Will DCA be a Complete, Well Rounded and Full Day Park after the New Rides Open?

[ThemeParkTraveller]

I've ridden both a fair number of times since 2011/2012 respectively. I'm not saying Journey is remotely bad, but it is incredibly short by comparison. The dark ride portion is inferior and the outdoor portion is inferior. So it has to sail by on atmosphere, vibes, the queue and preference for the property if one is to weight them the same. Or I suspect a preference for Mysterious island.

But because it is the 'foreign' one it is on a pedestal. I'd have a very different opinion if it was longer than 3 minutes.

Sorry, that comment wasn't meant to question your experience. I know you have extensively visited all the parks from your time posting here. Just wanted to point out it's not exactly a hot take in the fandom to prefer JttCotE over RSR as a complete package.

 

[chadwpalm]

When I went to Disneyland for one day last month I was able to fit in like 18 attractions. I honestly don't see how 4 more attractions at DCA (one being Stark Flight Lab which I'll probably never ride) will turn it from a half-day park (for me) into a full day park.

I already rarely do Incredicoaster or Guardians (harder to do them as I get older) unless I'm with people that really want to do them. I don't know how Avatar Land will turn out, but I have a feeling most people will only spend enough time there to ride the attraction, much like GE.

 

[chadwpalm]

I chuckled when I read your second line because we let our APs go in Feb, expecting to still visit every few months, and it’s been 7 months and we haven’t been back, as much as we love DL we haven’t been able to justify paying $150 a day (each) for either park.

Just out of curiosity, how many days a year would you visit the resort when you did have your AP? Disney estimates that each pass pays for itself after X amount of visits that equal approx. $160/day. I've always averaged about 2 trips a year, usually no more than two days, so getting an AP never felt like it would ever pay for itself. Plus, each trip comes with additional costs of hotel, so even though I technically could have afforded more trips my frugal mind could never justify them, even if the pass paid for itself. On top of that, I like to vacation other places too and getting time off for everything limits my Disney visits. I suppose I could use ALL of my time off for Disney, but then I'd never see my family who live in other states.

So for me, getting a MK would only be logical in my head if I was truly a local (lived within an hour).

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

Just out of curiosity, how many days a year would you visit the resort when you did have your AP? Disney estimates that each pass pays for itself after X amount of visits that equal approx. $160/day. I've always averaged about 2 trips a year, usually no more than two days, so getting an AP never felt like it would ever pay for itself. Plus, each trip comes with additional costs of hotel, so even though I technically could have afforded more trips my frugal mind could never justify them, even if the pass paid for itself. On top of that, I like to vacation other places too and getting time off for everything limits my Disney visits. I suppose I could use ALL of my time off for Disney, but then I'd never see my family who live in other states.

So for me, getting a MK would only be logical in my head if I was truly a local (lived within an hour).

The first few years I was going almost monthly, I think one year it showed I went 36 days. The last few years we had APs we were down to a weekend trip every 2-3 months though, probably 12-15 days a year.

Many of those “days” were half days though, with my 4+ hour drive a typical trip would start with a 1pm start the first day, a full day on day 2, and a 1pm end on day 3 before my drive home, so those 15-36 park days were more like 8-24, at 24 it still saved us a ton of money, at 8 we were basically breaking even, I think this is a factor in why we currently aren’t going also… with an AP partial days made sense, we can’t justify paying $150 for a partial park day though.

(To a lessor extent this has affected our WDW trips also, back when days 5 and 6 cost $20-30 per day a week long trip meant 4 full park days and 2 partial park days, now that days 5 and 6 cost $40-50 per day a week long trip means 4 park days and 2 partial days chilling at our hotel (or Disney Springs) before and after our flights. It changes the value dynamics.)

I think future DL trips will only happen as part of a bigger SoCal vacation, likely 1 park day in the middle of a beach trip, winery trip, or cruise trip.

 

[DarkMetroid567]

“Half-day” in general is such an awful metric because everyone in the enthusiast community just turns it into “a half-day of things I want to do” which ultimately defeats the purpose. It doesn’t make sense to turn it into a park quality metric.

Because in that case, my only full-day parks in the world are Disneyland and Europa-Park.

 

[mickEblu]

“Half-day” in general is such an awful metric because everyone in the enthusiast community just turns it into “a half-day of things I want to do” which ultimately defeats the purpose. It doesn’t make sense to turn it into a park quality metric.

Because in that case, my only full-day parks in the world are Disneyland and Europa-Park.

That’s true. It’s not a good metric. But I think it’s more every enthusiast
compares it to other Disney parks that they feel are full day parks and necessarily just “things I want to do.” I’d imagine most of us feel that DHS, DCA, AK and the Studios park in Paris are half day parks by that lazy metric. So I think there’s much more of a consensus than you make there out to be here.

 

[MarvelCharacterNerd]

Does anyone actually like this ride other than people who frequent Disneyland Paris who are so desperate for new rides that they convince themselves it's much better than it actually is?

*raises hand*

Totally enjoy Web Slingers. In part for the IP, in part for the fun of the experience and arm workout lol, in part because it doesn't give me motion sickness like Midway Mania - or almost every other attraction in the park - would.

I don't expect to be able to go on either SFL or AID, but I expect them to be solid additions to Campus that fill out that land. I have no interest in Avatar but expect it to be more popular than the Hollywood Backlot currently is. And the jury is out for me until I see the result whether I go on Coco once, never, or as often as I do Monsters which I also really enjoy. But it's a wash for me to gain Coco but lose Monsters and probably even a loss as I prefer Monsters to Coco as an IP.

But I think what will make or break this as a full day park after the new attractions open IS the entertainment. Do shows return to Campus? Do they return to BVS other than Five & Dime? And most importantly, does it return to the Hyperion? A park simply isn't well rounded without great diverse forms of entertainment - which DCA used to have, from Aladdin to ElecTRONica & Mad T Party to Red Car Trolley News Boys to the Avengers Assemble stunt show.

But I do agree that nighttime is the best time at DCA - from Cars Land to the Pier to Avengers Campus to the Grizzly trail, the place massively improves its atmosphere at night.

 

[PiratesMansion]

*raises hand*

Totally enjoy Web Slingers. In part for the IP, in part for the fun of the experience and arm workout lol, in part because it doesn't give me motion sickness like Midway Mania - or almost every other attraction in the park - would.

Follow up questions: Have you experienced Spider-Man at Islands of Adventure? Have you tried dramamine to combat the motion sickness other rides bring you?

Of course, each person's system is different, but I wager if my cousin could successfully conquer the coasters of Cedar Point with dramamine, you could probably take on the other attractions of DCA that would normally prove problematic with it as well-assuming, of course, that you enjoyed said attractions in the first place and would opt to ride them if not for the motion sickness, which may or may not be the case.

I suppose you are the pretty much exactly the target audience for the ride.

But I think what will make or break this as a full day park after the new attractions open IS the entertainment. Do shows return to Campus? Do they return to BVS other than Five & Dime? And most importantly, does it return to the Hyperion? A park simply isn't well rounded without great diverse forms of entertainment - which DCA used to have, from Aladdin to ElecTRONica & Mad T Party to Red Car Trolley News Boys to the Avengers Assemble stunt show.

100%.

But I do agree that nighttime is the best time at DCA - from Cars Land to the Pier to Avengers Campus to the Grizzly trail, the place massively improves its atmosphere at night.

Perhaps I am the only person for whom the nighttime pier does absolutely nothing for.

Maybe because I have become acquainted with actual historic amusement park piers at night, which truly deliver overwhelming, organic atmosphere that Disney's fake version can never hope to match. Disney's version is just enough removed from the real thing (not helped by hotels and the convention center easily visible in the background) to feel completely artificial and lifeless to me.

The corner with Garden Grill, Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta, and the Bandstand is the only part of that whole wraparound pathway with the pier that I genuinely like and think has real atmosphere, especially when a band is playing. I suppose the Pixar Pier bandstand as well, the literal only improvement the Pixar Pier transformation brought in my eyes. Otherwise? It's just not a particularly appealing or atmospheric environment from my perspective.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

I've been to TDS. It's great at nighttime but compared to the actual lighting kinetics at Pixar Pier the argument is moot..

Tell me you've never actually been to DCA without telling me you've never actually been to DCA.
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I'm too lazy to send more

If this is within the "bottom half," feel free to list down whatever 6 parks beat it. And if you ever go to DCA, go sit on the bench under Silly Symphony Swings for 10 minutes and maybe it'll change your mind.

If DCA gains the most from nighttime it's because it ceases to be ugly.

Cars Land is superb at night, BVS too. The Pier I guess depends on who you ask. For me, it's not bad, but I'm not feeling the magic either.

But overall, nah. Lighting only goes so far in creating rather than enhancing charm and beauty.

DCA has its moments, but it can't match the popcorn lights on Main Streets, the fires and exoticism of Adventurelands and DAK, the unrivalled beauty of a nighttime walk along the water in World Showcase or TDS...

 

[mickEblu]

Where’s DCA’s 25th Anniversary Celebration?

Tokyo DisneySea Announces Details for 25th Anniversary 'Sparkling Jubilee' Celebration

Tokyo DisneySea's 25th Anniversary “Sparkling Jubilee,” announced new details with new shows, decor. exclusive merchandise, and more.

mickeyblog.com

 

[Gusey]

Where’s DCA’s 25th Anniversary Celebration?

Tokyo DisneySea Announces Details for 25th Anniversary 'Sparkling Jubilee' Celebration

Tokyo DisneySea's 25th Anniversary “Sparkling Jubilee,” announced new details with new shows, decor. exclusive merchandise, and more.

mickeyblog.com

Hopefully they'll announce some new entertainment by the end of the year (Disneyland normally does a year-round seasonal update around New Years as to what to expect)
If not, they're just celebrating by closing Monsters and finally getting rid of the Superstar Limo show building

 

[mickEblu]

Hopefully they'll announce some new entertainment by the end of the year (Disneyland normally does a year-round seasonal update around New Years as to what to expect)
If not, they're just celebrating by closing Monsters and finally getting rid of the Superstar Limo show building

What else could it be other than a new WOC? A new parade for DCA seems unlikely at the moment. I’m sure they’ll celebrate with some bunting, merch, etc but I’m not expecting a whole lot. Maybe they’ll change the the 70’s to 25’s on TSMM? Hahah

 

[Gusey]

What else could it be other than a new WOC? A new parade for DCA seems unlikely at the moment. I’m sure they’ll celebrate with some bunting, merch, etc but I’m not expecting a whole lot. Maybe they’ll change the the 70’s to 25’s on TSMM? Hahah

I am wondering if they'd do another parade as the Pixar parade is on year 2, whereas the new WoC show is a part of Disneyland's 70th that is supposed to end in 2026 (probably August when Halloween takesover). Ideal situation would be Hyperion getting something longstanding and not just a seasonal offering

 

[mickEblu]

I am wondering if they'd do another parade as the Pixar parade is on year 2, whereas the new WoC show is a part of Disneyland's 70th that is supposed to end in 2026 (probably August when Halloween takesover). Ideal situation would be Hyperion getting something longstanding and not just a seasonal offering

Wow completely forgot it existed when I typed up my post. Yeah I’d say that’s the best shot of something new/ substantial.

 

[Disney Irish]

Where’s DCA’s 25th Anniversary Celebration?

Tokyo DisneySea Announces Details for 25th Anniversary 'Sparkling Jubilee' Celebration

Tokyo DisneySea's 25th Anniversary “Sparkling Jubilee,” announced new details with new shows, decor. exclusive merchandise, and more.

mickeyblog.com

They’re celebrating by starting construction on Coco and Avatar.

Maybe they’ll give out a cupcake too.

 

[coffeefan]

Where’s DCA’s 25th Anniversary Celebration?

Tokyo DisneySea Announces Details for 25th Anniversary 'Sparkling Jubilee' Celebration

Tokyo DisneySea's 25th Anniversary “Sparkling Jubilee,” announced new details with new shows, decor. exclusive merchandise, and more.

mickeyblog.com

Why celebrate a park that's "only worth for an hour and bathroom break" and is "ugly day and night" blah blah blah.

I would take them tackling Hollywood Land in lieu of a celebration. I suspect Coco will include some beautification to the Pier beyond the attraction.

 

[AdventureHasAName]

Before DCA can ever be considered a complete full-day park, it would need three or four Fantasyland-style dark rides, the Avengers E-ticket, and at least one more "special" something (personally, I'd make the after-dark Villian meet-and-greets from the Halloween Bash permanent on Friday and Saturday nights).

EDIT:
And bring back the Mad T Party

 

[BrianLo]

I don’t think we’ll ever see fantasyland style dark rides again.

And I know people think they want them, but thought doesn’t match reality. Either they have to make them so simple and basic bus bars that they don’t attract much fanfare. Or they put effort into them ala Na’vi or Tokyo’s Tangled and everyone complains they are too short and why didn’t they bother just spending a bit more for an extra two show scenes (they should have).

It’s almost impossible for the modern day company with the masses the parks bring to Trojan horse in C tickets anymore, because lines simply don’t allow them to.

 

[AdventureHasAName]

Either they have to make them so simple and basic bus bars that they don’t attract much fanfare.

This is exactly what they need. They need very inexpensive, basic, storytelling rides for children. They need rides that create a reason for families with young children to not be in line for the E-tickets.

 

[BrianLo]

This is exactly what they need. They need very inexpensive, basic, storytelling rides for children. They need rides that create a reason for families with young children to not be in line for the E-tickets.

Unfortunately I think the company just isn’t capable of this anymore. They start to make them expensive and then they start to need to justify costs with line bypass systems and then it spirals into a no-go.

I think we’ve hit 25+ years now since they’ve built a fantasyland style C-ticket ride worldwide? Even Shanghai’s Pan was modeled after an existing attraction and pushed into a D. They just don’t add the capacity they need to, unfortunately.

I think Universal has discovered this problem again with Mine Cart Madness and Yoshi’s. Once a park crests 6-7 million visitors they have to be entirely ancillary in a very dense attraction menu and not propping up any core experience.