Originally Posted By crapshoot <<While it's still pretty to look at, there isn't as much soul--it's all surface.>> Did they move Old New Orleans Square away from Frontierlane? And what efforts were made to "modernize it"? The only things missing are the original merchandise mix like the One of a Kind Shop and Pirates Arcade. Otherwise, I step into NOS with pretty much the same emotional feelings that I felt as a kid.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Me too. I had no idea they were now saying (and it was an official Disney site saying it) that NOS was now set in the 40's. It was the costumes they were talking about, and I'll be honest; the last time I was there I didn't notice. Now this was 3 years ago, so maybe this costuming change was more recent, but if not, the costuming changes went right over my head. They still looked "old time." The buildings haven't changed, so the change WOULD be in the costuming of the cm's, and the props around; some have mentioned fiberglas instrument cases and Christmas decorations that look much more 20th C than 19th C. I guess if they're saying on their official site than NOS is now set in the 40's, that it is, officially. I'll see in a few weeks (yay!) if I notice anything to that effect, moreso than before. Maybe I will now that I'll be kind of looking for it. If so, I'd consider it a small "minus" - it always made perfect sense for NOS to be the urban setting along the river of FrL, set in the same period, and then as you move away from the "city" you're out in the "Frontier" part of FrL.
Originally Posted By crapshoot Here's the official Disneyland.com description of New Orleans Square: "The French Quarter The sights and sounds of the historic French Quarter are recreated in this land with the picturesque courtyards, lacy wrought iron balconies, the swing of jazz bands and smell of down home cooking. Everything about the architecture invokes the grace and elegance of the Old South, with its lazy summer days and vibrant nights. The style is influenced by a comely combination of French, Creole, Cajun and American traditions."
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Interesting. "The Old South" is just vague enough to include plenty. I swear I remember old official descriptions including the word "antebellum," and definitely the "when she was the Gay Paree of the American frontier" language that smd4 noted.
Originally Posted By smd4 "Disneyland has always had a big river and a Mississippi stern-wheeler. It seemed appropriate to create a new attraction at the bend in the river. And so, Disneyland's New Orleans Square came into being--a New Orleans of a century ago when she was the 'Gay Paree' of the American Frontier." --Walt Disney, ca. 1966. "When we pass through the tunnel and approach The Frontierland Railway depot, we'll be riding past New Orleans Square, where you can re-live the atmosphere and charm of Old New Orleans as it was a century ago." --Santa Fe & Disneyland RR narration tape text, 1973. "In atmosphere and architecture, it will recall the Crescent City of a century ago." --DL Souvenir Book, 1965.
Originally Posted By smd4 >>>Of those 3 quotes, the only accurate one is the 3rd.<<< Sadly. They should strive for Walt's quote.
Originally Posted By DlandDug This is all kind of silly, really. The "lands" of Disneyland have never been authentic period recreations, and I personally don't think they should be. Disneyland is not a museum. Walt Disney's "authentic" Main Street USA featured prominently placed plastic signs in lighted boxes-- something that is completely out of place (and scale) with anything from the time period. Walt also authorized (in fact, requested) an extensive use of chain link fence throughout the park. The Rivers of America feature a mix of water crafts that don't actually belong together-- but looked great thematically. New Orleans Square, along with all the rest of Disneyland, is essentially timeless. The key is a melding of elements to create a plausible and cohesive atmosphere. In theater, we sometimes refer to it as "antiquity"-- no specific time period, but a definite sense that it is in the past. Where I get annoyed is when changes are made for no inherent reason, or in a way that really does violate the design of a given area. (P.S. Here's the answer to the OP's original question, as stated in the Blog: >>Some of you may recall that the costumes for New Orleans Square merchandise were re-designed in 2005. Prior to this redesign, New Orleans Square was placed in an era toward the end of the 19th Century, similar to the theme of Main Street, U.S.A. [Costume designer] Patty told me that creating a new look for New Orleans Square helped this land gain its own identity.<<)
Originally Posted By DlandDug As for those animated window displays on Main Street, the last two films I recall seeing windows for were Lilo & Stitch and Treasure Planet, both in 2002. I may be misremembering Treasure Planet, though. But L&S definitely had a full set of windows. (And Tarzan had a full set, too, not just the memorable "skateboarding through the trees" window.)
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <This is all kind of silly, really. The "lands" of Disneyland have never been authentic period recreations, and I personally don't think they should be.> True, and we've all brought up myriad examples. BUT - many Disney lands are indeed set in a specific time period, even if what was done with that time period could be charitably defined as "loose." NOS unquestionably was once set "officially" in the 19th century (as evidenced by plenty of officially sanctioned Disney language in guide books, RR spiel, etc.) and now apparently has been changed to the 1940's, as (much more quietly) confirmed by the costume changes and the answer on the Blog. This does represent a change, if nothing else, and some of us find that interesting and worth commenting on.
Originally Posted By Dreamerica I love New Orleans Square. It's just one more element that makes Disneyland more magical than Magic Kingdom. Liberty Square is a little dull compared to New Orleans Square.
Originally Posted By CDF2 Doesn't NOS have some prop masts and sails poking up in the background when you view the area from Frontierland? Nothing says 19th century more than tall ships supposedly anchored in the harbor.
