What was wrong with Main Street?

**Adventurer** · 05-11-2005, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by pussnboots

Take TDL's logo alone. Completely out of style.

NO NO NO leave TDL's logo/title style ALONE. Every park/resort should have a unique logo. I HATE the fact that the old Walt Disney World logo that the park opened with in 1971 (the one with the kind of squarish letters with rounded corners and the Mickey globe head) disappeared. I want them to BRING THAT BACK!!! Now they use the stupid Walt Disney signature (I just say stupid because I don't like it's implementation here). That's DLP's thing, and I was quite pleased with it when I saw DLP's title style when that park opened, but very UPSET when they made WDW's title style like that. I'm so happy that they have brought back the original Disneyland title style for the 50th.

P.S. And while they're at it BRING BACK EPCOT's original font style!!!!

**pussnboots** · 05-11-2005, 09:48 AM

*disclaimer: the following opinion is merely an opinion, and to make it worse, one by an obnoxious graphic designer who thinks he knows everything*

Well, the Disneyland logo is timeless... As is the Coca-Cola logo, and the Walt Disney logo (rendering DLP's and WDW's current logo's timeless as well). But those '70s/'80s logos they slapped on WDW ands TDL? More in the same category as Wham! and Miami Vice. So naturally, they changed WDW's as soon as Dynasty got cancelled. But TDL still carries that old thing. The font just doesn't say anything about Disney, and doesn't carry any of the things Disney is associated with, as opposed to all the other logos. It's merely a dead giveaway of the decade the park came to be. I also don't think the "retro" argument holds water here.

**TDLFAN** · 05-11-2005, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by pussnboots

Take TDL's logo alone. Completely out of style.
I just realised that perhaps it has that horrible font because the Japanese aren't as used to western letters as it would take to decypher a font such as the one that resembles Walt's handwriting.

Most japanese can read western font just fine so that would not be a problem at all. But About the TDL logo, around the time of the 15th anniversary, the logo was changed to look like the "Disney Signature logo" style that was similar to WDW's and DLP's. The reaction was adverse to say the least. many fans complaint to Guests Realtions and the old font was officially restated minus the enclicled D logo that went with no. Now we have a plain Castle instead with the old font. Personally, I agree with Adeventurer...every park shouls have an unique signature logo. Ouimett has returned the classic Disneyland logo back after Pressler and Cynthia screwed things around. Personally I would love to see the old classic WDW logo be revived as it was unique and projects the era when the park debuted. Retro is not a bad thing, and proof is in the amount of merchandise being sold at DL that is concidered "retro" now.

Also...Pussnboots.. you dont' like the look of TDL and I respect that (have you been there by chance? You have not told us) , but keep in mind that when TDL was designed, it was to be the "best of" of the Disney parks at the time, incorporating the best features of both DL and WDW's MK. TDL may not be the best looking of the Disney Parks cosmetically but walking thru it, it reminds me of the good old days of our Disney parks in the USA... My only gripe about TDL is how much similar it is to WDW's MK. But with a New Orleans area, DL's Toontown, and unique areas all it's own like Critter Country and World Bazaar..TDL is a cut above in my book. It's too bad you seem to dismiss it just because it has a classic look, but that is your opinion and I respect it.

**pussnboots** · 05-11-2005, 10:37 AM

No, I haven't been, and I'm sure that once I go I'll love every inch of it, but until then my impression remains that I don't like the parks sense of style. I keep seeing parts of it as "befores" on a TV makeover programme. Also, "unique" isn't synonymous with "good" and retro is only retro when it was designed to be retro, not when slothful designers fail to stay up to date. I realise I have an odd obsession with this, and I don't mean to ruin anyone's fun. And I do really appreciate the enormous effort they put in other aspects of that park. To each his own, I guess.

And I never knew they had a different logo for a while. It strikes me as odd that half the world held that against them. Well, fans are nostalgic...

**Adventurer** · 05-11-2005, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by pussnboots

*disclaimer: the following opinion is merely an opinion, and to make it worse, one by an obnoxious graphic designer who thinks he knows everything*

Well, the Disneyland logo is timeless... As is the Coca-Cola logo, and the Walt Disney logo (rendering DLP's and WDW's current logo's timeless as well). But those '70s/'80s logos they slapped on WDW ands TDL? More in the same category as Wham! and Miami Vice. So naturally, they changed WDW's as soon as Dynasty got cancelled. But TDL still carries that old thing. The font just doesn't say anything about Disney, and doesn't carry any of the things Disney is associated with, as opposed to all the other logos. It's merely a dead giveaway of the decade the park came to be. I also don't think the "retro" argument holds water here.

Well, I do disagree with you. As I said, every park/resort should have it's own unique identifying logo..the one it opened with. The logo/font used is part of that park/resorts identity. It would be AWFUL if all the parks save for Disneyland in California used the Walt Disney signature script. How boring and unoriginal. Every Disneyland is supposed to be slightly different and have unique qualities the others don't, and the font/style of their logo's is part of that differantiation. Plus, the logo is not supposed to "say Disney" necessarily. You know why the TDL logo looks the way it does, with the pointy Font letters? It was meant to evoke Japan, and signify that the park is in Japan. It totally fits and makes sense. The pointy corners remind one of the pointed ends of Torii gates. Don't you see that? I saw that the first time I laid eyes on it.

Look at how the words "Hong Kong" are written in HK Disneyland. It has an Asian/Chinese character stylization to the Roman alphabet letters.

**Adventurer** · 05-11-2005, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by TDLFAN

the old font was officially restated minus the enclicled D logo that went with no.

I don't understand this part of your sentence? Enclicled? that went with ?????

**pussnboots** · 05-11-2005, 11:43 AM

He meant that it came back, but without the enlarged D with the Mickey silhouette in, obviously.

And no, I never did associate that font with Asian lettering. You think the Asians know about this, haha? Oh well, I guess they tried really hard to make Disney fit in Japan and I'm not going along with it at all. I'll try to stay out of this now, haha.

**Adventurer** · 05-11-2005, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by pussnboots

He meant that it came back, but without the enlarged D with the Mickey silhouette in, obviously.

And no, I never did associate that font with Asian lettering. You think the Asians know about this, haha? Oh well, I guess they tried really hard to make Disney fit in Japan and I'm not going along with it at all. I'll try to stay out of this now, haha.

I don't see or understand anything obivous about that "sentence"!!!

No, the Tokyo Disneyland Font was not meant to evoke asian lettering, I didn't say that. The pointy font ends were meant to evoke the ends of Torii gates.

**Adventurer** · 05-11-2005, 11:54 AM

Torii Gates:

Tokyo Disneyland:

**Adventurer** · 05-11-2005, 05:25 PM

**TDLFAN** · 05-11-2005, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by pussnboots

No, I haven't been, and I'm sure that once I go I'll love every inch of it, but until then my impression remains that I don't like the parks sense of style

Well you see? the difference between you and me then is that I base my opinions on the experiences I have had the chance to have and *never ever* make assumptions about things until I see them with my very own eyes. Reason why I still withhold to pass judgement on HKDL based on photos and renderings. I did the same thing when DCA opened...and while everyone was putting the place down for being cheap, I kept saying .."No, I will not offer an opinion until I go and see for myself." Guess what? I liked DCA for what it is= a great looking disneyfied cut above 6-flags kinda of park.
In other words... I can respect your opinion of TDL's logo because that is something you can pass judgement on without ever visiting the park, but to dismiss TDL's attributes (or any other subject for that matter) just based on photos and images that do not give you the whole picture, then.. that I have a hard time accepting. Nothing personal to you but that is how I feel about this. I will continue arguing this point with you once you have been to TDL/TDS.

**TDLFAN** · 05-11-2005, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by Adventurer

I don't understand this part of your sentence? Enclicled? that went with ?????

Adventurer, sorry about my misprint. I meant to say 'name'. The TDL font was also accompanied with a D with a circle and looked like this (the original TDL park font and logo)

http://www.solarius.com/dvp/dlt/index.html

Then they changed it to this in the mid 90s (as it appears on this pin photo)

http://www.pinpics.com/cgi-bin/pin.c...906.1115867168

...but guests and CMs hate it. Now we have this one... Same font, different castle logo:

http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/tdl/index_e.html

Also note TDL's slogan..."Kingdom of Dreams and Magic". When the park opened in 1983, it used to be "Kingdom of Family Dreams and Magic", but it got shortened.

Hope that helps.... :o

**drnilescrane** · 05-12-2005, 01:55 AM

Sorry but I just cant stand it. I prefer a the logo for the resort as a whole... It's a bit more timeless. I also fell that the Disneyland Resort in California should have a modern 'Waltograph' logo for the Resort as a whole, and keep the 50's text for the park only.

**pussnboots** · 05-12-2005, 02:19 AM

Well, that's all very true and I can't judge a park I've never set foot in, but the things I'm judging are perfectly judgeable from the perspective of someone who's analysed about 10,000 photos. I'm not talking about atmosphere, because I'm sure that's great. I'm not talking about the scent of detergents that surely looms in ever corner, I'm not talking about the way the park it set up or how friendly the CMs are. All I'm saying is that I don't like the logos, the banners, the facades in Fantasyland and the paint in Tomorrowland. It's no big deal, anyway, and I know I'm now being the equivalent of someone who insults your mother, as you love that place.

Also, I would love to go there, but it will snow on the hills of Hell before I can afford such a thing.

And... Yes, that newfangled TDL logo with Walt's handwriting isn't all that good... But then again that kind of belongs to DLP, doesn't it? I'm probably contradicting myself, but I guess it would've been nicer if they'd tried a slightly different approach. Also, if no one associates that old logo with the koi pond decorations Adventurer was talking about, I'd say it's not working.

*is in too deep*

**Adventurer** · 05-12-2005, 03:50 AM

Originally Posted by pussnboots

Also, if no one associates that old logo with the koi pond decorations Adventurer was talking about, I'd say it's not working.

*is in too deep*

I think it is working. I think maybe just because your brain doesn't make the connection, doesn't mean it's not working? Maybe you just have a block here? I got the Asian influence in Tokyo Disneylands logo when I first saw it in 1983, when I was 15 yrs old, I got it, and I'm sure if you were to ask the Disney artist who came up with the logo he'd tell you the same thing I'm saying: that the style of the font was no accident or random choice, but was indeed meant to evoke a stylistic representation of Japan or a Japanese motif. Oh, and Torii gates are more than just koi pond decorations.

P.S. That mid '90's Tokyo Disneyland logo was HORRIBLE. Bland, plain, and not special. Thank goodness people had the sense to complain. If only WDW guests and CM's could be so astute and take such initiative.