Three Rides to Fix DCA

[EPCOTCenterLover]

Mystic Manor and a Coco boat ride would certainly make me want to go to DCA again.

 

[CaptinEO]

It's sad every fan ride idea is only based on movies and tv shows. Disney truly set the bar low these last 20 years.

 

[mickEblu]

Mystic Manor and a Coco boat ride would certainly make me want to go to DCA again.

Being that I couldn’t think of a slam dunk IP for a boat ride at DCA it probably does make sense to lend Coco to the boat ride. With that said Id like to see what a suspended Coco ride on the scale of E.T / Pan @ Shanghai looks like.

 

[mickEblu]

It's sad every fan ride idea is only based on movies and tv shows. Disney truly set the bar low these last 20 years.

Not that I disagree with the sentiment but I wanted this to be realistic. Three realistic ways in the “near” future that DCA could feel like a much more well rounded park. I think that makes it more of a fun discussion as opposed to talking about stuff that has no chance of happening. Even the “original” ideas are usually the same as we kind of just echo what one another say.

 

[J4546]

phase 2 of AC and the eastern gateway expansion will go a long ways to making CA closer to an all day park. If they added another ride to Pixar Pier area with the showbuilding behind Incredicoaster kinda like TSMM that would be nice. And of course theres the disneylandforward concept art expansion, which would also be awesome.

 

[EPCOTCenterLover]

DCA's biggest problem, in my opinion, is that it is lacking heart and charm since the 2012 remodel. The retheming of Grizzly airfield / peak area aside, each addition has moved away from the initial rebranding. That's unfortunate.

 

[mickEblu]

The Eastern Gateway expansion is an interesting discussion in and of itself. What land goes there?

Marvel Expansion of some sort?

Hollywoodland 3.0? Highly unlikely since they got rid of TOT didn’t put MMRR there. Although they were talking about that big black box flex space ride.

Arendelle? Probably not as I’d imagine they want it for Disneyland but maybe things changed since MMRR went to Disneyland.

Fantasy Springs type of land?

It also depends on who’s running the show when the Eastern Gateway expansion is being planned. If Chapek I’m guessing something Marvel related or maybe even more Star Wars.

 

[mickEblu]

DCA's biggest problem, in my opinion, is that it is lacking heart and charm since the 2012 remodel. The retiming of Grizzly Peak area aside, each addition has moved away from the initial rebranding. That's unfortunate.

Yeah they keep chipping away the charm. TOT and Bugs Land/ ITTBAB had much more charm than GOTG and Avengers Campus/Web Slingers. Soarin Over California has much more heart than World. The Pier… actually probably got more charming in certain areas like the actual boardwalk and promenade area near the Fun Wheel but also is in-cohesive with the fiberglass areas like Jessie’s Carrousel area and Inside out area.

It would have been nice if the Eastern Gateway worked out sooner. Avengers Campus could have gone there and MMRR probably would have gone in the backlot. TOT maybe sticks around. Bugs Land goes away for a proper replacement for the kiddos. Perhaps a Fantasyland “equivalent” with a solid D ticket dark ride and a couple flat rides.

 

[Tamandua]

How would/should Disney address the fact that California's appeal has plummeted in recent years? Twenty years ago, California was a reasonable theming idea, I suppose, in that it had lots of tourist appeal. Today, people are fleeing the state and when people think about California now, they don't think about Hollywood or beaches or tourist spots. They think about crime and covid restrictions and homeless people and human waste on sidewalks. Is California a justifiable theme anymore? Obviously it's little more than the name of the park at this point, but it seems like they should be rebranding immediately. A "California Adventure" in 2022 does not sound appealing to the ear.

 

[mickEblu]

How would/should Disney address the fact that California's appeal has plummeted in recent years? Twenty years ago, California was a reasonable theming idea, I suppose, in that it had lots of tourist appeal. Today, people are fleeing the state and when people think about California now, they don't think about Hollywood or beaches or tourist spots. They think about crime and covid restrictions and homeless people and human waste on sidewalks. Is California a justifiable theme anymore? Obviously it's little more than the name of the park at this point, but it seems like they should be rebranding immediately. A "California Adventure" in 2022 does not sound appealing to the ear.

An interesting thought but I think it’s a non issue. The people are flying to California but don’t like that the theme park is vaguely themed to California? Why are they going to California in the first place then?

 

[Suspirian]

The Eastern Gateway expansion is an interesting discussion in and of itself. What land goes there?

Marvel Expansion of some sort?

Hollywoodland 3.0? Highly unlikely since they got rid of TOT didn’t put MMRR there. Although they were talking about that big black box flex space ride.

Arendelle? Probably not as I’d imagine they want it for Disneyland but maybe things changed since MMRR went to Disneyland.

Fantasy Springs type of land?

It also depends on who’s running the show when the Eastern Gateway expansion is being planned. If Chapek I’m guessing something Marvel related or maybe even more Star Wars.

Probably something to do with Disney animation that they can throw all their hot recent IPs into. This may be controversial but I wouldn't care if Hollywoodland went away all together for something more substantial.

 

[mickEblu]

Probably something to do with Disney animation that they can throw all their hot recent IPs into. This may be controversial but I wouldn't care if Hollywoodland went away all together for something more substantial.

Me neither at this point. Only thing is be semi concerned about it is what they do with Hollywood Blvd and it’s relation to the hub. I’d say just extend BVS.

 

[EPCOTCenterLover]

Get rid of Hollywoodland altogether and expand Avengers Campus with some real eye popping attractions and surroundings. I'd miss Monsters and Animation Academy, though. SO, move Turtle Talk and Monsters to Pixar Pier. Animation to Buena Vista Street. Done. Sometimes I think we fans have better ideas than the suits who are way overpaid!

 

[TP2000]

What an interesting topic!

I agree, DCA is not yet a full day park and needs more rides. DCA's new Spiderman version of Midway Mania really left me cold and disinterested, even if it features Disney's first twink in a small t-shirt hosting a pre-show. (Seriously, who thought it was a good idea to put another Midway Mania in the same park?)

That said, here are my quick and dirty ideas for DCA's next phase. And I'm not even touching the expansion across Disneyland Drive to the Simba parking lot. That's a discussion to be saved for the 2030's.

1. A family boat ride! @mickEblu already laid out why this needs to happen. But it needs to happen. Coco? Moana? Minnie's Seaside Adventure? Who cares. Just make it happen. Boats that seat 20 people, no height requirement, at least 2,500 riders per hour, at least a 10 minute trip time, a toe-tapping musical finale'. This isn't rocket science, it's what set Disney theme parks apart from all others for decades. So do it.

2. A spooky dark ride! Use the trackless ride system from Mystic Manor or Tokyo's Beauty & The Beast ride. Make it about a haunted movie studio in Hollywood to replace those old ugly stucco warehouses in Hollywood Land, or an abandoned hilltop estate in San Francisco to push out past Pacific Wharf. Basically, a California version of Mystic Manor. And don't be afraid to steal use as inspiration the real-life backstory of the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose.

3. A fully indoor E Ticket thrill ride! Maybe this is the Marvel E Ticket that probably won't get built now? Maybe it's something else in Hollywood, like a gangster getaway or an updated Rock N' Roller Coaster? But it needs to be indoors and fully contained. No more outdoor Chase-A-Baby coasters giving you views of Coco's on Katella (add unlimited salad bar for only $5!) or impaled babies displayed on the dirty roofs of gift shops. Make it good, make it Disney, but don't let Bob Chapek near it and make it this...

One last thing... While you are building these new rides and opening them over a series of three fiscal years, redo Soarin' Over California. Take the beloved 2001 original and reshoot it with better technology. Capture the current downtown Los Angeles with all the new skyscrapers built there, get a new shot of San Diego's changed skyline off the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. Get San Francisco's radically changed skyline beyond the Golden Gate Bridge flyover. Get some new shots of California's rural beauty, using 4K (or 8K?) technology. It's been over 20 years. Bring it back, because we'd all like to see the real California rather than a sanitized version of the entire world that can pass the censors in Communist China.

And then, realize you're going to have to redo it again for 2040. And 2060. If you have to fire a few highly paid TDA executives who are in charge of the "Guest Arrival Experience!" to afford this modest capital outlay every 20 years, then so be it. But just bring back an updated Soarin' Over California. You'll sleep better at night.

 

[CaptinEO]

What an interesting topic!

I agree, DCA is not yet a full day park and needs more rides. DCA's new Spiderman version of Midway Mania really left me cold and disinterested, even if it features Disney's first twink in a small t-shirt hosting a pre-show. (Seriously, who thought it was a good idea to put another Midway Mania in the same park?)

That said, here are my quick and dirty ideas for DCA's next phase. And I'm not even touching the expansion across Disneyland Drive to the Simba parking lot. That's a discussion to be saved for the 2030's.

1. A family boat ride! @mickEblu already laid out why this needs to happen. But it needs to happen. Coco? Moana? Minnie's Seaside Adventure? Who cares. Just make it happen. Boats that seat 20 people, no height requirement, at least 2,500 riders per hour, at least a 10 minute trip time, a toe-tapping musical finale'. This isn't rocket science, it's what set Disney theme parks apart from all others for decades. So do it.

2. A spooky dark ride! Use the trackless ride system from Mystic Manor or Tokyo's Beauty & The Beast ride. Make it about a haunted movie studio in Hollywood to replace those old ugly stucco warehouses in Hollywood Land, or an abandoned hilltop estate in San Francisco to push out past Pacific Wharf. Basically, a California version of Mystic Manor. And don't be afraid to steal use as inspiration the real-life backstory of the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose.

3. A fully indoor E Ticket thrill ride! Maybe this is the Marvel E Ticket that probably won't get built now? Maybe it's something else in Hollywood, like a gangster getaway or an updated Rock N' Roller Coaster? But it needs to be indoors and fully contained. No more outdoor Chase-A-Baby coasters giving you views of Coco's on Katella (add unlimited salad bar for only $5!) or impaled babies displayed on the dirty roofs of gift shops. Make it good, make it Disney, but don't let Bob Chapek near it and make it this...

One last thing... While you are building these new rides and opening them over a series of three fiscal years, redo Soarin' Over California. Take the beloved 2001 original and reshoot it with better technology. Capture the current downtown Los Angeles with all the new skyscrapers built there, get a new shot of San Diego's changed skyline off the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. Get San Francisco's radically changed skyline beyond the Golden Gate Bridge flyover. Get some new shots of California's rural beauty, using 4K (or 8K?) technology. It's been over 20 years. Bring it back, because we'd all like to see the real California rather than a sanitized version of the entire world that can pass the censors in Communist China.

And then, realize you're going to have to redo it again for 2040. And 2060. If you have to fire a few highly paid TDA executives who are in charge of the "Guest Arrival Experience!" to afford this modest capital outlay every 20 years, then so be it. But just bring back an updated Soarin' Over California. You'll sleep better at night.

I really like your idea of reshooting Soaring Over California. I've never even thought of that before but it's a great idea.

Soaring Over the CGI Taj Mahal and Snow Avalanche with computer animated whales jumping just doesn't do anything for me.

 

[Phroobar]

An updated Rock'n Roller-coaster playing No Doubt's Tragic Kingdom would be extremely topical for years to come.

 

[DavidDL]

I've always thought the idea of some sort of major water attraction in Paradise Pier would have been nice. There's one visible in the concept art but it's not terribly creative. My idea and solution, would be to double down on the idea of the SS Rustworthy by creating some sort of large, defunct (possibly partially submerged to create a sense of scale) vessel at the end of Paradise Pier where it becomes Paradise Park (the current location of Emotional Whirlwind) and have a themed boat-water ride board inside of it and travel into a show building in back, culminating in a drop into the Bay itself like the original concept art. California Screamin's roundabout could still travel through what's left of the vessel to have it feel even more thrilling and the vessel itself could also house a maritime museum of sorts a la USS Midway in San Diego.

Doing this, I feel like you create an additional, original and distinct landmark similar to a "mountain" within the park. You also create a space that could tell a story (maybe the defunct vessel had so many people coming to see it, that's why the pier was built to begin with?) while taking an idea that was there before (the SS Rustworthy) and "plus-ing" the hell out of it. Finally, some sort of maritime museum or entertainment within would add a small dose of the Americana that Walt seemed to really enjoy while keeping the overall feel of this experience belonging in "California" Adventure. Especially if the vessel is inspired by something like the USS Midway.

Just a thought.

 

[mickEblu]

What an interesting topic!

I agree, DCA is not yet a full day park and needs more rides. DCA's new Spiderman version of Midway Mania really left me cold and disinterested, even if it features Disney's first twink in a small t-shirt hosting a pre-show. (Seriously, who thought it was a good idea to put another Midway Mania in the same park?)

That said, here are my quick and dirty ideas for DCA's next phase. And I'm not even touching the expansion across Disneyland Drive to the Simba parking lot. That's a discussion to be saved for the 2030's.

1. A family boat ride! @mickEblu already laid out why this needs to happen. But it needs to happen. Coco? Moana? Minnie's Seaside Adventure? Who cares. Just make it happen. Boats that seat 20 people, no height requirement, at least 2,500 riders per hour, at least a 10 minute trip time, a toe-tapping musical finale'. This isn't rocket science, it's what set Disney theme parks apart from all others for decades. So do it.

2. A spooky dark ride! Use the trackless ride system from Mystic Manor or Tokyo's Beauty & The Beast ride. Make it about a haunted movie studio in Hollywood to replace those old ugly stucco warehouses in Hollywood Land, or an abandoned hilltop estate in San Francisco to push out past Pacific Wharf. Basically, a California version of Mystic Manor. And don't be afraid to steal use as inspiration the real-life backstory of the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose.

3. A fully indoor E Ticket thrill ride! Maybe this is the Marvel E Ticket that probably won't get built now? Maybe it's something else in Hollywood, like a gangster getaway or an updated Rock N' Roller Coaster? But it needs to be indoors and fully contained. No more outdoor Chase-A-Baby coasters giving you views of Coco's on Katella (add unlimited salad bar for only $5!) or impaled babies displayed on the dirty roofs of gift shops. Make it good, make it Disney, but don't let Bob Chapek near it and make it this...

One last thing... While you are building these new rides and opening them over a series of three fiscal years, redo Soarin' Over California. Take the beloved 2001 original and reshoot it with better technology. Capture the current downtown Los Angeles with all the new skyscrapers built there, get a new shot of San Diego's changed skyline off the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. Get San Francisco's radically changed skyline beyond the Golden Gate Bridge flyover. Get some new shots of California's rural beauty, using 4K (or 8K?) technology. It's been over 20 years. Bring it back, because we'd all like to see the real California rather than a sanitized version of the entire world that can pass the censors in Communist China.

And then, realize you're going to have to redo it again for 2040. And 2060. If you have to fire a few highly paid TDA executives who are in charge of the "Guest Arrival Experience!" to afford this modest capital outlay every 20 years, then so be it. But just bring back an updated Soarin' Over California. You'll sleep better at night.

Yes bring on the boats! Exactly this isn’t rocket science. You have a bunch of popular boat rides at Disneyland. Just put ONE in DCA. They are incredibly efficient and popular.

I like the idea of Mystic Manor ride and it would of course be great for DCA but trackless rides for me are starting to become synonymous with boring rides through a big warehouse with no intimate scenes. Granted the only trackless dark ride I’ve been on is ROTR which isn’t “boring” but it does leave a bit to be desired. MMRR and BatB in Tokyo also look disappointing in that regard. I’d like to see them get a lot more creative in making the trackless rides feels more warm and intimate at least in some scenes. Mystic Manor seems to pull it off. Of course they could just make the “Mystic Manor ride” an omnimover.

 

[TP2000]

I really like your idea of reshooting Soaring Over California. I've never even thought of that before but it's a great idea.

There's a few shots that desperately needed to be redone, even back in 2001. Much less over 20 years later.

• The flyover of downtown LA was sped up because it was just a test shot before the project got greenlit and it wasn't very good quality, so they just sped it up to make it look better and more exciting.
• The flyover of Lake Tahoe was done on a day that fog blanketed the lake surface, ruining the shot of the lake itself. They didn't have the time/permits to try again on a clear day, so they just had to use it and cut the scene shorter after you crest the mountain. Luckily they had that little ski gag off the mountain that kind of helped that scene, but it was supposed to be a dramatic reveal and a longer running shot of a stunning crystal blue Lake Tahoe, not a soupy blanket of grey fog.

What they wanted the Lake Tahoe scene to look like for Soarin' Over California...

What they unfortunately ended up with when Mother Nature didn't cooperate on the day of filming...

There's also special effects in the original Soarin' done with circa 1999 CGI that need redoing or rethinking. The hang glider over Yosemite looked convincing in 2001, but it looks hokey to today's eye. Etc., etc. The locations they chose for the original Soarin' were perfect, but the execution needs some tweaking for a remake.

Soaring Over the CGI Taj Mahal and Snow Avalanche with computer animated whales jumping just doesn't do anything for me.

It's not just you. Soarin' Around The World was made for Shanghai Disneyland and made to please the Communist censors in Beijing. It's notably less fun and somehow less interesting. At least for American audiences.

I have long thought there should be a Soarin' Over America for the Epcot attraction, and a remade and updated Soarin' Over California for DCA. But, that's obviously not an investment in showmanship that Bob Chapek would know how to approve, so we'll need to wait a while.

 

[J4546]

Id love a boat ride for DCA but I feel like it would be hard to fit in a boat ride in the AC or Updated hollywoodland. Def could do in PP but theres no where to put it unless it totally indoors and behind the incredicoaster