Originally Posted By TDLFAN Hello All, As many of you know by now... many wonderful new things came about during the kick off of TDS' 5th anniversary celebration this past July 14th, 2006. New shows like "Legend of Mythica", "Big Band Beat", "Over the Waves" and close to a dozen other small shows officially opened to the public across TDS' many ports of call. New and delectable special menus and snacks were introduced around the park, and wonderful new merchandise also filled the many gift stores all over the park and TDR property. However... what would an anniversary party be like without special party favors and decorations?? Well folks, here is the icing on the proverbial cake!! I am delighted to share with you some of my personal photos from around TDS and share with you a bit of the awesome decor created for this very special ocasion at TDS. However..be advised, this album only shows a little bit of all that is there to see and enjoy.. the little things that scream to us and made us take notice as we strolled along TDS on July 14th. NOT all is shown on this album though...curiously, I negleted to take pictures from Mysterious Island, Cape Cod and Port Discovery, since I either did not have the chance to go into those areas or went thru them as fast as you can say..."gotta beat the crowd to the next show!!" However... the stunning displays come right at you from the moment you enter the park. Every Port in TDS features uniquely taylored decorations to fit each port's themes.. From banners to gorgeous 3D ornaments to full blown special 5th statues... every corner of TDS seems to come alive with decorations for this parkwide celebration. The "Piece Du Resistance" so to speak..is located at the Aquasphere Plaza, where a most elegant structure of whim and taste adorns the Aquasphere fountain, featuring the famous Disney Characters in a massive statue setting, complete with running water and special effect nightime lighting that creates a unique color show for this most unique and elegant decorative piece. Being a sucker for this type of artwork... I was in awe of the result. So simple yet so freaking awesome! I was in decoration heaven. Those so-called "professional decorators" on cable TV's many "home improvement and decor shows" should take notice... Here is the album for your enjoyment..some photos of the decor and some from other things that went on during the course of the day on July 14th 2006. Enjoy. <a href="http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=4334673&a=32245216&f=" target="_blank">http://albums.photo.epson.com/ j/AlbumIndex?u=4334673&a=32245216&f=</a>
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Those decorations look great. It's amazing how much stuff they added. I especially like that the stained glass at the Aquasphere for the American Waterfront already has the Tower of Terror in it. It's neat that the bubbles and inflatable people at the entrance are apparently only there in the morning, right when the park opens. That would never happen in the US. With all that said, I'm glad that this stuff wasn't there when I went. If for no other reason than the crowds look insane, it does not look like much fun. There weren't many shows going on when I was there, but I was OK with that. Also, at least for a first visit, I like to see the park without all the extra decorations. However, these temporary things still look a lot better than the 50th castle bling in DL and especially WDW, and really puts the 25th castle cake in its place.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>It's neat that the bubbles and inflatable people at the entrance are apparently only there in the morning, right when the park opens. That would never happen in the US.<< Things like that would only happen at the US parks if you were paying admission for a hard ticket event..such as MNSSHP or MVMCP for example, when they try a bit harder for the extar dough guests are forking out for these special events. Lucky for us at TDR, we do not have to pay extra to get extra candy.. However, be advised, the bubbles and inflatable dancing men were only there in the morning of July 14th and not a daily feature at park's opening. This was a special day to kickoff TDS' new offerings for guests and the Press.
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 Wow, great decorations! Thanks for sharing those with us, TDLFAN. I liked how classy they all looked. I especially like what they did to the Aquasphere. I also noticed that each of the "5th" Mickey logos was themed to each port. That was a neat touch. I guess a lot like the hidden "50's" at Disneyland. In fact, the shape is the same...just a big Mickey head with a number in the center. Everything looks very nice, and I hope this anniversary does well for TDS. Oh, and those 5th plush are adorable...must resist....sigh!!!
Originally Posted By Megara Absolutely outstanding decorations. I wish we held off our trip until now. I will be waiting for the photos you missed out on - Cape Cod etc. Thanks TDLFAN for sharing these great pics, keep them coming !!!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN I have to get back to TDR next week and take some more. Glad you enjoyed them...and you should know.. A certain kangaroo plush from Down Under has found it's way into my Disney Room and is now living there, among all other Disney memorabilia.
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 Wow. What beautiful, creative, and cleverly integrated decorations! I agree -- the Aquasphere's transformation is incredible. Thank you so much for getting the night-time shots! I can only imagine how beautiful it must look in person, with the water flowing and colors changing. I thought the Columbia's decorations were especially classy. G-Fan was sporting some serious bling there!
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< I can only imagine how beautiful it must look in person >>> Why must you only imagine? I know you can manage to get half-way across the country to DL from time to time.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>Why must you only imagine? I know you can manage to get half-way across the country to DL from time to time.<< It's not I57 who needs convincing. I need major help with dennis-in-ct. I am confident 57 will get to Japan one of these days...
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< It's not I57 who needs convincing. I need major help with dennis-in-ct. >>> Yea, I know that dennis-in-ct is the one that really needs convincing. The latest excuse that I heard recently at work about why someone doesn't want to visit TDL is that they're scared of Kim Jong Il's missiles.
Originally Posted By leemac ^^ SD, EVERYONE I spoke to over the last few weeks in Japan was worried about it. It may sound irrational but they really are worried about a missile that only flew for 46 seconds or whatever it was!
Originally Posted By MagicalNezumi >>The latest excuse that I heard recently at work about why someone doesn't want to visit TDL is that they're scared of Kim Jong Il's missiles.<< Perhaps that's the reason that OLC will put in next year's Annual Report if attendance falls again. :-D -- MagicalNezumi
Originally Posted By SuperDry I didn't want to discount the missile issue (at the same time, the Japanese are almost as good as the Americans at getting whipped into hysteria about something). The unstated (until this post) second half of my point is that the Americans that would have this view don't hesitate to go to NYC or Las Vegas, both of which we know are prime al Queda targets. And the notion that the US is a target in general hasn't made them even consider relocating to a "safer" country. Last year it was Bird Flu, and two years before that it was SARS. Next year, it will be something else, and in between these things it will be filled in by the notion that "it's too far" or "it costs too much" when in many cases they spend as much or more on a week at WDW and travel nearly as far to get there. There's just a group of people that don't want to travel overseas but always have to find an excuse other than just saying that they don't want to try new things or that foreign things make them uncomfortable.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Perhaps that's the reason that OLC will put in next year's Annual Report if attendance falls again. :-D >>> Wasn't it reported that the US west coast might be in range of DPRK's longest-range missile? Perhaps this could be added to the list of reasons given on the DCA board (other than the park itself) as to why attendance doesn't measure up!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Oh please.. I have to work 2 flights into South Korea this week. Tell your friends to "get over it" from me.
Originally Posted By SuperDry Hey, I wish I could. It reminds me of another person that said they didn't ever plan to visit TDR because they don't like going to countries where they can't drink the water.
Originally Posted By Megara I had friends who never wanted to travel because “they didn’t know anybody thereâ€. Can u believe that excuse ! Tdlfan - I am glad that Kanga had hopped his way into your Disney room. After all, he is a distant cousin of the Hundred Acre Wood - Roo and Kanga.
