You're reaching there. The point is TDS is not themed to just Tokyo or Japan, its a broadly themed park that isn't locked into just one locale.
While you and many classic fans of the original parks may feel this way, you are dramatically in the minority. Star wars and Harry potter have a massive presence in theme parks around the country because of their success and popularity. Marvel is bigger than both put together. While I wish they would have had the patience creating avengers campus that they did when they started the MCU, hopefully the 2 new attractions will make the land worthy of the fan base.
Disney Florida Adventure
Goofy's Bath Salt Adventure! - A VR Experience
Could not disagree more. California Adventure was arguably at its peak 2015-2016, that is, before Mission Breakout came around. The park today is a cautionary tale in botched potential; just a dumbed-down shell of what it really should've been. Simply building attractions that draw the masses like cattle (IncrediCoaster, Coco, Avatar, etc.) doesn't make it a good park. Not to mention, the idea that a California theme is inherently-detrimental to a theme park's success is nonsense; Disney was just too cheap to do it right in 2001, and their fixation on exploiting their IPs is what killed any chance of the park ever being a truly great Disney park in the vein of DisneySea. I maintain that it all went downhill when they closed what was arguably DCA's crown jewel in Tower of Terror. Beyond its superficial popularity, I've yet to hear a compelling argument for how Mission Breakout is anything less than a downgrade seven years into its existence.
The other example I can give you is Knotts. Knotts is a theme park themed to California.
Again I think you're reaching here, especially Camp Snoopy as it exists in multiple Six Flags across the country and all themed pretty much the same with no indication its specifically in California. Heck at Knott's it replaced even a California specific themed attraction in The Cable Car. So they went away from "California" to a generic Snoopy themed land.
Not reaching. Just evident. I don't think it was a conscious effort, but the Knott's family built a park that spoke to the community they were serving. The draw of Calico Ghost Town. The expansion with Bigfoot Rapids featuring a California cryptid. The early days had the "Gyp*y Camp" that was replaced by the Roarin' 20's, so that became more California-centric after time. The parachute ride and plane themes around the back end of the park. Fiesta Village embracing the Mexican influence and culture over our area.
Well the Knott's Family doesn't own the Park anymore, its now owned by the new Six Flags, as you know. And they don't appear to be continuing to lean into whatever "California" theme long term you believe was there previously. And even if they did, I'm not a fan which is why I don't frequent the Park very often.
The Knotts family hasn't owned it for awhile, since they sold to Cedar Faire in 1997. I'm just trying to understand your position here better. You clearly enjoy themed entertainment and parks, as you are here. But the California idea doesn't appeal to you. I wondered if it was because you were thinking too contemporary, like Disney did with DCA, and ignoring all of the rich interesting history and lore tied to the state. You then stated you didn't care about the history or lore, it was too restrictive a theme. So them I wondered if you were thinking about the theme too literally and used Disney Seas as an example of taking the spirit without being a theme park dedicated to the ocean or California verbatim. You didn't see the comparison between the parks so I compared to another local and beloved park, Knotts, which is very much rooted in California in terms of theme.
Disney Seas is not themed to one location, ie its not themed to Tokyo or Japan. It has a broad theme around the seas, the location of which doesn't matter. So its not limiting in what they can do with it, ie they don't have to make sure that everything they do is themed to anything other than something to so with the seas.
This is only true if you're comparing nominal box office numbers, which given inflation, you really shouldn't be doing. It also doesn't capture interest expressed through merchandise, books, comics, video games etc.
For the sake of argument, I agree that "the high seas" is the far more expansive theme that can really traverse across the whole coastal-ish globe, time period and fantasy/reality.
Funny how you mention books and other media but on that list it only counts the MCU, forgetting about 80 years of comic books video games etc. Also you notltice how spider man is right below the MCU? Kinda part of marvel too you know. Also this graph shows no video games or other revenue for the MCU. So it is that high on the list based only on box office and movie merchandise. This list is also 5 years old so Marvel has continued to be huge when star wars, Harry potter etc have been relatively quiet. Also pokemon, hello kitty etc are far bigger outside the US. So no biggie if you don't like Marvel, but US consumers who vote with their wallets disagree with you and this makes it worthy of a large space in a disney theme park. Fans get excited for these attractions. Cosmic rewind is my current favorite ride in the US. I can't wait for the 2 new avengers campus rides because overall the rides for AC have been disappointing. Especially since I hate elevator drops lol.
Bingo. The "I can just travel California" argument is stupid. I love seeing the places that have inspired Disneyland, but ultimately Disneyland is still Disneyland and that carries a certain air that distinguishes it from its influences. Same goes for DCA. I can go to Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Santa Cruz, but I can't go to Carthay Circle, Hollywood Tower Hotel, and Paradise Pier.
What do you mean, don't you experience momentary lapses in consciousness when you hang glide around California listening to movie music on your AirPods?
I appreciate your opinion, as I do the Professor there, and I agree that DCA 1.0 was just a pathetic attempt at a Park due to many factors but specifically execution. However with that said while its possible I would have enjoyed a TDS level of theming execution for DCA had it been done, we're back to the "What if"/"What could've been" discussion. Its a futile exercise that ends up just upsetting people. In the end I still stand by my opinion that no matter the level of execution "California" is just a limiting theme for a Park, ie I don't need to be sold on the idea which it appears many tries to do when this topic comes up. I appreciate broad themes not locale themes. As there is so much more that you be done with a broadly themed Park then one themed to a specific locale, again just my opinion. That doesn't mean anyone that likes the "California" theme is wrong, its just what I like vs dislike.
