Which WDW park do you think needs a DCA-style makeover the most?

[sponono88]

That DCA post card wasn't a big hit for an entrance, and wasn't the big gold sun supposed to reflect the sun's rays or something?

It depends on who you ask. I know lots of people will miss the giant California letters and the beautiful murals. From Jim Hill's DCA article:

Which is why it always makes me sad to see so many Disneyland Resort Guests just breeze right by. Never pausing to wonder who designed these works of art (i.e. Theodora Kurkchiev and longtime Imagineer Tim Delaney) or how many pieces of tile it took to create these beautiful murals (i.e. 12,000 pieces of hand-cast ceramic).

It never did, and if it doesn't make money then the mouse will change it.

Change it to what? The ongoing expansion is an effort to try and boost attendance. I doubt they will change it after all the money they're investing in the park. DCA not only opened to negative word-of-mouth, it also came months before the nation's worst tragedy on 9/11. That certainly didn't help.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Park or not, it needs a nice size investment to make it stop leaking money like a sieve.

Well put.


See, I would recommend closure.:lookaroun:lol:

I think that it's part of the old, non functioning PI/DTD concept and the whole area needs a change.

Ok, I want a cookie, do I have to take an oath or are they drugged or something? :lookaroun

No, but you will always know, that a part of you is part of the great Society of Fanboism.:lookaroun

 

[_Scar]

It depends on who you ask. I know lots of people will miss the giant California letters and the beautiful murals.



Change it to what? The ongoing expansion is an effort to try and boost attendance. I doubt they will change it after all the money they're investing in the park. DCA not only opened to negative word-of-mouth, it also came months before the nation's worst tragedy on 9/11. That certainly didn't help.

9/11 didn't necesarily hurt it, and it for sure didn't make anything any better.... but I believe if you build it they will come. Since DCA is locally driven- why would Californians want to go to a park....about California? Why not something exotic?

DCA opening day-

Seems like they tried for an EPCOT-style park with barely any traces of characters at first. It worked for EPCOT for a while, but DCA it didn't. Now DCA is filled to the brim with characters, which I personally don't mind, but it does bother some people and I can see why.

 

[sponono88]

^
Yep, DCA initially had an EPCOT sort of vibe to it. Film attractions, walkthrough tours, minimal use of Disney characters, more grown-up feel. It just didn't work for the SoCal audience I guess. And most people will tell you they don't have a problem with the CA theme - the problem came with the execution of the theme. It wasn't as fleshed out as it could have been. But again, that is being addressed with the ongoing expansion. (1920s LA, 1930s Hollywood, turn of century Victorian Pier, etc)

Character based attractions aren't new to DCA. They've been taking over all parks worldwide - DL: Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, TDS: Turtle Talk w/ Crush, Midway Mania, MK: MILF, Stitch, etc.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

9/11 didn't necesarily hurt it, and it for sure didn't make anything any better.... but I believe if you build it they will come. Since DCA is locally driven- why would Californians want to go to a park....about California? Why not something exotic?

DCA opening day-

Seems like they tried for an EPCOT-style park with barely any traces of characters at first. It worked for EPCOT for a while, but DCA it didn't. Now DCA is filled to the brim with characters, which I personally don't mind, but it does bother some people and I can see why.

*cringes*:lookaroun:lol: Even though I think I would like DCA *now*, that map still hurts.


Interesting thought on EPCOT/Characters. It seems that whenever they do something unique, then don't put effort into keeping it unique the "go to" solution is to shove characters in.:lookaroun

 

[sponono88]

*cringes*:lookaroun:lol: Even though I think I would like DCA *now*, that map still hurts.

Interesting thought on EPCOT/Characters. It seems that whenever they do something unique, then don't put effort into keeping it unique the "go to" solution is to shove characters in.:lookaroun

That second map isn't the official park map. It's a concept art piece from the Blue Sky Cellar that's supposed to look cartoon-ish. Yeah, there will be toon-based attractions but it's not as bad it looks.

 

[_Scar]

^
Yep, DCA initially had an EPCOT sort of vibe to it. Film attractions, walkthrough tours, minimal use of Disney characters, more grown-up feel. It just didn't work for the SoCal audience I guess. And most people will tell you they don't have a problem with the CA theme - the problem came with the execution of the theme. It wasn't as fleshed out as it could have been. But again, that is being addressed with the ongoing expansion. (1920s LA, 1930s Hollywood, turn of century Victorian Pier, etc)

Character based attractions aren't new to DCA. They've been taking over all parks worldwide - DL: Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, TDS: Turtle Talk w/ Crush, Midway Mania, MK: MILF, Stitch, etc.

I think the new Grizzly Gulch would be perfect for the playground/obstacle course area DCA has. It is pure perfection, or at least the concept art seems like it and it offers no characters. I don't know how big that area is though, but I'm sure some Disney magic would make it fit :animwink:.

Once DCA has this expansion I think it will probably be one of the best Disney parks worldwide. Can't wait to see WoC in person! :sohappy:


Anyways, on the topic of DHS, fans just always come back and come back for ToT and RnRC and F! Even though they all are over 10 years old they just drive fans to come. Perhaps if they didn't DHS would be getting more love, but the thrill addicts won't let the flame go out and attendance to slightly drop. Kind of an odd argument, but it kinda makes sense! :lol:

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

That second map isn't the official park map. It's a concept art piece from the Blue Sky Cellar that's supposed to look cartoon-ish. Yeah, there will be toon-based attractions but it's not as bad it looks.

I was talking about the first one.:lookaroun

^
Yep, DCA initially had an EPCOT sort of vibe to it. Film attractions, walkthrough tours, minimal use of Disney characters, more grown-up feel. It just didn't work for the SoCal audience I guess. And most people will tell you they don't have a problem with the CA theme - the problem came with the execution of the theme. It wasn't as fleshed out as it could have been. But again, that is being addressed with the ongoing expansion. (1920s LA, 1930s Hollywood, turn of century Victorian Pier, etc)

Character based attractions aren't new to DCA. They've been taking over all parks worldwide - DL: Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, TDS: Turtle Talk w/ Crush, Midway Mania, MK: MILF, Stitch, etc.

Hmmm...Dare I say that WESTCOT came true? :lookaroun

 

[sponono88]

I think the new Grizzly Gulch would be perfect for the playground/obstacle course area DCA has. It is pure perfection, or at least the concept art seems like it and it offers no characters. I don't know how big that area is though, but I'm sure some Disney magic would make it fit :animwink:.

The Redwood Creek Challenge trail covers a big enough area, it could easily hold new additions. Though I have to say i'm not sure I'd like to see another water play area.. DCA will have two once the expansion is complete. I would like to see some of the grizzly bear/animal AAs going into the new HK ride. Those would fit perfectly in Grizzly River Run.

Anyways, on the topic of DHS, fans just always come back and come back for ToT and RnRC and F! Even though they all are over 10 years old they just drive fans to come. Perhaps if they didn't DHS would be getting more love, but the thrill addicts won't let the flame go out and attendance to slightly drop. Kind of an odd argument, but it kinda makes sense!

The thing about DHS.. it has so much potential, but some areas of the park feel a bit dated. Getting rid of the hat, that alone would help so much. And as much as I love the Great Movie Ride I wish they could update/add new movies to keep things fresh.

I was talking about the first one.:lookaroun

:lol:

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

The Redwood Creek Challenge trail covers a big enough area, it could easily hold new additions. Though I have to say i'm not sure I'd like to see another water play area.. DCA will have two once the expansion is complete. I would like to see some of the grizzly/animal AAs going into the new HK ride. Those would fit perfectly in Grizzly River Run.



The thing about DHS.. it has so much potential, but some areas of the park feel a bit dated. Getting rid of the hat, that alone would help so much. And as much as I love the Great Movie Ride I wish they could update/add new movies to keep things fresh.


:lol:

^


As for MGM/DHS...Yeah, that. And, I believe that it could hold a more cohesive theme.

 

[_Scar]

DHS defines retro. Hopefully the hat will come off and Star Tours will help make it more 2009 rather than 1999.

Spon, I was talking about the roller coaster with the bears. It looks SO amazing.

 

[billybastion]

I think DHS has really awesome themeing but is in dire need of an update. Backlot Tour is way, way past its prime. The Muppet Show needs to be re-done. The GMR is in desperate need of an update as well.

There's so much potential here! So many great restaurants and shows. The Pixar Place area is awesome as well.

DHS gets my vote.

 

[Laura]

I'm going against the tide here, I always thought DCA was a major achivement to the walt disney company. The idea of stepping through a California postcard was a very unique idea I thought (ima miss the letters). Hollywood Pictures was fine (except the supersatr limo ride.. worst dark ride ever). The golden state is very well themed with the sand in condor flats and the pacific wharf. Paradise pier is just so beautiful and picture perfect. Sure that tack dinosaur has to go along with the minimal themed muholland madness. But to me the park was fine. Sure not disneyland caliber but I thought that wasn't what they wanted to do. But DCA is a very good park. Hey its better than the walt disney studios park in Paris

I'm with you. I absolutely ADORE that park. I like it, I suppose, for the reasons that everyone else hates it. I like that you can one minute feel like you're walking through the rugged outdoors and the next minute you're on this beautiful boardwalk with the cool & creepy carnival music. I love the beachy music at the entrance, and the up-beat feeling of the whole place with all the happy sun-shiney postcards smiling down. :lol: It just puts me in a good mood to walk in there! It's such a great park to sit down and people watch for a while as you enjoy a freshly baked tortilla and then go scream your head off on one of the best rollercoasters ever.

I cannot STAND the Studios at WDW. I just feel like I'm hiking through endless, ugly streets of nothingness when I'm there. Adding TSM definitely helped a small piece of it, but at least half that park is nothing but a waste of space. The layout is just awful as are at least 1/3 of the attractions.

 

[sponono88]

I'm with you. I absolutely ADORE that park. I like it, I suppose, for the reasons that everyone else hates it. I like that you can one minute feel like you're walking through the rugged outdoors and the next minute you're on this beautiful boardwalk with the cool & creepy carnival music. I love the beachy music at the entrance, and the up-beat feeling of the whole place with all the happy sun-shiney postcards smiling down. :lol: It just puts me in a good mood to walk in there! It's such a great park to sit down and people watch for a while as you enjoy a freshly baked tortilla and then go scream your head off on one of the best rollercoasters ever.

I think overall it is safe to say DCA is misunderstood. Paradise Pier is often the most criticized area of the park, but the ironic thing is it has such great atmosphere, really fun music loop, and the whole place is buzzing with activity - lots of energy there. Plus, it's such a beautiful sight at night. And although some may criticize the rides, it's worth noting each has the Disney touch that makes them unique.

With enhanced theming/landscaping, an E-Ticket and brand new nighttime show on the way, Paradise Pier will look even better.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

^^ Posts like that make me really regret not going to be able to see the "first" DCA...:lol:

With the new feel and theme coming to the park, do you think it will be more generic, or more unique?

In the sense of the Theater being added, more generic, seeing that MGM already has that concept done, save for the hat.

However, the rest of the additions could and would help it.


IMHO, of course, and this is all a educated guess...I'm just postulating. :lol:

 

[JCtheparrothead]

I think that EPCOT is in need of the most retheming work. Mostly just the FW part of it though. Oh and Tom Sawyers Island....I think the Pirates should take over....arrrrggg!

 

[dweezil78]

DCA to me always feels like the "rides and attractions" extension to Anaheim's Downtown Disney. The few times I've been there, I've never truly felt immersed -- which is something Disney does better than anyone else. Instead I felt like I was wandering around a variety of attractions and scenery that were merely next door to a hotel, restaurants, and shopping -- and across the street from a real theme park. Yes, it's gotten better, but I still never really "escape" from reality while I'm there (w/ the exception of a few areas in the last few years.)

One of the ideas I had heard tossed around a while back which I really thought had promise was for Disney to open the gates to DCA for all to enter for free -- and then charge individual admission for the rides/attractions (not too much unlike the old model for the Magic Kingdoms). With my note above about it feeling like an extension on DD, I thought this would be a great compromise all around and greatly boost attendance obviously. Instead they decided to do the big revamp, which I definitely won't argue against b/c it hopefully will be great. Still, in the interim, opening the gates like that could help whet appetites for what's to come...

 

[Laura]

^^ Posts like that make me really regret not going to be able to see the "first" DCA...:lol:

With the new feel and theme coming to the park, do you think it will be more generic, or more unique?

In the sense of the Theater being added, more generic, seeing that MGM already has that concept done, save for the hat.

However, the rest of the additions could and would help it.


IMHO, of course, and this is all a educated guess...I'm just postulating. :lol:

I'll be honest, I really dread them re-doing the whole entrance area. I think it looks awesome "as is" and don't see why they want to bring an outdated Studios look there. I was totally bummed when I first saw the concept art. But...I think Paradise Pier is going to be phenomenal. I can't wait to go back in a few days and see it with the lagoon full of water. :lol:

 

[EpcotServo]

What I love about this thread: Nobody understands that nearly all of the DCA overhaul comes from...The Studios.

Carsland- Weak connection, but it just so happens that Cars first premiered in Studios, AlexIdon'tknowifyouknewthatornot.

Paradise Pier- Funny how the first anchor attraction for the new Pier fit perfectly in Studios. Also how the new attraction is the long awaited dark ride version of a show that's been running to packed houses for years-In what park? STUDIOS. What about the anchor show for the whole park, by any chance is it the next step in the water-based show that they retooled the STUDIOS Fantasmic to be like?

Vista Street- Hmmm...Where have I seen this before?

Don't worry, it's not like the icon of the street--What? I'm being told that the icon, will in fact be a building that's been at Studios for years, the Carthay Circle. The new transportation? Funny how the Red Car is all over Studios...Oh, and guess what's gonna' be in that fancy icon

ONE MAN'S DREAM

Hollywood Pictures Backlot-

The test bed for the placemaking of the entire theme park. Let's look at the original theme: Sanitized Modern Hollywood meets new Hollywood Studio. Pretty cohesive, eh ye of little faith? Well it's a shame that tanked because it was gaudy and substanceless. Funny how that Fantasy 30's Hollywood and Modern magic Studio backlot that irks your goat so much was the perfect fix for the area, immeditly changing the structure to that which Studios has always had.

Plus don't those red and black signs remind you of anything?

And hey, look at the new name it has!

(Seriously, stop the Studios hyperbole. Looks like it contributed more to the DCA overhaul alot for a "mess" of a theme park...:lol

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

I'll be honest, I really dread them re-doing the whole entrance area. I think it looks awesome "as is" and don't see why they want to bring an outdated Studios look there. I was totally bummed when I first saw the concept art. But...I think Paradise Pier is going to be phenomenal. I can't wait to go back in a few days and see it with the lagoon full of water. :lol:

I don't think they will let this get stale, though, it seems to be a sythesis of both of the concepts.

What I love about this thread: Nobody understands that nearly all of the DCA overhaul comes from...The Studios.

Carsland- Weak connection, but it just so happens that Cars first premiered in Studios, AlexIdon'tknowifyouknewthatornot.

Paradise Pier- Funny how the first anchor attraction for the new Pier fit perfectly in Studios. Also how the new attraction is the long awaited dark ride version of a show that's been running to packed houses for years-In what park? STUDIOS. What about the anchor show for the whole park, by any chance is it the next step in the water-based show that they retooled the STUDIOS Fantasmic to be like?

Vista Street- Hmmm...Where have I seen this before?

Don't worry, it's not like the icon of the street--What? I'm being told that the icon, will in fact be a building that's been at Studios for years, the Carthay Circle. The new transportation? Funny how the Red Car is all over Studios...Oh, and guess what's gonna' be in that fancy icon

ONE MAN'S DREAM

Hollywood Pictures Backlot-

The test bed for the placemaking of the entire theme park. Let's look at the original theme: Sanitized Modern Hollywood meets new Hollywood Studio. Pretty cohesive, eh ye of little faith? Well it's a shame that tanked because it was gaudy and substanceless. Funny how that Fantasy 30's Hollywood and Modern magic Studio backlot that irks your goat so much was the perfect fix for the area, immeditly changing the structure to that which Studios has always had.

Plus don't those red and black signs remind you of aything?

And hey, look at the new name it has!

(Seriously, stop the Studios hyperbole. Looks like it contributed more to the DCA overhaul alot for a "mess" of a theme park...:lol

That doesn't sound like our Studios at all....Sounds better.:lookaroun:lol:

I actually think that it is taking the dynamics of a Studios esque park, and synthesizing it with the unique Cali concept. :shrug: