Disneyland Resort from a WDW perspective

[ronandannette]

I have to disagree with the comment that DCA has no theme. The theme is California. The "amusement park" section is a reflection of the beach boardwalk amusement parks. Hollywood land speaks for itself. Pacific Warf is reminiscent of the warfs in numerous cities along the Pacific. The Grizzly section is a nod to the mountainous regions. Bugs land (leafy, woodsy regions) and Cars land (desert regions?) are a little stretch, but I still feel that they fit in to show the diversity that is California. There is a huge misconception in many parts of the country where many people think that California is all beaches and palm trees, but the state is wildly diverse environmentally and culturally. I think that DCA is themed to show some of that diversity.

I must agree that the OP's dismissal of the California theme must come from a complete lack of familiarity with the State and thus a failure to recognize how nicely each of the sections do reflect the diversity and history. And as for his WEST-Cot nonsense? A West-Community of Tomorrow? Why? I think we could all agree that the "futuristic" ideals that were so novel in the 70's are practically laughable today. The future IS now, and many of us prefer to harken back to the nostalgia of the Golden State, Buena Vista Street and Paradise Pier.

There's a RUMOR (that's all it is at this point, I think) that Toon Town will be rethemed to Star Wars land or something. (Sadness.)

Oh no - never let it be so!

 

[mlnbabies]

There's a RUMOR (that's all it is at this point, I think) that Toon Town will be rethemed to Star Wars land or something. (Sadness.)

I had heard that so that's why it was a must do for us. If it's true that may be my ticket to go sooner rather than later!

 

[Lucille1963]

I'm not really an "Epcot Person" either. I think on our last weeklong WDW trip, we spent about a half a day there. FWIW, before we had a kid, we used to spend a lot of time there. Now with our 6 year old, and limited fast passes, it was a quick in and out.

We like rides, and DCA more than double the rides.

I wonder if there are just "Epcot people" and "California Adventure" people.

I'm very glad we have both.

 

[Jaylens Papa]

I'm not really an "Epcot Person" either. I think on our last weeklong WDW trip, we spent about a half a day there. FWIW, before we had a kid, we used to spend a lot of time there. Now with our 6 year old, and limited fast passes, it was a quick in and out.

We like rides, and DCA more than double the rides.

I wonder if there are just "Epcot people" and "California Adventure" people.

I'm very glad we have both.

Looking at your ticker, looks like your going to see your Blackhawks at the Pond. Enjoy

 

[Lucille1963]

Looking at your ticker, looks like your going to see your Blackhawks at the Pond. Enjoy

I am! It is on my birthday too! WOOT!!!

 

[VandVsmama]

Re: are some people just DCA people?
Yes. My BIL is a good example. He and his family prefer DCA whereas our family likes DL better overall.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I am a huge Epcot person. But I also enjoy California Adventure (and I will even more once I see all of the new stuff!) I don't think it's an either/or kind of thing as they are completely unrelated.

Epcot is actually my favorite Florida park. I love it and I'm hoping my son does some day too (we won't be going to WDW until he's a bit older.) I know my nieces (ages 6 and 9) loved it on their recent visit.

Hollywood Studios, on the other hand, is a smelly turd of a park.

 

[sophies*mom]

There's a RUMOR (that's all it is at this point, I think) that Toon Town will be rethemed to Star Wars land or something. (Sadness.)

I read that they would be getting rid of Autopia and doing it in Tomorrowland. I would be really sad if they got rid of Toontown for that! I think it fits better in Tomorrowland. Of course neither could be true, guess we'll wait and see...

 

[LizzyS]

I think it's wholly unfair to judge DLR on the "Disney Bubble" aspect. You're talking about a revolutionary new theme park concept that opened in 1955. Disney couldn't have ever imagined the popularity it has attained over the years. It's a mistake that once realized, was changed for the WDW concept, obviously. In saying that, I love how walkable the place is and it bothers me zero percent to walk down Harbor after a day at the parks back to my hotel when we stay offsite.

 

[HydroGuy]

I must agree that the OP's dismissal of the California theme must come from a complete lack of familiarity with the State and thus a failure to recognize how nicely each of the sections do reflect the diversity and history. And as for his WEST-Cot nonsense? A West-Community of Tomorrow? Why? I think we could all agree that the "futuristic" ideals that were so novel in the 70's are practically laughable today. The future IS now, and many of us prefer to harken back to the nostalgia of the Golden State, Buena Vista Street and Paradise Pier.

Why? Because Disney seriously considered building an Epcot type park next to DL before DCA got the green light. See for example http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WestCOT

Please don't ridicule the OP on this and call his/her post "nonsense". It actually makes complete sense in this light. Were you even aware of the WestCOT history before you labeled it nonsense?

 

[HydroGuy]

I think it's wholly unfair to judge DLR on the "Disney Bubble" aspect. You're talking about a revolutionary new theme park concept that opened in 1955. Disney couldn't have ever imagined the popularity it has attained over the years. It's a mistake that once realized, was changed for the WDW concept, obviously. In saying that, I love how walkable the place is and it bothers me zero percent to walk down Harbor after a day at the parks back to my hotel when we stay offsite.

I disagree. Just because DL was built earlier doesn't mean it gets a pass on the so-called Disney bubble anymore than WDW gets a pass when it comes to talking about Disney history and Walt Disney's personal and direct oversight at DL.

I agree that DLR has many advantages with its compact layout. But WDW has many advantages DLR will never have with its all encompassing resort arrangement.

 

[VandVsmama]

And....with that, this thread has now turned into beating a dead horse and . Grabbing my popcorn to watch the rest. lol. Ultimately, each family should go wherever they want on their vacation. Some people really love DLR. Some people really love WDW. Some people really love both.

Take a chill pill.

 

[LizzyS]

I disagree. Just because DL was built earlier doesn't mean it gets a pass on the so-called Disney bubble anymore than WDW gets a pass when it comes to talking about Disney history and Walt Disney's personal and direct oversight at DL.

I agree that DLR has many advantages with its compact layout. But WDW has many advantages DLR will never have with its all encompassing resort arrangement.

You're missing my point. Walt Disney's idea for Disneyland was dismissed as something that would never work by successful theme park operators of the day. He forged ahead and built what is essentially the grandfather of the modern-day theme park: the layout, the attractions, etc.

Building that park was a huge undertaking and you want to fault Disney for not having the ability to buy 47 square miles there in Anaheim to give you a "bubble"? Quite frankly, I'm okay with not feeling as though I'm in a "bubble" at Disneyland. I know I'm in Anaheim when I'm in the parks and that's okay. Disneyland has developed into much more than Walt had originally envisioned at first, anyway, and there are space limitations. An immersive experience is awesome, but it's not necessary to someone like me. For that, Walt bought you 47 square miles in Florida to enjoy.

 

[HydroGuy]

You're missing my point. Walt Disney's idea for Disneyland was dismissed as something that would never work by successful theme park operators of the day. He forged ahead and built what is essentially the grandfather of the modern-day theme park: the layout, the attractions, etc.

Building that park was a huge undertaking and you want to fault Disney for not having the ability to buy 47 acres there in Anaheim to give you a "bubble"? Quit frankly, I'm okay with not feeling as though I'm in a "bubble" at Disneyland. I know I'm in Anaheim when I'm in the parks and that's okay. Disneyland has developed into much more than Walt had originally envisioned at first, anyway, and there are space limitations. An immersive experience is awesome, but it's not necessary to someone like me. For that, Walt bought you 47 square miles in Florida to enjoy.

I understand Walt was not able to buy more Anaheim property at the time for good reason. He was already strapped for cash building a park few believed would succeed. But that does not change the fact that today there is not as much land at at the DL Resort.

If not for Walt's DL there would be no WDW. We all understand that. But still the bottom line is that DLR just can't offer the immersiveness that WDW offers. I think it is fair for the OP or anyone to say that.

Again, a WDW apologist might similarly say about complaints about WDW heat and humidity "It is unfair to judge WDW about its heat and humidity. After all it is located in a tropical/semi-tropical area and that is where Walt bought the property for WDW". However WDW came to be located in Orlando, it does not change the fact that it is hot and humid there and it is much less so at DLR. On average.

 

[LizzyS]

I get the points you are making as well.

My simple thought is just this- the first go round can generally be improved upon, which it was.

 

[Sherry E]

It's really fascinating to read that WestCOT Wikipedia page that HydroGuy linked above, and to realize just how close we actually came to getting our own version of Epcot. It's not like it was just a carelessly tossed around idea, with no intention of bringing it to life. It was a detailed plan.

Although I think that the name Epcot West would have been better than WestCOT, I can't say that I would have been disappointed if it had become part of DLR. I would still welcome it now, if there were ever a way to make it a third gate (though I realize there would be all kinds of zoning issues, lack of acreage and red tape to cut through).

I do love DCA, though -- it grew on me even before the reimagining of it, and I love it even more now that it is more fully fleshed out. I also think it has a lot of potential and I look forward to changes and additions to DCA in the future.

And, with that... we just had an earthquake (the second one in a few days). So I am off to check the USGS site!

 

[AustinTink]

Speaking to the Disney bubble, or lack thereof at DLR... I have to wonder why Disney spends massive sums like $425 million to refurb Fantasyland at WDW and they don't spend money to buy up the hotel properties on Harbour Blvd. and expand? Even at $10-15 million per property (which is far too high an assumption) it would still be a drop in the bucket to them. I guess there are city restrictions in place disallowing it.

 

[HydroGuy]

I get the points you are making as well.

My simple thought is just this- the first go round can generally be improved upon, which it was.

Fair statement. WDW is in some ways what Walt would have liked to do in SoCal but could not.

Even so, my opinion is that DL remains the gold standard for theme parks. So WDW was not able to improve on that particular area.

 

[HydroGuy]

Speaking to the Disney bubble, or lack thereof at DLR... I have to wonder why Disney spends massive sums like $425 million to refurb Fantasyland at WDW and they don't spend money to buy up the hotel properties on Harbour Blvd. and expand? Even at $10-15 million per property (which is far too high an assumption) it would still be a drop in the bucket to them. I guess there are city restrictions in place disallowing it.

Not sure the answer but Disney does own many properties around DLR. One of those is where the rumored "third park" will be built some day.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I guess I don't really see why the "Disney bubble" is so important. Maybe I just don't "get it." A vacation is a vacation to me. I love visiting Disney parks and various other non-Disney places. But I don't really feel the need to be in any sort of bubble when I travel (unless said bubble could keep people's nasty germs away from me...ha!)