NEW DCA Letters are up

[nunzia]

I like the new look and it fits in so well with the era DCA is supposed to represent. So, bascially DHS (when I wnet to WDW it was MGM) stole the California look, so now the original place is accused of stealing the Florida look..Oh well..still like it and it fits the theme very well.

 

[Sherry E]

I like the new look and it fits in so well with the era DCA is supposed to represent. So, bascially DHS (when I wnet to WDW it was MGM) stole the California look, so now the original place is accused of stealing the Florida look..Oh well..still like it and it fits the theme very well.

Exactly, nunzia! It's funny to read it the way you describe it but that's precisely what happened!

What will be interesting (for those of us over in the Halloween & Christmas thread) is to see how this new entrance is decorated (or not) for the holidays.

I will definitely miss the CALIFORNIA letters too - I got used to them, and I really liked that they changed to candy corn for the Halloween season (up until 2008), to candy canes for the holiday season or to a rainbow of color for World of Color's debut. (I could easily see how they had the potential to change for a variety of things if they had stuck around, like green for St. Patrick's Day, red, white & blue for July 4th, etc.) Those candy cane versions of the letters were hot photo spots last November/December because people knew it was the last they would ever see of them!

It's too bad that the CALIFORNIA letters couldn't have co-existed in some way with this new theme in DCA, but it just wasn't possible. It would have been kind of clever if DLR could have taken some of the CALIFORNIA letters and moved them over to A Bug's Land, working them in somehow as part of possible 'trash' that the Bugs got hold of and kept as a souvenir or used for some purpose. There wouldn't be enough room in ABL for all of the letters but it could have been cute if they had stuck a couple of them in there - just as a kind of homage to the 'old' in typical Disney style, like their tribute to the Country Bears in the Pooh ride. A Bug's Land is one area where they can get whimsical in DCA, so that would have been the place to stick some giant letters!

I think it will be really odd - and probably sad - to see the Golden Gate Bridge come down. I wonder how soon that's going to happen.

 

[cyclenut]

DHS and DCA are similar in a number of ways. It only makes sense to me being that the real and original Hollywood is right here in CA. I just hope they continue to pay tribute to the entire state and not just Southern California and Hollywood. That is sort of the deal with the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail and even the CARS attraction. I think the street cars will really help though! Maybe I won't miss the Golden Gate after that. The current "bridge" is kinda lame compared to the real thing.

 

[Sherry E]

DHS and DCA are similar in a number of ways. It only makes sense to me being that the real and original Hollywood is right here in CA. I just hope they continue to pay tribute to the entire state and not just Southern California and Hollywood. That is sort of the deal with the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail and even the CARS attraction. I think the street cars will really help though! Maybe I won't miss the Golden Gate after that. The current "bridge" is kinda lame compared to the real thing.

Yes - I definitely agree. There need to be touches of the entire state of California all over DCA, even in this latest version. I realize there is going to be a heavy emphasis on 1920's Los Angeles/Hollywood, but it's still California Adventure, after all. Isn't Redwood Creek one of the places that is scheduled to change 'theme' during this whole makeover? And isn't Condor Flats supposed to eventually change a bit, too?

The Bridge is really a pale shadow of the real Golden Gate Bridge, that's for sure, but I think I've gotten so used to seeing it at the entrance to DCA - and adorned with lights and wreaths during the holiday season - that it will be odd to suddenly see it missing. And yet, it will be exciting at the same time to see how the new DCA takes shape!

 

[Dizneydaz]

Thanks all!

Sherry, I never saw the original at Pan Pacific even though I am a true Southern California girl! I do remember seeing it in the movie Xanadu, I think. But it will always look like DHS to me.

I will miss the big letters. I loved the way they changed for the seasons.

I didn't even realize they had dropped the 's from the name. How did I miss that?

Just to make you feel nostalgic...

I have a picture somewhere I made up using the letters and spelling out ny sister and my DD's names. I'm going to look for it and post it when I find it. Off to the beach right now...

 

[cyclenut]

Yes - I definitely agree. There need to be touches of the entire state of California all over DCA, even in this latest version. I realize there is going to be a heavy emphasis on 1920's Los Angeles/Hollywood, but it's stilll California Adventure, after all. Isn't Redwood Creek one of the places that is scheduled to change 'theme' during this whole makeover? And isn't Condor Flats supposed to eventually change a bit, too?

The Bridge is really a pale shadow if the real Golden Gate Bridge, that's for sure, but I think I've gotten so used to seeing it at the entrance to DCA - and adorned with lights and wreaths during the holiday season - that it will be odd to suddenly see it missing. And yet, it will be exciting at the same time to see how the new DCA takes shape!

This might sound odd but one of my fondest memories of DCA was the special tribute they paid to the CA Angels when they beat the SF Giants in the World Series. I remember crowding in to see the live interviews with Mike and the gang in front of the lake. I was passing under the mock Golden Gate bridge and thinking how odd and wonderful it was to be celebrating an Angel's championship under the Golden Gate!

 

[spacemermaid]

Oh, wow...those weren't there a few days ago! Thanks for sharing! Love the Art Deco font...very classy, and very fitting with the new theme

 

[Lucille1963]

I like them and can't wait to see them in person!!

 

[BlueBayou]

I will miss the CALIFORNIA letters too. We have pictures of our kids there every year (starting with my DD10 at about 6 months). But I do look forward to a more immersive theme.

 

[MyYearWithTheMouse]

One of the big complaints about DCA was that the separate parks weren't themed enough to be unique. The original CA letters involved no theming. This entrance sets the theme for the entire park the same way that Main Street is supposed to represents Small Town USA at a specific time period. It will go fabulously with BVS too. I love it.

I really couldn't care less that it looks like DHS. The entire Magic Kingdom was stolen from Disneyland.

 

[pinktink83]

I like! I like!

But my fav colors are turquoise and red, sooooo....

 

[Disney Dreams]

photo credit: Disneydaz

photo credit: My free WDW PhotoPass stock photo CD

photo credit: laist.com

- Dreams (who wants to know where THE hat is going to go? )

 

[Sherry E]

^^^^That's awesome, Disney Dreams!

What a great photographic representation of the evolution of that very specific design! (And it hits a nostalgic note for me too!)

 

[cyclenut]

One of the big complaints about DCA was that the separate parks weren't themed enough to be unique. The original CA letters involved no theming. This entrance sets the theme for the entire park the same way that Main Street is supposed to represents Small Town USA at a specific time period. It will go fabulously with BVS too. I love it.

I really couldn't care less that it looks like DHS. The entire Magic Kingdom was stolen from Disneyland.

I was showing this to my DD and she was disappointed. She has already seen it in person. Her chief complaint is that DCA is supposed to be uniquely California and this is just a copy of something that is already in Florida, even if that copy is just a copy of something that was originally uniquely CA.

With all of the Disney creative spirit, you'd think they could have picked another landmark. Of course, Disney is trying to re-invent DCA and there will be far fewer differences between DCA and DHS when it is all done.

Personally, I think it is fine. I liked the big letters better, but the original concept of DCA pretty much failed, so apparently I was in the minority.

 

[HappyHaunt]

Even though I know where it originally comes from, and what they are going for, it still just reminds me of DHS. I'm going to miss the letters too, and honestly I was hoping they'd do something different and completely "original" for the DLR. Not something they have at any other parks. Just underwhelmed I guess.

 

[blabbermouth]

I found the CALIFORNIA letters to be sorta generic/tacky. This is classy! I don't love that it's nearly identical to DHS, but I like the colour scheme and retro look.

 

[KCmike]

First of all I appreciate the history and ode to what was there when Walt arrived in California.

Second why does Hollywood Studios have "real" flags? Are DCA's fake?

Third I miss the letters too. It was uniquely California Adventure. It looked good and it was fun to take pictures through the years of my kids with the letter that corresponded to their name.

Thanks for all the pictures posted together. When I first saw the drawings I was thinking why are they doing this when DHS/MGM has already done it? I understand why but am not completely happy with the finished product. They could have save the money on the gate and put in another ride. I still think that after DCA finishes Carsland it needs another A or B ticket ride. Maybe an indoor/outdoor ride of some kind.

It will be interesting to see DCA's mainstreet. Hopefully there are no more Hollywood Studios similarities.

 

[HydroGuy]

We have to wait until the DCA entrance is completely finished before passing judgement on the new entrance and removal of the CA letters.

The fact is that DCA in its original form...failed. Miserably.

Now the right people are in charge and they are changing DCA into a true Disney park with a more consistent theme. I think the result will be a bit odd at first but after we grasp the big picture of DCA it will be obvious that this change was for the best.

 

[JH87]

First time seeing these pictures!
Sure, I loved the old letters just like everyone else, but I am excited to see DCA after the whole renovation is complete. I think it's going to look amazing.
I am another one who hasn't been to DHS in WDW, so this is all new to me! (except the few photos I have seen). I like it.

 

[Little_Birdie]

I am not a fan of how much alike it is to DHS even if it was modelled after the Pan Pacific!
That being said, I think with time I will learn to accept it and it will grow on me. But it also depends on what the entrance looks like as a whole!

I do really miss the old California letters and I am very sad that I never took the opportunity to take a picture by them!!