WDW - Yesteryear Photos from the Net

[tasman]

One of my favorite pastimes is to browse the net for old photos of Disney parks, particularly WDW, and to reminisce on how things were and the effect of changes through the years. Here's one for starters, from an old postcard scanned by Brian Martsolf:



Nowadays, the MK's Fantasyland gets a lot of criticism. However, as the pic above reminds us, this Fantasyland was the first to significantly feature the "medieval village" motif, particularly in the western half of the land. This provided a template for Disneyland's Fantasyland makeover of 1983, and even today there is more architectural detail than even at TDL or HKDL. Although the "renaissance fair" motif also remained, I love the way it was integrated with "village" architecture in this half of the land. Also, while almost everyone prefers the "classic" facade of Small World, I feel that MK version's facade does work, particularly from the vantage point below. However, the same view today has a different feeling today - and not in a good way. But since the architecture remains largely the same, to what can we attribute this change? I think color scheme has a lot to do with the difference. Back in the old days the "village" sported the colors of a real European village. Today, there is what I think of as a "Barbie" color scheme - dominated by shades of pink, blue, purple, etc. in place of the creams, greys, browns of yesteryear. While the intention may have been to create a more "fairytale" atmosphere, I think the end result is somewhat toxic or sickly in appearance. Also, the bright colors of the "tents" constituting the facade have been replaced with a duller palette. In particular I miss the splashes of green which nicely complimented the golds of the finials. The pathways of Fantasyland are somewhat barren today - back in those days they punctuated by a variety of small carts, pavilions, planters, and other elements - like the umbrellas providing shade and visual interest inbetween Small World and the buildings on the opposite side of the street. The vantage point from which the picture was taken...the old Skyway chalet...today stands an empty shell. People who are unfamiliar with it, tend to approach it thinking that it is some attraction...only to find that it is glorified stroller parking. And finally the Skyway itself...though theamtically somewhat tenuous...did add both kinesis and more color that are also gone today.

I'd love to hear other people's thoughts. I will try to find other photos I like and post them here periodically. And if there are photos anyone else likes that they wouldn't mind sharing, please post them here.

[tasman]

A pic a little further down the vista. This one courtesy of moacirdsp and taken in 1972. I love the more "natural" colors of the houses.

[tasman]

Also courtesy moacirdsp, 1972: a soothing expanse of water to balance the hard concrete, more plants and flowers to break up the broad expanses of pathways, and more seating. From a detail standpoint, I think today's Dumbo is better, but the bright pastel colors did harmonize well with the "tents" of the Renaissance fair motif.

[tasman]

Some vanished elements (from old postcards)...

there was a fife band in Liberty Square...



...and Swan Boats in the hub (now there is a designated smoking area):

[tasman]

Some other vanished elements:

A street that is no more (now there is extension of a Disney Store)...

To be honest the current store facade isn't bad, but the sense of depth that Center Street imparted to Main St is gone. Gone also are the unique themed stores.



...and a show that is no more (now there is...nothing there, to the best of my knowledge):

[tasman]

Mouse on parade...



...and in concert. I actually like Philharmagic better...but I wish they had kept this one, since it was original to MK, and put its successors elsewhere:

[tasman]

Previous six pics scanned by Brian Martsolf from old postcards.

[tasman]

Castle on opening day, 1971 (photo by UFG8R):

[tasman]

Less vegetation those days...I like the view better today, since the mature trees hide the showbuilding(s) better...also since the Mansion still looks as good as it did back then (can't say that about most of the rest of the park). Pics are by moacirdsp, from 1972.

[draybook]

Wow, what a huge difference. Especially with the Haunted Mansion.

[SummerInFL]

Originally Posted by tasman

...and a show that is no more (now there is...nothing there, to the best of my knowledge):

Now they open it when it's really busy and sell sandwiches. That's about it. :/

I have some old pictures from my family trips.

1976






This pic shows the land that is now the Grand Floridian in the background, I have an "after" photo somewhere, I'll have to dig it up.


No Aladdin






My favorite from that year.


Here is that skyway station everyone was talking about






1982


Another angle of IASW.


1983








1985


Canoes!


1987

Taken from Horizons or World of Motion, I forgot, don't hate me! *ducks* LOL






1997

The Year of the Pepto Cake!






Still no Aladdin


Old Pirates








Delta Dream Flight (I miss this one)






This mural is on a wall behind Main Street where they used to have a Walk through history of MK. I'm told it's still there but now you can't access it. They turned that hallway into a princess meet n greet.

[tasman]

^^ Thanks for the pics Summer! Adventureland was so much better without Alladin. I will post some more pics later tonight.

[yoyoflamingo]

Summer, the EPCOT shot was taken from the World of Motion.

I love these old pic! Keep them coming please!

[tasman]

One remains, two are gone

(from postcards scanned by Brian Martsolf):

[tasman]

Tomorrowland entrance waterfalls, 1978 - photo by Russes: