If you have been lurking about on the message boards of various Disney fan websites lately, then you might have noted the hue and cry over changes coming at the Disney theme parks.

One of the most emotional has to do with the closing of Disneyland’s Disney Gallery. Seems that this space, above New Orleans Square, that was originally designed as a suite of rooms for the Disney family will take a step back and become a suite again. This time for guests to spend a night inside Disneyland, much as they do know at the Princess Suite in the Castle in Florida’s Magic Kingdom. All part of the Year of a Million Dreams promotion.

Now as much as a fan of Disney history as I am, I don’t share this emotional attachment to this location that some folks seem to have. While the space was originally designed to be occupied by Walt and family, it was not completed before Walt passed away in December of 1966. But, it was indeed completed. A wet bar still exists behind the counter where guests now have their purchases rung up. And as well, a complete bathroom also is still in place. So with the addition of the now under construction elevator, the space will be transformed back into a residential use.

Earlier in the year, one room that had been intended as a main dining room was reduced in size as Club 33 (the private club located next door) could expand it’s kitchen storage space - a much needed project!

Now as nice as a location as the Disney Gallery may have been with it’s ties to Walt and his design approval for the space, it was and is somewhat of a pain to get into and out of, especially if you have trouble with stairs. And as a gallery space, it just gets by. Over the last few years, I found that often the pieces on display there were somewhat jammed in together. Can’t say why, but to me it did seem that in earlier years, art was displayed in a more open fashion with wall space allowing breathing room between pieces.

Does Disneyland need a gallery? I say yes, but one that better meets the needs of the art displayed and the guests to access the location. One space that folks have mentioned as a good choice is the upstairs location of the Starcade in Tomorrowland. Frankly, coin operated arcades are almost as much a part of Yesterdayland as some of the other attractions in the area got to be. Now would be a great time to send them off to history and use the location as the new home to the Disney Gallery.

This year also saw the demolition of the structure known as Fort Wilderness on Tom Sawyer’s Island along with the re-theming of the area as the Pirates Lair. Also a sentimental and emotional battle for some folks. But as time passes, so does the fabric of Disneyland. Let’s face it. Fort Wilderness was nothing but a haven for termites (thanks to deferred maintenance). And Tom Sawyer means little to generations who don’t have a clue as to who Mark Twain was or what he wrote either.

But Pirates they do know thanks to the very successful movie franchise. So with a bit of work and some new show here and there - plussing, if you will -- an old favorite of some becomes a new favorite of many.

Wade Sampson, over on Mouseplanet, does manage to find some information now and then that bears repeating. This week, he used a couple of quotes from Walt Disney that really do give us (the Disneyland fans) a clear idea of how he saw the park.

“"To keep an operation like Disneyland going you have to pour it in there. It's what I call 'keeping the show on the road.' You have to keep throwing it in; you can't sit back and let it ride. Not just new attractions but keeping it staffed properly... you know, never letting your personnel get sloppy... never let them be unfriendly. That's been our policy all our lives. My brother and I have done that, and that is what has built our organization. We're not out to make a fast dollar with gimmicks. We're interested in doing things that are fun... in bringing pleasure and especially laughter to people. I think what I want Disneyland to be most of all is a happy place... a place where adults and children can experience together some of the wonder of life, of adventure, and feel better because of it."

"But I want to leave you with this thought... that it's just been sort of a dress rehearsal, and we're just getting started. So if any of you start resting on your laurels, just forget it."

To me, those quotes tell of a dynamic place that needs to change to be more of what all guests want - not just the vocal few on some Internet message board. As their tastes in entertainment change, so should the Park(s). Nostalgia may be a part of Disneyland’s appeal but it can not be the beginning and ending of it.

With the good news about the investments to be made both in Disneyland and in Disney’s California Adventure, I think things are back on the right track to reaching the goals that Walt set for himself and for his organization.