Originally Posted By mousermerf New lighting systems being installed in many attractions, to save energy.. and maybe if we're lucky maybe some minor improvements <a href="http://www.wdwpublicaffairs.com/ContentDrillDown.aspx?DisplayItem=5cdaaca2-1ca7-4cd6-a8ff-46da97df2519" target="_blank">http://www.wdwpublicaffairs.co...97df2519</a>
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I've noticed some of the lights around DLR getting swapped out too. It took several years before they were able to develop LED's that looked as good as incanescent bulbs, but they seem to be commonplace now. In the last SSE refurb, they put an LED-based lighting system in the planters around the queue, and it looks just like the older system that they still use to light up the sphere. In DL, they've used LED's to light up the Celebrate icon on Main Street (why is it so ugly?), and the new small world facade lighting system (which goes through the color spectrum when a train passes through) is done with LED's as well. I believe that over the last 3-4 years almost all of the lights for Fantasmic! were converted to LED's, and the show looks better than ever. The popcorn lights on the TSMM building are also all LED's. While a few years ago I was skeptical of using LED's due to the quality of light they emit (it's just a little too pure of each color to look nice), but they seem to have eliminated that problem by using several colors of diodes in each fixture. This also allows for a really nice range of color from each fixture without having to swap out the gels. Another advantage is that they are almost completely flat (the ones I've seen seem to be less than 2" thick) when compared to traditional lighting systems, which require fixtures to be a foot or more. This comes in handy for some of the cramped areas, like the darkrides, where theatrical lighting is needed but there is no space for a traditional system. Oh yah, the energy stuff is a nice benefit too. I do think it's kind of funny that the image they chose for this article is the Safari, which doesn't have any lights. : )
Originally Posted By mousermerf Safari has lights, they're hidden in the bushes and fake termite mounds. That ride is entirely capable of being open at night. And on the topic of lighting - it's really weird how DLR uses bright colors for their landscape and building lighting. It's most noticeable around the Tiki room, and the patterns on Haunted Mansion. At the same time, WDW seems to always go for "natural" looking lighting, using colors that are close to white, or blended to give the appearance of white light. I always found that odd, considering the same people should be working on lighting at both resorts.
Originally Posted By SuperDry Call me skeptical, but I suspect that the primary green motivator for the change was the green it added to the bottom line. That is, I would guess that over the lifetime of the replacement fixtures, there's a net cost savings in terms of energy costs, and parts and labor for less-frequent replacements, and that it was not until this was the case that the replacements were considered.
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 I think it's a great thing to do. Even if the bottom line is saving $$$$.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox <<Safari has lights, they're hidden in the bushes and fake termite mounds. That ride is entirely capable of being open at night. >> Uh, no. The animals sleep at night, inside their barns out back. The lights are needed for the NIGHT SHIFT workers who keep the safari clean and functional and stocked with food for the critters to eat during the day. For those who can afford it, I highly recommend the Sunrise Safari Tour available to concierge guests at AKL. Worth every penny.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox I'll I'm suggesting is that it's in DAK's better interests if it doesn't. Running the safari without the animals is pointless, and keeping the animals out and away from the comfort of their barns at night is too stressful for them. Captivity is hard on wild animals. Not being on display and having some quiet time to themselves is essential. I would hate for the safari to run past sunset. I hope TDO isn't seriously considering this.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper Oh, I'm not saying it should be done. Just saying it has been. DAK needs additions to stay open late, not resorting to things like this.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>The safari can run at night. It's been done before.<<< Indeed, and effects are still in place to simulate animals being there.
Originally Posted By mousermerf Aren't there animals that stay out all night? AKL certainly has some. Not like the park will be open past midnight either - since they do bring in the AKL animals for brief periods. If AKL can have critters out all night then so can AK.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox <<If AKL can have critters out all night then so can AK.>> Not realistically, not for all of them. There needs to be barn time for these creatures, for their health and well-being. And vets can deal with the animals more easily in a controlled environment such as a barn. Simulated animals on the Safari? What's the point? I'd rather see the real thing. Other night time activities can fill this void. The Safari, like TSI in MK and DL, should only operate during the day.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Captivity is hard on wild animals. Not being on display and having some quiet time to themselves is essential. I would hate for the safari to run past sunset. I hope TDO isn't seriously considering this << Those Lions, and Cheetahs looked stressed out everytime I've gone by. I know what you're saying skinnerbox, I guess the omly practical way to have a nighttime safari is with a second shift of animals. Longistically that would be impossible.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>And on the topic of lighting - it's really weird how DLR uses bright colors for their landscape and building lighting. It's most noticeable around the Tiki room, and the patterns on Haunted Mansion. At the same time, WDW seems to always go for "natural" looking lighting, using colors that are close to white, or blended to give the appearance of white light. <<< It's because that's more $$$. Disneyland invests in their parks. Us? Nope. White light is cheap light, and that'll do. *glares at Space Mountain*
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I kind of like white lights for Space Mountain. While the blue lights in DL match the blue buildings surrounding the mountain, white just seems a little classier. It's one of those times where less is more. Plus, when they have the individual panels turn white separately to add some visual motion to the mountain, it makes it really hard to get a good picture of it without a random panel being a different color.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer I like SM is white, too. It's the default. That said, no harm with it having some kinetics in colored lights every few mins.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper ^^^On top of that having the lights actually built into the mountain, rather than having a big floodlight illuminate it
