True, and it’s a historic area as well. It still gives me those 50s and 60s vibes, too. I do really enjoy that area.
I think the amount of empty space at Magic Kingdom is somewhat overstated and really doesn't hit people unless they're used to Disneyland. It is larger, yes, but it's also much, much easier to get around. That "as crowded as Times Square on NYE" feeling I get at Disneyland basically every day I visit just doesn't happen at MK (unless it's specifically time for fireworks), and frankly that's nice. The general designs are more sophisticated and, other than the aforementioned Fantasyland/Tomorrowland example, show much more care in transitioning between areas. Attractions are more logically placed too. Of course, there's the obvious con that DL has a certain life and vitality to it that really only comes from spontaneity and its status as a passion project. Which is not to say that MK wouldn't have any semblance of life or passion if the company (or more specifically, the park/resort) was better run. The potential is there, and were the resort run with greater competence, it would be considerably closer to DL than it actually is.
I think bygone era is a good description of a lot of what is there. Many of the things at MK, from attractions to design, are indeed reflective of an older time, for both good (surviving vintage attractions!) and ill (that sometimes haven't received needed updates!) There are so many areas, and not just inside Magic Kingdom, that haven't been touched or updated all that much. Which is something that is often overlooked-MK is certainly not the only place you can find vintage WDI work hanging on down there, in places you wouldn't always expect. And apart from recent missteps, there's lots of great newer design work too.
I actually like the compact, crowded feeling at DL, but I understand your point.
Yes, it’s the quaintness that I love. But Disneyland’s size is also a constant reminder of its history, which is most likely why I like the compactness the most. I always hear about how the other Disney parks around the world have the space that Disneyland doesn’t have and how they’re much bigger. The small size of Disneyland is a testament to its originality, which I really like.
This is fair lol.
There are big box strip malls (well, really their parking lots) that are bigger than center storico of Venice. It’s amazing how sense of space has just bloated.
These narrow streets are what are missing to me in pretty much every new land Disney's come out with past New Orleans Square. I want these narrow streets with looming buildings that cast a shadow over the entire walkway, with random junctions sprinkled in that lead to places like the late Court of Angels.
I couldn’t believe just how tiny the little center squares in Venice were. I got used to them eventually, but I was definitely shocked in the beginning.
YES. My first thought when I walked into Galaxy Edge was that the space felt strange. I then realized that things were more spread out and that was why it felt weird to me. I was used to the compact, everything being stacked on top of each other feel that occurs in the rest of the park.
America generally, as reflected in our urban planning/zoning, doesn’t know how to effectively use space or time as a function of our culture. We believe bigger/newer is better broadly speaking.
Absolutely. The “bigger is better” mentality even stretches down to our food portions. I lost weight during my Italy trip because of multiple things, one of them being smaller food portions.
I believe you. I imagine they’re understaffed.
I'm a teacher in Illinois. Years ago I ran into a student I had encountered as a substitute in a middle school. One who hadn't particularly been pleasant.
Yep. The thing is, we decided to go to the casino last minute, right after we visited the gravesite. And the casino is very far from Los Angeles, so the odds of running into someone there, someone also from Los Angeles, should have been slim, but I guess not lol.
