DCA Lovers - Specifics Please

[wtg2000]

I've not been, but I've read posts by people who love the park, but I've rarely read specifics. I must admit that the previews for the new park haven't made me frantically rush to plan a trip like they have for TDS, but I'm keeping an open mind.

So what is great about the park? What blows you away? Is it the best it could be? And if you say the roller coaster, for instance, could you mention other great coasters you may have been on so I have a basis for comparison.

I'd love to hear some specific gushing complments.

Please, no detractors. I've heard all that before.

Thanks,

Wayne

 

[larry_poppins]

Well here is something to gush about!
My favorite thing about the Park is the background music in the different lands. There is Al Jolson
singing California Here I COme. Bing Crosby ( I think) singing about home in the San Fernando Valley and Catalina Island. There are all those 60's groups singing too. Fun caliope music in Paradise Pier.

I could go get a coffee and listen....

 

[Michelle]

Hi Wayne! Well, I am not a "gusher" by nature, but Soarin' Over California is one of the most spectacular rides I've ever ridden. Gives me a huge grin to ride it.

California Screamin' is an awesome coaster, SMOOTHER than most, the music they play is a great enhancement, and it is a LONG ride, as coasters go. I've been on all the other Disney coasters, including Disneyland and WDW, and this one is my favorite.

I like all the food I've tried in the park so far, and there is a good assortment of food offered.

I enjoyed the terrace above the winery for a nice glass of wine.

I was very impressed by the merchandise in the shops; saw some new and different things for Disney.

Hope that helps!

Michelle
Assistant Webmaster
Cruise & Inspiration Board Co-Host
Disneyland Board Co-Host

 

[Debbie in Townsville]

I was expecting to NOT like the park, but I was surprised that I REALLY enjoyed it! They do need to open more attractions, but for a first year, it compared to Disney Studios/MGM's first year.

I was expecting to HATE the Paradise Pier section from what I had read. We stayed 1 night at the Westcoast Anaheim before checking into the GC. DH looked out our window and said - hey, they have a big carnival set up over there! LOL! I was like, No Honey, that's the new park! But once we were there, I thought it was a lot of fun. A cleaned up version of any pier/boardwalk with safe rides you can trust. We live in a state that doesn't inspect carnival rides, so I am always hesitant to let the kids on the big rides. But at DCA, they could ride them over and over. The days we were there, the lines were about 10minutes long. I hate big rides, but rode the Sunwheel several times. The kids were SHOCKED! When our car stopped at the very top, DH commented that DISNEY is the only one I would trust enough to get me in a ride that tall.

I've heard compaints about the price for the number of attractions. But like I said, it compared to MGM's opening year. Considering even the cost of a carnival or state fair, it wasn't that bad. The fairs around here charge about $5 to get in. The ride tickets cost 75cents each, and each ride takes 3 or 4 tickets. We don't go on that many rides at the fair because I worry about safety. But we easily went on over 16 attractions/rides at DCA, making it cost the same as the fair. Of course, the atmosphere and cleanliness of DCA were much better than any fair.

The food and restaurant selections were wonderful! Lots of variety and healthy selections, very fresh. Even the bread making and tortilla tours, while not MAJOR attractions, were interesting.

DH rated California Soarin as one of the best rides at ANY park. He liked the movie (I can't remember it's name) and wanted to see it again, but I thought it was TOO melodramatic. We had a lot of fun in the animation building. We tried to make it back a second time, but it was closed.

Staying at the GC was such a perk and walking right out of the hotel into DCA and Downtown Disney. We are used to WDW being so spread out, but the whole DisneyLand/DCA/DD/hotel area was so pedestrian. Makes it very easy to park hop, run back to the hotel for a break, or to one of the restaurants for lunch. We made a habit of going to the GC/DCA gate early. Every morning, they let us in early and we got to ride Soarin several times before they opened up the front gates to the general public. When they opened the front gates, we left the park and walked over to DL.

We had never been to California and wanted to go to DL, so DCA opening was a bonus for us. If we had been there before, I'm not sure that we would plan a trip JUST BECAUSE DCA opened. Having been there, we are looking forward to going back in a few years and see how the new park has developed.

I used to be Debbie in Mobile but the Army keeps moving us!

 

[ceejay13]

I concur with all of the above responses. I loved Soarin' Over California. I didn't think I would be interested in the parade as I am not from California but watched it and thought it was outstanding. I am a chicken when it comes to roller coasters but my DH loved California Screamin. The park is different than any other Disney park and as someone who loves Disney, especially both WDW and DL, it was a refreshing change. The selection of restaurants is fantastic and the shops have new and exciting merchandise. We stayed at the GC and found it to be outstanding as well. Our room was directly over the World of Disney store in DD and it was great to sit out on the balcony and watch the crowds. We are returning in May and can't wait for another visit.

 

[Shelly S]

We just returned and I had a great time at the park. We loved Soarin (but only from row one. Row's 2 and 3 you can see other peoples feet hanging down which is very distracting), the parade, and ecspecially the coaster. The coaster is really fun and smooth, with a great take off. Don't expect huge drops like Goliath or lots of loops like Viper at Magic Mountain or Medusa in NJ. It is just a good all a round coaster, we rode it 3 times.

Shelly

Shelly