now be honest

[Disneynutcase]

50 attractions and rides?!! Have you been to DL lately? That's not even close to being an accurate number--unless you're including character greeting spots.

As a Californian who has been going to DL annually for the last 35 years, I can honestly say that after Indy opened, the park went straight to hell.
A bunch of it is currently closed down and unused. And new attractions over the last decade have been entirely unimpressive. Can you say Rocket Rods?

Rides break down more often. People have been getting hurt in strange ways. They've also gone to a policy of totally maxing out the park attendance-wise. Go there right after Christmas or Thanksgiving and you'll become claustrophobic from all the packed in people everywhere.

Cutbacks, the DCA expansion, and Disney's whole globalization of its themeparks put DL on "good enough" status. Sad, too, because people still flock to DL in greater numbers than ever.

Indy, PotC, HM, Space and Splash, Roger Rabbit, Alice In Wonderland, Matterhorn, Mr. Toad, Tiki Room--all great attractions that make the ride selection still quite a bit superior to MK.

But it's as if the pride has left the theme park. Can't understand why no one in management seems to care. The place used to sparkle. Every few years there was always a new exciting ride. In the last eight years, nothing at DL, with only Soaring providing true Disney magic over at DCA.

Sad.

But is it worth checking out? Yes, but I'd recommend waiting until '05. Perhaps by then because of the 50 year celebration (which, for some reason, WDW is getting all the new freakin' attractions), the park will again come back to life.

And Merlin, you claim to be a California history buff. Obviously your view of Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is based on history, meaning you haven't been there in a while. The Boardwalk got what DL needs three years ago--an infusion of money and a commitment to excellence. I go there annuually every summer as well. It's now spectacular--with some great new rides, clean, good food, a coupon book for discounts on everything, easy to find discount admissions, plus summer concert series, and a real beach. Mmmm...deep fried artichoke hearts!

I hate Paradise Pier at DCA because it doesn't come close to touching the awesomeness of Santa Cruz...at least it totally didn't capture a true Boardwalk spirit for me.

 

[trekkie]

OK, I overexaggerated, I admit I have been there recently; and 50 rides is over-doing it. Even on a really great day where everything is running properly (which is rare ).

Still, it -- DL -- is a better bang for your buck than the MK in Florida.

Of course, if you wanna experience all that WDW has to offer -- Epcot, MGM and AK -- then by all means, go for it.

 

[Merlin]

Originally posted by Disneynutcase
And Merlin, you claim to be a California history buff. Obviously your view of Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is based on history, meaning you haven't been there in a while. The Boardwalk got what DL needs three years ago--an infusion of money and a commitment to excellence. I go there annuually every summer as well. It's now spectacular--with some great new rides, clean, good food, a coupon book for discounts on everything, easy to find discount admissions, plus summer concert series, and a real beach. Mmmm...deep fried artichoke hearts!

Hey, I'm on YOUR side!! I love everything you said and agree 100%!!

True I haven't been to Santa Cruz in about 5 years. I can't honestly say I have plans to rush back any time soon, but if I'm in the area I'll check it out based on your recommendation. I did enjoy the Big Dipper there.

 

[trekkie]

Oh God ... I haven't been to SCBB in ... at "least" 10 years. I've been wanting to go back for years, but no one else in my family is very interested. Hopefully by the Summer...

Isn't SCBB where they sell the fried candy bars? Sorry ... but too fattening for me. One is like almost an entire days worth of fat, cholestoral, carbs and bad calories

 

[Disneynutcase]

Not just deep fried candy bars, this summer they added deep fried twinkies! Haven't had the cojones to try either. But that may be because I'm a carmel apple and salt water taffy fan.

I love the Boardwalk because it's all "fetish" food, particularly in the sweets and deep fried category. They also make some mean and much healthier for you stir fry and wraps.

Not to have this digress too much from the original topic, but I'm not exagerating about how improved SCBB is. My mother went with us this past summer having taken me numerous times in my childhood and also having frequented the place as a child going as far back to the 1940's. She commented right away about how clean everything was, how less scummy it felt, how the rides looked safer, how the new rides like Ghost Blasters were a hoot, and that the clientele seemed more families and less bum/hippie/biker.

It still has that chintzy carny atmosphere, but it's authentic and, at least to me, very cool and psychologically comforting. They're not trying to make the place be Disneyland. And on the west coast, there's no comparison to the Boardwalk if you want/like this kind of atmosphere.

This flavor is not present at all at DCA's Paradise Pier. Maybe they needed to put in a true wooden coaster, or a fun house or a more traditional carnival version of the ride-thru spook house or tunnel of love. Or have people walking around in swim suits. Something...

Instead PP at DCA seems more like an excuse to have fairly standard amusement park rides with a fake "California is surf paradise/Baywatch" theming rather than something with a little imagination or..er...imagineering involved. Then again, I know some people who think this is the best area of the park.

I do think in 10 years they will turn DCA around. MGM really wasn't that impressive and drew complaints of not being "an all day park" or "worth the money" until they opened ToT. Now, with RnRC, it's definately a park worth hitting. But with that said, DCA needs its own attractions. They had one original w/ "Soaring," but that's being copied at WDW.
My kid--a 4th grader--is currently studying California history. By just brain-storming with her, we came up with a few Disney-type ride ideas that would fit into the theme--Spanish Missions, Gold Rush, San Francisco Earthquake, Escape from Alcatraz, something with skiing or snow as a theme, the Grateful Dead LSD ride, intense traffic jams (kidding on the last two).

 

[stitch rocks]

Originally posted by Disneynutcase
Not just deep fried candy bars, this summer they added deep fried twinkies! Haven't had the cojones to try either. But that may be because I'm a carmel apple and salt water taffy fan.

I love the Boardwalk because it's all "fetish" food, particularly in the sweets and deep fried category. They also make some mean and much healthier for you stir fry and wraps.

Not to have this digress too much from the original topic, but I'm not exagerating about how improved SCBB is. My mother went with us this past summer having taken me numerous times in my childhood and also having frequented the place as a child going as far back to the 1940's. She commented right away about how clean everything was, how less scummy it felt, how the rides looked safer, how the new rides like Ghost Blasters were a hoot, and that the clientele seemed more families and less bum/hippie/biker.

It still has that chintzy carny atmosphere, but it's authentic and, at least to me, very cool and psychologically comforting. They're not trying to make the place be Disneyland. And on the west coast, there's no comparison to the Boardwalk if you want/like this kind of atmosphere.

This flavor is not present at all at DCA's Paradise Pier. Maybe they needed to put in a true wooden coaster, or a fun house or a more traditional carnival version of the ride-thru spook house or tunnel of love. Or have people walking around in swim suits. Something...

Instead PP at DCA seems more like an excuse to have fairly standard amusement park rides with a fake "California is surf paradise/Baywatch" theming rather than something with a little imagination or..er...imagineering involved. Then again, I know some people who think this is the best area of the park.

I do think in 10 years they will turn DCA around. MGM really wasn't that impressive and drew complaints of not being "an all day park" or "worth the money" until they opened ToT. Now, with RnRC, it's definately a park worth hitting. But with that said, DCA needs its own attractions. They had one original w/ "Soaring," but that's being copied at WDW.
My kid--a 4th grader--is currently studying California history. By just brain-storming with her, we came up with a few Disney-type ride ideas that would fit into the theme--Spanish Missions, Gold Rush, San Francisco Earthquake, Escape from Alcatraz, something with skiing or snow as a theme, the Grateful Dead LSD ride, intense traffic jams (kidding on the last two).

not traffic jams... road rage drivers.... now that would be a ride