Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/Latest-ID-78592.asp" target="_blank"><b>Latest: Do You Remember ... The Birthday Castle</b></a> <p>(posted by Doobie) The Official Disney Parks blog looks back to Walt Disney World's 25th anniversary. My first trip to Walt Disney World was in May 1997 and this was the castle I saw:</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://laughingplace.com/files/latest/20110923-2.jpg" width="183" height="275" /><br />{big}</p> <p style="text-align: left;">As the Blog puts it ... "<font size="0" face="Arial" color="#333333"> the transformation of Cinderella Castle is one memory no one is soon to forget."</font></p>
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 I never saw the castle that way and you know I'm pretty happy that I didn't. It just didn't do anything, just a bit ugly.(for photos that I saw)
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb Fortunately that was during the time when I couldn't get back to WDW. I have to wonder what rocket scientist thought that incredibly ugly and tacky overlay was a good idea. I wasn't a big fan of the overlay it got for DL's 50th, but it was FAR better than the birthday cake.
Originally Posted By tonyanton this was the "jump the shark" moment for me with WDW...in general '94-'96 is when a lot of change (mostly not for the better) happened...from the change in resort logo/font, closing/conversion of the Empress Lilly, 20,000 Leagues gone, shops began to disappear and merchandise began to become all generic Disney stuff, Epcot pavilions were "updated," etc.
Originally Posted By LindsayC I do wish if they are going to talk about a subject they could “talk” and “show” more. Especially about the creation and execution. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/talesfromthelaughingplace/5280166714/in/photostream" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/t...tostream</a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/talesfromthelaughingplace/3720483638/in/photostream/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/t...ostream/</a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/talesfromthelaughingplace/5475472981/in/photostream" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/t...tostream</a>
Originally Posted By Doobie Wow,those pics almost make it look palatable. Were you a fan of it, Lindsay?
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost I know that many dislike this overlay, but I thought it was not only clever, but as detailed as anything I had ever seen at WDW. I happened, by chance, to visit WDW twice that year and it totally amazed me. The time, money and imagination that went into it's creation that was only for one year was incredible. For those that couldn't stand to be without their beloved castle for just a year try and remember that the castle isn't any more real then the cake. It's made out of plastic either way. Also those same people that complain are the ones that are now saying how Disney doesn't spend any money on attractions or promotions anymore. With the negative response they got from the purists, I don't know how one could expect them to spend money for fun now.
Originally Posted By LindsayC [Wow,those pics almost make it look palatable. Were you a fan of it, Lindsay?] You are not the first to ask that ) I had no idea at the time that any of those shots might be appealing in the future. I can’t recall quite what I felt about it then but now I just see it as quite astounding overall - and I’m not talking about “tasteful” as such - as Goofyernmost attests it was a great deal for a short period. Also, 7 months later Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Paris had its fifth anniversary with a Jester overlay. I will happily admit I really liked that. For 1997 two of four castles were not as generally perceived. However, this Castle “Cake” is nothing in comparison to the first attempt on the first birthday of the Paris park which lasted a day or two tops.
Originally Posted By Doobie Goofyernmost: Actually, as a regular now the overlay wouldn't bother me that much. I'll be here with the original comes back. But at the time it was my first visit to WDW and, who knows? It could've been my last (this was before LP). So for people like that - like me - I was not happy that that was the only view of Cinderella Castle I had. Doobie.
Originally Posted By LindsayC The Jester Castle for the Fifth Anniversary at Paris: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/talesfromthelaughingplace/4823600482/in/set-72157612396316986" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/t...96316986</a>
Originally Posted By frostysnowman I remember this. We had just gotten engaged and went to Disney to celebrate, and we happened to be there on the opening day of the 25th anniversary celebration. Hillary Clinton was speaking so they routed the guest traffic some weird way around the side of Main Street, and we ended up by Space Mountain. We rode it six times in a row before breakfast.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost >>>Goofyernmost: Actually, as a regular now the overlay wouldn't bother me that much. I'll be here with the original comes back. But at the time it was my first visit to WDW and, who knows? It could've been my last (this was before LP). So for people like that - like me - I was not happy that that was the only view of Cinderella Castle I had. Doobie.<<< I understand that feeling completely. In 2005 I was able for the first (and probably last) time to go to Disneyland. It was on the first of October, if I remember correctly. I am a big fan of HM and I couldn't wait to see DL version. The day I arrived HM opened with the Halloween overlay. I was so disappointed. I hated it and I still do. I do not understand how anyone could think that the collection of day glow cutouts could be better then the Haunted Mansion itself. Anyway, I guess I feel that there is a major difference between the external appearance of an attraction and the attraction itself. Even though I like the original castle more then the "cake" overlay, I couldn't help but be in awe of the enormity of the cake transformation. And there wasn't even a profit motivated change. It was strictly the (pardon the pun) frosting on the castle. I wouldn't have wanted it to stay longer than that year, but I appreciated the depth that Disney would go to just be amusing. That is something that isn't really obvious anymore. My feeling is that when everyone started boo-hooing about how their fake castle was covered over with a fake (but festive) cake it went a long way in stifling any imagineering incentive.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey I thought it was pretty neat. Like Goofyernmost said, it was quite detailed. They definitely didn't do a half-tailed job. I was glad when they took it down though - I do love the castle .
Originally Posted By Bob Paris 1 "For those that couldn't stand to be without their beloved castle for just a year..." Or for those that maybe saved for two years for their once in a lifetime trip and wanted a picture of themselves in front of the classic castle they loved since they were children, unlike some of the regulars lucky enough to visit three times per year. Try to have some empathy. (Fortunately for me it was a 2001 trip!)
Originally Posted By Bob Paris 1 "I do not understand how anyone could think that the collection of day glow cutouts could be better then(sic)the Haunted Mansion itself." On this, I completely agree! Classic Mansion all the way!!!
Originally Posted By Bob Paris 1 "My feeling is that when everyone started boo-hooing about how their fake castle was covered over with a fake (but festive) cake it went a long way in stifling any imagineering incentive." Somehow I don't think a bunch of people bitching and moaning on the internet affects the spending of tens and hundreds of millions of dollars at WDI. I think you over-estimate our importance!
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I saw the castle cake, and really liked it. The castle is always kind of special, but knowing that what you're seeing will only be around for a limited time made it even more special. At the time, it was my once-in-a-lifetime trip (though I had been when I was about 18 months, I remember nothing from it), and it didn't bother me that I wasn't seeing the normal castle. In a way, it really did make it that much more special. And I don't know if I was just the right age or what, but I really didn't think it was nearly as ugly as everybody seems to believe. It's a really original idea that was pretty well executed (considering its short run) that was just kind of fun. I really enjoyed watching the inflatable parts sway a little bit in the breeze. No, it wouldn't make a very good permanent icon for a park, but it worked really well for a special celebration and really made the otherwise-forgettable event memorable. Then again, I much prefer Imagination 2.0 over the current version, so what do I know? (for the record, the original is still the best, but the current one is just a terrible mess)
