OK, where to start, I guess I am known as an Historian of DCA, and of course
Disneyland and Southern Californian Theme/Amusement parks and similar attractions.
That is a scary thing to say, especially when I have lunch with folks who know more than I do, and it is surprising to hear the "Legends" say you got it right.
So if we go back to the 1990's and when Disney started to plan to expand their footprint in Southern California, and basically pitted Anaheim against Long Beach as where to build a new park and expansion. (WestCot/Disney Sea LB).
Of course, we all know that Anaheim won (and it was expected, Long Beach was being used as a "Pawn").
But due to a LOT of political influence in Anaheim, and then seeing how Disneyland Paris failed, we ended up with DCA instead of WestCot.
So what we got in 2001 (and I am going to just address DCA, and not the full Resort Expansion) was a mess, due to so many reasons, mainly due to the current attitude of the Disney Execs in charge at the time. I truly want to write a book about the time, and alas, there are some legal issues about NDA's that prevent me for saying everything I want to admit to, but let me just say, I have met and have discussions with at least 5 MAJOR execs that worked in the 90's,early 2000's but now no longer with Disney, and yes, we are talking even the guy that appeared on the Wonderful World of Disney when NBC was broadcasting the TV series. (My first time with him was at the Anaheim Convention Center as part of the Annual Stockholder meeting that year, I got 5 minutes to talk to him shortly after he became CEO). My last meeting was bizarre, but requested by his staff, as they are working on some historical stuff. But about 45 minutes in a group of his staff, and of course the boss, and little old me. Private dining room, and I wasn't allowed any recording devices, though they had one. As far as I know, it hasn't been used. I wish I could tell you some of his answers, but NDA's say NO!, let's just say, in retrospect, we all had some good laughs and the boss admitted that some mistakes were made.
So with that "History" said, what would "I" do, and just me, has no bearing on anyone else.
OK, we all know that Soarin' was the only real WestCot attraction that was saved in the conversion to DCA.
We also know that Grizzly Peak was picked as the large "Weenie" (Main visual image, like the castles at Disneyland parks).
So where to go from there. I don't think anyone wants to touch the Grand Californian location. (I know many that want a major internal upgrade, which won't be happening for at least a decade).
We can't go West due to Disneyland Drive.
South, maybe a bit, but less than most people can think, you need to have some access roads and internal parking. One option is to remove the DCA backstage offices off Harbor, but that would cost quite a bit.
So we are landlocked (except maybe a bit of room where the current Toy Story Bus drop off area is north of Monsters. Inc.)
So what to do with what we can work with.
Grizzly Peak won't go anywhere due to costs, ToT will be redressed, but also won't go anywhere (weird to see one of my stories being brought back and mentioned today, when Gallagher was the host of the Media Event opening the Tower). Also Screamin' is just too big and does have a good capacity an hour to remove. And then the "lake", aka World of Color, won't get removed. (Of course, can always be upgraded in the future). But IMHO, anything else is fair game as to what to keep, update or remove.
Let's start with the West side (aka Paradise Pier). Little Mermaid is a Upgrade option in a few years, as new movies come out. Easy to redress.
As a Coaster/Amusement Park fan in general, I don't like saying this, but everything else (besides Screamin') is fair game to demolish, except Midway Mania, which is another Update option.
So how do you remake an area with a large roller coaster, two dark rides and a large water feature? That is why folks are paid to design things.... But those are the things that need to stay, everything else can be sold off to other parks and just torn down.
Then let move to the Grizzly Peak area... Now we have Grizzly River Run, and since it is tied into the Mountain, keep, or maybe a minor upgrade, but due to the ride mechanics (rafts), nothing much you can do.
So we have the Redwood Creek area, that is easily demolish, use it for the GCH as expansion for the Hotel, or for something new. It was built as a "filler" area for DCA 1.0.
As for the Soarin' area, we know that was a success, so keep and maybe improve/upgrade the pre-show area and expanded queue.
So next is the Pacific Wharf area (And one of my pet peeves, those who watch too much Star Trek and call the area "Warf", there are no Klingons there!) Another "filler" area, and can be easily demolished for something better.
Now, as for the "a bug's land", well the movie is old, and easily the entire area, including its weak water play areas, etc. can be removed. The rides are slow loading and while nice for kids, showing its age. The "tough to be a bug" movie theater would more than likely be an "Update" due to expense, but heck, almost anything can replace it with some rethemeing.
As for Cars Land, well that is a keeper for the next decade or two. Yes, tweaks and improvements, but not much to do there.
The new main "Carthay Circle" area can use a couple of plusses, but there is more important areas (Paradise Pier
So now we are down to the main area that people are talking about, Hollywood Land.
So we know the TOT building will remain though getting updated to a new theme.
The Hyperion Theater truly needs what was originally planned for, a working Theater, so adding support, such as restrooms and food service to host major events like Movie Premieres, TV filming, music concerts, etc. Still host a main Theme Park Show (say 30 minutes) most of the time, but update it to be much more flexible. Also add more elevators and escalators.
We can look at some of the land around the area, but as mentioned earlier, you can't remove all the backstage support. But for the right project. you could lose some of the backstage parking to the south, and even the support buildings off Harbor. Plus the possibility of expanding north to the current Transportation Hub.
We are looking at the old Muppets Movie Building, the former Who Wants to be a Millionaire building (was always designed as a quick fix), Monsters Inc. (redone once from SSL), and then the Hollywood Backstage Stage (former Dining facility, and now just support), and then the Animation Building/Playhouse Disney building, which is either update or demolish.
Note that this area is the focus for "Marvel Land" or what it will be called at the end.
But looking at the park, there isn't too much that has to stay off the table due to costs. Disney has promised to spend a lot of money to improve the park in a deal with the City of Anaheim, so the money is there. The big question, will Disney be willing to go a bit crazy and try to raise the bar.
Universal has already said they will with expansion plans on both Upper and Lower lots.
Knott's has also said they are willing. (Matt Ouimet has something up his sleeve, wish I could say what).
Six Flags Magic Mountain just broke ground on a new interactive Dark Ride.
So those are my thoughts, longer than originally planned when I started, but hopefully a good blueprint for the future.
