News Paradise Pier Becoming Pixar Pier

[Jones14]

Midway Mania also has the distinction of being one of the only fast-paced dark rides where nothing goes horribly wrong. Pair that with competitive interactivity, and you’ve got five minutes of a no-fear adrenaline rush that leaves you physically exhausted if you really get into it.

It’s a modern day Fantasyland dark ride: fast-paced, simple tricks, quick bursts of overstimulation. Mania has more in common with Mr. Toad and Alice than Mermaid does, and that’s why it works. Regardless of how we may feel about screens or the overall potential of the ride system, it is old-school Disney when you look at the bigger picture.

 

[mickEblu]

I don't disagree TSM is a really fun ride... but it does always feel like more of a cool tech demo (of its time) to me than a fully flushed out experience. Like they only barely scratched the surface and didn't fully deliver on it. I wish there was more to the ride than moving on to game screen to game screen and then back to the station. There should have been more to see during the transitions, some semblance of a story or action happening between the characters.

I think that's why so many people are quick to compare it to a Wii. Sure there's air blasts and water here and there, but other than that, the motion doesn't ever actually tie to the gameplay and it never really transcends being more than a 3D video game. A really fun one, but still.

It kind of amazes me that people are willing to wait as long as they do based on the type of incredible gaming tech and VR we have in our homes these days!

Water? I’ve never had the Honor of being squirted.

 

[mickEblu]

But are Toy Story Land, Pixar Pier, and Mission Breakout any better than what Eisner built after Wells's death? I'd say no. To me, there is no notable difference between Dinorama and Toy Story Land other than one is based on an IP. Both cheap, colorful messes. Give me DCA in 2004 over the one we're getting in 2018.

I wouldnt want 2004 over 2018 DCA but you'd only be missing one E ticket - RSR. I would take 2015 DCA though with BVS, TOT, Cars Land, Soarin Over California and Grizzly Peak Airfield.

 

[TROR]

I wouldnt want 2004 over 2018 DCA but you'd only be missing one E ticket - RSR. I would take 2015 DCA though with BVS, TOT, Cars Land, Soarin Over California and Grizzly Peak Airfield.

I'd take 2015 DCA over any park except for DisneySEA, Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris, to be quite honest.

 

[Rich T]

Water? I’ve never had the Honor of being squirted.

There are raincloud balloons that spritz you if you pop them. One of my favorite effects.

 

[mickEblu]

There are raincloud balloons that spritz you if you pop them. One of my favorite effects.

Wow, you mean to tell me I’ve never even accidentally hit one of those? I’ll be looking out for them. I’ve probably been on TSMM a total of 6-8 times.

 

[nevol]

I wouldnt want 2004 over 2018 DCA but you'd only be missing one E ticket - RSR. I would take 2015 DCA though with BVS, TOT, Cars Land, Soarin Over California and Grizzly Peak Airfield.

2015 was peak DCA.

 

[TROR]

2015 was peak DCA.

Embarrassing to think an unfinished remodel of the park is the best it'll ever be.

 

[alias8703]

Embarrassing to think an unfinished remodel of the park is the best it'll ever be.

/

 

[Emmanuel]

Just a week ago the Paradise Pier sign on the coaster was no longer lit. Now it is gone

 

[mickEblu]

View attachment 261079
Just a week ago the Paradise Pier sign on the coaster was no longer lit. Now it is gone

I’m so confused. Where was this pic taken to have Carthay in the foreground of Screamin like that?

 

[dweezil78]

I’m so confused. Where was this pic taken to have Carthay in the foreground of Screamin like that?

Zoomed in from the roof of the Howard Johnson across the street on Harbor. Makes for some unusual angles!

 

[britain]

MATTERCAM!!!

http://www.hojoanaheim.com/take-a-tour/webcam

 

[Disneylover152]

View attachment 261079
Just a week ago the Paradise Pier sign on the coaster was no longer lit. Now it is gone

tbh I don't think it looks bad without something above the circle. I like it better with something above the circle, but I think it looks fine without it.

 

[TROR]

tbh I don't think it looks bad without something above the circle. I like it better with something above the circle, but I think it looks fine without it.

Agreed. It's not as bad as I expected, at least from this angle. That said, it still is a downgrade which is never a good thing.

 

[TP2000]

I just got back from errands that included a one hour morning walk through both parks just after rope drop. My God, Paradise Pier is torn up!

And what the heck is going on with Ariel's Grotto??? They have completely removed all the domes and spires and decorations that were on the rooftops there. The building is now just a big stucco warehouse box, which reminds me of how cheaply DCA 1.0 structures were built (everything was stucco blank walls, with a few goo-gaw decor pieces slapped on).

I didn't realize Ariel's Grotto/Cove Bar was getting such a massive overhaul and redo. I forgot to take photos cause I was walking briskly like my Doctor insists I do (and starting to pant up that boardwalk incline by Ariel's Grotto). Plus that gift shop across the way; it's all been stripped down to stucco boxes.

Looking at the artwork, there are still cupolas and domes and angled rooflines on those structures. But now that I look closer they are less fanciful (or tacky 1990's depending on how you see it) and more literal re-interpretations of a Hotel Del Coronado aesthetic.

Compare that to the original 2001 aesthetic from DCA 1.0 where this entire structure was a signature restaurant Hosted by Wolfgang Puck, which used his late 1990's design aesthetic found in his other trendy restaurants of that era. They lightly repurposed it as themed to Ariel after Wolfgang Puck joined the other DCA sponsors as they ran for the exits and cancelled their sponsorships in August, 2001 after DCA's total failure.

 

[Ismael Flores]

I'm still hoping that that art is still correct and that the lower eating area of the eatery is being enclosed and the ugly cloth awnings removed for a permanent roof

 

[TP2000]

Found this on Twitter, taken two days ago. Even less of this stuff was there this morning, just the stucco box walls are left.

 

[Ismael Flores]

referencing the concept art sure looks like the hole entrance canopy will be gone and instead a new roof built over existing building over entrance. The entrance also looks like it will be relocated to the corner of the building which means that the waiting area and staircase might actually change. That front area of eatery along the waters edge will sure look bigger and maybe add more WOC viewing spacer

 

[westie]

R.I.P. Lobster Nachos (silently weeps at desk)