DCA Top Ten List

[Merlin]

That's the point. Everything doesn't have to do directly with California. They were not attempting (or maybe they were when they first built it, but have moved away from this) to make a park solely about California. Why? Because locals don't want to go to a park about California. That is why all of these attractions that don't have anything to do exclusively with California have opened. If you haven't noticed, every new attraction since opening has been only vaguely applicable to a California theme--Aladdin, Tower of Terror, Millionaire, Playhouse Disney, Brother Bear, Block Party Bash next year, and the Monsters, Inc. ride. They attempt has been to move away from the original, unsuccessful concept, and toward something more Disney. This has been highlighted by the name change in this park. Notice that it used to be Disney's California Adventure Park, where Adventure Park was the type of park (much like Sea World Adventure Parks). Thus, when you enter the park, you see the giant California. The park's name was Disney's California. It was an adventure park. Now, they have moved away from that toward Disney's California Adventure--an adventure in California. They take the general themes of the natural world, agriculture, entertainment, aviation, and 1930s beachfront boardwalk areas, and they expand on those themes with attractions that are distinctly Disney. That is what this park is moving toward--a diverse park united by a general Californian theme, but which greatly expands upon that. The only area of the park that feels different from other Disney parks that I have been to is Paradise Pier, but that area is by no means as cheap as Dino-Rama at Animal Kingdom, and it has the best roller coaster I have ever been on. I like it for how different it is--like nothing at other Disney parks. It is there for people who like Six Flags parks but also love Disney (and because it was relatively cheap to build), and I love Paradise Pier, especial at night with its beautiful lighting. While its theming is less than we see in the Golden State and the rides are very light on story-telling, I find that the area works well together to tell a story, and it is certainly the prettiest, cleanest, most well-themed amusement park-type area I have ever been to, with the theming the rides do have and the music.

Say what?????

I don't remember the park ever being called simply "Disney's California". And I'm not aware of any announcements Disney has made to the effect that they've changed the name of this park (Like when they changed "Epcot Center" to simply "Epcot" or "EuroDisneyland" to "Disneyland Paris"). In fact, I'm holding in my hand right now an issue of Disney Magazine that was published before the park was opened and they are referring to it as "Disney's California Adventure". As far as the addition of the word "Park" to the name, I don't think that actually has any significance. For example, for at least the past decade or so, they've interchangeably referred to Disneyland as "Disneyland Park" and simply as "Disneyland". In fact, on Disneyland's website, both terms are used depending on what page you're on. And speaking of the Disneyland Resort website, here's a description of California Adventure taken from the website just moments ago:

Explore the Golden State in more than thirty exciting screaming, blasting, plummeting, soaring, giggling attractions found in four fun-filled lands that celebrate the magic, wonder, thrill and whimsy of the nation's 31st state. There's a world of California dreaming for children of all ages.

So it sounds to me that Disney is still at least CLAIMING that this is a park about California. I'm not disputing your facts that they've opened attractions that are vaguely related to California. In fact, that's part of my issue (which I've always stated). Just out of curiosity, where have you gotten your information that Disney has decided to move away from the California theme? Because from what I can tell, Disney is still very much claiming that it's still based on California.

 

[ToTBellHop]

So it sounds to me that Disney is still at least CLAIMING that this is a park about California. I'm not disputing your facts that they've opened attractions that are vaguely related to California. In fact, that's part of my issue (which I've always stated). Just out of curiosity, where have you gotten your information that Disney has decided to move away from the California theme? Because from what I can tell, Disney is still very much claiming that it's still based on California.

I'm using my own logic. Not only is it clear from the additions to the park that they are moving away from the California theme but it is also clear from the new park logo, which emphasizes "DISNEY'S" and has "California Adventure" in small letters below, as if trying to empasize that these are Disney attractions and the California theme is also an afterthought. Finally, from watching at Travel Channel Special on the Disneyland Resort, an Imagineer (or someone in a position of knowing) said they are not trying to represent what makes California what it is, but rather have attractions that are a Disney interpretation of some of these themes.

 

[Merlin]

I'm using my own logic. Not only is it clear from the additions to the park that they are moving away from the California theme but it is also clear from the new park logo, which emphasizes "DISNEY'S" and has "California Adventure" in small letters below, as if trying to empasize that these are Disney attractions and the California theme is also an afterthought. Finally, from watching at Travel Channel Special on the Disneyland Resort, an Imagineer (or someone in a position of knowing) said they are not trying to represent what makes California what it is, but rather have attractions that are a Disney interpretation of some of these themes.

Yeah, that makes sense. Personally, I would like it if they would just change the name altogether. From a marketing standpoint, it would probably be a smart move because it would send a subtle message that "things are different" (kind of like when a business puts out a sign that says "under new management", it tends to drive business because people are curious about what has changed).

The Travel Channel is one channel I wish I got. It seems like they have a lot of shows about Disney. Just out of curiosity, did the Imagineer they interviewed explain how some of the recent additions are an "interpretation" of California?

 

[ToTBellHop]

Yeah, that makes sense. Personally, I would like it if they would just change the name altogether. From a marketing standpoint, it would probably be a smart move because it would send a subtle message that "things are different" (kind of like when a business puts out a sign that says "under new management", it tends to drive business because people are curious about what has changed).

The Travel Channel is one channel I wish I got. It seems like they have a lot of shows about Disney. Just out of curiosity, did the Imagineer they interviewed explain how some of the recent additions are an "interpretation" of California?

No, he didn't...but you can certainly tell just from looking at them. They have been slowly moving away from the name by starting to promote DCA, something they have never done at Disney World (they don't promote "MGM", for example). They seem to be trying to distance themselves from that initial concept and show people that it's the same Disney magic, only different from Disneyland. This was bound to happen after 46 years of just having Disneyland.

 

[LadyDarling]

Aren't Pixar's studio's located in California? Not sure on that one.... but it's really splitting hairs anyway. I though the "Who wants to be a millionare" filled the CA hollywood area well (we are known for our TV stars!), as did Aladdin (since it's located in a replica of the famous Hyperion Theater in Hollywood).

I've always thought that it is very much a "salute" to California. Much like when a singer does another singer's song in a "salute" to them. They make it thier own representation of the music. Paradise Pier is modled after the 1930's Californian theme parks - and there is one very popular one (complete with rides) still standing in the area (Belmont Park, near San Diego).

Anyway, point being, I never feel ripped off for going there. I'm really glad of the direction that it's taking (under who-ever's management)!

 

[ToTBellHop]

Aren't Pixar's studio's located in California? Not sure on that one.... but it's really splitting hairs anyway. I though the "Who wants to be a millionare" filled the CA hollywood area well (we are known for our TV stars!), as did Aladdin (since it's located in a replica of the famous Hyperion Theater in Hollywood).

I've always thought that it is very much a "salute" to California. Much like when a singer does another singer's song in a "salute" to them. They make it thier own representation of the music. Paradise Pier is modled after the 1930's Californian theme parks - and there is one very popular one (complete with rides) still standing in the area (Belmont Park, near San Diego).

Anyway, point being, I never feel ripped off for going there. I'm really glad of the direction that it's taking (under who-ever's management)!

I agree with you completely, and regardless of that, I also think it has some genuinely great rides. Of course, being a tourist with a park hopper during my trips, which allows me to go to both parks each day, this may sway my opinion--it's not as though I am choosing between paying $50 for one park or the other.

 

[xfkirsten]

Paradise Pier is modled after the 1930's Californian theme parks - and there is one very popular one (complete with rides) still standing in the area (Belmont Park, near San Diego).

Yup, Belmont Park is right here on the beach. It even has a roller coaster, although Screamin' is infinitely smoother than the Dipper. Dipper = whiplash. :lol:

-Kirsten

 

[Merlin]

Yup, Belmont Park is right here on the beach. It even has a roller coaster, although Screamin' is infinitely smoother than the Dipper. Dipper = whiplash. :lol:

-Kirsten

Sorry to get off on a tangent here, but as a major coaster buff, I do have to say that I'm a huge fan of the Giant Dipper at Belmont Park. This coaster opened in 1925 and is now a national historic landmark. It was saved from destruction in the mid-80's by an organization called the "Save The Coaster Committee", which held bake sales and other fundraisers. I'm grateful to them because now I get to enjoy one of my favorite coasters every time I go to San Diego!

 

[Disneyland1970]

Sorry to get off on a tangent here, but as a major coaster buff, I do have to say that I'm a huge fan of the Giant Dipper at Belmont Park. This coaster opened in 1925 and is now a national historic landmark. It was saved from destruction in the mid-80's by an organization called the "Save The Coaster Committee", which held bake sales and other fundraisers. I'm grateful to them because now I get to enjoy one of my favorite coasters every time I go to San Diego!

I guess it depends on which Zip code you are in...I always thought they were shooting for Santa Cruz or even Playland in SF( been closed for years, i've only seen pictures)

My problem is much of the DCA park reminds me of Knotts Roaring 20's, and raft ride they used to have...Haven't been to Knotts in years. but that was my first thought on it for what its worth. I always thought it was funny to have a theme park themed after the state it is in??? Like a New York, New York casino in New York.....It all looks like New York already???

Heck, I still won't call it Disneyland RESORT...It will always be just Disneyland to me!

 

[xfkirsten]

Sorry to get off on a tangent here, but as a major coaster buff, I do have to say that I'm a huge fan of the Giant Dipper at Belmont Park. This coaster opened in 1925 and is now a national historic landmark. It was saved from destruction in the mid-80's by an organization called the "Save The Coaster Committee", which held bake sales and other fundraisers. I'm grateful to them because now I get to enjoy one of my favorite coasters every time I go to San Diego!

Oh, it's certainly a fun landmark... it's just a painful one! More fun when you're drunk... or maybe that's just a college student's perspective. :lookaroun :lol:

-Kirsten