News Coco Boat Ride Coming to Disney California Adventure

[mickEblu]

In fact, and I know this may sound crazy, I could support that DTD parking West of DL being DCA expansion and there being a themed transport (like Hogwarts express) that goes from Paradise Gardens to that area (but staying within DCA). It would allow a park-to-park walkway into Bayou Country (or exits/entries to resort).

This is a great idea. That not only helps DCA with more attractions but adds an experience to the park/ resort that currently does not exist - adding more value to DCA. The only issue is where do you put the Frozens and Moana’s of the world? The IP that would seemingly be a no brainer to go in DL. Would Disney put them in DCA? I suppose they could as they seem to be ok putting anything in DCA. Or would they start looking at ripping out classics in DL proper since they don’t have room to expand.

 

[mickEblu]

Ha I hit on that too. I have some weird deep seated suspicion Frozen is what is being saved for over there (DTD).

There’s been too many opportunities passed up. The company has a tendency to do the less obvious thing.

How many of us would have believed Toontown would not only survive Galaxies Edge but be turned into a forever land that we’d stop speculating was imminently on the chopping block. I feel there’s a similar thing that *could* happen with all the speculation we’ve had over the years around the subs and autopia.


Sorry I know this thread is coco…

Don’t love the thought of a single IP land within the berm in the heart of DL but that could certainly happen. Hopefully if they go that route (instead of just an attraction/ shop/ restaurant within Fantasyland) it fits seamlessly with DL’s scale. There is a case to be made that that’s right spot for it. Why waste a huge expansion pad when it fits right there in the shadow of the Matterhorn while pretty much only removing one attraction? An attraction that even most traditionalists seem to be ok replacing. Not to say I wouldn’t have my concerns with Frozen going there but I could understand why they’d want to.

Haha yeah MMRR means Toontown is here to stay. Now the only question is what replaces Roger Rabbit.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Ha I hit on that too. I have some weird deep seated suspicion Frozen is what is being saved for over there (DTD).

There’s been too many opportunities passed up. The company has a tendency to do the less obvious thing.

How many of us would have believed Toontown would not only survive Galaxies Edge but be turned into a forever land that we’d stop speculating was imminently on the chopping block. I feel there’s a similar thing that *could* happen with all the speculation we’ve had over the years around the subs and autopia.


Sorry I know this thread is coco…

I only want Frozen at DLR if it’s the Fantasy Springs version.

But given the US already has Frozen, and most the other parks now … I wouldn’t mind seeing Disneyland get something unique instead. Pull a Dinosaur and copy the Frozen TDS layout, but make it Moana or something.

 

[mickEblu]

I only want Frozen at DLR if it’s the Fantasy Springs version.

But given the US already has Frozen, and most the other parks now … I wouldn’t mind seeing Disneyland get something unique instead. Pull a Dinosaur and copy the Frozen TDS layout, but make it Moana or something.

They should have done this with Coco. I suppose they still could if the maintenance building is going? But at this point as I’ve said many times, I’m cool with the HK/ Paris version of Frozen.

 

[DrStarlander]

This is a great idea. That not only helps DCA with more attractions but adds an experience to the park/ resort that currently does not exist - adding more value to DCA. The only issue is where do you put the Frozens and Moana’s of the world? The IP that would seemingly be a no brainer to go in DL. Would Disney put them in DCA? I suppose they could as they seem to be ok putting anything in DCA. Or would they start looking at ripping out classics in DL proper since they don’t have room to expand.

I think if Frozen will go into the TL Spaghetti Bowl. It flows from FL, it solves a problem of making TL smaller. And I wouldn't be shocked if Matterhorn is replaced with a Frozen sleigh coaster. I'm not advocating it, I just think it's the kind of thing they'd do nowadays.

How many of us would have believed Toontown would not only survive Galaxies Edge but be turned into a forever land that we’d stop speculating was imminently on the chopping block.

Haha yeah MMRR means Toontown is here to stay. Now the only question is what replaces Roger Rabbit.

I'm not going to be shocked if they actually expand Toontown using the Fantasyland Theater space at some point. The land is working. It has an energy and aesthetic/tonal relevance which I think is maybe in decline with some of FL's oldest IPs and attractions.

 

[mickEblu]

I think if Frozen will go into the TL Spaghetti Bowl. It flows from FL, it solves a problem of making TL smaller. And I wouldn't be shocked if Matterhorn is replaced with a Frozen sleigh coaster. I'm not advocating it, I just think it's the kind of thing they'd do nowadays.

Oh God I hope not, I actually think they respect the Matterhorn more than that. But we’ll see. Hopefully the thing is still standing at all considering all the rumors. But I agree that Frozen in the spaghetti bowl solves a few issues. Real as well as perceived ones.

I'm not going to be shocked if they actually expand Toontown using the Fantasyland Theater space at some point. The land is working. It has an energy and aesthetic/tonal relevance which I think is maybe in decline with some of FL's oldest IPs and attractions.

I agree that Toontown is working but I think that the area is much more valuable as Fantasyland. A BatB attraction should go there. As long as they don’t even think about touching Storybookland.

 

[Disney Irish]

I’ve made comments about this a couple of times but have not gotten a straight response.

Why does everyone only focus on Simba/Toy Story and not DTD parking? (Other than the context of this thread).

In the DLForward thread it had been discussed a lot about the expansion of DL into the old DTD Parking (Simba is actually the current DTD parking), and DCA into Simba. However once Coco's location was revealed that lost focus and more focus was made on just Simba as many thought that with Coco's location prep work can start on the initial movements into Simba and it being the first domino in the eventual DLForward push.

I still fully believe that the old DTD Parking will be used for DL expansion.

 

[BrianLo]

I'm not sure what you mean, would love to understand your point more. Maybe I inadvertently seemed to have an option related to DLR hotel guest behaviors and access, which I don't. But tell me what you think I was saying.

Currently there is an exit in that corner of Paradise pier for hotel guests. A transit solution would allow them to not walk through DTD to park hop to the theoretical new entry point.

From the intra-DL lens, Disney would prefer general guests get down to the bowels of the DTD parking lot expansion and make a calculation that they can walk back through the unpleasant ROA choke point, take the Monorail (which would probably just be in the park by that point), or exit and walk through DTD and reenter at Main Street. Or go to DCA etc etc.

The latter (by your own experience) is something general guests hardly do without a purpose. What starts as inconvenience turns into choice that has general guests suddenly lunching en route without leaving the broader bubble and fully circulating their entire complex.

A fully realized western gates really improves the resort circulation, turns the resort into a very large figure 8 with DTD serving as a spine. The hotel guests obviously when I’m in almost anywhere but Tomorrowland or Main Street I would likely elect to head out that new gate.

 

[Disney Irish]

I think it’s because Simba has long been the poster boy for DLR expansion. Even before the DL Forward announcements. Not to mention it being the preferred location for Avatar. In addition to the fact that DCA just needs more. Disneyland doesn’t need the new attractions even if a new attraction might make more sense there after this wave of new attractions at DCA due to the IP like Frozen that they still need to get in the park.

I think prior to the Coco location announcement the consensus had been that more core Disney IP like Frozen would be going into a DL expansion in the old DTD parking, and more Pixar IP would be going into the DCA expansion in Simba.

I think that still should be the idea, as I don't see any reason (other than some don't want DL touched) why DL shouldn't get an expansion with the DLForward plots. While I know some such as yourself believe that TSL will become an eventual 3rd gate, I'm still not convinced. And if the west side is the last (that we know about anyways) plots of land for expansion then DL deserves it just as much as DCA.

 

[mickEblu]

I think prior to the Coco location announcement the consensus had been that more core Disney IP like Frozen would be going into a DL expansion in the old DTD parking, and more Pixar IP would be going into the DCA expansion in Simba.

I think that still should be the idea, as I don't see any reason (other than some don't want DL touched) why DL shouldn't get an expansion with the DLForward plots. While I know some such as yourself believe that TSL will become an eventual 3rd gate, I'm still not convinced. And if the west side is the last (that we know about anyways) plots of land for expansion then DL deserves it just as much as DCA.

I’d argue if you don’t want DL proper touched than expanding DL on the old DTD surface lot is probably a good idea

 

[BrianLo]

Don’t love the thought of a single IP land within the berm in the heart of DL but that could certainly happen. Hopefully if they go that route (instead of just an attraction/ shop/ restaurant within Fantasyland) it fits seamlessly with DL’s scale. There is a case to be made that that’s right spot for it. Why waste a huge expansion pad when it fits right there in the shadow of the Matterhorn while pretty much only removing one attraction?

Sorry, where are you talking about? The Fantasyland theatre?

 

[mickEblu]

Sorry, where are you talking about? The Fantasyland theatre?

No, Autopia. I’d like to think there would be a way to keep the lagoon and subs.

 

[Disney Irish]

I’d argue if you don’t want DL proper touched than expanding DL on the old DTD surface lot is probably a good idea

Well DL proper will be touched eventually, it only makes sense. Disney is not going to just stop all construction inside the berm just because they have DLForward plots for expansion.

TL including Subs/Autopia
Motorboat area/FL Theater
Potential GE expansion near CC and behind TT if TDA building ever gets moved.

These are areas within DL berm that will see construction I suspect in the next 10-20 years, not to mention potentially more with the eventual replacement of other aging attractions in the next 30-40 years.

 

[mickEblu]

Well DL proper will be touched eventually, it only makes sense. Disney is not going to just stop all construction inside the berm just because they have DLForward plots for expansion.

TL including Subs/Autopia
Motorboat area/FL Theater
Potential GE expansion near CC and behind TT if TDA building ever gets moved.

These are areas within DL berm that will see construction I suspect in the next 10-20 years, not to mention potentially more with the eventual replacement of other aging attractions in the next 30-40 years.

Yeah the places you listed are all fair game (except for the Subs lagoon) and are expected to be touched. I’m talking about the classics and integral parts of the park.

 

[Disney Irish]

Yeah the places you listed are all fair game (except for the Subs lagoon) and are expected to be touched. I’m talking about the classics and integral parts of the park.

All other places will be done first before things like Pirates and HM and other what you call "classics and integral parts of the park" ever get touched.

 

[DrStarlander]

Currently there is an exit in that corner of Paradise pier for hotel guests. A transit solution would allow them to not walk through DTD to park hop to the theoretical new entry point.

From the intra-DL lens, Disney would prefer general guests get down to the bowels of the DTD parking lot expansion and make a calculation that they can walk back through the unpleasant ROA choke point, take the Monorail (which would probably just be in the park by that point), or exit and walk through DTD and reenter at Main Street. Or go to DCA etc etc.

The latter (by your own experience) is something general guests hardly do without a purpose. What starts as inconvenience turns into choice that has general guests suddenly lunching en route without leaving the broader bubble and fully circulating their entire complex.

A fully realized western gates really improves the resort circulation, turns the resort into a very large figure 8 with DTD serving as a spine. The hotel guests obviously when I’m in almost anywhere but Tomorrowland or Main Street I would likely elect to head out that new gate.

I read the above a couple times and I'm not entirely following you, but that just may be that my experiences at DLR are much simpler and I'm not engaged in the more complex options and choices that resort guests face. To me, it's just two-ish theme parks and whatever (non Disney) hotel I'm staying at. (DTD does not factor in at all, I have much much better outdoor shopping in my home city.) I don't have any interesting navigation into or out of the parks or between parks. Often I'm just coming for DL and skip DCA entirely.

And none of my thoughts about DLR expansion aims to create or change any of that, intentionally. That is, I have no agenda regarding resort guests. Or really about any guests in terms of their comings and goings.

I'm just focused on what would make me also go to DCA while at the resort rather than skip it.

I’d argue if you don’t want DL proper touched than expanding DL on the old DTD surface lot is probably a good idea

I think one of the reasons why SWGE is so empty is not only all the issues of the land that's been discussed, but that it feels remote and separate from DL proper. Yet it's not actually that far away and it has multiple connection points. And it's a heavy hitting IP (theoretically). I fear a DL expansion across Disneyland Dr. will feel extremely remote, and will be a ghost town, and it would take a monster IP or two for it to have the energy the core of the park has. Especially at night given where parades and fireworks etc. are likely. I can't think of anything Disney has done worldwide that would be enough of an all-day/all-night draw over there. And while Moana would be at the top of the list for me, I think the overlap with Adventureland could steal some thunder. Maybe Villains Land?

 

[captveg]

The DL west expansion space would be ideal for the DL version of Villains. But fix the east side TL/FL first, please.

 

[mickEblu]

I read the above a couple times and I'm not entirely following you, but that just may be that my experiences at DLR are much simpler and I'm not engaged in the more complex options and choices that resort guests face. To me, it's just two-ish theme parks and whatever (non Disney) hotel I'm staying at. (DTD does not factor in at all, I have much much better outdoor shopping in my home city.) I don't have any interesting navigation into or out of the parks or between parks. Often I'm just coming for DL and skip DCA entirely.

And none of my thoughts about DLR expansion aims to create or change any of that, intentionally. That is, I have no agenda regarding resort guests. Or really about any guests in terms of their comings and goings.

I'm just focused on what would make me also go to DCA while at the resort rather than skip it.


I think one of the reasons why SWGE is so empty is not only all the issues of the land that's been discussed, but that it feels remote and separate from DL proper. Yet it's not actually that far away and it has multiple connection points. And it's a heavy hitting IP (theoretically). I fear a DL expansion across Disneyland Dr. will feel extremely remote, and will be a ghost town, and it would take a monster IP or two for it to have the energy the core of the park has. Especially at night given where parades and fireworks etc. are likely. I can't think of anything Disney has done worldwide that would be enough of an all-day/all-night draw over there. And while Moana would be at the top of the list for me, I think the overlap with Adventureland could steal some thunder. Maybe Villains Land?

I think the main reasons GE feel that way is because it’s huge and they missed the mark.

Villains land would be a good choice for that spot. Or a Fantasy Springs style land. Or Avatar. Just saying haha. I don’t like the idea of a Moana land. As part of an “Adventure Springs” yes.

 

[captveg]

Don't forget you'd likely have a smaller/DL hotels only entrance for DL when that expansion is built, helping guests flow through there. Especially if anyone could exit the park at that gate even if only DL hotel guests can use it as an entrance.

 

[Disney Irish]

Not belabor this discussion further in this thread since that isn't its focus, but one take away I think we may not be thinking of (and I've brought it up I believe in the DLForward thread before) is that Disney may not really see DL and DCA as truly two separate Parks but rather part of a whole DLR where its a single entity with two entry paid points. It makes sense given how they market the whole Resort rather than the individual Parks.

Anyways given that I think any expansion outside of an actual 3rd gate should be seen through that lens in that its an addition for the whole Resort rather than individually for DL or DCA.