Emotional Whirlwind Grand Opening & Ride Reviews - Let's Get Excited!

[Snapper Bean]

Have you seen the footprint? Its like 80 Percent tightly enclosed by the Incredicoaster. So unless you are proposing to knock that down, the only thing you could do in that space was a spinner ride (current iteration), a drop ride (previous iteration) or like 2 foodstands. Again, they may not post here but 8 year olds go to theme parks too.

 

[planodisney]

I hear so much about the heat and shade issue on here. I guess that must be a west coast issue.
I live in Texas, visit WDW every year, DLR at least every other year and I’ve never once been hot at DLR and I’ve been in the summertime many times.
I’ve been cold there in June before, but never hot even in August. I guess that’s one reason why we love it. That, and it’s easy to hit the parks early with the time change for us. I know many advocate on here that DCA shouldn’t exist, but for the tourist who spends ALOT of money for a destination vacation, it’s extremely important to have that second park and to feel like we are having a different experience, and to have it right across the esplanade is a HUGE blessing for families with kids.

 

[DanielBB8]

Lack of shade at DCA has been an on-going complaint from the beginning. This park is still a work in progress.

 

[FigmentFreak]

POV Video!

I can't believe you posted this video and completely spoiled this ride for me.

 

[planodisney]

IMHO, the problem with this ride has nothing to do with the ride itself. I think the ride itself is actually a great addition to the pier and is extremely well done for this type of attraction. It’s 100% more well themed than the atrocious Goofy mouse ride.
The problem is that they have too many other off the shelf rides/spinners right around the corner.

 

[dlr74]

IMHO, the problem with this ride has nothing to do with the ride itself. I think the ride itself is actually a great addition to the pier and is extremely well done for this type of attraction. It’s 100% more well themed than the atrocious Goofy mouse ride.
The problem is that they have too many other off the shelf rides/spinners right around the corner.

I’m hoping this problem is fixed with a Pixar Pier phase 2 announcement that includes the bulldozing of everything from Symphony Swings down to the Zephyr

 

[captveg]

I’m hoping this problem is fixed with a Pixar Pier phase 2 announcement that includes the bulldozing of everything from Symphony Swings down to the Zephyr

I'm kinda expecting it. They could use another dark ride right next to Mermaid (in the shops/Goofy footprint), which may need to push the walkway closer to the water's edge.

 

[mickEblu]

I'm kinda expecting it. They could use another dark ride right next to Mermaid (in the shops/Goofy footprint), which may need to push the walkway closer to the water's edge.

As long as they don’t touch Paradise gardens. That’s pretty much the only place I “hang out” at DCA.

 

[Curious Constance]

As long as they don’t touch Paradise gardens. That’s pretty much the only place I “hang out” at DCA.

Isn’t that basically where they’re talking about?

 

[mickEblu]

Isn’t that basically where they’re talking about?

Maybe. They didn’t say it though. They re talking about the shops between Goofy and Mermaid (corn dog castle and that store) and maybe whatever backstage area can be sacrificed. I don’t think Disney would want to get rid of a lucrative eating area but who knows. By not touch I mean I don’t want to see this Perfectly charming non IP zone get a ratatouille theme. Paradise Gardens for me is one of the few places at DCA that gives me DL vibes.

Please no oversized Rat fiberglass statues.

 

[Ismael Flores]

I guess I just don't see the harm. What else are you going to cram into that footprint? Something beats nothing and unfortunately not many toddlers have accounts here to advocate for their interests.

There original plan for that area consisted of transplanting Heimlich ride system but with a much longer track. people would board on the backside if the helix at about the same level as the whirlwind and then the track would slowly slope up and above the main walkway cut thru the a piece of the themed coaster lattice do a curve between the helix and symphony swing in what is a wasted piece if property. the track would then go back over the walkway and curve left over the store and midway games and back to the helix to disembark.
think the outer portion of Alice.

the whole area covered in landscape and themed props. It wouldn't have been a top of the shelve outdoor darkride but it would also not be a spinner.

inside out should have been saved for a dark ride and that could also have been possible if they had removed the midway games and turned a couple of those into the candy store. the remaining midway games and large helix and possibly a piece of backstages room could have been used for a darkride. very similar to what they did for mania. the whole bandstand area could have been used also to extend the shown building closer to walkway like mania.

they can go even further and reclaim the piece of water between the projection booths and dog stand next to the ferris wheel and use that for vending.
The pier remodel has been compromised every time they change WDI groups for the project or when they decide to cut budgets

 

[Ismael Flores]

before they go back and start any more Paradise Pier remodel 3 to 10 they need to fix the east side of the park.

most of the west side closes because of WOC leaving a large chunk of the guests lost and confused as to what they can do. There first reaction is to leave and jam pack Disneyland at the worst time if the day.

I still can’t believe they could have found a way of at least keeping the carousel open. all they needed was to replace the fountains with a nice garden that consisted of themed hedges. then just turn iff the canopy lights and keep the lights on for the ride at a mood level.

makes me wonder if whirlwind also shuts down during woc.

 

[bryanfze55]

While I love Disneyland, the spinner rides are getting a bit out of hand. Literally 1/4 of the rides at the Disneyland Resort just go in a circle...

Dumbo, Tea Party, Astro Orbitor, Carousel, Jessie’s Carousel, Inside Out, Silly Symphony Swings, Golden Zephyr, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, Mickey’s Fun Wheel (or whatever it’s called now)...

I understand that some of those rides need to exist for nostalgia’s sake. I don’t hate DCA, but it’s very top heavy on attractions. Half of the rides are either great or decent, but Paradise Gardens and Pixar Pier might be the worst themed lands Disney has ever done.

 

[captveg]

While I love Disneyland, the spinner rides are getting a bit out of hand. Literally 1/4 of the rides at the Disneyland Resort just go in a circle...

Dumbo, Tea Party, Astro Orbitor, Carousel, Jessie’s Carousel, Inside Out, Silly Symphony Swings, Golden Zephyr, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, Mickey’s Fun Wheel (or whatever it’s called now)...

I understand that some of those rides need to exist for nostalgia’s sake. I don’t hate DCA, but it’s very top heavy on attractions. Half of the rides are either great or decent, but Paradise Gardens and Pixar Pier might be the worst themed lands Disney has ever done.

It's actually one less spinner than when Bug's Land was open (which had both Flik's Flyers and Francis' Ladybug Boogie).

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

I like the spinning rockets because you get a nice view of the park and rotate right next to the trackway for Rocket Rods.

 

[Rich T]

While I love Disneyland, the spinner rides are getting a bit out of hand. Literally 1/4 of the rides at the Disneyland Resort just go in a circle...

Dumbo, Tea Party, Astro Orbitor, Carousel, Jessie’s Carousel, Inside Out, Silly Symphony Swings, Golden Zephyr, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, Mickey’s Fun Wheel (or whatever it’s called now)...

I understand that some of those rides need to exist for nostalgia’s sake. I don’t hate DCA, but it’s very top heavy on attractions. Half of the rides are either great or decent, but Paradise Gardens and Pixar Pier might be the worst themed lands Disney has ever done.

Mater's does a double figure eight, thank you very much. The big problem on the Pier side, though, is that they should have stopped with the circling spinners at DCA with Zephyr; it's a rare and historic ride type (and very relaxing). To have *another* circle swing ride (and now *another!*) a stone's throw away is ridiculous. You'd almost think the Imagineers have no idea that there are some wonderful flat rides out there that do something *other* than dangle and move in a circle. There are 3 dimensions, Imagineers! Honestly! There are flat rides that tilt wildly! Flat rides that *gasp* go upside down! Flat rides that *ooh, ahhh* swing back and forth really high! They don't all need to dangle from chains and move in a circle!

 

[Rich T]

I like the spinning rockets because you get a nice view of the park and rotate right next to the trackway for Rocket Rods.

They start below ground level and rise to, like, ten feet. Their big, expensive kinetic sculpture never works. They're awful.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

They start below ground level and rise to, like, ten feet. Their big, expensive kinetic sculpture never works. They're awful.

Oh, come on! Flying over the Main Street/hub area including during the fireworks show is...*gulp*...magical.

Ugh!! Stop making me do that!

 

[MisterPenguin]

Mater's does a double figure eight, thank you very much. The big problem on the Pier side, though, is that they should have stopped with the circling spinners at DCA with Zephyr; it's a rare and historic ride type (and very relaxing). To have *another* circle swing ride (and now *another!*) a stone's throw away is ridiculous. You'd almost think the Imagineers have no idea that there are some wonderful flat rides out there that do something *other* than dangle and move in a circle. There are 3 dimensions, Imagineers! Honestly! There are flat rides that tilt wildly! Flat rides that *gasp* go upside down! Flat rides that *ooh, ahhh* swing back and forth really high! They don't all need to dangle from chains and move in a circle!

And WDW doesn't even have one spinning swings.

 

[bryanfze55]

I like the spinning rockets because you get a nice view of the park and rotate right next to the trackway for Rocket Rods.

Well I would consider Astro Orbitor to be a ride that should remain. It’s good for kids and is nostalgic. However, it’s executed very poorly at Disneyland, at least in comparison to MK. They only work when perched atop the PeopleMover and are thus higher in the sky. At Disneyland you’re barely off the ground.