Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout announced for Disney California Adventure

[Phroobar]

Somehow I don't feel that when Disney built Bugs Land, in their minds they were envisioning a land so boring, that only the smallest of the small people would enjoy it, and even those kids would be so few and far between that it would be very unpopular and a near walk on for all of the rides.

They were looking for a fast way to add capacity and fix the complaint that there was nothing for little kids to do there. Disney Sea's Little Mermaid land has almost the same rides and is very popular. A Bugs Land is just a working beta design for the current trend of putting Toy Story land in every park.

 

[mickEblu]

You are all right. The land does serve its purpose but it's also boring. Walt was just a little more slick about it back in the day. For every Dumbo or Carrousel in the Fantasyland courtyard there was a Peter Pan or Mr. Toad the family could enjoy together. With that said, even the Fantasyland flats/ spinners are 100x more charming than what we find at Bugs land. Fliks Flyers is ok but the other three scream carnival.

I think the overarching theme here is that Bugs land is empty because it is not fun for **enough** of DLRs demo. I mean those rides aren't even for parents with kids, they are for parents with kids 3 and under. Sure one positive side effect is parents with young kids can get on and off these rides quickly but I don't think that means the land is successful. They should have combined tuck and roll with Heimlichs and made it a dark ride. But we all know that was never going to happen because this was done cheap and quickly to get kiddie rides in the park.

The armchair imagineer in me keeps thinking how cool it would have been if Tough to be a bug (same Q and all) was a boat ride where we board our 'leaves' and adventure through the world of the Bugs.

 

[Curious Constance]

If the parks started serving super cheap, fast food that made you all but puke when eating it, it would still serve it's purpose. You could get full without spending a lot of money or time, but what's the point? Why not charge more for something that people will genuinely love to eat?

 

[Practical Pig]

There really isn't a word in this discussion with which I have any fundamental disagreement. I'm certainly not defending the quality of the rides which I haven't personally experienced. I trust the perception of those who have.

Our eldest was four when we first took our kids to the parks, and Flik's Fun Fair wasn't yet open, but by that time he wasn't wanting to do the "little kid stuff" anyway. The land certainly does have a very narrow demographical target, but all kinds of families go the the parks, and I think those with the youngest children are underserved without the function of something like Bug's land somewhere.

 

[NobodyElse]

You are all right. The land does serve its purpose but it's also boring. Walt was just a little more slick about it back in the day. For every Dumbo or Carrousel in the Fantasyland courtyard there was a Peter Pan or Mr. Toad the family could enjoy together. With that said, even the Fantasyland flats/ spinners are 100x more charming than what we find at Bugs land. Fliks Flyers is ok but the other three scream carnival.

Yes and no. I see your point that the dark rides make a difference, but A Bug's Land is a mini-land, without a lot of room.

If you're referring to Walt's original Fantasyland, I don't think the spinners were 100x more charming than what we find in A Bug's Land. I'd also argue that Bug's is better (or at least more cohesively) themed than Walt's Fantasyland. Just a comparison - fair or not.

I've got my own thoughts on the Bug's rides, but I'll save them for later. One aspect (of the original A Bug's Land) that never directly affected me but I appreciated anyway was the single entrance / exit. While I don't encourage little ones running lose and wild, I found the idea appealing that one could instruct their youngster that if they got separated, they could be instructed NOT to leave the area. A parent could conceivably station themselves at the exit.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Although I wouldn't cry a river if a bug's land were to be removed, I actually don't mind the area. It's pretty and there are a few decent attractions. The bathroom is cool.

I'm all for retheming a bug's land, but the kiddie-type rides should stay.

 

[Antaundra]

A few years ago we took my niece to Disneyland for the first time just before her 3rd birthday. We were so excited. Peter Pan was going to be her first ride. We had taken her older sister on Peter Pan for her first ride when she had been the same age and the magic of flying made her fall in love with Disneyland, but my younger niece cried the whole time she was so afraid of the dark. So we took her on Dumbo, Storybook Land Canal Boats etc... Got her excited about rides and then we were able ease her on to the dark rides and she thought they were great. So at DCA we took her to Bugsland first to get her excited about being on rides then we were able to take her on other rides that we were all able to enjoy. I agree with those who say that the Fantasyland rides are better but if Disney ever gets rid of Bugsland they need to replace all those slow moving outside rides for the toddlers at DCA. You don't know how your kid will react to Disneyland until you get them there. If they freak out and don't have the magical response you were dreaming of then those slow moving outside rides can be what saves your vacation.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

I agree with those who say that the Fantasyland rides are better but if Disney ever gets rid of Bugsland they need to replace all those slow moving outside rides for the toddlers at DCA. You don't know how your kid will react to Disneyland until you get them there. If they freak out and don't have the magical response you were dreaming of then those slow moving outside rides can be what saves your vacation.

How did vacationing families with little kids manage DLR before A Bug's Land?

 

[mickEblu]

Yes and no. I see your point that the dark rides make a difference, but A Bug's Land is a mini-land, without a lot of room.

If you're referring to Walt's original Fantasyland, I don't think the spinners were 100x more charming than what we find in A Bug's Land. I'd also argue that Bug's is better (or at least more cohesively) themed than Walt's Fantasyland. Just a comparison - fair or not.

I've got my own thoughts on the Bug's rides, but I'll save them for later. One aspect (of the original A Bug's Land) that never directly affected me but I appreciated anyway was the single entrance / exit. While I don't encourage little ones running lose and wild, I found the idea appealing that one could instruct their youngster that if they got separated, they could be instructed NOT to leave the area. A parent could conceivably station themselves at the exit.

The theming is nice but the rides are not up to par. I've never once thought "carnival ride" at DLR until the time I stepped onto lady bug spin. And a lot of that has to do with the scale.

You don't think the Mad Tea Party is 100x more charming then Francis' Lady Bug Spin? With the lanterns, music and Matterhorn / Alice in the background. (Although I will say Lady Bug Spin is the most fun of the 4 Bugs land rides). You could never find a Dumbo (with fountains / FL ambience) or Tea Cups at a carnival but you could easily find the Bugs land rides.

I was referring to Fantasyland post 1983. Yes I'll agree Bugs Land is more cohesively themed but what good does that do when it's empty and only caters to kids 3 and under? I have a 1 year old son and still haven't taken him to Bugs land. He's already been on Pirates, HM, JC, and of course most of the FL stuff. For me after battling the traffic on the 5 south, unpacking the car / stroller , going through security and getting on the tram the last thing I want to see are the Bugs Land flats. Esp when their are other areas of the park that offer more for the entire family.

Anyway just my thoughts. I'm not even saying Bugs Land should go because I do enjoy walking through there, lol. And I would miss ITTBAB. Would be ok with it going away even for one people eating , family friendly ride at DCA.

 

[mickEblu]

A few years ago we took my niece to Disneyland for the first time just before her 3rd birthday. We were so excited. Peter Pan was going to be her first ride. We had taken her older sister on Peter Pan for her first ride when she had been the same age and the magic of flying made her fall in love with Disneyland, but my younger niece cried the whole time she was so afraid of the dark. So we took her on Dumbo, Storybook Land Canal Boats etc... Got her excited about rides and then we were able ease her on to the dark rides and she thought they were great. So at DCA we took her to Bugsland first to get her excited about being on rides then we were able to take her on other rides that we were all able to enjoy. I agree with those who say that the Fantasyland rides are better but if Disney ever gets rid of Bugsland they need to replace all those slow moving outside rides for the toddlers at DCA. You don't know how your kid will react to Disneyland until you get them there. If they freak out and don't have the magical response you were dreaming of then those slow moving outside rides can be what saves your vacation.

As a weird 6 year old kid who would watch movies like the original Child's play, Alone down stairs at my grandmas house, my opinion here is probably not valid. But I'd say a little scare never hurt anyone. Now of course u want to balance that out with what you re saying above.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Fantasyland is definitely better than a bug's land, but the majority of FL attractions are indeed carnival rides.

 

[Stevek]

How did vacationing families with little kids manage DLR before A Bug's Land?

Well, they did have a park next door full of family/kid rides which is probably where they spend most of the time...the attendance failures of the early days of DCA is testament to that. As many of us are aware, one of the biggest knocks against DCA was that is was not family friendly and Bug's Land was the response. I know it made a difference for us in the early days, we would actually be able to spend a little more time with daughters at DCA and the park is much more "complete" with that respect now. Monsters, Bugs Land (4 attractions), Luigi, Mermaid, Mater, Toy Story, Turtle Talk...that's 10 family friendly attractions added to the park...I'm not including Superstar Limo as that gave families nightmares. If you add Racers which has a slightly taller 40 inch height requirement, you're up to 11.

 

[mickEblu]

Fantasyland is definitely better than a bug's land, but the majority of FL attractions are indeed carnival rides.

I wouldn't say majority unless your including the dark rides which I would disagree with. I think only 3 could possibly be considered carnival rides - Dumbo, Tea Cups and the Carrousel. The big difference for me is that they don't feel like carnival rides because of the ambience of the land and extra theming.

 

[Stevek]

They were looking for a fast way to add capacity and fix the complaint that there was nothing for little kids to do there. Disney Sea's Little Mermaid land has almost the same rides and is very popular. A Bugs Land is just a working beta design for the current trend of putting Toy Story land in every park.

My friend just returned from his first trip to HKDL resort and he said the same thing about their Mermaid section...but that it's setting is what made it far more interesting/bearable.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I wouldn't say majority unless your including the dark rides which I would disagree with. I think only 3 could possibly be considered carnival rides - Dumbo, Tea Cups and the Carrousel. The big difference for me is that they don't feel like carnival rides because of the ambience of the land and extra theming.

Dark rides were, and still are, commonly found at carnivals. Dark rides, carousels, spinner rides, choo-choo trains... All common carnival attractions. Roller coasters, especially wooden ones, ccould probably included in that list.

The FL attractions aren't cheaply made and designed, and they're nicely themed, but they're still carnival attractions.

 

[mickEblu]

Dark rides were, and still are, commonly found at carnivals. Dark rides, carousels, spinner rides, choo-choo trains... All common carnival attractions.

The FL attractions aren't cheaply made and designed, and they're nicely themed, but they're still carnival attractions.

Ok then we ll just have to agree to disagree.

I can't wait til the school carnival comes back this year so I can ride Peter Pan. Lol. Saying they were inspired by carnival rides would be fair but their is a huge divide between something like Alice or Peter Pan and whatever dark ride you can or could find at your average carnival.

 

[NobodyElse]

How did vacationing families with little kids manage DLR before A Bug's Land?

How did vacationing families manage SoCal before DLR?

 

[Deleted member 107043]

I know it made a difference for us in the early days, we would actually be able to spend a little more time with daughters at DCA and the park is much more "complete" with that respect now. Monsters, Bugs Land (4 attractions), Luigi, Mermaid, Mater, Toy Story, Turtle Talk...that's 10 family friendly attractions added to the park.

And with that this discussion circles back to my original point, which is that DCA's attraction roster has matured to the extent that A Bug's Land is no longer a necessity.

 

[NobodyElse]

The theming is nice but the rides are not up to par. I've never once thought "carnival ride" at DLR until the time I stepped onto lady bug spin. And a lot of that has to do with the scale.

You don't think the Mad Tea Party is 100x more charming then Francis' Lady Bug Spin? With the lanterns, music and Matterhorn / Alice in the background. (Although I will say Lady Bug Spin is the most fun of the 4 Bugs land rides). You could never find a Dumbo (with fountains / FL ambience) or Tea Cups at a carnival but you could easily find the Bugs land rides.

I was referring to Fantasyland post 1983. Yes I'll agree Bugs Land is more cohesively themed but what good does that do when it's empty and only caters to kids 3 and under? I have a 1 year old son and still haven't taken him to Bugs land. He's already been on Pirates, HM, JC, and of course most of the FL stuff. For me after battling the traffic on the 5 south, unpacking the car / stroller , going through security and getting on the tram the last thing I want to see are the Bugs Land flats. Esp when their are other areas of the park that offer more for the entire family.

Anyway just my thoughts. I'm not even saying Bugs Land should go because I do enjoy walking through there, lol. And I would miss ITTBAB. Would be ok with it going away even for one people eating , family friendly ride at DCA.

Sorry. I realize now you were mixing two different things. You mention Walt back in the day, but you're mostly comparing things to present day Fantasyland.

I agree with you that the current combo of the teacups with adjacent Alice (and lights, landscaping, music) is pretty cool. Walt's teacups were perhaps better themed than any spinning cup ride at the time, but quickly became lost in the mix of spinning sombreros (Knott's) and spinning barrels (Magic Mountain) and even the current spinning Bionicle ride (Legoland). (Note, If I recall, the Magic Mountain ride had the extra dimension of a tilting turntable.)

 

[Practical Pig]

And with that this discussion circles back to my original point, which is that DCA's attraction roster has matured to the extent that A Bug's Land is no longer a necessity.

I agree that such a land is no longer necessary, but it enhances a fairly sizable group of family's park experience and that group is an important demographic to Disney's future customer base. Tower of Terror (RIP) wasn't necessary for adults to enjoy the park, but it certainly improved the experience.