News Coco Boat Ride Coming to Disney California Adventure

[Disney Irish]

You are arguing against a straw man that you think I'm saying the exact approaches to demand balancing are the same among the resorts. I never said that.

At one resort, at one time, to achieve one goal, they may use a nighttime show to draw guests to a certain park, or a parade, or a food and wine festival, or even a new attraction. Each resort is run independently. What works to motivate guests in one market may not work in another market.

She wasn't talking about market-specific tactics though, what she said was very high level. And you've said that what she said doesn't apply to DLR because she happened to be working at a different resort at the time. So for clarity, let me make sure I understand your position:

---Estorino tells Funworld that the second step when planning an expansion is looking at operational and financial goals.

So you are saying that Disneyland Resort does NOT look at operational and financial goals.

“We may have operational needs we want to address, such as improving navigation or spreading demand across the resort."

So you are saying that Disneyland Resort does NOT have operational needs they want to address, such as improving navigation or spreading demand across the resort.

"There may be financial goals or new commercial ideas we're trying to drive."

So you are saying that Disneyland Resort does NOT have financial goals or commercial ideas they're trying to drive.

So, it's a combination between what the consumer wants and desires as well as what the operation and business needs,” she says

So you are saying that Disneyland Resort does NOT consider a combination of what the consumer wants as well as operation and business needs.

Does the above reflect your position?


Smuggler's Run
Rise of the Resistance
MMRR

You’re arguing a point that doesn’t need to be argued. Again the only reason you brought her interview up is because you misunderstood what I was trying to say in the first place, which you now understand my point, at least you did. I’m not going to agree with you on this, so let’s move on. We’ve really derailed this thread.

 

[Disney Irish]

As a local, I only visit DCA if I have an AP. When I am buying a day ticket, even a park hopper isn't worth it. I'd visit DCA if it was $35 cheaper than Disneyland.

That’s you, doesn’t apply to every AP/MK out there most of which I suspect visit given DCAs attendance numbers.

 

[DrStarlander]

That’s what they get for aiming relatively low.

Yep

I live an hour away from Disneyland and I forgot it was there from June 2001 (after my first visit to DCA) until 2010. I even went to Disneyland a handful of times during that period and have no recollection of even looking that way or even seeing the Tower of Terror. It’s like it didn’t exist. Of course the park has changed a lot since then. For the better and then backtracked but it’s still better now than it was at any point between 2001-2010.

According the Drew the Disney Dude, who went to a presentation by Thomas Mazloum and other DLR leaders, they very much want to drive more tourism to DLR. But if tourists only think there's one theme park there (because the second park is forgettable), they're going to book only, say, 2 days at the resort. The lack of attempt to make an impression on tourists is really stunning. And I know some people will say "but they're building Infinity Defense, Coco...Avatar"). But it's not enough to add an attraction inside a hidden, boring building, it needs to have impact. So when they approach their expansions, too often, in this incognito way, like this...

Or this...

Or hiding it back there...

It's absolutely astonishing. They don't realize that an appearance of ambition, splashiness, impression of confidence and enthusiasm -- in this era of visual communication -- is critical to re-shaping perceptions of the park. It's something, for a too-brief moment, they understood:

As a local, I only visit DCA if I have an AP. When I am buying a day ticket, even a park hopper isn't worth it. I'd visit DCA if it was $35 cheaper than Disneyland.

In response...

That’s you, doesn’t apply to every AP/MK out there most of which is suspect visit given DCAs attendance numbers.

But the post was from a local buying a day ticket, explicitly not an AP/MK holder.

 

[Disney Irish]

But the post was from a local buying a day ticket, explicitly not an AP/MK holder.

I misunderstood then, but really that agrees with me that by and large locals see it as a single Resort rather than two separate Parks.

And expand what I said to the greater DLR Guests, I do suspect that even many single ticket purchasers get DCA specific tickets or Park Hoppers given the boost in attendance numbers for DCA over the recent years. And suspect that will grow as these 4 new attractions come online.

 

[Gusey]

Smuggler's Run
Rise of the Resistance
MMRR

Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris hasn't had a new ride in 20 years, yet Disneyland Paris has been marketing as opening new attractions every 3/4 years because they opened something at the 2nd park. With the California Disneyland Park, it hasn't had a new ride since Tiana's in 2024, but we don't know of any current project for that park involving a new ride, as they are just focusing on DCA's ride lineup atm

 

[Professortango1]

That’s you, doesn’t apply to every AP/MK out there most of which I suspect visit given DCAs attendance numbers.

I was speaking as a local without an AP and how I view the resort. I view it as two separate parks since they require two separate admissions or a significant upcharge to visit both. When non AP's talk about Disneyland, they are talking about the park and not the resort. I don't know anybody buying a single day ticket to DCA but I know tons, myself included, who get single day tickets to Disneyland several times a year.

 

[Disney Irish]

I was speaking as a local without an AP and how I view the resort. I view it as two separate parks since they require two separate admissions or a significant upcharge to visit both. When non AP's talk about Disneyland, they are talking about the park and not the resort. I don't know anybody buying a single day ticket to DCA but I know tons, myself included, who get single day tickets to Disneyland several times a year.

Yes I misunderstood your post originally. Just because YOU personally view it that way doesn't mean that is all locals, again by and large I suspect most do given how the Resort is used, obviously there are people like you that don't see value in DCA but I suspect that isn't the majority.

Overall given DCAs attendance boost over the last 5-10 years I suspect there are many single day ticket purchasers whether local or not that buy a DCA specific ticket for their visit or at least a Park Hopper. Otherwise why would DCA have seen even the most modest increases over that period, if it was the case where people weren't visiting then you'd think there would be a drop in attendance except that isn't the case. So the point still remains even if I misunderstood you originally, just because YOU don't see value in it outside of having an AP/MK that doesn't mean others can't or don't.

 

[mickEblu]

We’ve really derailed this thread.

Don’t you worry. We’re skipping right over all of it.

 

[Disney Irish]

Don’t you worry. We’re skipping right over all of it.

Evidently not...

 

[mickEblu]

Evidently not...

Haha ok most of it. Hardcore skimming at best.

 

[J4546]

This CoCo ride will be the 11th ride in the PP area. PLus multiple food, qs, stores and massive water show....theres no other disney park that has this many rides in one area. As much hate as PP gets its a great use of space imo and I like it though I really wish theyd take it back to paradise pier and untheme the incredicoaster and go back to its victorian era looks

Also just looking at previous post pics, the Golden Zephyr ride would look great in a paris park

 

[DrStarlander]

Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris hasn't had a new ride in 20 years, yet Disneyland Paris has been marketing as opening new attractions every 3/4 years because they opened something at the 2nd park. With the California Disneyland Park, it hasn't had a new ride since Tiana's in 2024, but we don't know of any current project for that park involving a new ride, as they are just focusing on DCA's ride lineup atm

Apologies, I thought you were talking about Disneyland (Anaheim)

 

[Professortango1]

Yes I misunderstood your post originally. Just because YOU personally view it that way doesn't mean that is all locals, again by and large I suspect most do given how the Resort is used, obviously there are people like you that don't see value in DCA but I suspect that isn't the majority.

Overall given DCAs attendance boost over the last 5-10 years I suspect there are many single day ticket purchasers whether local or not that buy a DCA specific ticket for their visit or at least a Park Hopper. Otherwise why would DCA have seen even the most modest increases over that period, if it was the case where people weren't visiting then you'd think there would be a drop in attendance except that isn't the case. So the point still remains even if I misunderstood you originally, just because YOU don't see value in it outside of having an AP/MK that doesn't mean others can't or don't.

I think DCA has seen attendance boost for 3 main reasons. Pricing favours having multiple single park days vs park hoppers, so people getting multi-day discounted tickets will essentially be buying a DCA day. Park Reservations have also led to more people being forced to choose between DCA and not going. Lastly, DCA has been slowly merging two demographics: folks who like Disney-quality attractions and characters and folks who want a safer and easier LA County Fair year-round.

So sure, I think DCA's changes and dedication to thrilling mediocrity (and Carsland) have slightly improved attendance while also having increases due to policies purposefully encouraging folks to compromise with getter a lesser value experience.

We can talk about why all day long. But nobody can argue that DCA is equally as popular as valuable to everyday people as Disneyland. Disneyland has higher capacity and sells out far more often than DCA at the same price point. With WDW, you could argue which park is your favourite. East Coasters love Magic Kingdom where I typically find West Coasters favouring Animal Kingdom or Epcot. Those parks are pretty comparable to one another. DCA compared to Disneyland is like comparing Castle Park with Knott's Berry Farm.

 

[Disney Irish]

I think DCA has seen attendance boost for 3 main reasons. Pricing favours having multiple single park days vs park hoppers, so people getting multi-day discounted tickets will essentially be buying a DCA day. Park Reservations have also led to more people being forced to choose between DCA and not going. Lastly, DCA has been slowly merging two demographics: folks who like Disney-quality attractions and characters and folks who want a safer and easier LA County Fair year-round.

So sure, I think DCA's changes and dedication to thrilling mediocrity (and Carsland) have slightly improved attendance while also having increases due to policies purposefully encouraging folks to compromise with getter a lesser value experience.

We can talk about why all day long. But nobody can argue that DCA is equally as popular as valuable to everyday people as Disneyland. Disneyland has higher capacity and sells out far more often than DCA at the same price point. With WDW, you could argue which park is your favourite. East Coasters love Magic Kingdom where I typically find West Coasters favouring Animal Kingdom or Epcot. Those parks are pretty comparable to one another. DCA compared to Disneyland is like comparing Castle Park with Knott's Berry Farm.

I don't think anyone was trying to say that DCA is AS popular or seen as the same value as DL, just that as a whole a majority of locals likely see it as a whole Resort rather than two separate Parks for various reasons including what you mentioned on why you believe DCAs attendance has increased over the last 5-10 years.

Note all of this started because I said that Disney likely sees the Resort as a whole rather than individual Parks when planning investments for the future, and off this discussion went.

 

[coffeefan]

Yep
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According the Drew the Disney Dude, who went to a presentation by Thomas Mazloum and other DLR leaders, they very much want to drive more tourism to DLR. But if tourists only think there's one theme park there (because the second park is forgettable), they're going to book only, say, 2 days at the resort. The lack of attempt to make an impression on tourists is really stunning. And I know some people will say "but they're building Infinity Defense, Coco...Avatar"). But it's not enough to add an attraction inside a hidden, boring building, it needs to have impact. So when they approach their expansions, too often, in this incognito way, like this...

That's a fair, especially on Pixar Pier/ Paradise Garden/Hollywood Land. They really hold the park back.

The issue is that, for some reason, people actually like them. Even here, critiques about these lands or suggestions that they should be replaced are met with pushback. The defense is usually that "Paradise Pier is Instagrammable." "They will never remove the Pier or the Incredicoaster", and "retheming Hollywood Land is too costly."

Ironically, some of DCA's biggest critics are also among the biggest defenders of these budget lands.

 

[eddie104]

Ironically, some of DCA's biggest critics are also among the biggest defenders of these budget lands.

This is more a symptom of this forum as a whole.

A lot of people want change but the vast majority hate it. If it’s not an idea from their own little personal bubble then it’s the worst thing ever.

 

[DrStarlander]

That's a fair, especially on Pixar Pier/ Paradise Garden/Hollywood Land. They really hold the park back.

The issue is that, for some reason, people actually like them. Even here, critiques about these lands or suggestions that they should be replaced are met with pushback. The defense is usually that "Paradise Pier is Instagrammable." "They will never remove the Pier or the Incredicoaster", and "retheming Hollywood Land is too costly."

Ironically, some of DCA's biggest critics are also among the biggest defenders of these budget lands.

True, because theme park nerds have nostalgia for just about anything. But talking to non-fanatics, regular people, tourists in my home town who have been there, what I hear over and over is: Cars Land is amazing, but I don't need to go again.

And I think after a few decades, it's hard to change people's minds about something. Even with the new additions, it's an uphill marketing battle.

They should convert all that PP area (it's about 20 acres) into actual theme park space. And simultaneously, to have an amusement park like area for locals, for a fun after work sort of stop-by, and generate food and alcohol sales, they should move those rides and incorporate them into Downtown Disney. Intermix the rides with the retail to give DTD some life and perhaps draw some local traffic, because it's not a great shopping center, there's no draw. That would make DTD a more unique destination than it is now among So. Cal. retail centers. And families could buy a ride pass (say $50) and use it, and visit DTD, on their arrival or departure day. I think that would be almost like having a third gate in terms of a half-day park with F&B/retail right there near the hotels, etc.

 

[Disney Irish]

They should convert all that PP area (it's about 20 acres) into actual theme park space. And simultaneously, to have an amusement park like area for locals, for a fun after work sort of stop-by, and generate food and alcohol sales, they should move those rides and incorporate them into Downtown Disney. Intermix the rides with the retail to give DTD some life and perhaps draw some local traffic, because it's not a great shopping center, there's no draw. That would make DTD a more unique destination than it is now among So. Cal. retail centers. And families could buy a ride pass (say $50) and use it, and visit DTD, on their arrival or departure day. I think that would be almost like having a third gate in terms of a half-day park with F&B/retail right there near the hotels, etc.

I don't see that ever happening, DTD is more likely to be redone and incorporated into a future land expansion than turned into a "local's amusement park". The closest I think you'd get to that is if they create the mix use hotel/retail space in TSL with some "themed entertainment" as shown in the DLForward concept art. It won't be a full "amusement park" area, but it would get the vibe that I think you're trying to push.

 

[mickEblu]

That's a fair, especially on Pixar Pier/ Paradise Garden/Hollywood Land. They really hold the park back.

The issue is that, for some reason, people actually like them. Even here, critiques about these lands or suggestions that they should be replaced are met with pushback. The defense is usually that "Paradise Pier is Instagrammable." "They will never remove the Pier or the Incredicoaster", and "retheming Hollywood Land is too costly."

Ironically, some of DCA's biggest critics are also among the biggest defenders of these budget lands.

Pier apologist here jumping in. Notice I didn’t say Pixar. I just get the sense from my years on these forums that people think the Pier would be replaced with some land straight out of Disney Sea. I don’t see that happening. Im also pretty confident that whatever the Pier would be replaced with would yield much less kinetic energy and less enjoyment for the average guest. Sure, it would probably look better and have one fantastic Super E ticket with a couple other smaller rides but I truly believe it would be a Net L. Maybe ask me again after Disney nails at least 3-5 projects in a row.

I’m all for armchair imagineering but the Pier being replaced is so far outside of the realm of probability (at least any time soon) that the conversation doesn’t interest me very much.

 

[DrStarlander]

people think the Pier would be replaced with some land straight out of Disney Sea. I don’t see that happening.