Topic to discuss the future and refurbishment of Alice's Curious Labyrinth.
Someone of you may have read Baloos 4th wish list post about Alice's Curious Labyrinth. To me as i didnt go on this attraction last year i couldnt believe the state its in. Wires showing, Paint missing, Cracks on characters. Its very run down and now theres rumours that DLRP has cut its refurbishment budget ? :shock:
What do you all think ?
Heres the link to the wishlist entry; http://www.dlrpmagic.com/today/2008/02/ ... onderland/ (http://www.dlrpmagic.com/today/2008/02/20/wish-list-return-to-wonderland/)
Video from youtube.
[youtube:1ygsgt39]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PXGBXOn_5E&feature=related[/youtube:1ygsgt39]
Marked saying; Alice's Curious Labyrinth being refurbished in 2004. Looks like the person broke something.
Quotenow theres rumours that DLRP has cut its refurbishment budget
And the new hotel will be build next year. :-s C'mon.
Quote from: "raptor1982"Quotenow theres rumours that DLRP has cut its refurbishment budget
And the new hotel will be build next year. :-s C'mon.
So im guessing it was just a rumour then :P
Since your other post;
Quote from: "raptor1982"but I've been told that the labyrinth will go in refurb soon.
Does the Labyrinth still have the blue lights in the hedges ? It used to look great at night but think these may have been removed a long time ago, anyone know for sure ?
Several users on DCP are reporting that a few lights have been fixed. The Cheshire Cat's smile is now lit up again. I can't remember if I ever saw it lit up before. :-k
Quote from: "raptor1982"Several users on DCP are reporting that a few lights have been fixed. The Cheshire Cat's smile is now lit up again. I can't remember if I ever saw it lit up before. :-k
I'm
sure I have, at some point. I don't have any photos though, so... :-k
Have you heard anything about a proper rehab yet? It needs more than a few small fixes to get it ready for Summer.
This time last year there were fences everywhere, across the hub, in both parks... What are they working on at the moment?
Sort of on topic, but I know your talking about the rehab (or lack of).
I read in a new guidebook, that the cheshire cat's eyes spin around (yep I know that one) and his tail wags!!!!!!!
Where is his wagging tail?
His tail moves? Well can't be the flower bed, so... :?
This is the only other Cheshire Cat I know of:
(//http://www.dlrpmagic.com/images/sitepages/2_image_search.jpg)
The one with the really visible speaker behind him. I always thought that was a statue. We need our resident expert (Masamune) in here... :P
I'll also say that this bit of info was from the 2007 AA DLRP guidebook.
Which doesn't mention any of the newer stuff happening.
BUT...
the previous version of this book did mention the tigger stamper in the bookshop!
:P The eyes on that statue were indeed moving last time I was there (June 2007). I had to wait until both pupils were centered before taking a picture, otherwise he would've looked cross-eyed. :o I don't remember his tail wagging though.
Edit: Here's the picture I took.
(//http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/GaiaSigs/Disney/June%202007/Cheshire1S.jpg)
:lol: He's looking sideways, but he definatly doesn't look as strange as he looks in Baloo's pic.
I was sort of thinking it was refering to the plan view one. as in the actual maze, but I can't seem to see where the tail would be on that.
But saying that it also referred to "A blue worm smoking a hookah".
I think these guide books should be written by real fans, not just journalists.
Quote from: "Masamune":lol: He's looking sideways, but he definatly doesn't look as strange as he looks in Baloo's pic.
:lol: :lol: Yes Baloo! Shame on you! Showing such an unthrifty pic! :lol: :lol: Hope the cat or Masamune won´t take you to court! :lol:
I remember my last trip in july where eyes are moving and also the lights at the big smile where on.
I'm sending my Cheshire Cat photo into Heat magazine next week, they're going to do a feature on "celebrity cats with freaky bodies". :lol:
Quote from: "Alpop"I think these guide books should be written by real fans, not just journalists.
The AA guides are awful... they seem to be written from DLRP's own copy rather than someone actually visiting the resort and making notes. I suppose they're good when they throw up weird old things like the Tigger stamp and this though.
It definitely looks like his tail
could move in Masamune's photo.
I've seen it move before! Quite a few years ago, but it moved definitely.
:-" Out of court settlement please Baloo. :lol:
*Rolls back on topic* I've always loved the Labyrinth, despite the fact that it's starting to look a bit tatty. :) It'll look brilliant once it's all fixed up, but even if it doesn't get fixed up anytime soon, I'll still love that attraction.
I love this attraction too! Do it every time and even don´t get the right way!
Love the Labyrinth, always have loved mazes anyway.
This is something to do after or before i have something to eat. Not sure why, just a strange thing i do.
Ahhh why why why do they have to climb on props, the maze is already in a bad state as it is ! :evil:
(//http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/files/pict0418_509.jpg)
Source; Paul Arthur, Theme park review
I am ahuge alice in wonderland fan and i am so excited about seeing this labyrinth can't wait.Theres nothing much themed to alice in wdw except teacups this attraction is going to be sooo coool can't wait =D> :D
Hope it will be looking really nice and everything is working when we are there in july some of you said it was in need of arefurb.
Bumping this back up.
A friend has seen backstage a whole bunch of new props for the Labyrinth ... I assume they will be replacing broken ones soon? Or maybe a full blown refurbishment is planned?
That is really good news - we really loved this attraction in October, shabby as it was then. Would be lovely to have it refurbed, especially as it is unique to DLRP.
I hope they also do something about the steps at the castle. Really steep and slippy on a wet day, and I found it hard to hold my son's hand as the passage is quite narrow
I hope they let the Blue Caterpillar as it is!!...
We always take a picture of me with it, since I'm 8 years old :mrgreen:
This is fantastic news, the labyrinth is in desperate need of a full-blown refurbishment. The place is practically falling apart. I mean, just look at these new pictures from mousy.be (//http://www.mousy.be/14-16july08.html):
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:?
Quote from: "The Butlin Boy"This is fantastic news, the labyrinth is in desperate need of a full-blown refurbishment. The place is practically falling apart. I mean, just look at these new pictures from mousy.be (//http://www.mousy.be/14-16july08.html):
<pic>
<pic>
:?
Woah, that's bad. :| I haven't been in the Labyrinth for about 2 years now, but it seems to have deteriorated a lot since I last walked through it. Glad to hear that a refurb is planned!
That looks good actually. Seems they're starting to work on it.
It is great news that they are doing a refurb on this. It's a favourite with all of my family.
Mr_B
Quote from: "The Butlin Boy"This is fantastic news, the labyrinth is in desperate need of a full-blown refurbishment. The place is practically falling apart. I mean, just look at these new pictures from mousy.be (//http://www.mousy.be/14-16july08.html):
(//http://www.mousy.be/_wp_generated/wp1484f7f8_0f.jpg)
(//http://www.mousy.be/_wp_generated/wpb86b39f1_0f.jpg)
:?
Oh my goodness me! :? It definitely wasn't that bad last year when I was there, though I remember saying to my boyfriend at the time that it was in bad need of a refurb. Great if they're working on it, though wouldn't high season be a bad time to start? Would have thought they'd have waited till September really.
I'm glad they will be hopefully refurbishing the Labyrinth, it has started to look a bit worse for wear.
Bring on bright colours and craziness that would literally make you feel like Alice :mrgreen:
We visited in May 2008 and it was in really bad condition. I hope for a complete refurb realy really soon ( if possible before my visit in September ) ;)
I would love to see the Queen of Hearts back in Action and a protection for the house in which the Evil Queen is located because there´s always much of dump ! Why do people throw waste in an Attraction ???????????? I can´t think about that ... :shock: I really can´t understand.
the effects seems to operate. Maybe that´s also a sign of the upcoming refurb
They finally heard us complain! The labyrinth will close down in September for one month for a complete refurbishment! :cheshire_bounce:
Yeaaaaaahh!!!!!! :D/ :D/
What more is there to say? Thank you whoever signed this off!
Now the fans need to start some more noise about the Treehouse, and then the Castle, and then DLP is perfecto. :mrgreen:
wooo-hoooo. I love the Labyrinth but it really does need TLC.
That is fantastic news! Now I HAVE to book a trip for Christmas! I love the labyrinth and have been wishing for it to be restored to it's former glory! No more squeaky Queen of Hearts or moss green stones! Yay!! :cheshire_bounce:
Wow! This is the second piece of great news today! If they carry on like this DLRP should be almost perfect in a few years time. :P
I'm glad I'm going in November now; I was originally going to go in September.
Quote from: "Kristof"They finally heard us complain! The labyrinth will close down in September for one month for a complete refurbishment! :cheshire_bounce:
When in September ? I'm hoping the 16th at the earliest ( that give me 2 days to go round it ).
Quote from: "Pete's Dragon"Quote from: "Kristof"They finally heard us complain! The labyrinth will close down in September for one month for a complete refurbishment! :cheshire_bounce:
When in September ? I'm hoping the 16th at the earliest ( that give me 2 days to go round it ).
It seems like its closed for the whole month of september i think..
The News and Events calender say only Autopia is closed during September( 8th -12th ).
For once I thought I was actually going to DL when all the rides were open, not fair :cry: (going on the 14th).
Please hold off on the refurbs for 34 days
I'm so happy they are refurbishing the Labyrinth!
It will be all bright and colourful again! :mrgreen:
Fantastic, lets hope that they can work their magic on it now and get it back to the standards it had when it fist opened :mrgreen: :D/
That's great news indeed Raptor :)!!!
We visit the Labyrinth every time we are at DLRP. Since our first visit in 1992 we always took a picture of me in front of the Blue Caterpillar, it's just a must-do for us ;) So I'm really glad we'll have a new coloured, bright Labyrinth in December :cheshire_bounce:
Yes that are really wonderful news! I love the labyrinth sooo much!
And also good for nalas before/after/between photo report that she will surly give us! :mrgreen: Would be great to see the paint fading away and then coming back with a big punch!
Quote from: "Pete's Dragon"The News and Events calender say only Autopia is closed during September( 8th -12th ).
For once I thought I was actually going to DL when all the rides were open, not fair :cry: (going on the 14th).
Please hold off on the refurbs for 34 days
Indy is shut 8th - 19th sept, confirmed on booking the hotel.
I have never been in the maze, was going to give it a try this year but sits probably for the best that I dont see it until after the refurb!
When I was little I used to get lost in the maze on purpose. It felt so magical and I was sure I'd find the White Rabbit or something. I loved walking through the tiny doors and hiding from my mom and then pop out and yell "Here I am!". So, basically, I'm really glad it's getting refurbished 'cause it was one of my most treasured places as a kid.
Just found the pic:
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VERY happy to see this happening. Such a gem in Fantasyland, just like falling into the film.
I'm very interested to see what these new props are going to be? Hope someone can follow this closely.
Whilst working there, was always a question "how do I get out of here?" Try explaining that to a guest!
Maybe we met a totally emaciated painter or planter in october stamming "Help me find the exit" all the time :mrgreen: I would reach him a helping hand!
So dare I ask... is the Labyrinth actually being refurbished? :|
Quote from: "Anthony"So dare I ask... is the Labyrinth actually being refurbished? :|
Hasn't it started yet? Apparently it will take 15 days... so in theory the refurb should start within the next 4 days. :?
Quote from: "Anthony"So dare I ask... is the Labyrinth actually being refurbished? :|
Mousy.be wrote, that the labyrinth just opened at afternoon. But I don´t know if this is a sign for the refurb.
Leave the refurb. until the 22nd :wink:
:D Yay, I'm so happy to hear that it's being refurbished! I can't wait for my trip in January, knowing that the Labyrinth will be in the best possible condition.
:lol: My picture tradition has always been to have one in front of the big Cheshire Cat hill, as well as beside the Cheshire Cat statue that's holding up a directions sign. Also, I've always had a picture taken at the top of the Castle, with Sleeping Beauty's Castle in the background. :)
I´ve visited Disneyland from 7th -11th of September and there was no refurb to see... :(
But on afternoon it closes 3 hours before park closing so maybe they started painting or something .
We were there the 11th - 15th. It was closed Friday. Open Saturday and Sunday. Not sure about Monday as we didn't go that far.
Sounds all a bit mysterious. Do they now a refurb or what? :|
Not sure if I mentioned it before, but the attraction remains open during the first wave of the refurb.
aaaaaaaaaah :D That explain everything :) Thanks raptor! You are today my silver lining at the horizont!
Quote from: "Riebi"aaaaaaaaaah :D That explain everything :) Thanks raptor! You are today my silver lining at the horizont!
Well thank you sir! :wink:
Thanks Kristof :D
Disney_donutter, Madame_Leota, Smurfy and I were wondering why it was still open when we were there!
But I did notice that on the 10th it was open but the jumping water fountains were not and the maze was very static to look at and then on the 11th everything was working.
Didnt go in this trip, but am going again in December so if its open I will have to have a goosey! :D
I noticed quite a few changes during my visit to the Labyrinth past weekend.
- A LOT of new bushes have been planted
- The topiary arch has returned
- Only one pop-up Queen, but a brand NEW one!
- And the lampshade in the Castle has been replaced as well... :lol: .
(//http://www.photosmagiques.com/gallery/news_updates/8-9_november_08/DSC06232.JPG)
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:D Yay for progress! The pop-up Queen looks scarier than ever!
It's a start, and a very good one at that. I'm really looking forward to when they are finished, and the labyrinth is as good as new again :mrgreen:
Woooo! finally some refirb going on in the labyrinth!! The queen looks amazing!! can't wait to go!!
Very, very happy to see that. :)
(//http://www.photosmagiques.com/gallery/news_updates/8-9_november_08/DSC06232.JPG)
OFF WITH HER HEAD!!!
I'm sorry...but I could not resist posting that line...:)
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I wonder what shrub was used to grow the topiary arch, it's just that looking at it, it's a different shade of green, more a silvery green to the hedging around it. This may be a silly assumption, but is it real or is it another 'Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse' effect. If it is real, which I guess it should be, it must have took some growing and forming..Come to think of it, it must be propped up well for it's height, considering the roots would not have taken hold quite yet, because of this I'm assuming it has a rigid inner frame, also planted well into the ground... :shock: :D
The new queen's all well and good, but someone really needs to grab a paintbrush. Plus I hope they fix, what I'm going to christen Pete's Pothole ( as I nearly went tumbling like Alice down the rabbit hole......maybe that's the point of it. Interaction, and a law-suit )
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Hmmm, it is great to see some restoration, but I do wonder when they will be coming around with the pain cans to sort that out too??!!!!
I think all what we can do is bring a bit of patience. They renovate the labyrinth in hm 3 phases. So the half day closure and the replacement of elements like the queen of hearts etc. could be phase one. Maybe for the paintjob they must close the labyrinth totally to have the dry time for the paint and maybe all paintjobs are phase 3 or so.
Quote from: "Javey74"I wonder what shrub was used to grow the topiary arch, it's just that looking at it, it's a different shade of green, more a silvery green to the hedging around it. This may be a silly assumption, but is it real or is it another 'Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse' effect. If it is real, which I guess it should be, it must have took some growing and forming..Come to think of it, it must be propped up well for it's height, considering the roots would not have taken hold quite yet, because of this I'm assuming it has a rigid inner frame, also planted well into the ground... :shock: :D
It kind of looks like some variety of ivy grown around a prop. Could be wrong but it would be a quick way of growing something that size and height.
Have they actually done ANY work to the Labyrinth? It looks just as run down as ever!
No water spouts, chipped purple borders, broken foot on poor Club...
Seen... better... days...
Yeah, I thought that too when we were in the Labyrinth on Tuesday!!
I thought it wasn't very different than before :-k
I agree with Nala, although I had never been through it before the other day I had seen the pictures. I was excited about seeing what work they had done yet I didnt see any difference... except that the Queen wasnt green.
But I am hoping they continue to work on it, it would be lovely to see it in the state I remember when I used to watch the adverts on TV for it :D
DLRPMagic.com has just published the latest "refurbishments and closures" dates and it looks like a lot of time is being spent on the dilapidated Labyrinth!
JUNE - 22nd to 26th, 29th to 30th
JULY - 1st to 3rd
AUGUST - 31st only
SEPTEMBER - 1st to 4th
15 days in total over 4 months! Please, please, please make it make a difference!!!!
hope too it gets some refurbishment, but all these days mean also only a couple of days or one day time in a row.
News of the decade:
They Painted the [strike:3tggmvve]Roses[/strike:3tggmvve] Curbs Red!!!
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Photos: Davewasbaloo
To whoever is responsible: Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!
Hallelujah! [-o< =D>
Better late than never 'eh? :P
Such an improvement, and it only cost a few cans of paint!
The Labyrinth (such a hard word to spell!) has been dire for the last few of my visits. Theming missing, and the theming which was there was in a bad way.
It was totally the opposite of how I remembered it.
As long as they fix this before my next visit. Nearly cost me a couple of teeth and quite possibly a camera
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Hazar! I'm so pleased! Those patchy curbs always bothered me whenever I saw them, it's amazing what a lick of paint can do isn't it? :D
Brilliant! It makes such a difference. So I guess this refurb isn't dead? :wink:
Just a reminder of how it looked last summer, when they chose to repaint the curbs on the Fantasyland-Discoveryland path instead (which are now faded again... damn MLV weather):
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One of the best improvements that could be made to the Labyrinth is to remove the step next to each of the Queen of Hearts pop-ups. People just automatically step up on those (myself included) and ruin the magic for themselves by looking over. Remove the step there, or extend it upwards into a small wall, and no one will be able to see. Improve guest satisfaction x10.
I will follow up with more news later, but this is in the best condition I have seen for probably a decade. All the AA's (including the hammer bird, the owl, the caterpillar, the queens etc).
Fountains were working too. Shame about the doors and slide going away forever, but that is old news. But what is still there is now in good shape. Only thing missing is the little cheshire cat.
:shock: Something to do with Cheshire is missing? I've only ever known three Cheshire things in the Labyrinth; his face on the hill, the statue in the tree with the moving eyes and the one holding up a sign. Is there a 4th one from earlier days?
It is the eye moving one in the trees missing
More very good news. I'm particularly looking forward to seeing the Queen again.
Quote from: "davewasbaloo"It is the eye moving one in the trees missing
:( Noooo! I suppose it's for the best though. :) He'll be all nice and shiny when they put him back I'm sure.
I've been to DLP 5 times, 4 of which I went in Alice's Labyrinth, and 4 of which *NONE* of those pop up characters were working, not the Queen, not the cards, nothing.
The sad bit for me is the castle in the centre. It feels as though that's where you've been aiming for, but you get there and its a tiny castle crammed full of people trying to squeeze up and down the stairs, and cram onto the balconies etc. Can you imagine when the slide around the outside was still accessible?!
But yeah the paint thing, I think that's what DLP need to realise, that something as simple as a lick of paint can really improve things.
Just come back and there was plenty of work going on in the labyrinth, there were workman rebuilding the spitting fountains and repainting things, it all sounded very industrious.
Just back from the resort and I must say, it's the worst condition that I have ever seen it! Most of the props were in-active and just needs a lot of attention!
How long have we been banging on about the Labyrinth needing a good renovation, and still nobody at DLP has had the same concerns?
I think they're really reluctant to close it because it can accomodate so many people at one time, without any major running costs. Could that really be the reason? Are they worried about where all the people will go? Or is it the old money issue, or do they simply not care until one of the QoH Castle walls starts to crumble?
Enough is enough, get it sorted DLP !!!
I was last there in late November, when it was looking pretty spiffy, compared to previous years. Could it really have deteriorated that much in two months?
Quote from: "Fever"Just back from the resort and I must say, it's the worst condition that I have ever seen it! Most of the props were in-active and just needs a lot of attention!
Do you have some pictures of the labyrinth?
I remember when I was ther last September, there was a marginal improvement from the year before, but nothing major.
Really all it needs is a good lick of paint and a few new hedges. And when you see how well maintained the rest of the parks plants and shrubbary are, it makes you wonder even more why they haven't brought the Labyrinth up to scratch.
Maybe all that snow and rain messed up the paint work and the spcial effects. A lot of renovation work was done at the Labyrith last spring and when we went last summer we could see a big improvement. It just goes to show how hard it is to keep everything up to scratch.
Could probably do with some up to date photos, but I willing to bet the castle was never painted, and it really did a couple of coats
No, the castle may not have been painted. But a lot of renovation work was done at the Labyrinth and it was noticeable in the summer. Maybe it needs doing again already. The freezing weather can't have done it much good though. And all the wear and tear it must get, kids and adults running around trying to climb over everything.
When I was there in September, it looked good, but there was a fair bit of flooding around the fountain bits, the little doors were bolted shut (they used to open!) and the hedges were very thin, you could see through them a lot. Castle looked as it usually does but the mirror was boarded up, and as usual, there were tons of people crammed in, so getting to the 1st floor wasnt an option.
The little doors were bolted shut when we were there if I remember correctly. I don't know why, there must be a reason for it. Maybe kids got stuck trying to get through?
Can someone please tell me what the Tigger Stamp is? :lol:
When i went in September and then November everything was working and it looked a lot better than on my previous trips.
i havent been in it since oct 08 despite having two trips since then. i will have a look in march hopefully it has improved.
None of the figures rising up (there's the queen and a couple of guards I think) were working when I was there in Friday. The sound was, just no queen to show for it!
One of the figures of the queen was rising up when I went in it in November (didn't go in last Saturday alas) the other one wasn't. The one nearest to the main entrance of the Queen of Hearts castle was the one that was working. Apart from that I think everything else worked.
I feel a bit sad for not going in the labyrinth last Saturday, it looked quite pretty with bits of snow on it.
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Great picture!
Thanks!
I just couldn't resist taking snowy photos, it's not like that opportunity arises every visit after all :)