Animaniac93-98
Well-Known Member
"It's so old it's falling apart! Since safety is our #1 concern for our guests, we have decided to retire this classic attraction."
- Bob
- Bob
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News Tomorrowland love
- Thread starter marni1971
- Start date
KBLovedDisney
Well-Known Member
WDWtraveler
Well-Known Member
Photo update as of Wednesday, February 5, 2020. As mentioned previously, the roof supports for the PeopleMover ride are being returned to their original 1970's clean shape. Several construction scrims are in place along the ride's route in Tomorrowland.
As a comparison, here is what the roof supports looked like in 2016. (Ignore the color of the rocks....)
And here is the refurbished look today:
The roof supports are in various states of refurbishment and the progression can be viewed here. Stripped to the bare bones, here are the actual roof supports.
Wire mesh is molded around the roof supports to provide the exterior shape.
A cement coating is applied....
And finally, the shape is sculpted before painting.
As a comparison, here is what the roof supports looked like in 2016. (Ignore the color of the rocks....)
And here is the refurbished look today:
The roof supports are in various states of refurbishment and the progression can be viewed here. Stripped to the bare bones, here are the actual roof supports.
Wire mesh is molded around the roof supports to provide the exterior shape.
A cement coating is applied....
And finally, the shape is sculpted before painting.
bcoachable
Well-Known Member
Just wondering why would Disney Parks shell out money to switch these out...
I know theming reasons and all that... but could there be another component as to why these are being switched out?
The ones that they are being replaced seem to have "parts" that if something went wrong, might fall off and injure someone below... The new version, not so much...
Are the lawyers for the parks asking that anything above guests heads be constructed to a structurally higher standard today than in years past?
I know theming reasons and all that... but could there be another component as to why these are being switched out?
The ones that they are being replaced seem to have "parts" that if something went wrong, might fall off and injure someone below... The new version, not so much...
Are the lawyers for the parks asking that anything above guests heads be constructed to a structurally higher standard today than in years past?
FigmentFan82
Well-Known Member
JMHO, but to me the obvious answer is usually the correct one. All that '94 crap sucks. Make it look clean and retro for the next generation
WDWtraveler
Well-Known Member
Photo update as of Wednesday, February 5, 2020. A November 2019 post mentioned that Mickey's Star Traders in Tomorrowland had changed to just "Star Traders," which is correct. The futuristic ("Flash Gordon" style) wall murals inside Star Traders has been covered by a cloth overlay. See photos below. (My apologies if this has been noted before.)
bcoachable
Well-Known Member
Yea, I get it, and I am glad to see the willingness to do more in the name of theme. It seems like a lot of money just to make something that once was an acceptable look, look better. Structure replacement will cost a bit more than paint!
Parker in NYC
Well-Known Member
I am thrilled with what they're doing, I'm almost in tears.
Chester&Hester Enthusiast
Well-Known Member
Oh man, that new sign is gorgeous. I noticed they also got rid of the Mickey-shaped "planet" that the other lights used to surround.
ImperfectPixie
Well-Known Member
Meh. It's a vacuum-formed plastic sign. Not all that impressive in the sign world, to be honest. It does look nice though. I'd love to see them play with clear, laser-cut acrylic and edge-lighting somewhere...the visual effect is awesome because only the cut edges of the acrylic catch and enhance the light, so it looks like it's just light floating in the middle of nothing.
Chester&Hester Enthusiast
Well-Known Member
I more meant the design of the sign than the construction of it. I'm a huge fan of that font and color choice.
It looks like it's been there since 1975 in the best way.
ImperfectPixie
Well-Known Member
Agreed on the font and colors! (Sorry...it's basically in my nature to consider materials and quality of construction to be as high on the priority list as design.)
MadTeacup
Well-Known Member
They are simply switching them to change the aesthetic (I don't consider it theming). There is nothing more structurally sound about the "new" column facades - or if there is, it's rather negligible.
MadTeacup
Well-Known Member
I'm pretty sure this question was answered back when they painted the rockets teal and added color to the rocket tower structure. AO was my favorite visual update from TL94 and I hope it remains mostly unchanged.
It should remain mostly unchanged.
Parker in NYC
Well-Known Member
I'd rather it go back to it's fabulous original scheme. '94 Tomorrowland has always looked to me, mostly, like something between Sonic the Hedgehog and a sticky playset at daycare. Unsophisticated. Granted, I guess the original could look like a playset, too. Oh well.
A Saturn V may be a little too retro?
