Destruction and Disneyland

[1313Imagination]

Whether or not you think it's art, Disneyland is the product of many skilled artists who pour their souls into what goes inside.

To watch an attraction go through the planning stages is sheer beauty, from artwork to models to actual construction, there is so much design and detail put into everything.

Then an attraction runs its course, and all of the beautiful sets, the designs, and the ornate details are unceremoniously destroyed. Ripped apart. Smashed. Broken. Tossed into a heap bound for a landfill. Only a few pieces are saved.

All this artistry, all of this passion, is left in the garbage truck. The Eye of Adventure Thru Inner Space, the entire interiors of all the pre-1983 Fantasyland dark rides, the models, the scenery, everything.

Harriet Burns' model of the Carousel of Progress was quickly trashed after the attraction was created, and on film she spoke of how she wished she could have kept it. Every piece of it was painstakingly labored over to ensure the most stunning detail.

Now, why does Disneyland have to so brutally destroy it's creations? Obviously the attraction has to go, but why not save the pieces and sell them? Why not give them to someone who treasures their legacy? Why must they be sent to the Garbage. Every Atommobile used in Adventure thru Inner Space ended up in a landfill in Mexico, and yet the PeopleMover vehicles were sold to the Public.

20,000 Leagues under the Sea at Walt Disney World had all of it's figures Smashed, many of which could have been saved.

Is Disney being selfish, quoting the old, "If I can't have it, no one can?" Why are some things destroyed when they can be saved and either stored or sold? The artist who made the Sunshine Plaza fountain I heard, went so far as to ask for it back, but likely it too will simply be destroyed.

Man these are a lot of rhetorical questions. Let's face it, since opening day, destruction and Disney have been married together. It's a shame that some things are just thrown away.

[1313Imagination]

Wow. Dead silence. Here's more of a question to entice answers, do you think Disney should take better care to preserve its creations after the attraction has run its course?

[santadog]

I remember they were selling some of the portholes from the 20K leagues ride vehicles on ebay back in the day.

Probably the main reason they don't sell the pieces is they don't want someone from a carnival or competing park using them.

They used to sell the figures from the Disney Stores when they closed them, but after some retailer bought some, and used them in their stores, that put an end to that.

[sapphirejc72]

i thought it was sad when i read the, in the parks, section today the author(is that what they would be called?) made a comment of how the postcard tiles at the entrance of DCA would make a nice countertop or something of that effect. i'm sure it wasn't meant to be mean, but that artist put alot of effort into that and my family enjoyed it while it was there, i just kinda felt a little bad for them.

[Tigger_Twin89]

I agree! It's so sad to hear that not only does someones hard work going to waste but think of all the gas, lighting used to construct at night and other natural resources that were wasted? Why not just reuse what you can on other attractions (like with splash and star tours)

[SoCalFan]

It's the cycle of a theme park...very little is permanent and things do change. Being a designer for a theme park, I believe these artist fully understand that. Perserving everything as is causes stagnation and then things become museum like(although museums do change out exhibits as well). There are certain things that should stay but also many that need to be in the cycle. Lots of artist put time, effort, and meticulous work into TL '98 and yet no one see's a problem with changing that. Things need to change, you can't preserve everything.

[oo_nrb]

Is Disney being selfish, quoting the old, "If I can't have it, no one can?"

I think it's much less a mentality like this but more of a method of brand protection. Outdated AA's are still filled with proprietary Disney technology, and some set pieces are copyrighted Disney property. Unfortunately, destruction is often the best way to ensure that the pieces don't end up in Six Flags Over Flushing.

[Flickering Bulb]

wdi produces so many models that they don't have room to save each and every single one. at least that's what the first Walt Disney Imagineering book says and even though all that is edited to make disney look good, i'm sure it's true. the art work itself is saved in the IRC Library. but models are often so huge, would it really be practical to buy a giant warehouse just to house models for mementos, sitting there, with one guard, and pay property tax? i can understand why they may trash models. but they do keep some, whatever they consider to be the best of the best i assume. they still have the tokyo disney sea model, which is absolutely stunning.

[CaptainEO,ATIS]

I miss my third eye. Don't forget that the Mighty Microscope was imploded. All they did was save a few Atomobiles.

[Tomorrowland Tourist]

Anyone want that burger from Burger Invasion in DCA? True artistry!

[CaptainEO,ATIS]

Also the original Captain EO sign was destroyed but they were able to save the WDW one. They destroyed almost all of the beautiful Nature's Wonderland and now they are basically destroying Star Tours.

[Garfieldo]

The way they've treated past attractions has been truly shameful. I hope that nowadays they send old props to the Disney Archives.

[LaTruce]

John Stamos bought the old Disneyland sign for $30,700. It fills up the space in his house.... I guess you can say that he has a Full House.

[Gudrun]

I agree, it's a shame, but it goes with the territory. Artists lucky enough to work for Disney know that what they produce ultimately doesn't belong to them, it belongs to the company. If they wanted to make the final call on their pieces they could always work for themselves - but that's usually not as awesome as working as an imagineer. I also think the brand protection/image protection that oo_nrb mentioned plays a big part. They've got to keep it special, you know?

[CaptainEO,ATIS]

Does anyone know if Disney has someone that still sells the Disney Parks props? Because I'm pretty sure that a few months ago this guy on eBay was selling the Disneyland it's a small world FP sign, a WDW Brer Rabbit carving that went on the log, and a lamb from WDW's Mr. Toad.

EDIT: Here is all the stuff he is selling, even a Horizons vehicle, 20k Submarine Voyage porthole, and Universe of Energy sign. Should we believe these are really authentic? http://shop.ebay.com/mousesurplus/m...._from=&_ipg=25