Prior to Season 46, it wasn't that big of a deal, because any changes and differences to the set weren't as drastic and glaring as they have been since Season 46. I was incredibly nitpicky, even as a kid, and I can just imagine if I was still a kid watching these seasons, I'd be flipping out over why Hooper's Store keeps switching back and forth between having a striped vinyl awning with a slick metal facade and blue paneling, and having a neon sign, green exterior, and checkered tile; or why there's a two-story brick brownstone in the arbor in some episodes, and a sweeping view of a bridge in others; or why these doors around Big Bird's nest keep disappearing and reappearing.They don’t seem to care about using street scenes with the old set.
I also sometimes can't help but wonder if any of this even disorients or distracts kids watching today.