How does anything in a Disney park, not just a ride, but anything in general, become "timeless" and not "dated"? Is it that something is set at a time/place that has no time at all (for instance, Fantasyland)? "Timeless" is a broad general term.
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What makes something timeless?
- Thread starter mharrington
- Start date
Brer Oswald
Well-Known Member
When most of the main elements of an attraction feel as impressive and enjoyable as they did when they first opened.
TrainsOfDisney
Well-Known Member
“Timeless” attractions are usually updated and enhanced over the years. “Dated” attractions have been left to decay until they are torn down.
Roy G. Dis
Well-Known Member
Nothing is timeless. Time marches on. Things feel timeless when the visions and memories we store in our head get validated somehow by reality. Really we just are tricking ourselves into thinking nothings changed.
But when Disney messes up that reality check we notice.
So what tricks our brains at the parks? For me it's the look of something, obviously, but also the sounds and ambiance. Sometimes it's a scent.
But when Disney messes up that reality check we notice.
So what tricks our brains at the parks? For me it's the look of something, obviously, but also the sounds and ambiance. Sometimes it's a scent.
JIMINYCR
Well-Known Member
Its an attraction that is enjoyed trip after trip, year after year. It never loses its ability to thrill or entertain. You will feel just as happy doing it at this time as you did a long time ago. The memories of the ride stay with you after you leave WDW and you look forward to doing it again when you return. It doesnt matter when the time frame is set for the attraction because when you enter it you go to that time period and are a part of it till the end.
Unfortunately some of those that could have been considered timeless attractions werent valued by Disney and ran out of time.
Unfortunately some of those that could have been considered timeless attractions werent valued by Disney and ran out of time.
John park hopper
Well-Known Member
It's a Small World seems to be timeless ---- why I don't know as much as I dislike it we do it every trip
Goofyernmost
Well-Known Member
There is more than one type of timeless. There is an attraction that remains relevant in spite of not really changing any aspect of the show. Its message remains as true today as it was when it first opened. The other is Timeless because even though lacking it being completely up to date remains interesting and can carry the suspension of disbelief even though it was built decades ago. Timeless nostalgia and feel good show.
Trackmaster
Well-Known Member
I think in art something is considered timeless when it has a high level of universality and its concepts and themes are able to adapt to the person who enjoys it. Its kind of a Rorschach test for people, where they can see it and they create meaning out of that works for them. I also think that making the dark rides/boat rides about abstract ideas and the visuals over a start to finish plot line helps make an attraction more timeless, and not something that you can ride once or twice and not need to do again.
Cmdr_Crimson
Well-Known Member
The music makes it timeless. When you go back to a song the memories you made with it start flooding back...
jloucks
Well-Known Member
"Timeless" is a feeling and is therefore subjective. Being subjective it is hard to detail a definition beyond just what makes people feel strongly about something.
And people are a weird lot, they can feel strongly about just about anything.
But, in the spirit of your question, I am going to go with "positive feeling association" makes something timeless.
- The ride you were one when you got your first kiss? Timeless.
- Your honeymoon venue? Timeless
- Your grandfathers car you restored to perfection? Timeless
- Wedding dress? Timeless
- Childhood summer home? Timeless
- Favorite childhood TV show?
- Favorite pet? ...maybe not pets so much.
- Favorite landmark?
...or not. Depends on the person. All you need is strong positive emotional association.
And it is interesting to note, changing something drastically is a great way to kill timelessness. If it is not the same, there is not association.
tl77
Well-Known Member
Basic concepts tend to be "timeless" so things like "Pirates", "Ghosts", "Singing Birds", "Singing Bears", "Mountains with Roller Coasters in them" are all "simple concepts that anyone can grasp and don't change over time" or different aspects of culture or history that have already lasted for long periods of time like "a castle" or the "fairy tales" that have been around for centuries "Snow White" "Cinderella" ect... but "a comic book movie from a few years ago with a talking raccoon"? ...that's not simple or old, soooo? That probably not gonna land in the category of "timeless"
tl77
Well-Known Member
"Timeless" is something that appeals to "society" over time, and remains relevant over time, like stories of Ancient Greek Mythology for example
What you're describing are things that are "personal/sentimental" that appeal to "individuals" for individual reasons... like I personally loved the Horizons attraction when I first saw it as a kid in the early 1980's, but when I rode it the last summer it was open in the late 1990's I could see how "dated" it had become... Horizons was "not" timeless, but I personally loved it ...and it was not meant to be timeless it was meant to be updated every 15 years but GE wasn't interested
SyracuseDisneyFan
Well-Known Member
Something that's enjoyed over and over again
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
The degree of “timeless” depends on the interest rate your paying for $209 Christmas party tickets 
Sbk1234
Well-Known Member
this is as good a definition as I've ever heard.