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That Crane!

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Tue, 08/13/2013 - 17:32
KenJ
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That Crane!

You know the one...

yuck

Is it just me or does anyone else feel that Disney could do something better regarding the crane that is used on Cinderella's castle?

From what I've read, it takes 2 months to install the Christmas lights and then another month to take them down. That means this crane is onsite 3 months out of 12.

Being that the castle is not only the centerpiece of Magic Kingdom plus also the symbol and icon for Disney World itself, it just strikes me as rather odd that they do this. Especially since everything is about the "show" and they are so meticulous with all the details of what people see, hear and smell. The crane just ruins the "magic" and is very un-Disney like IMO.

I can understand if something new is being constructed or there are renovations taking place. But this is 3 months a year, each and every year. Just seems strange to me.

I would have thought that they would just embed the LEDs into the structure of the castle and then not have to go through this yearly ritual.

At the very least, they should cover it in fur, stick some eyeballs on it, give it a name and make it a character or something! laugh

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Tue, 08/13/2013 - 18:25
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Kristen K.
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I hate the crane - it's so ugly and ruins my pictures. I would honestly rather them not do the ice castle lights than have to deal with looking at that crane.

Thu, 08/15/2013 - 11:00
Hazegry
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you would think they could work on embedding the lights into the castle, or having them automated and hidden in areas so all they had to do was crank them out then back in. I cant stand the crane either its in allot of my castle shots and usually those never see the light of day.

Thu, 08/15/2013 - 11:23
KenJ
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I know what you mean Hazegry. I just think that Disney could come up with a much better solution.

Here's a couple of shots from my last visit and my attempt to salvage using Photoshop. These are 2 different shots taken seconds apart. The second one is after a bit of processing and crane removal. However, I see now there's still a small blotch that I need to go back and fix. Smile. That crane just looks so out of place!

Thu, 08/15/2013 - 13:06
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That's a great fix! And if I hadn't been looking for it I wouldn't have seen the blotch at all.

As to embedding the lights into the castle. I don't like the crane being there - I can't even imagine the angst it would cause for them to have to remove the panels of the castle and reconstruct it with embedded lights! UGH! Nightmare.

Thu, 08/15/2013 - 14:45
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Eeyore
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Wow! That is super ugly! Nice job on editing Ken! That is super cool. I've never been to WDW while the crane was up. Thank goodness. We usually went the week after Thanksgiving so everything was already up and not coming down for another week or two.

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Thu, 08/15/2013 - 21:12
KenJ
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Thanks! Actually, removing the crane is very easy in Photoshop using the Clone tool. You just sample the area you want, in this case just to the right of the crane, then drag the brush up the crane. Photoshop then copies the blue sky to the right and paints it onto the crane as you drag it along.

We'll be there again in 2 weeks and I'm looking forward to seeing the castle without that damned crane. Smile

Fri, 08/16/2013 - 00:09
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It works much better when you have a nice blue sky with no clouds.

Sat, 08/17/2013 - 16:50
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Mandy
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I think they should leave the lights on the castle and never take them off. The Christmas decorations don't come down until January.

Sat, 08/17/2013 - 20:56
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Mandy wrote:
I think they should leave the lights on the castle and never take them off. The Christmas decorations don't come down until January.

But they're so ugly during the day time!

Sun, 08/18/2013 - 15:25
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Would you rather have the ugly lights (daytime only) in your pictures or the ugly crane (that's there for like two months)?

Mon, 08/19/2013 - 16:10
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I (personally) would rather have neither. The Ice Castle is pretty, but it comes with a price of diminished show no matter how you cut it. I would rather the company be more considerate of the overall show experience.

There was a time that guests did NOT see this sort of thing - never ever ever. There was none of this tarping and giant walls and cranes. EVERYTHING that needed to be done happened overnight, because it would ruin the guest experience otherwise. That was part of why it was "magic" no guest ever saw it happen but it was always done.

Now - I do apologize for the fact that I am turning into my grandmother with my "back in the day" talk, but I would rather have a A+++ show and a little less in my shareholder dividend check than a B show and greater return. You can only cut so many corners.

Thu, 09/05/2013 - 21:09
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coreyp
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I saw somewhere on another blog that Disney announces the dates when the crane will be set up so people aren't surprised when they get there and see it. Last year it was up for 2 weeks, from Sept 16-Oct 1st, Not 2 months.

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Thu, 09/05/2013 - 21:38
KenJ
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That's good to know. 1 month out of 12 is better than 3 I guess, but still 1 month too much IMO.

I still think they should do the work at night, like all other maintenance and fold down the crane during the day. This way, no one has to see the thing at all.

Sun, 09/22/2013 - 00:48
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That crane is back behind the castle retrieving Prince Charming's toys off the roof.

Sun, 09/22/2013 - 00:54
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Mandy wrote:
That crane is back behind the castle retrieving Prince Charming's toys off the roof.

He really should stop throwing his toys up there like that. laugh

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Sun, 09/22/2013 - 00:57
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I know he really should. Apparently Prince Charming has been busy lately with Prince Phillip teaching Flynn Ryder how to slay dragons with a sword instead of a frying pan.

Sun, 09/22/2013 - 01:32
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Magic Days
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Any idea when it will be gone. Do they lights on once thy are on or will tha wait until the first mvmcp party?

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Sun, 09/22/2013 - 01:36
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I believe they wait until November to turn on the lights since they don't fit Halloween.

Sun, 09/22/2013 - 01:45
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Magic Days
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I am fine if they would like to flip that switch like Nov 2nd lol.

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Sun, 09/22/2013 - 01:47
KenJ
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I think Disney should start offering a tour called "Behind Our Cranes" since it has a regular presence at the park.

The funny thing is that I'd take that tour. Seriously, I would. laugh

Sun, 09/22/2013 - 17:38
PirateGirl
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Well that's a bummer. waiting Oh well it won't detract from my joy at seeing THE CASTLE.

Sun, 09/22/2013 - 22:36
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Magic Days wrote:
I am fine if they would like to flip that switch like Nov 2nd lol.

Too soon. Disney will have just ended their Halloween celebration and quickly changing over to celebrate Christmas.

Sun, 09/22/2013 - 22:50
KenJ
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It's quite a sight to see in person.

I took these shots on Nov. 12 and 13 last year.



Mon, 09/23/2013 - 01:49
JeffC
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We were chatting with a CM on Friday and she told us stories of people who have come to them demanding full refunds of their entire trip because the crane was visible during their trip and ruined their entire vacation.

Mon, 09/23/2013 - 23:29
PirateGirl
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Oh please. I may not like the crane but I certainly would not let something as trivial as this ruin my vacation. What a bunch of grump butts! waiting

Mon, 09/23/2013 - 23:35
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PirateGirl wrote:
Oh please. I may not like the crane but I certainly would not let something as trivial as this ruin my vacation. What a bunch of grump butts! waiting

That's not very surprising. I bet people have asked for refunds for their whole trip because of a show like Fantasmic! being cancelled.

Mon, 09/23/2013 - 23:38
KenJ
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Hahaha! I don't like the crane but it doesn't ruin my vacation.

I'm tellin' ya.... All they have to do is make it a character and give tours and photo ops and everyone would be happy!

Mon, 09/23/2013 - 23:40
PirateGirl
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Ken you are so right.

Tue, 09/24/2013 - 00:07
JeffC
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KenJ wrote:
I'm tellin' ya.... All they have to do is make it a character and give tours and photo ops and everyone would be happy!

Brilliant idea!!! Call it CRANE-E!! Har.....

Tue, 09/24/2013 - 01:11
KenJ
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JeffC wrote:
Brilliant idea!!! Call it CRANE-E!! Har.....

Haha! Perfect! I can just hear it now...

"Hey kids! Look! CRANE-E is at Magic Kingdom!" Yay!!!! Let's go get our picture taken! laugh

Hey Mandy, who do we call? You must have those extension numbers that matter! biggrin

 
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