[Idea] Time to Send the Grand Canyon Diorama to Yesterland

[DoctorQ9]

I love the Disneyland Railroad, but when it comes time for the Grand Canyon Diorama portion, I usually take a nap!


Why not replace this outdated exhibit with something using 3-D and/or holographic display technology?

[k_peek_2000]

Re: Time to Send the Grand Canyon Diorama to Yesterland

Because it's a part of Disney history and it's not doing anybody or anything any harm. If you like to relax during the train ride then you are in fact using the ride properly.

[micromind]

Re: Time to Send the Grand Canyon Diorama to Yesterland

I like the diorama a lot. It's one of my favorite parts of the train ride.

[Seawolf]

Re: Time to Send the Grand Canyon Diorama to Yesterland

The Grand Canyon and Primeval World diorama is amazing. The only thing they should do is upgrade the animatronic technology. Projections and television with imitation 3d cannot replace detailed sets and mechanics; we learned that valuable lesson with FNSV.

[SpectroMan]

Re: Time to Send the Grand Canyon Diorama to Yesterland

I love it as is, except for the way the tunnel traps the train smoke and it stinks.
It's too quickly glossed over due to the train's speed for them to bother upgrading it, and like others say it's a piece of history.

[skoolpsyk]

Re: Time to Send the Grand Canyon Diorama to Yesterland

Disneyland is NOT A MUSEUM





but anymore, I wish it was....

RIP: Peoplemover, Mine Trian, Skyway, Subs, ATIS, unmolested Pirates and HM, Country Bears, Carousel of Progress, Progress City, Pirates Arcade, etc. etc.

[gatheringrosebuds]

Re: Time to Send the Grand Canyon Diorama to Yesterland

The Grand Canyon and Primeval World diorama is amazing. The only thing they should do is upgrade the animatronic technology. Projections and television with imitation 3d cannot replace detailed sets and mechanics.

This. I personally adore the dioramas. I feel like a little girl when I begin hearing that peppy Grand Canyon music, gazing in fascination at the detail of the diorama with this silly, giddy grin spanning across my face. And when the music slowly shifts mood to the more dramatic sound as the narrator announces that we'll be traveling "back in time to the land of the dinosaurs", that grin grows into an uncontrollable smile as shivers race down my spine. It's pure, authentic "Disney magic" and not whatever the Disney marketing department tries to sell as Disney magic these days. No, staring at those dinosaur animatronics with wonder-filled eyes, it's the real deal. Replacing this amazing experience with 3D graphics, which never convey the same wonder and amazement as tangible, physical sets, would ruin one of my favorite parts of the park.

[G24T]

Re: Time to Send the Grand Canyon Diorama to Yesterland

This thread should have a poll

I would vote to keep it mainly because it's something genuinely unique that in my opinion people take for granted. I mean, it's the longest diorama in the world, the entire backdrop was hand painted, the taxidermied animals still look great, and it's been blessed by an Indian chief. The idea of a next-gen attraction is a great idea worth doing and could easily be built anywhere else along the route. In my opinion the diorama(s) are too precious at this point to get rid of.

[linkeq2001]

Re: Time to Send the Grand Canyon Diorama to Yesterland

This. I personally adore the dioramas. I feel like a little girl when I begin hearing that peppy Grand Canyon music, gazing in fascination at the detail of the diorama with this silly, giddy grin spanning across my face. And when the music slowly shifts mood to the more dramatic sound as the narrator announces that we'll be traveling "back in time to the land of the dinosaurs", that grin grows into an uncontrollable smile as shivers race down my spine. It's pure, authentic "Disney magic" and not whatever the Disney marketing department tries to sell as Disney magic these days. No, staring at those dinosaur animatronics with wonder-filled eyes, it's the real deal. Replacing this amazing experience with 3D graphics, which never convey the same wonder and amazement as tangible, physical sets, would ruin one of my favorite parts of the park.

Agreed, though I do think the days are numbered for both, nothing really beats a real physical set. It was what makes Disneyland.....well Disneyland. I LOVE Star Tours, and some of the Universal rides, but to me Pirates or Indiana or Haunted Mansion stand out because your being transported to a place with real physical objects and characters, it's like the next level of immersion. While the dioramas are not my favorite part of the park I still love the little piece of history when on the train, its like our good friend Abe Lincoln, a small piece of the past tucked away in a corner to sit back and enjoy.

[bisforbrittney]

Re: Time to Send the Grand Canyon Diorama to Yesterland

keep it! but i mainly say that because i have never seen it (i'm selfish)

[smartlabelprint]

Re: Time to Send the Grand Canyon Diorama to Yesterland

I forgot it was there! It was like a new thing I found at DL last week!

[Tinkbelle]

Re: Time to Send the Grand Canyon Diorama to Yesterland

I would love to see something completely different in that area. I have never cared for that part of the train ride.

[ohmyjustin]

Re: Time to Send the Grand Canyon Diorama to Yesterland

The diorama is way too cool. It could be renovated, but a replacement with 3D seems like a step down. That area is currently a great space for a physical set. No need to waste the space.

[Malina]

Re: Time to Send the Grand Canyon Diorama to Yesterland

I love the diorama. It's something that is just so totally off base, in a charming way...let's ride an early 20th century locomotive, and oh, here are some random dinosaurs in a tunnel.

Also, while I'm normally a proponent of the "Disney is not a museum" philosophy, in this case, the dioramas have actual historical significance. They were part of the 1964 World's Fair in New York. Most of the other exhibits from the World's Fair were either destroyed or left to rot (literally, see here: Crumbling floor map in New York Pavillion | Flickr - Photo Sharing! ). The Grand Canyon, and iasw, were preserved and maintained with TLC. So if the day ever comes for the diorama to leave Disneyland I hope it will be relocated to an actual museum.

[clippers6]

Re: Time to Send the Grand Canyon Diorama to Yesterland

The Primeval World holds up surprisingly well. The Grand Canyon part is the weak link; there is less animation, the background mural lacks depth, and the hokey music doesn't help. I wouldn't mind some updating of the Grand Canyon part and maybe some sort of fiber optic or projection "time travel" effect in the dark part between the two dioramas.

[Walt Fan]

Re: Time to Send the Grand Canyon Diorama to Yesterland

The Primeval World holds up surprisingly well. The Grand Canyon part is the weak link; there is less animation, the background mural lacks depth, and the hokey music doesn't help. I wouldn't mind some updating of the Grand Canyon part and maybe some sort of fiber optic or projection "time travel" effect in the dark part between the two dioramas.

I don't think Ferde Grofe would call the music hokey.
I hope the dioramas stay forever. To me the Disneyland R.R. will always be known as The Train That Shows the Dinosaurs.

[Coastierox]

Re: Time to Send the Grand Canyon Diorama to Yesterland

I don't know when that train goes back in time it gives me the willys...

[Acpisme]

Re: Time to Send the Grand Canyon Diorama to Yesterland

We like it and our 6 year old loves it, for her it is the highlight of the train ride every time we go! She likes the animals of the grand canyon and the dinosaurs of the back in time portion. There is a hidden mickey on the wall of the Modern Grand Canyon portion near the beginning that was pointed out to us by the cm, when he accompanied us when we last rode the Lilly Belle.

[sbk1234]

Re: Time to Send the Grand Canyon Diorama to Yesterland

I get it. The original post must be sarcasm.

Of course, the vast majority of people would NEVER want this to go.
3D projections - movies of any kind - are no substitute for something real and tangible like the diarama.

[MANEATINGWREATH]

Re: Time to Send the Grand Canyon Diorama to Yesterland

NO! The Grand Canyon and subsequent Primeval World are two of the most nostalgic, magical, wonderful areas of the park! I would rather them relocate the Grand Canyon to the Frontierland portion of the railroad or even replace all the taxidermy-born animals with animatronics then rid of it all together. And there's no way that I'd want to ride a vintage train to watch a 3D movie. If I want to do that I can go to Universal and ride the tram where something very similar exists...King Kong 360. And seeing a bunch of three-dimensional dinosaurs on screens would look bizarre when put up against the much older animatronics next door. But I do appreciate your armchair Imagineering. It's always good to see it alive and well.

Now, let's all enjoy the day.