Just back, and DANG--CA Adventure, what a mess

[GeneralTso]

I can't believe what a wall of fencing and blocked off construction it is right now. The "walkway" in is the same as the way out. You are just walking through very tall fencing.

I realize construction will be going on until next summer and then it'll be just awesome but for those going in the meantime, it's really pretty bad. I couldn't help but think how disappointed I would be if this was my one trip in a year (or more) and this was the California Adventure experience.

 

[spacemermaid]

Yeah, it *was* rather non-fabulous to have everything all torn up the last time I was there (as it will be the next time I'm there, and probably the time after that, as well). I just look at it this way: after it's all over, CA will be an all-day thing for me, rather than a place I go to see a show & go on a couple rides before going back to Disneyland.

But then, I was not a huge fan of the original CA, and I'm not on a once-in-10-years-or-so (or once-in-a-lifetime) trip to the DLR; I'm sure I'd feel differently if I were.

 

[smiles33]

Yeah, it was a pain to trudge through the crowds in that very narrow walkway with a double stroller and ECV. frankly, it just meant we spent more time at DL and it seems like others did, too, as DCA was very empty the one morning we went. Only the first row was full at Crush's Turtle Talk and Animation Academy. Very few lines for the Bug's Life rides and the ones near Goofy Sky School. Oh well. By the time we make it out there again, it should be awesome.

 

[Hoku]

Just got back myself. The construction walls aren't that great, but I thought the walkways were still decently sized. We were able to enjoy the park. We loved Little Mermaid, Monsters Inc., Grizzly River Run, Soarin', WOC and everything else, too! Had a great time with low crowds. Grizzly River Run was once only a 5-minute wait and didn't even have fastpasses available for 2 of the 3 days we went there. Carsland is sure looking good! We got excited just looking at what they've got so far. Wow! It's really going to do wonders for the park. We get to go once every 2-years and were still happy with our time there.

 

[Sherry E]

I was there last Friday (9/16) too, as I think a few of us on this forum were, and that was my first time in DCA since December of last year, so a lot had changed in 9 months. Not only are the construction walls a pain, but the route you have to take to get to where you want to go in DCA is really circuitous and annoying. I know it won't be like that forever, but it's a pain right now!

Even a CM who served us at the Plaza Inn made a joke about how much extra walking is involved in DCA now, in its current condition.

One thing I will say is that DCA was a virtual ghost town early in the day on 9/16. Toy Story only had a 10-minute wait - which is something I have never personally witnessed before! Little Mermaid was basically a walk-on too. Because 99% of the Halloween stuff is in Disneyland (with the exception of Duffy's Pumpkin Patch photo spot), most folks were in DL and not in DCA. So even though all the walls and roundabout paths to get from Point A to Point B were bothersome, it was a great time to go on rides in DCA. I don't expect the park to be that empty one year from now.

 

[GeneralTso]

Yes, the upside was being able to walk on to everything. LOVED Mermaid, simply loved it. That's what made the walk back there worth it. Toy Story was empty too. It's a nice payoff once you circumvent the fencing.

We'll be back in January for the Tinkerbell Marathon and I'm sure it'll be the same deal. It won't be "normal" until summer, and then it'll be the new and improved.

Have to admit, I kinda miss the letters out front. The temporary Let Memories somethingorother that is on wheels is a sad replacement.

 

[iKristin]

Yeah I only went for an hour when I was there 2 weeks ago. Went on three rides then went right back to DL

 

[PineapplePrincessCA]

Is this all from "Carsland"? When will it be completed?

 

[smiles33]

Carsland AND the new Buena Vista "main street" entry. You can see over the walls in a few places and see new shops being built.

 

[Carmatts]

Is this all from "Carsland"? When will it be completed?

Carsland is not a big deal in terms of foot traffic disruption. It is an expansion in a corner of the park that was mainly a parking lot prior to construction.

The big culprit is Buena Vista street, the new front entrance to the park. Imagine the mess if Disneyland completely closed down Main Street, put up construction walls and rerouted you around it by using backstage areas as your pathway into the park. That's basically what they've done to DCA. It's a giant maze to get around right now.

All the construction is supposed to be done by summer 2012.

 

[NancyIL]

I'll be there next week! Toy Story Mania was down when we were there in May 2010, and I haven't seen the Little Mermaid ride. I expect busy days at Disneyland on Thursday and Friday due to a holiday, but I'll make the best of it.

 

[geekypeach]

It's been under construction in a major way every time I've ever been to DCA (3 times since 2009), so I will be VERY glad when it is more or less cleaned up. I personally love DCA, and can't wait to see it shine!

It seems like everytime we've been, it's been very busy and you're shoulder to shoulder trying to navigate the walkways. I'll be glad when that's over!

 

[nana50]

I'll be there next week! Toy Story Mania was down when we were there in May 2010, and I haven't seen the Little Mermaid ride. I expect busy days at Disneyland on Thursday and Friday due to a holiday, but I'll make the best of it.

What holiday? You mean Rosh Hashanah?

 

[austizzle]

Honestly, I'm OK with it. The strides they've made to make DCA a good Disney park are great. I also find that since these walls went up and they closed Sunshine Plaza, the crowds have thinned. Which means, if you can stay upbeat till you get into the park - you basically have the run of the place!

On another note, part of the reason the construction causes so much walking has to do with the original layout of the park - it was never a wheel spoke hub design like DL.

One of the things they're attempting to remedy is that fact. When the new plaza opens next year it'll have three spokes to lead you in different directions. The original layout meant more walking that one expects from a Disney park anyway. This temporary one isn't much different - just seems that way cause it's walls instead of stores and attractions.

 

[NancyIL]

What holiday? You mean Rosh Hashanah?

Yes, I read that CA schools were closed on the 29th for Rosh Hashanah.

 

[smiles33]

Yes, I read that CA schools were closed on the 29th for Rosh Hashanah.

Really? Not in Northern California. I'm surprised as I have never heard of public schools closing for Rosh Hashanah.

 

[NancyIL]

Really? Not in Northern California. I'm surprised as I have never heard of public schools closing for Rosh Hashanah.

Maybe it's just in certain areas of SoCal- but I read it on the DIS. You know that if someone posts it on the DIS - it must be true!

 

[Angel Ariel]

Really? Not in Northern California. I'm surprised as I have never heard of public schools closing for Rosh Hashanah.

Not CA, but my public high school in PA had days off for Rosh Hashanah. I just checked their calendar for the current year, and they have 2 days off next week for Rosh Hashanah. There's a very large Jewish population in that area. So yeah, it's definitely not unheard of for public schools to get days off for Jewish holidays.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Public schools in most areas of So. Cal. do not close for Rosh Hashanah, or any other Jewish holiday for that matter. As a kid, I thought it was cool that on some years my school closed for all 8 days of Channukah. I soon learned that was not exactly why we got 2 weeks off.

I highly doubt Rosh Hashannah will have any affect on DLR attendance.

 

[PineapplePrincessCA]

School in San Diego County aren't closed for Rosh Hashanah.

In our district we're on a year round schedule, though. Schools are on break from 9/24 - 10/10. Sooooo nice!