California Adventure Rennovation Thread

[BuckeyeGuy28]

Wow...in some ways this sucks, in some ways it's great, but either way...CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE IS GETTING 50% REDONE!!! California Adventure is my favorite theme park, and many agree! I make a vacation there once a year when the family comes every summer to spend two weeks in California while some work gets done in the office on Harbor Blvd. I love everything about the park, and I can't imagine why they'd re-do it--I live in Orlando where WDW is one of my homes away from homes (the other being Universal) and even with those great parks, California Adventure still holds a special place in my heart...anyway, here's what I know:

1.) Entry area...gone, totally gone, with the giant C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A letters getting demolished in favor of a 1930's style Hollywood promenade with red trolley cars and a movie theatre at the head of it

2.) Hollywood Pictures Backlot...name will be changed to 'Hollywoodland'.

3.) Paradise Pier...lagoon will be home to a new fireworks/laser show and a large viewing area for the show will be added. The Maliboomer and possibly the Orange Stinger will be GONE! (Maliboomer's already out I believe). Mullholland Madness (one of my favorites) will be re-themed to a crummy Goofy Sky School ride with a Goofy airplane theme (enough cartoon rides!!!) The whole tacky pier theme will be replaced with a romantic Victorian boardwalk theme and the fun games will be replaced with Disney character-themed games (again, ENOUGH CARTOONS!) The Sun Wheel is already being re-themed to (what else) Mickey's Fun Wheel with everything in-tact except for the sun logo in the middle will be replaced by Mickey's face. In fear of there being too much Mickey I guess, that famous Mickey Mouse logo that the loop on Screamin' navigates will be replaced with the Paradise Pier sun logo (a creepy thing if you ask me! The only good cartoon-y thing there and they're gettin rid of it in favor of something they should've kept the way it was!) Basically, the fun of the tacky pier theme will be totally cutsy-fied and made into the Disney-type stuff we've seen all too many times.

4.) The Golden State...my favorite theme park show, Golden Dreams (with Whoopie Goldberg) will be replaced with yet another cartoon-ride...a dark ride themed to The Little Mermaid (how'd that movie get picked to ride-ify?), and the whole show--that amazing show--will be gone forever

5.) Eeyore Parking Lot...not too upset about this one, unlike the other changes being made. The parking lot behind Tower of Terror will be made into Cars Land (really, that's the best name they could come up with?) a Route 66 themed area with flying saucers themed to Mater, and a Test Track type E-ticket attraction that explores Radiator Springs and ends with a thrilling Cars race through the spring. This is the most expensive renovation.

**The Napa Valley Wine Cellar (our favorite place to hang out when it rained) will be converted into a preview center for the rennovation.

Feelings on this? Updates from people who go there regularly and notice what's going on? What are you guys thinking? I can't believe the park will pretty much be no more

 

[Disney Dreams]

Somewhere on here there is a thread about this, but I have no clue where and search didn't help. LOL

To answer your question...

DCA has never really worked. Disney has tried to tweak it and bring DL retired favorites (Electrical Parade) to it in efforts to bring people into DCA. It still struggles.

I think the changes are great (although the Mickey on the sunwheel... sigh) and hopefully will bring some new excitement to DCA.

- Dreams

 

[Judy from Boise]

At this time the plan is to keep the orange stinger and retheme it to Silly Symphonies.

 

[LOVETHATPOLY]

We are WDW regulars, not Disneyland. We just got back from our 1st Disneyland trip. We loved DCA. I remember reading that it was getting revamped. My husband and I did not understand what they would need to redo. It is a great park. My kids loved it too. We visited 2 out of the 3 days that we were there. I am sad to hear that they are changing so much.

 

[Brian Shepherd]

We are WDW regulars, not Disneyland. We just got back from our 1st Disneyland trip. We loved DCA. I remember reading that it was getting revamped. My husband and I did not understand what they would need to redo. It is a great park. My kids loved it too. We visited 2 out of the 3 days that we were there. I am sad to hear that they are changing so much.

It would be interesting to hear your thoughts on Disneyland compared to the Magic Kingdom

 

[Brian Shepherd]

Wow...in some ways this sucks, in some ways it's great, but either way...CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE IS GETTING 50% REDONE!!! California Adventure is my favorite theme park, and many agree! I make a vacation there once a year when the family comes every summer to spend two weeks in California while some work gets done in the office on Harbor Blvd. I love everything about the park, and I can't imagine why they'd re-do it--I live in Orlando where WDW is one of my homes away from homes (the other being Universal) and even with those great parks, California Adventure still holds a special place in my heart...anyway, here's what I know:

1.) Entry area...gone, totally gone, with the giant C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A letters getting demolished in favor of a 1930's style Hollywood promenade with red trolley cars and a movie theatre at the head of it

2.) Hollywood Pictures Backlot...name will be changed to 'Hollywoodland'.

3.) Paradise Pier...lagoon will be home to a new fireworks/laser show and a large viewing area for the show will be added. The Maliboomer and possibly the Orange Stinger will be GONE! (Maliboomer's already out I believe). Mullholland Madness (one of my favorites) will be re-themed to a crummy Goofy Sky School ride with a Goofy airplane theme (enough cartoon rides!!!) The whole tacky pier theme will be replaced with a romantic Victorian boardwalk theme and the fun games will be replaced with Disney character-themed games (again, ENOUGH CARTOONS!) The Sun Wheel is already being re-themed to (what else) Mickey's Fun Wheel with everything in-tact except for the sun logo in the middle will be replaced by Mickey's face. In fear of there being too much Mickey I guess, that famous Mickey Mouse logo that the loop on Screamin' navigates will be replaced with the Paradise Pier sun logo (a creepy thing if you ask me! The only good cartoon-y thing there and they're gettin rid of it in favor of something they should've kept the way it was!) Basically, the fun of the tacky pier theme will be totally cutsy-fied and made into the Disney-type stuff we've seen all too many times.

4.) The Golden State...my favorite theme park show, Golden Dreams (with Whoopie Goldberg) will be replaced with yet another cartoon-ride...a dark ride themed to The Little Mermaid (how'd that movie get picked to ride-ify?), and the whole show--that amazing show--will be gone forever

5.) Eeyore Parking Lot...not too upset about this one, unlike the other changes being made. The parking lot behind Tower of Terror will be made into Cars Land (really, that's the best name they could come up with?) a Route 66 themed area with flying saucers themed to Mater, and a Test Track type E-ticket attraction that explores Radiator Springs and ends with a thrilling Cars race through the spring. This is the most expensive renovation.

**The Napa Valley Wine Cellar (our favorite place to hang out when it rained) will be converted into a preview center for the rennovation.

Feelings on this? Updates from people who go there regularly and notice what's going on? What are you guys thinking? I can't believe the park will pretty much be no more

I tend to disagree with the bolder portions of your post. I think if it wasn't for Mickey Mouse & Friends we might not have Disneyland & such. I suggest we embrace Mickey as he represents what brought us to love Disney in the first place.

As for the rides themselves I think they need more themed rides like,

Haunted Mansion
Pirates of the Caribbean
Jungle Cruise
Peter Pan's Flight
Splash Mountain
Indy

I sure hope the Radiator Springs ride is A LOT better than Test Track, as that was a disappointment when I was at WDW.

Sometimes I wish I was an Imagineer at Disney

 

[dismom73]

I'm glad they are upgrading the pier to a victorian era style. That pier always seemed "cheap" to me. Other than that I like CA, I am excited about Cars Land though (the land, not the name ). I don't understand why they are putting a Mickey on the sun wheel and a sun on Screamin? So basically they are swapping one for the other? Doesn't make too much since to me...

 

[Judy from Boise]

Your post reinforces one of my basic beliefs which is DCA resembles a WDW park. DL people are so used to the theme to scale ratio of DL, that when you build a park to handle crowds (like all of WDW parks, or DCA) it is shocking.
That is why it is agreed that DL is the single best park because it packs so much into so little space....but it will never make sense to build on that scale again, when the more people you can put into a park, the more you can make.

 

[Disney Dreams]

...I suggest we embrace Mickey as he represents what brought us to love Disney in the first place.

Not me. My love for Disney started with the films. Then the rides at Disneyland that tied in with the films. Mickey was never part of the pull for me.

As for the rides themselves I think they need more themed rides like,
Haunted Mansion
Pirates of the Caribbean
Jungle Cruise
Peter Pan's Flight
Splash Mountain
Indy

While I like many of the rides you have listed, the problem with creating rides like these and placing them at DCA is that would leave us with 2 Disneylands. I think the idea is for DCA to be different. Just like EPCOT is different from the MK and it is different from the AK and it is different from DHS, DCA should be different from DL. The trouble is, what should it be that people will want to go to?

 

[Brian Shepherd]

...
While I like many of the rides you have listed, the problem with creating rides like these and placing them at DCA is that would leave us with 2 Disneylands. I think the idea is for DCA to be different. Just like EPCOT is different from the MK and it is different from the AK and it is different from DHS, DCA should be different from DL. The trouble is, what should it be that people will want to go to?

True true, good points

 

[Sherwin]

Not me. My love for Disney started with the films. Then the rides at Disneyland that tied in with the films. Mickey was never part of the pull for me.



While I like many of the rides you have listed, the problem with creating rides like these and placing them at DCA is that would leave us with 2 Disneylands. I think the idea is for DCA to be different. Just like EPCOT is different from the MK and it is different from the AK and it is different from DHS, DCA should be different from DL. The trouble is, what should it be that people will want to go to?

WDW basically spreads everything you find in DL out into four parks with just some other things for supplement. It's a great marketing strategy because then park-goers are more likely to visit all the parks. I can spend 80% of my vacation at the Magic Kingdom but I'll likely give up a day to go see F! at Hollywood Studios or Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom, etc.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

DCA has some great and exciting changes coming it's way. I am excited for all of them! Wish it'd be done before 2012 actually. I think DCA for some was a let down, I personally like it...however it doesnt bring in the crowds like their other theme parks do so they are trying to bring more people in. I think it'll be an amazing park when this project is completed.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

There was talk that the CMs at Blue Sky Cellar where saying Imagineers changed their mind and might keep the Maliboomer as is and re-name it only. That's only a rumor though.

 

[Lynzer Torte]

Details about DCA's makeover can be found in length on micechat.com. The nice people there have weekly updates along with pictures.

 

[Disney Dreams]

WDW basically spreads everything you find in DL out into four parks with just some other things for supplement. It's a great marketing strategy because then park-goers are more likely to visit all the parks. I can spend 80% of my vacation at the Magic Kingdom but I'll likely give up a day to go see F! at Hollywood Studios or Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom, etc.

Oh, I have to respectfully disagree. Yes, there are a few things at Disneyland in other Parks at WDW other than MK (like Fantasmic! at the Studios), but other than that, the other Parks offer things Disneyland does not have at all to offer guests. EPCOT is like nothing Disneyland has to offer at all. Other than Fantasmic! The Studios is completely different (other than exception of Star Tours) and there is nothing close to anything at the AK at Disneyland.

I find your 80% at MK interesting because, when we were at WDW, we spent the least amount of time at the MK. That's probably because (to us) MK is parts of Disneyland, which we can go to anytime - so why spend our time there (except to see the differences). In fact, my DH could have skipped the MK all together during our 8 day WDW vacation, given that we have DL right here and there was sooooo much unique to WDW to see at EPCOT and AK.

- Dreams

 

[TheAXIOM]

Wow...in some ways this sucks, in some ways it's great, but either way...CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE IS GETTING 50% REDONE!!! California Adventure is my favorite theme park, and many agree! I make a vacation there once a year when the family comes every summer to spend two weeks in California while some work gets done in the office on Harbor Blvd. I love everything about the park, and I can't imagine why they'd re-do it--I live in Orlando where WDW is one of my homes away from homes (the other being Universal) and even with those great parks, California Adventure still holds a special place in my heart...anyway, here's what I know:

1.) Entry area...gone, totally gone, with the giant C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A letters getting demolished in favor of a 1930's style Hollywood promenade with red trolley cars and a movie theatre at the head of it

2.) Hollywood Pictures Backlot...name will be changed to 'Hollywoodland'.

3.) Paradise Pier...lagoon will be home to a new fireworks/laser show and a large viewing area for the show will be added. The Maliboomer and possibly the Orange Stinger will be GONE! (Maliboomer's already out I believe). Mullholland Madness (one of my favorites) will be re-themed to a crummy Goofy Sky School ride with a Goofy airplane theme (enough cartoon rides!!!) The whole tacky pier theme will be replaced with a romantic Victorian boardwalk theme and the fun games will be replaced with Disney character-themed games (again, ENOUGH CARTOONS!) The Sun Wheel is already being re-themed to (what else) Mickey's Fun Wheel with everything in-tact except for the sun logo in the middle will be replaced by Mickey's face. In fear of there being too much Mickey I guess, that famous Mickey Mouse logo that the loop on Screamin' navigates will be replaced with the Paradise Pier sun logo (a creepy thing if you ask me! The only good cartoon-y thing there and they're gettin rid of it in favor of something they should've kept the way it was!) Basically, the fun of the tacky pier theme will be totally cutsy-fied and made into the Disney-type stuff we've seen all too many times.

4.) The Golden State...my favorite theme park show, Golden Dreams (with Whoopie Goldberg) will be replaced with yet another cartoon-ride...a dark ride themed to The Little Mermaid (how'd that movie get picked to ride-ify?), and the whole show--that amazing show--will be gone forever

5.) Eeyore Parking Lot...not too upset about this one, unlike the other changes being made. The parking lot behind Tower of Terror will be made into Cars Land (really, that's the best name they could come up with?) a Route 66 themed area with flying saucers themed to Mater, and a Test Track type E-ticket attraction that explores Radiator Springs and ends with a thrilling Cars race through the spring. This is the most expensive renovation.

**The Napa Valley Wine Cellar (our favorite place to hang out when it rained) will be converted into a preview center for the rennovation.

Feelings on this? Updates from people who go there regularly and notice what's going on? What are you guys thinking? I can't believe the park will pretty much be no more

You do bring up some good points; I never thought the name Cars Land would ever stick either, and I hope that it's just a code name until the land officially opens, sort of like how the Nintendo Wii was code named the Nintendo Revolution prior to its release.

I'll be pretty crushed when I can no longer see the giant C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A in front of the park as well; I like those and they bring a nice facade for the entrance. Now that I think about it, they probably placed those giant letters in front to go along with the whole idea that guests would feel like they're walking into a classic California postcard; look at what's behind it, the Golden Gate Bridge and some bright colored backgrounding from the walls behind the gates.

I will have to say, although it is not mentioned in your OP, that I'm glad that they are revamping the whole Sunshine Plaza, because there's nothing really there in that entrance that makes me want to stay a while, unlike Main Street U.S.A. and all its little shops and stops. I'm excited that they will be re-theming the stores to classic Disney characters and building a replica of the Carthay Theatre where Snow White first premiered, because I don't think I've seen or heard of anything like that in the other parks.

Although I've never seen the Golden State show, I'm definitely looking forward to another dark ride to bring some of that Fantasyland charm over to DCA. The only other dark ride in the park is Mike & Sully to the Rescue. Not that there's anything wrong with that ride, though .

 

[Petticoat Pirate]

I do see that some of the members that responded on this thread are from California and do enjoy DCA, but I have to say, I don't. Well, I shouldn't make a blanket statement, because in reality, while there, we weren't even thrilled enough with it to bother exploring it much. As we walked around the Grizzly River Run area, I felt like I was in Tahoe, and I would just rather BE in Tahoe than at a park pretending. When we were in the S.F. area, I felt like we had turned a corner and gone home! Hard to explain, but as a Californian, for the parts we did go in to, I just kept feeling like... "been there, done that". I know that it would probably be a draw for those from out of the state, but for some Californians, I would imagine the rides might be fun, but the scenery...just home, you know?
Not to mention the fact that it just wasn't Disney enough for us. We were there the weekend it opened, walked in, stood in the entrance, turned around and walked back over to DL. We missed Mickey et. al.! Couldn't be bothered with any of it. We have been four times since then and only gone on two attractions in DCA. We've never even walked around the whole place! It's a weird vibe in there for us. Just not Disneyland, and I guess that's all we as a family want. I'm sorry for the people that love it and are sad about the changes though...I do sympathize when one enjoys something and it goes the way of the Dinosaur.

 

[Corpsebride]

I would make a huge Disney only movie theater that would show every Disney movie (on rotation) that would be included in admission. It would be great for hot hot days and rainy days too.
Like Monday would be Animation
Tuesday would be animals
Wednesday would be musicals
etc etc.
Then I would have an actual board walk where you could really win prizes like a carnival.
I would bring back some of the classics like Country bear Jamborey , The people mover, the sky tram and that one where you get shrunk.
I think a "classic land" would be a good place for them.
As far as the 30s version of the Hollywoodland I love it. I would add a thing where you could be in a movie with Disney Characters like a green screen thing that you could purchase at the end of the attraction like when you get your picture taken on a ride like SP.
I really never liked DCA but I love DL. I just hope that they figure it out.Ive been to DL so many times (over 50) and only to DCA 3 times.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I do see that some of the members that responded on this thread are from California and do enjoy DCA, but I have to say, I don't. Well, I shouldn't make a blanket statement, because in reality, while there, we weren't even thrilled enough with it to bother exploring it much. As we walked around the Grizzly River Run area, I felt like I was in Tahoe, and I would just rather BE in Tahoe than at a park pretending. When we were in the S.F. area, I felt like we had turned a corner and gone home! Hard to explain, but as a Californian, for the parts we did go in to, I just kept feeling like... "been there, done that". I know that it would probably be a draw for those from out of the state, but for some Californians, I would imagine the rides might be fun, but the scenery...just home, you know?
Not to mention the fact that it just wasn't Disney enough for us. We were there the weekend it opened, walked in, stood in the entrance, turned around and walked back over to DL. We missed Mickey et. al.! Couldn't be bothered with any of it. We have been four times since then and only gone on two attractions in DCA. We've never even walked around the whole place! It's a weird vibe in there for us. Just not Disneyland, and I guess that's all we as a family want. I'm sorry for the people that love it and are sad about the changes though...I do sympathize when one enjoys something and it goes the way of the Dinosaur.

I always felt the opposite. It was kind of neat to see things that were familiar to me. I liked it and thought it pointed out some of the best things of Calif. Too often Calif. is just dismissed as wacky (and deservedly so, sometimes) so I just thought was fun to see all the best parts all together. I know I seem to be in the minority but I always did like it. But I'm looking forward to most of the changes. I will miss the landmarks and the big letters.

 

[disneyL0VE]

For me, I am very excited for the renovations. The big C-A-L--I-F-O-R-N-I-A sign and the Golden Gate bridge in the front does make DCA.. DCA for me. I'll be sad when I don't see it.

DCA does struggle to bring in the crowds comparing to DL. I believe DCA really needs this revamp. Some of their ideas make you say, "Really?" such as Cars Land and Hollywoodland (hence the names).

Highlights I'm looking forward to:

- Water show
- Little Mermaid ride
- Cars Land, though the name is stupid.