(TL '98) The shadow that lingers

[CA_Man_In_HI]

Okay, so TL is looking great- actually it's looking better than great, it looks downright amazing! TL '98 will be remembered as that dark spot in history the same way facism held it's brief dark spot in history for Germany. But, it's over, we can breathe a big sigh of relief and enjoy Disneyland again instead of getting that sick feeling in our stomach over how much it's declined.
Yet, one thing bothers me. Though the times have changed, a symbol remains. Imagine if the swastika remained in front of the Reichstagg after WW2 ended. You see it, and it's as if the happiness and joy leave you for a single fleeting moment. Of course you brush it aside because it is so small compared to all the other great things around you. Yet that disturbing shadow lingers in your heart. I speak of noneother than The Observatron. Though I'm on the other side of the country, thanks to everyone who's posted pics I've been able to see the wonderful transformation....but that THING! It remains! I feel as though the evilness that comes from it lingers in the air, and that TL can never fully recover. Am I alone in this feeling? Matt, if you read this thread, please get rid of it. Put an attraction there, or put nothing there. Just please get rid of the Observatron. The remaining gold and bronze trim alone serves as a reminder to all future DL execs never to repeat this fatal mistake. I'll be more than happy to do the job myself for FREE when I come on July 17th as my gift to Disneyland! Who's with me? Death to the Observatron!!!

[Jspider]

it should be pointed out that the sources that said earlier last year that Tomorrowland would get a new color scheme also said that while the observatron wouldn't be down for the 50th that after the 50th it may be replaced with something else as part of a 5 year tomorrowland restoration plan

right now WDI is considering several different ideas for the space

[CA_Man_In_HI]

Great news! Thanks Jspider! :bow: I understand time and money are neccessary for it's replacement! Any hints as to what various ideas WDI has in mind?

[Ghostbuster626]

it should be pointed out that the sources that said earlier last year that Tomorrowland would get a new color scheme also said that while the observatron wouldn't be down for the 50th that after the 50th it may be replaced with something else as part of a 5 year tomorrowland restoration plan

right now WDI is considering several different ideas for the space

several ideas??? BAH, their is only 1 idea needed...PUT THE ASTRO ORBITOR back up their! geez I should be chairman of Imagineering.

[ah schucks]

Okay, so TL is looking great- actually it's looking better than great, it looks downright amazing! TL '98 will be remembered as that dark spot in history the same way facism held it's brief dark spot in history for Germany. But, it's over, we can breathe a big sigh of relief and enjoy Disneyland again instead of getting that sick feeling in our stomach over how much it's declined.
Yet, one thing bothers me. Though the times have changed, a symbol remains. Imagine if the swastika remained in front of the Reichstagg after WW2 ended. You see it, and it's as if the happiness and joy leave you for a single fleeting moment. Of course you brush it aside because it is so small compared to all the other great things around you. Yet that disturbing shadow lingers in your heart. I speak of noneother than The Observatron.

Did you just compare a useless piece of space junk to the symbol that represented the most misguided evil act in human history? Isn't that a bit, oh I dunno; melodramatic or over the top?

[Ghostbuster626]

Did you just compare a useless piece of space junk to the symbol that represented the most misguided evil act in human history? Isn't that a bit, oh I dunno; melodramatic or over the top?

no becaues Tommorowland'98 was a travesty that led to the deaths of the Submarine Voyage, Circle vision, the peoplemover, captain eo, sigh.....

[CA_Man_In_HI]

Did you just compare a useless piece of space junk to the symbol that represented the most misguided evil act in human history? Isn't that a bit, oh I dunno; melodramatic or over the top?

Well, I needed something to compare it to for dramatic effect. Secondly, I posted this late at night on my grave shift (I was having trouble staying awake), and thus my creativity (which is rare enough) could not find an adequate metaphor. Please don't take the comparison too seriously.
I should mention that instead of comparing it to facism, I did consider the Galactic Empire in Star Wars. However, I decided against this since some people already want TL to become associated with Star Wars, and I do not neccessarily agree with that idea.
It was all meant in good fun. If you found it in poor taste, I apologize.

[Pizzapants]

several ideas??? BAH, their is only 1 idea needed...PUT THE ASTRO ORBITOR back up their! geez I should be chairman of Imagineering.

But what if it's a ride COOLER than the astro orbiter? Maybe something like...like... bah! Yeah astro orbiter needs to go back up there. NOt much room for anyhting else, except like a drop tower, but that's an awful idea.

[Jspider]

several ideas??? BAH, their is only 1 idea needed...PUT THE ASTRO ORBITOR back up their! geez I should be chairman of Imagineering.

I have no idea

in this case I'm just repeating what I've heard

I have no idea what will be put up there but I hope to be pleasantly suprised

WDI did EXACTLY what I wanted them to do with the mural (well not completly exactly but by they were so close I'd swear

anywho I'm sure that if the right amount of money is given then WDI will do something great with that platform

something to show that Tomorrowland's heart still beats

[Reaver]

Geez, if The Stratosphere in Vegas gan put mutiple rides on top of their tower, don't you think the Imagineers could come up with something awesome to go there? Not that I'd mind the Astro, of course!

[pyrateslife4me84]

Geez, if The Stratosphere in Vegas gan put mutiple rides on top of their tower, don't you think the Imagineers could come up with something awesome to go there? Not that I'd mind the Astro, of course!

The Strat is also much bigger with better supports...I think the issue w/ the Orbitron Tower is that it could not support a ride w/ the stress Rocket Rods provided, and I'm sure that ride did a number on that tower, too, so it will probably require a good deal of work to make it able to hold a ride, again.

[Reaver]

The Strat is also much bigger with better supports...I think the issue w/ the Orbitron Tower is that it could not support a ride w/ the stress Rocket Rods provided, and I'm sure that ride did a number on that tower, too, so it will probably require a good deal of work to make it able to hold a ride, again.

Probably true. Time and money, that's all TDA needs.

As for us, as Zhaan would say, "Time and patience..."

[robotpirates]

Perhaps we should start a MiceChat charity: "Save Tomorrowland: Get Rid of the Observatron". hahaa.. all proceeds go to gutting that baby.

[Kevie]

Observatron is UGLY, but honestly the elevator for Rocket Jets was fairly ugly too. But Observatron really needs to go. Last time that thing worked was like when teh Rocket Rods worked.

[pyrateslife4me84]

Observatron is UGLY, but honestly the elevator for Rocket Jets was fairly ugly too. But Observatron really needs to go. Last time that thing worked was like when teh Rocket Rods worked.

I think that aggravates me more than anything...if they are going to have that heap of space junk, it should at least be working...maybe if it was spinning it would be more acceptable. Now it just looks like some of that abstract modern art that doesn't look like anything...

[Reaver]

We should organize a group of 10-15 people to go to the park every weekend, surround the platform on the ground with flashlights, and just tell people "Move on. nothing to see here... There really is no Observatron..."

[Jspider]

I think that aggravates me more than anything...if they are going to have that heap of space junk, it should at least be working...maybe if it was spinning it would be more acceptable. Now it just looks like some of that abstract modern art that doesn't look like anything...

it does spin

they actualy fixed the spinning mechanisum last year

the thing is that it doesn't spin all the time but like once an hour or once every half hour, so it's something easy to miss

[pyrateslife4me84]

oh wow...bout time they fixed it. Good news

[mickeyandme67]

I have to chime in agreement. Observa-thing is really bad. Bad in '98 when new and bad now. The only good thing is that TL is ripe for improvement. Several ideas fly about on this board and I can only imagine what might could happen in Glendale at Imagineering. I'm hoping for changes that incorportate a bit of the old... Subs, new technology PeopleMover as well as something new... And at the very least, most of that gold color is gone and I will try to forget it altogethor! At least until I glance up where the Astro Orbiters used to be! *darn*

[Gwyren]

I think that aggravates me more than anything...if they are going to have that heap of space junk, it should at least be working...maybe if it was spinning it would be more acceptable. Now it just looks like some of that abstract modern art that doesn't look like anything...

A working piece of space junk...what a novel concept!