Originally Posted By FerretAfros I actually kind of liked the castle cake. It was decorated during my first WDW visit that I remember (my family went when I was about 18 months, but I have no recollection of it) and it made it seem that much more special. It was obviously a temporary promotion, meaning that relatively few people got to see it in person, and it had been well promoted back at home. Additionally, since the overlay was so ridiculous, it meant that they wouldn't let it linger after the 25th events ended (like the hat and wand), and that the castle would get a thorough refurbishment to return it to its 'normal' state. Plus it was just fun; it clearly didn't take itself very seriously. As far as overlays to icons go, it's one of my favorites
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Additionally, since the overlay was so ridiculous, it meant that they wouldn't let it linger*** Believe it or not, there was a great deal of consternation among WDW employees about whether or not they would keep "that monstrosity" beyond it's freshness date. And yeah, I agree with you...as a novelty it was kinda neat. Much like the Haunted Mansion overlay, it *almost* seems bare when you go back to the original, until you get used to the classic version again at least.
Originally Posted By dagobert Some new pictures from SDL: <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/302042929839518/photos/pcb.1057133834330420/1057133750997095/?type=3&theater">http://www.facebook.com/302042...&theater</a> <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/302042929839518/photos/pcb.1057133834330420/1057133757663761/?type=3&theater">http://www.facebook.com/302042...&theater</a> <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/302042929839518/photos/pcb.1057133834330420/1057133730997097/?type=3&theater">http://www.facebook.com/302042...&theater</a> <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/302042929839518/photos/a.408006435909833.89949.302042929839518/1057132967663840/?type=3&theater">http://www.facebook.com/302042...&theater</a> <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/302042929839518/photos/a.408006435909833.89949.302042929839518/1057127914331012/?type=3&theater">http://www.facebook.com/302042...&theater</a> https://www.facebook.com/302042929839518/photos/a.408006435909833.89949.302042929839518/1057126490997821/?type=3&theater New aerial picture posted by RandySavage in the WDWMagic forum. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://n.sinaimg.cn/translate/20160329/qY-_-fxqtiwa5260530.jpg">http://n.sinaimg.cn/translate/...0530.jpg</a>
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I'm not sure what that yellow building is for (one of the shopping areas?), but it sure looks like something I'd expect to see from Disney. I think more than any other building we've seen so far (including the castle), this has made it feel like a real Disney park to me I'm also still very confused by the walkways at the bottom of the aerial photo. We know that the boat ride queue and main entrance will be in the building on the water on the right side of the photo, but there appears to be a second (rather small) queue leading to a dock at the bottom of the photo, right next to the Aladdin(?) scene. Because of the queue space, it looks like more than an emergency exit, but I can't think of why they would want a second entrance partway through the ride. There also appears to be a small walkway from that area to the Mulan(?) scene, but presumably that could just be a scenic path with no real purpose; the other one looks much more utilitarian but I just can't figure it out
Originally Posted By dagobert Picture of the entrance. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://twitter.com/ED92live/status/715860571728580608">http://twitter.com/ED92live/st...28580608</a>
Originally Posted By FerretAfros More thoughts that I accidentally posted in the DLP thread: And looking toward the top of the picture, it appears that Disney Town practically blends right in with Mickey Avenue, with no real separation between them and their support facilities. There even appears to be one building that may have guest areas facing both sides, with (emergency/maintenance?) exits on either side I certainly understand wanting to have the shopping area close to the park, but from a master planning perspective it doesn't make much sense to have them *so* close together. If either one ever wants to expand in the future, there's really no room for it. A very odd design choice, in my opinion
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>And looking toward the top of the picture, it appears that Disney Town practically blends right in with Mickey Avenue, with no real separation between them and their support facilities. There even appears to be one building that may have guest areas facing both sides, with (emergency/maintenance?) exits on either side<<< I find that odd too and would have placed Disney Town further away from the park. I also don't like that there's another entrance from DT to SDL.
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>but there appears to be a second (rather small) queue leading to a dock at the bottom of the photo, right next to the Aladdin(?) scene. Because of the queue space, it looks like more than an emergency exit, but I can't think of why they would want a second entrance partway through the ride.<<< I would also say that it is an emergency exit and that it is not open for guests. If you take a closer look at the big walkway leading towards the Lagoon, there appears to be pillars for a gate. I'm also not sure if it is a walkway leading to that "Emergency Exit" pier. Somehow it looks like a canal for water.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros That could be, and it would certainly make a lot more sense than my theory. Still, it seems strange that they would have a dock that big and visible in the middle of the ride, but maybe they also need it for overnight boat storage or something
Originally Posted By SuperDry << I checked the official website about sponsors. - Pandora Jewelry - sponsor of the Walt Disney Theatre, products sold throughout the resort. >> I was surprised to see how much "in bed" Pandora and Disney are worldwide. I was in the Las Vegas airport recently, and they've had a Pandora jewelry store there for awhile in Terminal D. New is the addition of the "Disney" scripted logo, right underneath the Pandora logo, on the store sign in the window. I knew that they sold co-branded merchandise, but I don't think I've ever seen a Disney merchandise partner that was able to use the Disney logo in such a prominent and permanent manner.
Originally Posted By SuperDry << it's basically a big square box with decorations stuck on the sides and some towers sticking out of the top. Unlike the other castles, it doesn't seem to follow an organic castle shape; >> I think this is because unlike the other castles, this one is the show building for an E-ticket, as well as a restaurant AND a walk-through attraction, IIRC. Personally, I like the idea that there are major guest activities going on inside the park centerpiece, rather than have it just a mostly-mpty facade.
Originally Posted By SuperDry << Opening Day Tickets are sold out online. >> So, who, besides me, has theirs?
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>I knew that they sold co-branded merchandise, but I don't think I've ever seen a Disney merchandise partner that was able to use the Disney logo in such a prominent and permanent manner.<< I'm also surprised to hear this. They've definitely had a close partnership for several years (sponsoring Wishes in WDW and some of the runDisney events, lots of Disney-licensed products, etc), but using the logo on the outside of the store seems like a big jump. And maybe it's just me, but I don't even think the Pandora jewelry is particularly attractive... I'm just waiting to see how they bring the sponsorship in for the Avatar project in DAK ; ) >>Personally, I like the idea that there are major guest activities going on inside the park centerpiece, rather than have it just a mostly-mpty facade.<< I agree that it's great to have something substantial in the icon, but I think there are more elegant ways to do it. Epcot, DAK, and TDS all have attractions in their icons, yet the insides have no real bearing on the outer form of the structure. Even the tiny castle at DL is able to contain a walkthrough and 2 shops (though one of the shops was converted to an ADA version of the walkthrough) The SDL boat ride cleverly uses the space beneath the castle to count as being 'in' the castle without adding to it's bulk, but the aboveground portion of the building just doesn't work for me. Perhaps if they had set back the upper levels some, so that it didn't resemble a box as clearly, it would help disguise the utilitarian purpose of it
Originally Posted By dagobert New updates! SDL entrance: <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2016/04/first-pictures-of-shanghai-disneyland.html">http://disneyandmore.blogspot....and.html</a> SDL Castle: <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-most-impressive-picture-of-shanghai.html">http://disneyandmore.blogspot....hai.html</a> New aerial pictures: <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2016/04/new-high-def-shanghai-disneyland-aerial.html">http://disneyandmore.blogspot....ial.html</a> <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2016/04/new-shanghai-disneyland-aerial-pictures.html">http://disneyandmore.blogspot....res.html</a>
Originally Posted By dagobert Garden of the 12 Friends <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://twitter.com/DisneylandBerry/status/716869408879149056">http://twitter.com/DisneylandB...79149056</a> SDL castle, Mickey Avenue, Entrance and Pirate's Land. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://twitter.com/DisneylandBerry/status/716869159632637952">http://twitter.com/DisneylandB...32637952</a>
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I have to agree with the comments that the main entrance looks like "deco-communistic-nouveau". It just doesn't look especially charming, particularly when compared to the other entrances around the world (even TDL's barren plaza). I also like the description of the castle as "Sanitarium von Baroness"! : ) While it looks lovely, I'm surprised that the zodiac characters are just kind of out of the way in the garden. In a way, I guess it's like the original Nine Dragons Screen in the Forbidden City, which is somewhat hidden, but with all the hype they did for it, I would have thought it would be integrated into the surroundings a little more
Originally Posted By FerretAfros The more I see of that soon-to-be landscaped area next to the Jet Packs, it looks like a prime candidate for a new land in the future. Especially when combined with the temporary-looking buildings (Star Wars and Marvel exhibits?) on the castle side of the path, there's a lot of space there that could be developed. It would be interesting to see a park where Tomorrowland isn't directly off the hub, like Critter Country in DL
Originally Posted By FerretAfros For what it's worth, leemac just mentioned on Facebook that cost overruns on the Shanghai project are in the $2-3Billion ballpark. We knew that they weren't hitting their budget targets, but I didn't realize that they were *that* far off of them
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>For what it's worth, leemac just mentioned on Facebook that cost overruns on the Shanghai project are in the $2-3Billion ballpark. We knew that they weren't hitting their budget targets, but I didn't realize that they were *that* far off of them<<< This sounds terrible. It's DLP all over again. Maybe that has something to do with the departing of Staggs?
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I doubt they were closely related, but I assume that he will become the fall guy for any publicized problems with it. I'm sure most of it will be kept under wraps as much as possible, but a number that big is hard to hide I also wouldn't be surprised if some of the MM+ blame from WDW got shifted his way after he leaves (though he had more control over that, it was still Rasulo's project)
