Does Anyone Else Miss the Old California Adventure?

[BuckeyeGuy28]

As more and more gets done around the park, it seems like more and more places that I've had great memories of are gone. Obviously, the changes are great but I really kinda liked the theming as it was before - it was different and gave the park a very distinct feel (that I guess not everybody liked). I liked the orange Mulholland Madness and the Golden Dreams show and even the cheesy entrance. Maybe its because there are memories there but I dont know does anyone else miss the old park? I really don't get what was wrong with it besides a lack of rides...people say it relied on pop culture references and tackiness? I didnt see that anywhere that it wasnt meant to be

 

[skiingfast]

I can accept the changes. Sure there will be something that are going to be only fond memories. I'm looking forward to what is coming so much more.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

I will. A lot. First time we went was our honeymoon trip and we have pictures with all those things in the background. Oh well, I guess we can show those to our kids someday LOL

But I really liked the orange too

 

[Disneylvrforever]

I agree w/ you. I liked how all the attractions had a California theme to it. Now it's like 98% of the park is filled w/ Disney characters, which of course isn't bad (I love them!), but it was nice when the attractions had their individuality. Now the only ones w/out a character theme are the Soarin Over Cali, GRR, Golden Zypher, Jumpin Jellyfish, & Cali Screamin (can't think of any others atm). I miss Superstar Limo! Lol. But I guess having more characters makes the park appeal to more people.
Even our new entrance doesn't have it's own distinct look. Even though it's based on the Pan Pacific which was in LA, that idea was already done. Couldn't our entrance look like something else?
But overall, I will still love DCA!

 

[marts35]

We have always enjoyed CA! We appreciated how it has showcased California and the many things that are very special about our state. We love all things Disney and I'm sure we will find new favorites, but we have many wonderful memories of the "old park.". Already missing our favorite Cinnamon roll and ice cream spot. We're trying to make a playlist of all the songs that played as we entered under the bridge through the California mural. Such fond memories!

 

[AngelStitch]

I really wish the Golden Gate bridge would stay. And I miss the 'California' letters.

 

[basketballmom]

I agree with all the above!! While I understand the need for change, I really miss the CALIFORNIA letters and the Beach Boys music throughout the park.

I also miss the quiet emptiness of the park.....

I guess I should say I will miss it.... We haven't been since July 2010....

 

[tinkermomma]

It doesn't bother me much that it is evolving, but I think it's rude and misinformed that anyone would called it tacky as it was. Sure it was certain things Walt didn't exactly like (like the Carny area) but it's like saying Disneyland Paris is tacky because they do more authentic European cuisine or that Disneyland Tokyo is tacky because there is a lot more focus on seafaring. the culture of the area is part of what makes people WANT to visit.

Disneyland "California" Adventure is going to rely on Cali references, obviously.

Change is a bummer sometimes. Except sometimes it does bring good things. By the time cars land is in, you'll go and really enjoy that new stuff, and be able to say "I was there then".

 

[BeccaG]

My husband and I loved California Adventure just the way it was...probably DH's favorite park, but we are looking forward to the changes too. We will love it, I am sure, it will just be different....

 

[bumbershoot]

We had just fallen in love with the place and then they announced all the changes.

...I really miss the CALIFORNIA letters and the Beach Boys music throughout the park.

Oh man no, they got rid of that? No no no no no. Crud.

Haven't been there since October '09, we have been focused on checking out WDW and seeing family in Orlando instead...I didn't realize they took out the music.

 

[Little_Birdie]

Just a warning beforehand: I am so sorry if I complain too much in this post!!
Ok, I agree that I got more of a California vibe from the old park. Many people disliked the theme because they thought it was strange that there was a park about California inside California! Personally, I thought it was an ingenious idea because California has so much diversity that you can really step into different worlds by going to the different corners of the state! So why not create a park based on it? It really had great potential!!

Another reason why I think I liked the old DCA better was because I was young when it first opened. I was only 6 at the time! haha As a child, I absolutely loved it!! I grew up with it and all of its "imperfections!" However, I admit that I never really criticized it, and I just accepted how it was. Therefore, I will keep a sharper eye on the new improvements and probably judge them harsher than I did with the old park. This is because I have a higher expectation of the new park! The improvements are supposed to improve what was pre-existing! They should build upon what was there! I am just hoping that they are not going in the wrong direction with everything!

Here are some things I like about the new park. I think that the Buena Vista street entrance will be a better entrance than the old one!
I really like Little Mermaid! I feel another attraction like that was what DCA needed!
Carsland will be pretty cool!
WoC is an awesome show!!
The Route 66 area is changed!
Here are some things I dislike about the new park. I don't really like the new Paradise Pier! I feel that the two existing themes right now clash! I am thinking they are going to re-theme California Screamin' and Little Mermaid to fit the Victorian theme?? It should either be the Victorian theme or the moden boardwalk/seaside theme that those two rides I mentioned above have; but not both at the same time!
I don't like how Carsland is a one movie land! It doesn't really give the flexibility to allow additions or changes to be made to it!
The turnstiles! Yes it is supposed to be like the Pan Pacific, however you can't ignore the fact that they look like the turstiles for DHS!! They should have gone another route with them.
And yes, the CALIFORNIA letters...

That being said, I will try my hardest to embrace all of these changes because I am hoping that they will be for the better! I feel optimism is the best way to accept changes like these (even though it is hard sometimes)!!
I am sorry that this post turned into a rant post! I am also sorry that these opinions are soley based on my own personal judgement, memories, and nostalgia. (but I guess that's what makes them opinions!) There are probably those who disagree with me, but these are my honest feelings! I was just happy that there was somebody who liked the old park too, so my thoughts just burst out of me!
*sigh* I will just keep on crossing my fingers here until it's finished! Who knows? The new park may surpass the old park when everything is said and done!

 

[MenchieMan87]

I wish I could have rode "Superstar Limo" once before they got rid of it. (My first trip to Disneyland was in early 2010.) I crack up every time I read the page about it at Yesterand

 

[ssuriano]

I miss it.

 

[JH87]

I wish I could have rode "Superstar Limo" once before they got rid of it. (My first trip to Disneyland was in early 2010.) I crack up every time I read the page about it at Yesterand

Haha me too! I didn't even know that ride existed until I got bored one day and was browsing around Yesterland. I can't believe a ride like that even existed in a Disney park!

I will miss it, but not in a sad way. In a way like when I look at pictures that still feature the sun wheel, not mickey's fun wheel, or the orange swings, I think "aww, the way it used to be " but I am loving the changes made so far and the changes to come.

 

[Mugglemama]

Yes, I definitely miss the "old" California Adventure.

We added DCA to our AP's on DCA's 1st Birthday (2/8/02 - it was my son's 4th birthday). During the following 2 years, we very much enjoyed a super quiet DCA, walking under the Golden Gate Bridge, swinging round and round inside a giant orange, being able to ride CA Screamin' at night, screaming from the thrill of being shot skyward on Maliboomer, and a park free of WOC (lol). I miss the big sun on the Wheel of Death, too.

And while I really LOVE the new entrance, and am looking forward to some of the changes (including the new bridge!).....some of our very best family memories together are wrapped up in the early days "feel" of DCA. We are especially bummed about the music. And I must say I really hate how GlowFest of 2010 essentially turned DCA into LushFest on Summer nights.

 

[nunzia]

I really liked most of the old park...not the cheesy Pier area, but the rest was fine..I will so miss the train with the ice cream and bakery! I will actually miss the tortilla place and the whole cannery row thing since I'm from that area and like that era of history. BUT..I am really looking forward to the NEW. The comments and complaints I heard most about DCA was that is wasn't Disney..and that is why people came to DLR, to get Disney..if they wanted something else they'd go to Knotts or Six Flags.

 

[mrswh]

While I think that the changes are mostly positive (though I will miss the GG bridge!), and I appreciate the new additions . . . I miss how uncrowded it used to be. I felt like while everyone else was whining about how it was so un-Disneylike (hello? do we need another DL next door?), we were enjoying all the great things about it without crowds. Our touring plan was to flee DL anytime it was crowded and breathe a sigh of relief as we walked into DCA with its relatively small crowds, wide walkways, and less frenzied feel. Not sure what to expect this summer, but we did notice last summer (with the addition of WOC) that it was definitely more chaotic than in the past.

I just learned that the fireboat playground is gone and we will definitely miss that. No matter how fun DL/DCA are, I think kids need to have time to just play, and that was a great place for it.

 

[HydroGuy]

For me DCA has few places that actually "worked". My first experience with DCA was in 2003. There were blaring rock bands on mobile platforms traveling along the parade route. And an X-Games competition of some sort. Yuck! Wrong place. Wrong time. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

There were two things about DCA we liked - Soarin Over California (WOW!) and California Screamin - which BTW is a very weak Disney coaster with almost zero theming. It is fun. But fun in more of a Six Flags kind of way than a Disney way. Give me Rock 'n' Rollercoaster any day with a strong theme.

IMO the Condor Flats area has always worked perfectly for what DCA should be. The GRR area works pretty well. The Hollywood area could have been much more (look at DHS). Paradise Pier was a mistake from the beginning and all Disney can do now is make the best of a bad thing.

As the years progressed DCA has made improvements. But it did lack a Disney feel - although it was getting better.

I have always thought the basic concept of a California theme park in California is an idea that works. Probably no other state could get away with it. But California has that mystique about it.

I do not know how all the current changes are going to turn out but I suspect we will look back and see how it was all for the good. If the attendance numbers go up that will be the bottom line indicator of success.

 

[GrandBob]

I am sorry that this post turned into a rant post! I am also sorry that these opinions are soley based on my own personal judgement, memories, and nostalgia. (but I guess that's what makes them opinions!) There are probably those who disagree with me, but these are my honest feelings! I was just happy that there was somebody who liked the old park too, so my thoughts just burst out of me!

Oh my goodness! That was a rant? That was a well balanced post about what you liked and didn't like about the old park. If you consider it a rant, you're way too mellow!

Good post.

-Bob

 

[Huff]

I miss the Soap Opera Bistro (or whatever it was called!). It was replaced by Disney Playhouse.

Very good food at affordable prices. The wait staff created impromptu scenes and acted out their parts while serving your food. In our case the waitress was hitting on me and telling my wife to go away. That ended when a waiter came over (supposedly her BF) and the two got into it and left. It was fun and food was great.