Does Anyone Else Miss the Old California Adventure?

[pycees312]

I still think DCA should be named Pixar land or something to that effect. Grand California Adventure sucked as a name and so does the short version DCA. and bring more Pixar theming to areas as well as Disney Characters. I mean we already have Cars, Monsters Inc, Toy Story, and a bugs life.
something with Animation in the name would be cool as well.

 

[Disco]

LOL, my DH says the same thing.

I don't hate Nevada (in fact, I currently live about 90 minutes West of Reno)...I was just pointing out to Disco that somebody who's from a state that doesn't have nearly the diversity or culture that CA does, might not totally "get" why it was fun for those who live in (or like, at least) CA to visit a theme park with many representations of the state's best features.

LOL,
I'm not a native so you can knock NV as much as you want and it won't hurt my feelings. I've lived practically everywhere and have learned that everyplace has its own special qualities and rich cultural heritage. To think otherwise seems to me a bit ignorant and pompous. State lines are not physical and in the time it takes someone to drive across LA I can visit just about anywhere in Northern CA.
I just spent the weekend observing herds of once missing big horn sheep, giant 50 foot long Shonisaurus fossils and tons of Native American cave paintings and petroglyphs. However if Disney built a local park showcasing hookers, gambling, and desolation I would probably still call it stupid as I can go down the street and experience the real thing for less money.
I don't mind a little state pride but there's a reason native San Franciscans don't visit Alcatraz every year and they probably wouldn't be excited to attend a theme park based on it.
I don't know but maybe I just have a unique perspective that no one place is better than the other and that experiencing the real thing is better than the mock up. Well maybe other people understand that last part because Disney is spending a billion dollars to fix a park that has awful attendance records.
But enjoy your higher taxes at probably double the cost of my living for absolutely no added benefits over mine.

 

[Sherry E]

Right! That's what it is. I couldn't articulate what I didn't like about CA and that is it. It wasn't special enough, like the MK or for me, like Epcot. That's why Disney does it for me and other parks never do (like Legoland, Knotts, etc.). Disney makes me feel like I'm somewhere special, not just at an amusement park. I want more then a fast ride, I want my eyes filled with beautiful and or amazing things. You nailed it!

kyra's mommy -

Oh good! I'm glad someone agrees with me on that aspect and understands what I meant! It's more than just the concept of 'a California-themed park in California' falling flat (if that's what the main problem is that people have with DCA). To me, it's about wanting to be transported to somewhere else. Somewhere out of the norm....somewhere amazing and fantastic (not that California isn't an amazing and fantastic state, but somewhere that I wouldn't ever be able to visit in 'real life' is what I want)! And you're right - that's why other parks (that are not Disney parks) don't evoke the same feeling that Disney parks do. They are just kind of 'there' and that's it. They're not amazing!

 

[HydroGuy]

kyra's mommy -

Oh good! I'm glad someone agrees with me on that aspect and understands what I meant! It's more than just the concept of 'a California-themed park in California' falling flat (if that's what the main problem is that people have with DCA). To me, it's about wanting to be transported to somewhere else. Somewhere out of the norm....somewhere amazing and fantastic (not that California isn't an amazing and fantastic state, but somewhere that I wouldn't ever be able to visit in 'real life' is what I want)! And you're right - that's why other parks (that are not Disney parks) don't evoke the same feeling that Disney parks do. They are just kind of 'there' and that's it. They're not amazing!

Sherry, DL does transport me and I get that. But not all Disney parks transport in the same way. DHS "transports" me to Hollywood - about 45 minutes from where I grew up even though DHS is of course in Florida. So it is not the distance of transport that is important. It is (to me) the celebration of something meaningful that connects with me.

Another example is Epcot's FutureWorld - it does not really transport me in the sense that DL does. FW is more a celebration of technology. Tokyo DisneySea is a celebration of humankind's relationship to the world's oceans.

For me DCA does transport me in this same way. Especially Condor Flats and the GRR area - the most well done parts of DCA.

I think where DCA falls flat is Hollywood area which fails to transport - it could and it still may but it does not now - and Paradei Pier which has a weak transport effect. Bugs Land is zero transport to me.

When DCA is done next year you will have a transport to a romanticized verson of early 20th century LA. I connect with that because of my family's historical connection with Southern California over many generations.

Just throwing this out as food for thought...

 

[Disco]

Sherry, DL does transport me and I get that. But not all Disney parks transport in the same way. DHS "transports" me to Hollywood - about 45 minutes from where I grew up even though DHS is of course in Florida. So it is not the distance of transport that is important. It is (to me) the celebration of something meaningful that connects with me.

Another example is Epcot's FutureWorld - it does not really transport me in the sense that DL does. FW is more a celebration of technology. Tokyo DisneySea is a celebration of humankind's relationship to the world's oceans.

For me DCA does transport me in this same way. Especially Condor Flats and the GRR area - the most well done parts of DCA.

I think where DCA falls flat is Hollywood area which fails to transport - it could and it still may but it does not now - and Paradei Pier which has a weak transport effect. Bugs Land is zero transport to me.

When DCA is done next year you will have a transport to a romanticized verson of early 20th century LA. I connect with that because of my family's historical connection with Southern California over many generations.

Just throwing this out as food for thought...

LOL, I think the bugs land was the best themed part of the park especially the Bug's Life movie. I think a lot of that had to do with the fact that it was shady though and it was good to get out of the heat.
I don't mind the little kids rides but they were a little bland and run of the mill. They were also slow to load with a very short ride time.
I just didn't quite understand why they built a little kids bug themed land when all the rides around PP were little kids rides?

 

[twelvesixteen]

I still think DCA should be named Pixar land or something to that effect. Grand California Adventure sucked as a name and so does the short version DCA. and bring more Pixar theming to areas as well as Disney Characters. I mean we already have Cars, Monsters Inc, Toy Story, and a bugs life.
something with Animation in the name would be cool as well.

I think DCA should be split up into smaller "lands" - and one of them should be Pixar Place or something. For me, I categorize Grizzly, Soarin', etc to be one theme. Monsters Inc, Muppets, A Bug's Land, and soon to be Cars' Land one theme (Pixar), and then Paradise Pier is the third. Toy Story is on par with the midway theme for me though.

Personally, the most "transporting" for me is done in DCA, which is why I'm a little surprised that some of you are saying it's not doing the job! It just feels like I'm somewhere that is so far away from all the trouble and little niggles that have to do with work and school etc, but it also just brings the "feel" that it's going for, especially Paradise Pier, and the walkway to get there. The section around the Grand Californian/Grizzly/Soarin' is also well done. A Bug's Land makes me feel huge! I love the leaves and every little detail on the lamp posts, the circus lights, and the smells there. True, Hollywood Backlots is lacking a little in feel, I will concur there, but overall DCA is really starting to warm my heart.

 

[Sherry E]

I think DCA should be split up into smaller "lands" - and one of them should be Pixar Place or something. For me, I categorize Grizzly, Soarin', etc to be one theme. Monsters Inc, Muppets, A Bug's Land, and soon to be Cars' Land one theme (Pixar), and then Paradise Pier is the third. Toy Story is on par with the midway theme for me though.

Personally, the most "transporting" for me is done in DCA, which is why I'm a little surprised that some of you are saying it's not doing the job! It just feels like I'm somewhere that is so far away from all the trouble and little niggles that have to do with work and school etc, but it also just brings the "feel" that it's going for, especially Paradise Pier, and the walkway to get there. The section around the Grand Californian/Grizzly/Soarin' is also well done. A Bug's Land makes me feel huge! I love the leaves and every little detail on the lamp posts, the circus lights, and the smells there. True, Hollywood Backlots is lacking a little in feel, I will concur there, but overall DCA is really starting to warm my heart.

I don't know if anyone else said they didn't feel "transported" in DCA - I'm the one who used that particular word for it because I was trying to articulate my thoughts in a way that was different from the standard "it's a park about California in California" sentiment. Other people may have other issues with DCA.

Anyway, that's my personal feeling. I live in California. I have always lived in California. My whole family was from here. I will probably continue to live in California. So when I go into a park about California, I don't feel all that transported (not like I do when I enter Disneyland, or like I would want to be). It's just my personal view of it. It's not so much a statement about the park; it's more a statement about how I feel while there and how I don't get the 'of another time' or 'of another land' feeling that I'm looking for. I can't help that I don't feel transported. It's either there or it isn't there for me! Other people feel differently, obviously, and they love the DCA theme, while others feel as I do or have separate issues with DCA (hence, the billion dollar makeover).

I enjoy DCA. I spend a lot of time in DCA. I will continue to enjoy it. But I am holding out hope that the new 1920's/1930's theme will give me that feeling of being transported - or, at the very least, nostalgia (as a child, I visited the old Pan Pacific Auditorium, upon which the new DCA entrance is based, so nostalgia is already on its way for me!).

I love A Bug's Land - that land just shouts 'whimsical,' and at least I feel like I am in some kind of fantasy-world when I walk through it. That part of DCA transports me!

 

[rentayenta]

I have no emotional connection to DCA. I think they need to do whatever they can to enhance the magic. It's a fun park but doesn't have that special spark to me. There are parts of it I really like but also think there /is was a lot of wasted space. I feel the same way about DHS at WDW.

 

[Sherry E]

I have no emotional connection to DCA. I think they need to do whatever they can to enhance the magic. It's a fun park but doesn't have that special spark to me. There are parts of it I really like but also think there /is was a lot of wasted space. I feel the same way about DHS at WDW.

Yes, exactly! No emotional connection for me, either, yet - it doesn't have to be a carbon copy of Disneyland to evoke that in me - and no "special spark," as you said. It's fun and enjoyable, and there are areas of DCA that are really great, but there is a certain something that's missing.

 

[brocklesnar69]

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

I think it's great that you have a unique opinion. It certainly goes against the grain of what is expected. Me, personally, I didn't much care for the original version of the park because it was so bland and there was a major lack of things to do. I really love how they're finally fleshing it out. Honestly, there are a few other areas I would overhaul that haven't been touched yet, but hopefully in the future they'll be brought up to par as well.

 

[BlueBayou]

I have always felt that DCA gets a bad rap. We went there for the first time the April after it opened. We had family visiting the west coast so we met them at Disney. They didn't have one day park hoppers at the time - and that was the park the family picked. So my DD then 6 months first Disney park was DCA. Her first ride was Superstar limo and we had an E-Stop and had to be walked off.

We had read all the negative stuff online - but ended up liking the park. As our kids got older and we would spend 3 or 4 days at the parks - I have been surprised at how much time we end up spending at DCA. Usually equal time between DL and DCA.

I am excited about the changes - new rides are always welcome in my book. But I do think I will miss the letters out front.

 

[rentayenta]

Yes, exactly! No emotional connection for me, either, yet - it doesn't have to be a carbon copy of Disneyland to evoke that in me - and no "special spark," as you said. It's fun and enjoyable, and there are areas of DCA that are really great, but there is a certain something that's missing.

I agree there are a few places in DCA that have some magic; Bug's Land, The Animation Studio, and while riding Soarin' but there are often times I remember I'm in an amusement park which is not what I'm looking for when we visit Disney. I want fantasy and total unreality dammit! I will say though walking through the GCV and ground feels heavenly to me. And walking back into the hotel from DCA, love it. And there is that little space in DTD right before you enter the World of Disney store.

 

[narsel]

We are super sad that the CALIFORNIA letters are gone. Every year we took a photo of my daughter CALI in front of the CALI letters. Watching her grow from year to year. So sad for us.

 

[Disco]

We are super sad that the CALIFORNIA letters are gone. Every year we took a photo of my daughter CALI in front of the CALI letters. Watching her grow from year to year. So sad for us.

LOL, reminds me of what everyone was saying about Mickey's house at DW before they tore it down.

 

[Disco]

I guess I think the Condor Flats themeing is great too, but I think the problem is that it is not a land really. It's one ride (and maybe a meal) and then you are out of there. Would love to see more of it and spend more time there.
Same with the Grizzly Rapids area except you have a playground also. They are both well done, they just don’t do much for me as I spend lots of time in Norhtern CA.
Bugs Land is very detailed and cute however the rides are standard carni rides. I think this land feels kinda out of place though. The whole park has this retro-real California vibe then you’re suddenly immersed in a fantasy bug scape. Having the ToT visible right next to it doesn't help that juxtaposition either.
Maybe Cars Land will help balance this out a little with the additional fantasy. The Little Mermaid is out there on its own though. It will never mesh well unless they fantascape (tm) the entire park.

 

[Sherry E]

I guess I think the Condor Flats themeing is great too, but I think the problem is that it is not a land really. It's one ride (and maybe a meal) and then you are out of there. Would love to see more of it and spend more time there.
Same with the Grizzly Rapids area except you have a playground also. They are both well done, they just don’t do much for me as I spend lots of time in Norhtern CA.
Bugs Land is very detailed and cute however the rides are standard carni rides. I think this land feels kinda out of place though. The whole park has this retro-real California vibe then you’re suddenly immersed in a fantasy bug scape. Having the ToT visible right next to it doesn't help that juxtaposition either.
Maybe Cars Land will help balance this out a little with the additional fantasy. The Little Mermaid is out there on its own though. It will never mesh well unless they fantascape (tm) the entire park.

"Fantascape"! Love that term!

I think A Bug's Land's details are amazing and underappreciated because they are dismissed as a land for kids only. But you gotta love a land in which bug sounds come from the foliage!

As much as I love the whimsy and fantasy of A Bug's Land, I totally agree with you that it seems out of place. In fact, I actually wonder about the fate of this land because it already seemed kind of misplaced in the old version of DCA, but will feel even stranger in the new version of DCA, I suspect. I wonder if A Bug's Land will remain as-is, or will eventually become something else. If Cars Land does add some extra fantasy to DCA, then maybe it will help balance out that element of DCA, as you said.

And I also agree that there is something about the Little Mermaid ride that doesn't fit in DCA - yes, I get how it is supposed to tie into the Paradise Pier area, but somehow it just does not mesh. However, I think a Little Mermaid ride is so overdue that I am happy it's there anyway...but it clearly would have worked so much better in Disneyland, if there had been any room to put it there.

 

[Disco]

"Fantascape"! Love that term!

I think A Bug's Land's details are amazing and underappreciated because they are dismissed as a land for kids only. But you gotta love a land in which bug sounds come from the foliage!

You know, it's the little things like that that can make something really special. That rocket mister in front of Soarin is another, overly obvious, favorite detail.

 

[HydroGuy]

You know, it's the little things like that that can make something really special. That rocket mister in front of Soarin is another, overly obvious, favorite detail.

That is perfect Disney! I love it as a former rocket engineer!

 

[starry_solo]

I miss it. At this rate, they should have re-done the front signage and called it Pixar Land.