They never released the “lore,” so there was nothing to read up on.
The concept was always “junkyard.” Houses are designed with their limitations in mind. The designers know they only have so much space available, and general idea of how stuff in the house can cost. So, no, the concept wasn’t changed due to budget. Even if a blue sky idea was floated to put a “ride” in a soundstage, it would have never come off the whiteboard because they knew it wouldn’t be feasible.
Also, A&D could have released the “lore” if they wanted. Here’s the thing though (and I’ve stated this before): what A&D writes (treatments, stories, character descriptions) aren’t initially in a “consumable” state. And while it was stated that each character has a “backstory,” we don’t know if those backstories were 3 pages or (more likely) 3 lines. To release them would require the DESIGNER to draft and finalize for release full backgrounds for 22 characters. That takes HOURS of work when they’re already devoted to designing a house.
It wasn’t Marketing. It was prioritization. A&D shouldn’t have to exert resources like on something that is “nice to have” when only 3% of people will care. They have more important things to put do.