Liberace Land

[Tech_Disney]

Am I the only person totally unimpressed with the gold ride vehicles? I for one hate them for three reasons.

First, it shows a complete lack of imagination from the imagineers. Any moron can think, "Since the 50th anniversary is the gold anniversary, things should be painted gold!"

Second, the gold cars are too gaudy! If I wanted to visit Liberace's House of Crap, I'd go somewhere else, but Disneyland isn't meant to be Liberace-land.

Third, this is only going to hold up lines. Every single Annual Passholder (other than me) is going to hold up the line because they have to ride the gold vehicle. I'd say evey guest will do this, but come on guys, we all know it's going to be the stereotypical APs who think they own the place that are holding up the line just so they can "feel special."

Anyway, that's the end of my rant about the ugliest things to enter Disneyland.

[cellarhound]

Second, the gold cars are too gaudy! If I wanted to visit Liberace's House of Crap, I'd go somewhere else, but Disneyland isn't meant to be Liberace-land.

You read my previous post about replacing Mr. Lincoln with Liberace, didn't you... "I wish my Uncle Walt was here..." :botox:

It's wrong, so very very wrong...

[Disneyphile]

Well, we'll know DL's gone too far when we see Rod with a large candelabra atop his piano which is painted gold (the piano, not just the candelabra).

[Alan]

One has to remember, a ot of people liked Liverace, Gosh, I wish my brother George were here.

[merlinjones]

I'm an AP and I could care less about even seeing one of the gold vehicles, let alone riding in it - - same for the photo murals and crowns. Why does everyone blame that stuff on AP's? These sound like the tacky mischeif of marketers, not actual park goers or Disney buffs.

Now the restoration of the Tiki room and Tomorrowland rides - - that's the real meat to serve with the small golden potatoes. I'm excited about those things - and the return of fresh entertainment offerings, and Buzz and fresh paint. The real longterm Magic Kingdom stuff. On those counts, I'm highly pleased with recent progress and hope for more...

[cellarhound]

Now the restoration of the Tiki room and Tomorrowland rides - - that's the real meat to serve with the small golden potatoes.

:lol:

When I first read that I pictured something else than potatoes...

But I agree with you Merlin... revamping TL is going to do more good than any other kind of investment in DLR...

[Disneyphile]

Too late!

[Tech_Disney]

I'm an AP and I could care less about even seeing one of the gold vehicles, let alone riding in it - - same for the photo murals and crowns. Why does everyone blame that stuff on AP's? These sound like the tacky mischeif of marketers, not actual park goers or Disney buffs.

Now the restoration of the Tiki room and Tomorrowland rides - - that's the real meat to serve with the small golden potatoes. I'm excited about those things - and the return of fresh entertainment offerings, and Buzz and fresh paint. The real longterm Magic Kingdom stuff. On those counts, I'm highly pleased with recent progress and hope for more...

Good point. I did make an enormously huge and (for the most part) incorrect stereotype about APs. Although, most normal guests probably won't even know that there are gold cars unless they see it coming around the corner into the loading station.

[desertdweller]

I am totally underwhelmed with the "Gold Treatment." The Mark Twain has lost its dignity with it, don't like the ride vehicles or lamp posts and I'm just waiting for them to gild "Partners" in the Hub. They'll probably do it overnight and just in time for 5/5.

The only thing I do like is the Columbia's detailing with the appliques. Being an artist and craftsman there's a huge difference between gilding and slapping gold paint on something...the latter doesn't age well at all, especially in the SoCal climate.

When you think of the man hours that went into doing this, it's mind-boggling.

[travelmom]

Okay everyone, calm down.
I agree, some of it is like whoa!
But it isn't forever, and even if its AP's getting their jollies, its not like they don't deserve to celebrate. So its a little gaudy (okay its a lot gaudy), I can see the pixiedust in the little girls eyes when they stare up at the jeweled castle, All the gold is saying something special is happening. I think with all of the back maintenance that had to be done, the buck stopped short at some point. I do agree about dear old Mark Twain, and sadly it will probably stay that way for a long time. But all in all, I know it will be wonderful. We leave in eight days!

[BigThunder]

Anyway, that's the end of my rant about the ugliest things to enter Disneyland.

You obviously didn't see my date on Grad-Night. Of course, that was 1980.

[MickeyJCA]

Too late!

Am I the only one who thinks Rod is hot? I mean, he can play the piano while wearing gloves!!!!! :bow:

[JiminyCricketFan]

I agree!

Painting the rides gold takes not imagination. It is the Pressler era all over. That was the time when they though that just painting Space Mountain gold with chocolate sprinkles would make it seem new! :lol:

[innerSpaceman]

Then again, as a decorative motif, it's not all that bad. I mean, previous birthdays have had banners and bunting and signs. Is that the same treatment we want to see again for the umpteenth time?

Some of the gold vehicles will be bad (ugh, the Twain is awful) and some might be fine (I'm looking forward to a gold carousel horse). Some of the 50 Fifties will be swell (Splash Mountain) and others will be duds (Pirates). But at least they're trying something different in the way of anniversary decorations, and I give them high marks for effort (not so high, so far at least, for execution).

[dramaqueen]

Pimp my Disneyland! I like that the touches are at least unobtrusive. Banners and bunting looks cheap and thrown together. I agree with iSm- at least these have some thought behind them and it gives you something to look for. Its classy in its own way.

[Gwyren]

First, it shows a complete lack of imagination from the imagineers. Any moron can think, "Since the 50th anniversary is the gold anniversary, things should be painted gold!"

I would say to throw credit where it is due. Why assume that the Imagineers had ANYTHING to do with the decision to paint things gold?

If Disneyland attractions are so close to their factor of safety that an additional coat of paint requires engineering analysis...well, NO ONE should be riding any of them. I prefer to believe someone at TDA made the decision.

[Tech_Disney]

I would say to throw credit where it is due. Why assume that the Imagineers had ANYTHING to do with the decision to paint things gold?

If Disneyland attractions are so close to their factor of safety that an additional coat of paint requires engineering analysis...well, NO ONE should be riding any of them. I prefer to believe someone at TDA made the decision.

Three things I have to say about your post.

First, you're right, I shouldn't have assumed it was an Imagineers decision.

That being said, my second point is that even if it wasn't the Imagineer's decision, there should have been someone at TDA or WDI who would have the sense to say it is a bad idea and that there are better ways to go.

Third, there are more than just engineers that are Imagineers.

[Disney Analyst]

I havent seen recent pictures of the twain, but it isnt all gold. It's just got gold tweaks, and I thought it looked sleek and spiffy. I love the gold crown parts on the smoke outlets for the twain!

[Tech_Disney]

i think the crowns on the smokestacks are the worst part of the boat. they look tacky and heinous.

[Gwyren]

Three things I have to say about your post.

First, you're right, I shouldn't have assumed it was an Imagineers decision.

That being said, my second point is that even if it wasn't the Imagineer's decision, there should have been someone at TDA or WDI who would have the sense to say it is a bad idea and that there are better ways to go.

Third, there are more than just engineers that are Imagineers.

On two - you are assuming that there was someone higher up who cared enough to overturn the decision. In corporations, unless you can convince them otherwise, what the boss says happens, happens. Honestly, I do believe that the person who made the decision had good intentions, even if the result may be somewhat lacking.

And yes, I do know what the road to hell is paved with.

On Three - Uhm...yes, I do happen to know that, and have for a while. In fact I would say a very small percentage of WDI is engineers and most are artists of one form or another.