of you are saying is lacking today). Look at it real close and be sad that a major influence in why Disney has decided that detail is an unnecessary concept in the people that attend a Disney Park today is the response that they got from it. Look at the detail, the symmetry, the design that fit so perfectly over the castle. Look at it because it is probably one of the last thing that they have created that contains that much of it.

However, I know that many just plain don't agree with me, and is something that happened almost 20 years ago and isn't likely to happen again. With that in mind I concede that I am not going to win this discussion. I guess it just bothers me when it is discussed as being ugly and almost sacrilegious because it simply zooms over the heads of people that both cannot understand it, but also refuse to try and see it for what it was supposed to be.

 

[danlb_2000]

I guess that was my original point. That there are some people who won't be excited about any change that Disney makes to WDW.



Some people seem to treat it like a WDW Critic site.

I'm not saying that people aren't allowed to be critical ever but some people are cynical and overly negative about every single thing. Killjoys.

Sounds like you are tired of hearing people complain, well I am tired of hearing people complain that there is to much complaining. This message board is what it is, take it or leave it. There are plenty of other Disney message boards some which have a much more positive slant. You can probably find one that fits better with your point of view.

 

[Bocabear]

Sounds like you are tired of hearing people complain, well I am tired of hearing people complain that there is to much complaining. This message board is what it is, take it or leave it. There are plenty of other Disney message boards some which have a much more positive slant. You can probably find one that fits better with your point of view.

AMEN!!!

 

[rnese]

I say replace the hub with the Walt/Mickey statue with the Sorcerer's hat from the Studios! Who wants to see a silly, medieval castle while standing on Mainstreet USA anyway? Totally out of place! Walt would have a fit. There were no medieval castles in turn-of-the-century Missouri!

 

[Sage of Time]

View attachment 79544

How.... EPCOTian. Looks like EPCOT's original entrance, a bit. LOL

 

[SnarkyMonkey]

So a person couldn't be a longtime fan of WDW without being a longtime member here? That makes no sense at all!

No. I didn't say that. I was responding directly to this.

By now you should know that most of the more established members here strive for WDW to hold itself to the standards it used to and those it itself set. When they fall short of this the complaints justifiably begin.

Sounds like you are tired of hearing people complain, well I am tired of hearing people complain that there is to much complaining. This message board is what it is, take it or leave it. There are plenty of other Disney message boards some which have a much more positive slant. You can probably find one that fits better with your point of view.

Woah! I love this board. I've been having a grand old time. I have been involved in some great discussions, many of which have been with people that hold a different opinion than myself. I have no problem with the discussing. It was simply the whining that I was commenting on. Overall, though, that is a small part of what happens here, thankfully, and I am happy to overlook it. Was just adding my two cents.

 

[Nemo14]

If it were the Sistine Chapel or Buckingham Palace I would agree with you completely. However, we are talking about a plastic castle in a theme park. There is nothing even closely sacred about that thing. It's a prop. It's a prop in a place that is nothing but props. The cake was just a temporary, whimsical, plastic cover over a plastic castle. I understand that it is the park Icon. I also understand that as an adult we all need to be just a little more able to understand and appreciate the effort that was put in to that project, both artistically and physically. With that would be a little less whiny and rigid. That is my opinion and I am aware that many were upset about it. My opinion is that when we get all upset over a fantasy symbol we really need to reevaluate our priorities.

I also realize that there was nothing about it that would qualify it as a serious work of art. However, look at the detail (that so many of you are saying is lacking today). Look at it real close and be sad that a major influence in why Disney has decided that detail is an unnecessary concept in the people that attend a Disney Park today is the response that they got from it. Look at the detail, the symmetry, the design that fit so perfectly over the castle. Look at it because it is probably one of the last thing that they have created that contains that much of it.

However, I know that many just plain don't agree with me, and is something that happened almost 20 years ago and isn't likely to happen again. With that in mind I concede that I am not going to win this discussion. I guess it just bothers me when it is discussed as being ugly and almost sacrilegious because it simply zooms over the heads of people that both cannot understand it, but also refuse to try and see it for what it was supposed to be.

I guess my only response to this is that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.





but that castle cake was just butt ugly!!!!!!

 

[MissM]

I'm curious how these were handled. I know that people book their Disney weddings months and sometimes years in advance. Were those who already booked given a warning that the castle was turning Pepto Pink? Were they allowed to cancel?

I can't imagine sitting in the wedding pavilion, looking through those beautiful windows and seeing:

I can't find it now, but I recall reading about this. From what I remember, they put a fake image (a photo or perhaps stained glass?) in the window of the castle looking "normal" so that couples getting married would have the appropriate backdrop. I don' t know about refunds/cancellations.

 

[GrammieBee]

I have said before that some of these boards are a lot like religion and politics. No matter how correct and rational you think you are, you are not about to change anyone else's opinions. All you can do is put in your two cents worth and hope some others agree with you. This does not seem to be an actual discussion, but it does give you a place to put forth your point of view and to read what others are thinking.

 

[note2001]

I have said before that some of these boards are a lot like religion and politics. No matter how correct and rational you think you are, you are not about to change anyone else's opinions. All you can do is put in your two cents worth and hope some others agree with you. This does not seem to be an actual discussion, but it does give you a place to put forth your point of view and to read what others are thinking.

To me a discussion involves other points of view, otherwise all you have is a bunch of head nodding and back patting. Not much point in that.

If no one agrees with me on a topic, I don't care. I put out my 2 cents and open my eyes, ears, and mind to other's intelligent, and/or humorous input. No one should be changing what they believe because others try to dictate what to think.

These boards are a great place to follow Disney's events and construction (or de-construction) and if we happen to get a few laughs and learn things along the way, great!

 

[JenniferS]

That one actually was pretty decent minus the narration and descent.

The narration is intolerable.
I cringe everytime I hear, "Thank the Phoenicians".

The narration is so dumbed-down as to be insulting, and Dame Judy's voice is not up to the task, IMO.
Bring back Jeremy Irons, or bring in a new male voice.
I love Tim Allen's voice in the "Pure Michigan" series of ads. He would do quite nicely!

Bring on the flames - I don't hate the descent.

 

[Gabe1]

Guest services got a huge amount of legitimate complaints (not whining) about the castle cake from once in a lifetime visitors who couldn't take their classic photo.

Even worse were the many newly weds who couldn't get the wedding photo infront of a castle. That really swung it. They realised what a huge mistake they had made.

I had very young kids at the time of the cake and we did visit often. We loved the cake. We thought it was amazing imagineering and in awe of what they pulled off. Even though the Cake was only there a short while, 11 months later when the Cake was still there we were not as impressed. It was odd to have the Cake there at Christmas.

IMO people have to get over their photo making or breaking a trip, honeymoon etc., making or breaking a trip. At some point many icons or attractions are gone, being refurbished. I took my kid photos every year at WoL standing on the X-Ray as you entered the pavilion. I would be thrilled to be able have one more chance to click away as they are now young adults. I got over it without a trip to guest relations. I would think most people could remember a trip and not get to hung up on a castle or a hat.

I have far more empathy for the weddings that were altered at the last moment when Disney notified couples that the Wedding Pavilion weddings they had specifically had under contract for their special day were not going to happen do to GF DVC construction. Short notice of a major construction project to couples, that was an actual Guest Relations issue.

 

[marni1971]

Maybe. Just stating the facts.

 

[EdC]

I was at the MK when they had the crane up to paint the cake colors on. It looked like they were just dumping pepto bismol all over it.

 

[Bocabear]

But as a temporary decor, it was a lot of fun...and the overlay they did for the 50th was just beautiful...and again these were not up for the length of time like the BAH... Refreshing, doing temporary decorations and things like that have always been part of the fun...it's just when they don't go away....lol

 

[Expo_Seeker40]

Colorized for y'all.

 

[Disney Analyst]

These two shouldn't be compared. The Stitch Castle was promotion for the new attraction and was up for a day or two. The castle cake was also one of the few temporary changes that remained temporary.

and thus you have proven my point... The box around the partners statue is temporary, and will go away... and in my opinion is far more respectful and less disturbing then those god awful overlays.

If temporary is an excuse or justification for the uglification (did I make up that word?) of an icon... then go ahead and throw that word out there...

 

[Gomer]

I was at the MK when they had the crane up to paint the cake colors on. It looked like they were just dumping pepto bismol all over it.

Me too. I actually ran to GR when I first saw it and asked them why they were painting the castle pink as I had no idea about the cake and thought they were just changing the color. I was so initially horrified and so relieved when I found out it was for a temporary decoration, that the cake itself (which was there on my next visit) never bothered me that much.