News Paradise Pier Becoming Pixar Pier

[SuddenStorm]

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

Embarrassing to think that we're writing off a park that still has many years of life and additions left. I agree that DCA is a fairly weak theme park, but to say that it will never be better than it was in 2015- 14 years after it opened is a bit disingenuous.

Just imagine if people were saying Disneyland peaked in 1969 after the HM opened- 14 years after that park opened. DCA is no Disneyland, but it still has tons of potential for vast improvement.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

I'm not a fan of the Pixar makeover of the Pier, but I have to say seeing the exterior of Ariel's dismantled makes me SO happy. Keeping my fingers crossed for a greatly improved dining experience there when it reopens.

 

[TROR]

Embarrassing to think that we're writing off a park that still has many years of life and additions left. I agree that DCA is a fairly weak theme park, but to say that it will never be better than it was in 2015- 14 years after it opened is a bit disingenuous.

Just imagine if people were saying Disneyland peaked in 1969 after the HM opened- 14 years after that park opened. DCA is no Disneyland, but it still has tons of potential for vast improvement.

It sure does have potential for vast improvement. Hard to argue it'll happen in the foreseeable future when current management is undoing past improvements.

 

[Rich T]

Just imagine if people were saying Disneyland peaked in 1969 after the HM opened- 14 years after that park opened. DCA is no Disneyland, but it still has tons of potential for vast improvement.

*Ahem* Disneyland peaked in 1969 after the HM opened. There. I said it. Just kidding. Actually, the park peaked in 1971 with the opening of Bear Country. At that point we had a pretty-much perfect DL for the time period. Many of the changes--especially Space Mtn. and New Fantasyland-- have been welcome and much-needed, but the park's always lost something in the process. It couldn't stay the same, I know, but DL was just about perfect when it still had a Frontierland with substance, 3 AA shows, and a trully relaxing, beautiful Bear Country area.

 

[dweezil78]

*Ahem* Disneyland peaked in 1969 after the HM opened. There. I said it. Just kidding. Actually, the park peaked in 1971 with the opening of Bear Country. At that point we had a pretty-much perfect DL for the time period. Many of the changes--especially Space Mtn. and New Fantasyland-- have been welcome and much-needed, but the park's always lost something in the process. It couldn't stay the same, I know, but DL was just about perfect when it still had a Frontierland with substance, 3 AA shows, and a trully relaxing, beautiful Bear Country area.

I didn't make it to DL until 2000 for my first trip. I would have loved to visit right after Indy opened. By then, all the big e-tickets were there + you still had the bones of Tomorrowland 67 in place with a working Peoplemover AND the original Submarine Voyage. Sure there was no ATIS or carousel theater show, but those are small sacrifices to make. All that and you could still find some good off season days to have a pretty chill park experience.

 

[TROR]

*Ahem* Disneyland peaked in 1969 after the HM opened. There. I said it. Just kidding. Actually, the park peaked in 1971 with the opening of Bear Country. At that point we had a pretty-much perfect DL for the time period. Many of the changes--especially Space Mtn. and New Fantasyland-- have been welcome and much-needed, but the park's always lost something in the process. It couldn't stay the same, I know, but DL was just about perfect when it still had a Frontierland with substance, 3 AA shows, and a trully relaxing, beautiful Bear Country area.

I'd argue the park peaked in 1995 with Indiana Jones Adventure. Ever since it seems it's been on a decline, at least until SWL opens.

 

[Rich T]

I'd argue the park peaked in 1995 with Indiana Jones Adventure. Ever since it seems it's been on a decline, at least until SWL opens.

After Bear Country, every addition to DL came at the cost of something I loved about the park, so my pick for Best Year is very personal and subjective. For me, the downside of Indy was the invasion of non-Disney (at the time) IP and the way it turned Adventureland into a crowded nightmare for a few years. Totally worth it, though.

 

[mickEblu]

o

I'd argue the park peaked in 1995 with Indiana Jones Adventure. Ever since it seems it's been on a decline, at least until SWL opens.

For me DL has been on an upward trajectory since 1955 with minor bumps and fluctuations along the way. I know one thing for sure- the park definitely didn’t peak in the 50s or 60s. Aesthetically, sightlines were still pretty bad and a lot of the trees around the resort hadn’t matured enough yet. I think most additions (except TL 98) have been good, even if some have come with the cost of losing something unique or special.

However, if we are including crowds, then yes I would say Disneyland peaked in 1995.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

*Ahem* Disneyland peaked in 1969 after the HM opened.

Actually I would say it peaked somewhere between Space Mountain and New Fantasyland.

 

[SuddenStorm]

*Ahem* Disneyland peaked in 1969 after the HM opened. There. I said it. Just kidding. Actually, the park peaked in 1971 with the opening of Bear Country. At that point we had a pretty-much perfect DL for the time period. Many of the changes--especially Space Mtn. and New Fantasyland-- have been welcome and much-needed, but the park's always lost something in the process. It couldn't stay the same, I know, but DL was just about perfect when it still had a Frontierland with substance, 3 AA shows, and a trully relaxing, beautiful Bear Country area.

As one of the younger posters on here who wasn't around during the 70's, I think the park peaked in 1995 after Indiana Jones Adventure opened, and before the Pressler era of budget cuts.

In 95, you had the original subs, original Fantasmic!, MSEP, original Star Tours, Country Bear Jamboree, People Mover (for part of the year), along with every major E ticket the park is famous for. In my view, it's the "epitome" of modern Disneyland- before Star Wars and Pixar controlled the park.

 

[SuddenStorm]

I'd argue the park peaked in 1995 with Indiana Jones Adventure. Ever since it seems it's been on a decline, at least until SWL opens.

What's great about 1995 Disneyland is everything we love about the park today, is there- along with some lost attractions (Country Bear Jamboree, People Mover, original subs, Tomorrowland) that we miss and haven't had suitable replacements.

 

[TP2000]

I am REALLY going to miss King Triton's Carousel.

Really? The sea creatures were cute, but I've always felt the overall presentation was flat and cheap looking. Cement and stucco and vinyl.

With the attraction high point (or vacation highlight if you are @Curious Constance) going past a stucco wall with King Triton painted on it.

Meanwhile, the same year in 2001 at Tokyo DisneySea, the same company built this double-decker carousel...

 

[SuddenStorm]

It sure does have potential for vast improvement. Hard to argue it'll happen in the foreseeable future when current management is undoing past improvements.

Admittedly, I'm in the camp that Pixar Pier and CA Screamin both could have been much better than they were in 2015- so even though Pixar Pier seems rushed, I'm glad that they're trying to enhance the experience.

It's a similar stance I've taken with Star Wars land. I'm not happy they're doing it, but it's an addition without any losses, so I can't complain to much about it.

 

[TP2000]

It's a similar stance I've taken with Star Wars land. I'm not happy they're doing it, but it's an addition without any losses, so I can't complain to much about it.

That's about where I am with Pixar Pier. Although when I saw the huge amount of construction and demolition going on there yesterday, I got a bit more enthused about it.

I think Lassetter's drunken, slurred introduction of this concept at D23 Expo wasn't a thorough enough explanation of what's going on with this surprisingly big project. "I wahsss born in Whiddyer, Cahlifohrniuh..."

 

[Curious Constance]

Really? The sea creatures were cute, but I've always felt the overall presentation was flat and cheap looking. Cement and stucco and vinyl.

With the attraction high point (or vacation highlight if you are @Curious Constance) going past a stucco wall with King Triton painted on it.

Meanwhile, the same year in 2001 at Tokyo DisneySea, the same company built this double-decker carousel...

Oh my god that's so sad! Look at that comparison!

 

[Curious Constance]

Admittedly, I'm in the camp that Pixar Pier and CA Screamin both could have been much better than they were in 2015- so even though Pixar Pier seems rushed, I'm glad that they're trying to enhance the experience.

It's a similar stance I've taken with Star Wars land. I'm not happy they're doing it, but it's an addition without any losses, so I can't complain to much about it.

Are they really trying to enhance the experience? What is being added that will make the experience better? It may end up looking a bit better aesthetically (though I don't see how when they seem to be abandoning the Victorian theme partially and adding a mid century American house!?) but how is my experience going to be better?

 

[Ismael Flores]

I always hated that badly angled wall in the lack with the organ just placed in the corner of two painted stucco walls. Then there was the ugly concrete fountains that did little to enhance the carousel.

Pixar Pier might not be the best idea but it sure will enhance and beautify the area with new stylized buildings, greenery and visual theming

 

[TROR]

I always hated that badly angled wall in the lack with the organ just placed in the corner of two painted stucco walls. Then there was the ugly concrete fountains that did little to enhance the carousel.

Pixar Pier might not be the best idea but it sure will enhance and beautify the area with new stylized buildings, greenery and visual theming

Will it tho or will it just change the painting of Triton to Toy Story characters

 

[Curious Constance]

I always hated that badly angled wall in the lack with the organ just placed in the corner of two painted stucco walls. Then there was the ugly concrete fountains that did little to enhance the carousel.

Pixar Pier might not be the best idea but it sure will enhance and beautify the area with new stylized buildings, greenery and visual theming

If they were building this themed to Toy Story you wouldn't hear a peep from me:

But instead of building that, they are painting the roof of the existing structure and adding a water feature, and this:

While the second picture may end up looking a little better than what's there currently, it's still a net loss because it's at the expense of what could have been (something amazing like picture one). Since they're adding a giant Jessie and new paint on the roof, we can pretty much be assured that we'll never see anything truly amazing for many, many years to come.

 

[NobodyElse]

Actually I would say it peaked somewhere between Space Mountain and New Fantasyland.

Are you saying New Fantasyland was a step in the wrong direction?