Then and Now - WDW Comparison Photos

POLY LOVER

POLY LOVER

Well-Known Member
WDWtraveler said:
Eighteenth photo pair. Then: September 2009. Ice Cream of Extinction at Hollywood Studios. Of course, Mickey's sorcerer's hat is in the background here.

View attachment 116944

Now: July 2015. Notably, this storefront has more vegetation planted on the right side, which hides the top of Dockside Diner in the background. You will also note that dinosaur has chewed up more of what was in its mouth. The comment below was correct...I have not seen this food "kiosk" open in years. The Hollywood Studios map does not show this location as an operating food location. Guess it will soon be gone anyway as part of the Studios remake.

View attachment 116945
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is the color faded or a different color now?
 
Katie G

Katie G

Well-Known Member
WDWtraveler said:
Eighteenth photo pair. Then: September 2009. Ice Cream of Extinction at Hollywood Studios. Of course, Mickey's sorcerer's hat is in the background here.

View attachment 116944

Now: July 2015. Notably, this storefront has more vegetation planted on the right side, which hides the top of Dockside Diner in the background. You will also note that dinosaur has chewed up more of what was in its mouth. The comment below was correct...I have not seen this food "kiosk" open in years. The Hollywood Studios map does not show this location as an operating food location. Guess it will soon be gone anyway as part of the Studios remake.

View attachment 116945
Click to expand...


I have seen it open, but its very limited hours if I recall. They sell giant soft serve Ice Cream cones and it was open for 4 hours in the middle of the day (like 11-3 if I recall correctly). One CM staffed it and it had a massive line. Totally yummy though!
 
WDWtraveler

WDWtraveler

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Nineteenth photo pair. Then: October 1973. Magic Kingdom Main Street Square. Not sure why this photo was taken back in 1973, but it was a great opportunity to see changes over 42 years. In the 1973 photo below, note the streetlight pole and mailbox on the left, and the two "hitching posts" along the curb.

011 Oct 1973 copy.jpg


Now: June 2015. Obviously, the tree in the center of the photo is gone, but the streetlight pole and mailbox are still there, even if they are different. Only one "hitching post" now, and it has been changed. Some architectural details and paint on the buildings have changed. Some curbs have cut-outs or have been eliminated.

IMG_5708 Jun 2015 copy.jpg
 
copcarguyp71

copcarguyp71

Well-Known Member
Some of these are vast improvements and some are not. I do think it is a shame about the lobby at the Polynesian. I always had that on my bucket list of resorts but to be honest now...not so much. Also the other very unfortunate change was the gateway to Tomorrowland. As one who got to experience the original 1977 version at six years old I can say the red rocks annoy the heck out of me. I have a theory that some Disney exec took a vacation to Arizona and came back all amped up with this half baked idea. Although the vegetation on either side of that area looks better IMO. Good and bad can be found everywhere I guess. It would be nice to see more of the castle as in picture #1 though.
 
copcarguyp71

copcarguyp71

Well-Known Member
Matt_Black said:
I always thought it was to invoke Mars, which features prominently in many of the pulps that served as the inspiration for the current aesthetic.
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It just never worked for me... I know what their intent was but it just seemed a poor segue to get you mind into the "tomorrow" mind set.
 
Fox&Hound

Fox&Hound

Well-Known Member
WDWtraveler said:
Tenth photo pair. Then: Oct 1973. Liberty Square bridge. This one photo probably shows more safety changes at Disney World than any other. Besides the trees being smaller, note the construction of the wooden bridge, compared with the recent photo below.

View attachment 107292

Now: July 2015. After 42 years, many safety issues have changed construction at Disney World. The new bridge is now flat, vice "arched" in the above photo. The railings have been replaced to prevent anyone from "falling through" the wide railings of 1973. An iron railing was installed on top of the brick wall in the right foreground, adding height to the overall wall. Vegetation-wise, the trees are larger, and ivy covers the outer brick wall, as well as the bridge foundation wall on the right side of the photo.

View attachment 107293
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Wow! I never would have guessed this location! It look so different! Cool post! Thanks!
 
French Quarter

French Quarter

Well-Known Member
WDWtraveler said:
Eighteenth photo pair. Then: September 2009. Ice Cream of Extinction at Hollywood Studios. Of course, Mickey's sorcerer's hat is in the background here.

View attachment 116944

Now: July 2015. Notably, this storefront has more vegetation planted on the right side, which hides the top of Dockside Diner in the background. You will also note that dinosaur has chewed up more of what was in its mouth. The comment below was correct...I have not seen this food "kiosk" open in years. The Hollywood Studios map does not show this location as an operating food location. Guess it will soon be gone anyway as part of the Studios remake.

View attachment 116945
Click to expand...


I like the added vegetation in front very much. Makes it feel much more jurasic and a lot less bare.
 
E

EngineJoe

Well-Known Member
WDWtraveler said:
This thread will showcase changes to Walt Disney World over the years. My intent is to post pairs of photographs, from years ago to present day, of various WDW views to show the changes occurring to WDW. Some changes will be quite apparent (i.e., buildings, vegetation), while other changes will be more subtle (i.e., paint colors, details). You may enjoy "finding the differences" as you review the paired photos. All current photos were taken from as near as possible the exact spot as the original so that the perspective will be the same. However, some conditions were not controllable, such as weather.

I will only post photo pairs on occasion, so stay tuned. I have been collecting these photographs from private individuals and my own collection for some time, so I want to ensure they are accurate comparisons. Enjoy! - WDWtraveler

First photo pair: Then: October 1973. Cinderella Castle as viewed from Fantasyland's Mad Tea Party. The building on the right is Cheshire Café. Note the castle hillside is planted with grass.

View attachment 101071

Now: July 2015. 42 years later, the trees on the hillside obscure most of Cinderella Castle.

View attachment 101072
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Man in yellow.
Brazilian tour groups in 1973!
They've travelled back in time to destroy our memories. Run!
 
WDWtraveler

WDWtraveler

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Twentieth photo pair. Then: September 2011. Creature Comforts in Animal Kingdom when it was a merchandise store. This colorful building was the style for Discovery Island, as well as the unique light pole out front.

IMG_1211 Sept 2011 copy.jpg


Now: July 2015. Creature Comforts as a Starbucks coffee outlet. The colorful light pole has been replaced with the standard Discovery Island lighting. Of course, the whole building has a new paint and design scheme. Many of the "creature" architectural details have been removed.

IMG_5829 July 2015 copy.jpg
 

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