News Red Car Trolley to close February 8, 2025

[CaptinEO]

As long as the people in charge have even just an iota of common sense

Lets not get carried away here.

 

[AJFireman]

1. It’s Connected to the Grand Californian which would also require an extensive retheme and what motivation would they have to do it as the place already prints money?

I have not owned DVC or seen a contract but could they change the theme of the DVC wing? I would think that would keep it safe other then add more IP within the land.

 

[PiratesMansion]

I have not owned DVC or seen a contract but could they change the theme of the DVC wing? I would think that would keep it safe other then add more IP within the land.

There's a zero percent chance a company with Disney's lawyers would allow the whims of their members to dictate theme.

They are entitled to a place to stay per the terms of their contract, and likely very little else. Presumably the contract was written in such a way so that if the theme was changed to Bing Bong's Candy-Crying DVC Emotional Whirlwind Resort at a moment's notice, the members wouldn't be able to do anything about it.

 

[DLR92]

I imagine that the DL Main Street vehicles are largely safe because of the Walt factor, though I imagine at some point they'll get tired of the hassle/expense of bussing the horses to and from the park.

I’m more surprised they haven’t with how currently they transport the horses from the park and back to complete off site ranch daily.

 

[BrianLo]

At what point do we realize that Josh D'amaro, even with his runner's physique and winning smile and tight pants, has generally been bad for the Parks division during his tenure as Chairman?

Are we there yet? Or do we need to see one or two more crappy and cheap decisions from him?

I’m not very happy about the trolley leaving… but parking it is a bit weird and gives me false hope it isn’t being permanently removed.

But on the flip side, the moderate term future for DCA looks quite promising. I’m not even really sure what is related to Josh at DLR, the only thing he really formerly stamped his name on was MMRR, which I think was delightfully implemented.

 

[etc98]

I’m not very happy about the trolley leaving… but parking it is a bit weird and gives me false hope it isn’t being permanently removed.

But on the flip side, the moderate term future for DCA looks quite promising. I’m not even really sure what is related to Josh at DLR, the only thing he really formerly stamped his name on was MMRR, which I think was delightfully implemented.

Wasn’t the Toontown trolley just parked for a long time after it closed, until they finally removed the tracks with the redo last year.

This could be the same thing. Leaving it as a set piece, but no longer a ride

 

[Disney Irish]

Wasn’t the Toontown trolley just parked for a long time after it closed, until they finally removed the tracks with the redo last year.

This could be the same thing. Leaving it as a set piece, but no longer a ride

Yes, and it might be but we don't know. But the fact that they are putting it on-stage and not immediately removing it completely leaves open the possibility for them to bring it back at some point in the future. Basically until the tracks are removed just like in TT, its not actually off to Yesterdayland.

 

[BrianLo]

Wasn’t the Toontown trolley just parked for a long time after it closed, until they finally removed the tracks with the redo last year.

This could be the same thing. Leaving it as a set piece, but no longer a ride

Ya, it’s a monkey paw. It definitely needs to temporarily close for the construction. Though as others have pointed out it really doesn’t need to be removed and I’d advocate to extend its circuit.

But on the flip side I’m very excited for DCAs additions. It’s getting a more exciting investment package than WDSP/DAW. Pan in TDS I’m a huge fan of. Shanghai Pirates is one of my faves and while I’ll tuck away the Pirates/Haunted Mansion comparators as an overpromise until I see better evidence… a D ticket Coco ride sounds lovely. Josh’s DCA plan* seems too good to be true.


*I originally wrote package… but I’m worried the tight pants watchers would pass out at the implication

 

[Too Many Hats]

I think what I’m saying is getting lost in the poor way I worded it.

I don’t think that losing the Trolley is a wonderful thing and I definitely think that making DCA a better version of the park it started as would be the better option. However, that’s not what they’ve done.

they have essentially turned the park into Hollywood Studios West. However, they have not done this to the whole park. It exists in this weird limbo state where it’s caught between two very different identities that don’t mesh as well together as some try to make it seem. Sure you can explain how a lot of these lands can fit into the California landscape, but they are IP centric first, California centric second.

I’m not saying that is the best option, but it is nonetheless the option they have chosen and the existence of the original park’s bones alongside these new goals absolutely hurts it. I don’t want to see the California stuff go, but at this point it’s better for the park that it does because everything around it is quickly moving in a very different direction.

It’s evident that they’re strategy for DCA these days is the same one they’re using for DHS and WDS. The only way that can work is if they let that be the park’s complete identity. Do I think that’s a better park than a California themed park? No. But it’s too far gone for a California themed park to come out of this when they’re speed running the DHS model.

It’s sad to see it go, but it is indeed better for the park that it all fits under the same umbrella rather than awkwardly trying to walk down two very different paths at the same time. It isn’t the best version of the park, but I’d much rather have a DCA that’s fully all on the same page than one that’s trying to speak out of both sides of it’s mouth.

At this point, we gotta accept DCA will never be cohesive again. But we’d be a hell of a lot closer to cohesive if they went all in on The Movie Park rather than 2/3 The Movie Park, 1/3 California Postcard.

That’s why I say get rid of the California stuff. Clearly they’ve given up on it and inevitably it will disappear eventually, so why not just do it now and give this park a fighting chance at landing on its own two feet when they’re done tinkering with it’s core thesis?

To answer your question, yes it would be more cohesive to make this an IP park than what they’re doing now. Most of the cohesiveness you all see in these lands now is not really as sturdy as it appears on the surface. Cars Land, Pixar Pier, Avengers Campus, soon Avatar (which likely will replace one of the few remaining California sections) it all sticks out and only “fits in” because of the mental gymnastics Disney and fans have done to make it fit when you squint.

Appreciate the thoughtful reply. Disney has indeed turned DCA into DHS West. It’s not the approach I’d take with the park, but I’m realistic enough about TWDC in 2024 to generally be okay with it. Could be worse. The park has never been perfect and I’m not too precious about it.

That said, I guess I just disagree that the California stuff hurts the park in any way. I agree completely that DCA is thematically “in limbo;” I won’t pretend BVS and Avengers Campus make any sense in the same park. And I have no illusions that Disney is going to reverse course and embrace the California mission statement again. I guess I just feel that DCA is destined to be a thematic cacophony with or without the California lands — if DHS is the model it’s following, then I should say that DHS (a park I enjoy) feels permanently “in limbo” to me with its hodgepodge of behind-the-scenes attractions and faux-studio theming, sincerely-themed attractions amidst old Hollywood facades/lands, and now highly-immersive single-IP lands. You characterized DCA as 2/3 of a movie park; my opinion is that even a “100%” movie park (I’ll include USF and USH here) tends to feel perennially incoherent. I enjoy all these parks; it’s just their nature.

At the end of the day, DHS and DCA are just dumping grounds for whatever IPs/attractions Disney has nowhere else to put. Since that’s the destiny for these parks, I’m simply in favor of any high-quality themed areas and attractions we can get. BVS is such a charming entranceway. Can you think of a replacement that would be superior?

 

[PiratesMansion]

DCA had a moment when it was going in the right direction and everything seemed to be promising: 2012-2015. The only thing they needed to do after that, really, was fix Hollywoodland, the one eyesore left in the park after 2012.

Instead, Hollywoodland remains (just more lifeless than before) and they've chosen to unnecessary butcher areas and attractions with needless IP additions or other changes just because they can.

Give me the park in 2014 or 2015. I actually really loved it then. Now, it might as well be 2001 with how much I care about the place.

 

[etc98]

Appreciate the thoughtful reply. Disney has indeed turned DCA into DHS West. It’s not the approach I’d take with the park, but I’m realistic enough about TWDC in 2024 to generally be okay with it. Could be worse. The park has never been perfect and I’m not too precious about it.

That said, I guess I just disagree that the California stuff hurts the park in any way. I agree completely that DCA is thematically “in limbo;” I won’t pretend BVS and Avengers Campus make any sense in the same park. And I have no illusions that Disney is going to reverse course and embrace the California mission statement again. I guess I just feel that DCA is destined to be a thematic cacophony with or without the California lands — if DHS is the model it’s following, then I should say that DHS (a park I enjoy) feels permanently “in limbo” to me with its hodgepodge of behind-the-scenes attractions and faux-studio theming, sincerely-themed attractions amidst old Hollywood facades/lands, and now highly-immersive single-IP lands. You characterized DCA as 2/3 of a movie park; my opinion is that even a “100%” movie park (I’ll include USF and USH here) tends to feel perennially incoherent. I enjoy all these parks; it’s just their nature.

At the end of the day, DHS and DCA are just dumping grounds for whatever IPs/attractions Disney has nowhere else to put. Since that’s the destiny for these parks, I’m simply in favor of any high-quality themed areas and attractions we can get. BVS is such a charming entranceway. Can you think of a replacement that would be superior?

Not to mention, DHS also has “California” themed lands at the front of the park. Hollywood Boulevard, Echo Lake, and Sunset Boulevard feel similar enough to Buena Vista Street and Hollywoodland to me.

Even the newly named Disney Adventure World in Paris has a Hollywood themed entrance that leads you into the movie themed areas. Which funnily enough also matches the Universal Studios parks in Hollywood and Orlando.

I guess all this to say I don’t think the California aspects of the front half of DCA detract from the IP-ification of the back half, since using a California/Hollywood themed entrance land is a trope that tons of movie hodgepodge parks use, and I think it fits.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Give me the park in 2014 or 2015. I actually really loved it then. Now, it might as well be 2001 with how much I care about the place.

I'd actually rank it at the bottom of Disney theme parks I like to visit now. I'd even chose a day at WDSP over it.

There's only two park exclusive rides I care about now (RSR and GRR). There are others things I do if I'm there, but they're either at other Disney parks, or not worth a special trip. Even Oogie Boogie Bash is overrated IMO.

The park continues to coast by on the fact that it's a few hundred feet away from the OG Disneyland.

 

[Touchdown]

And I would place it at #2 behind Epcot for non castle parks because I can spend a whole day there, and RSR is amazing. WOC is great as well for unique stuff as is Incridicoaster and Mickeys Wheel of Death. Cathay Circle Restaurant is pretty amazing as well.

 

[PiratesMansion]

And I would place it at #2 behind Epcot for non castle parks because I can spend a whole day there, and RSR is amazing. WOC is great as well for unique stuff as is Incridicoaster and Mickeys Wheel of Death. Cathay Circle Restaurant is pretty amazing as well.

And for me, every single thing you named other than RSR and Mickey's Death Wheel (which for me is not an every visit must-do, even though I enjoy it) is either extraordinarily overhyped or was much better 10 years ago.

I started one day of my most recent trip there and it was honestly a struggle to fill time with things I wanted to do until the show at Plaza de la Familia started (which, in fairness, is quite good) and I finally felt like I could leave.

The way people sometimes/often wax nostalgic about how much better Disneyland was _____ years ago before they made _________ changes that they don't like? That's me with DCA. I doubt there's a universe where DCA is ever a truly desirable place for me to go out of my way for again.

 

[BrianLo]

I'd actually rank it at the bottom of Disney theme parks I like to visit now. I'd even chose a day at WDSP over it.

There's only two park exclusive rides I care about now (RSR and GRR). There are others things I do if I'm there, but they're either at other Disney parks, or not worth a special trip. Even Oogie Boogie Bash is overrated IMO.

The park continues to coast by on the fact that it's a few hundred feet away from the OG Disneyland.

I'm not sure I understand your logic on this one. What makes current WDSP more visitable? I do enjoy Rat, but WDW of course couldn't leave it for its own. I also like Mickey and the Magician, if it is still running.

Especially right now with the construction. WDSP is like... really not great. Where do you even eat in that park these days?

 

[DarkMetroid567]

I'd actually rank it at the bottom of Disney theme parks I like to visit now. I'd even chose a day at WDSP over it.

People really do just go on the internet and say anything

 

[Centauri Space Station]

And I would place it at #2 behind Epcot for non castle parks because I can spend a whole day there, and RSR is amazing. WOC is great as well for unique stuff as is Incridicoaster and Mickeys Wheel of Death. Cathay Circle Restaurant is pretty amazing as well.

Carthay sucked since they lost the cheddar biscuits

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I'm not sure I understand your logic on this one. What makes current WDSP more visitable?

It at least still has ToT, and Mickey and the Magician is better than any show at DCA (thanks to the Hyperion being closed). I'd also be more interested in riding Flight Force than Incredicoaster and they have Webslingers too.

Once the lake area is done, FEA is better than Little Mermaid and there will be a night time show as well. They don't have an equivalent to GRR now, but eventually there will be the Lion King ride.

Obviously, Cars Road Trip is no substitute for RSR.

But it's also never as busy a park either. Other than Crush, long waits are easily avoided most days.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

People really do just go on the internet and say anything

What's so hard to understand? I said parks I'd like to visit, not what's the worst on paper.

I might feel differently if I lived within a certain ZIP code and could qualify for a cheap AP that includes DCA admission.

It's increasingly harder for me to justify paying full price to visit DCA, use a full day of a multi-day ticket, or pay for the park hopper upgrade.

 

[BrianLo]

Once the lake area is done, FEA is better than Little Mermaid and there will be a night time show as well. They don't have an equivalent to GRR now, but eventually there will be the Lion King ride.

I figured you must be forward looking! The current park I’d really have a hard time supporting is better in pretty much any way than current DCA. Lion King has strong potential, but Tokyo Pan and SDL Pirates are petty hard to beat if they at all track.

WDSP is just so… ugly. I’m really disappointed in its overhaul considering the main park again is spending a decade absolutely stagnant to support it. I also don’t like Disneyland Paris as much as you do and I think as much as DCA limps along on Disneylands back, WDSP would have closed up long ago if not for DLP.

But DCA might be the runner up for last these days. As far as Disney parks are concerned. I’m kind of surprised DHS has found a small soul.