One down....three to go!

[roymccoy]

Well, we were at DCA today and we went over to the Backlot section. I noticed that the SuperStar Limo ride was closed. I asked a CM nearby if it was going to be open today. She said that it won't be reopening in it's current form and there are no immediate
plans for anything else to go in there. I guess they want to save the electricity. Now there are NO rides in the Backlot area. Don't you think that they should be adding things to DCA? I know SuperStar wasn't a real crowd pleaser, but it WAS a ride. I know ToT is coming in but not until 2004-2005. With the Mullholland Madness roller coaster never open, the Zephyr always closed because of the "wind" and now the
SuperStar Limo ride closed...what is left for your money?? Whoppi Goldberg telling us about California? The "cost-effective" nature trail? I swear that there is more to do at the Bullwinkle's miniture golf course over in Fountain Valley!

I hope everyone that had anything to do with this waste of space is being shown the door. This was pennywise and pound foolish. It is going to cost as much as the original DCA cost to build just to fix it...maybe more. Example: the projection camera's in Soarin' over Calif. needed clean rooms built around them. The cost was budgeted for $30,000. Some Einstein higher up decided that they weren't needed so they weren't built. Well, big black dust flecks kept flying around on the screen and really ruined the effect. Clean rooms were finally built around the projectors...but since they had to be put in after the fact, they cost $100,000. I hope that executive got a big fat raise and a vacation. NOT.

Someone else said it...if they let people in DCA for free, they probably couldn't fill it up.


Roy

 

[ErinC]

Ok, I'll bite. I rarely post in response to these type posts, but today you caught me in the right mood. I read your Disneyland comments before we left on our December trip to California. We have visited WDW more times than I can count. This was our 1st trip to LA and to Disneyland. I was really concerned due to YOUR posts about how awful the situation was. I had done some real talking to convince my husband to take this trip and assured him it would be worth it to the see the original, and to visit DCA because WDW doesn't have one. Your posts had me worrying that he would be mad at me for a wasted trip.We had an awesome trip. I enjoyed every minute of it. We have two DD ages 5 & 2. They also fully enjoyed the visit even though I will say there were limited things that my 2 year old could do at DCA. We spent 4 days going through the parks at our leisure. We found many things that we enjoyed more than our WDW experience. Park attendance was light which allowed for short lines, and even on Thanksgiving day the lines were very manageable. I even thought about you while I was there. I thought I would send you a message when we returned to comment on your critical post, because I feel that you give 1st timers something to worry about when you shouldn't. A visit to the happiest place on earth for you must be pretty miserable, because you don't seem to come away very happy. If it's that miserable for you, don't go. And please lighten up before you scare other 1st timers away like me. Disneyland is great and DCA, although a small park has some incredible rides. Go and enjoy. JMHO, Erin

 

[teri]

I was there in the opening weeks of Animal Kingdom - during the time when you still had to be an onsite resort guest to get in. It was definitely a work in progress, and a bit disappointing. It has grown over the years and is becoming a pleasant park. I had the exact same feeling about DCA when we visited there - it is a work in progress. It will grow. Some things worked, some didn't. But we had a lovely time, and we will return.

 

[minniecarousel]

I, too, enjoy DCA. DH & I went last May, and were pleasantly surprised. We went with our college sons Jan 10 - 13 and had a great time. The addition of Who Wants to be a Millionaire was a welcome attraction. The Art of Animation was worth exploring for a while. I guess I'm easy to please, because Soarin' still thrills me! California Screamin' & Maliboomer & Grizzly River Run were among our favorites. DH & I both wondered what was Disney thinking regarding Superstar Limo! We didn't miss it at all this last trip - hopefully they will find something great to go in that spot! We had forgotten that our kids hadn't seen It's Tough to be a Bug, so that was something else new for them.
Is DCA worth the $$$? - hard to say. But with a park-hopper pass, it's hard to break down the actual cost. I agree with Teri - DCA is definitely a work in progress. There are so many possibilities.

 

[roymccoy]

DCA is only open from 10-6pm during the week. The Hollywood Backlot opens later at 11am. The Superstat Limo "ride" is now closed. It was the only ride there. The Hollywood and Dine doesn't open during the week. Millionaire only has about four shows all day. There really isn't anything to see or eat in that area anymore. Most of the restaurants and stands in the rest of the park are closed (or late openings/early closings) during the week. The Lucky Chinese Restaurant is closed most of the time. The Zephyr is almost always closed as is the Mullholland Madness roller coaster. I just don't see it. There literally is more to do at a good miniature golf course. I guess it's worth looking at once, but so is the Grand Canyon. Disney is going to have to do a little more if they want people to come again and again to the "resort". Right now, DCA reminds me a lot of the Grand Canyon...a big empty hole in the earth.

Roy

 

[Tink33]

Roy - I have to disagree with your statement " There really isn't anything to see or eat in that area anymore." There is a lot to see and eat in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot.

Things to See

1. Who Wants To Be A Millionaire - Play It based on the popular ABC TV game show. This audience-participation show takes place on the Hollywood Pictures Backlot, and features all the sights, sounds and drama of the TV show. And who knows, you could be the one on the famous "Hot Seat," competing for great prizes!

2. Jim Henson's Muppet Vision 3-D Kermit™, Miss Piggy™ and the rest of the beloved Muppets™ have been hard at work in the Muppet 3D FX Labs perfecting their moviemaking technology. But in this wonderfully zany combination of Audio-Animatronics, 70mm film, 3D effects and sound, nothing quite comes together as planned!

3. Hyperion Theater - Power of Blast the incredible, new, high-energy show that performs highlights from the Tony award-winning Broadway hit "Blast!" - which critics have hailed as "rhythmically intoxicating" and "innovative and exuberant." "The Power of Blast!" performs several times daily at the Hyperion Theater in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot, so come check it out -- it's a dazzling musical journey you won't want to miss!

4. Disney Animation Folks young and old have long been fascinated by the art of animation. Now, in this tribute to Disney's most treasured art form, you can get a peek into what really goes into creating an animated feature -- from the original concepts and drawings to the finished theatrical film.

5. Road Trip Hang with some of California's best bands as they pull into the Performance Corridor atop the wild Woody Wagon Stage, as part of the Road Trip entertainment show. From pop, and rock to hip-hop and oldies, there's always music here to please every taste. Performances daily.

6. Goofy's Beach Party Bash Stop by the Hollywood Backlot Stage in Disney's California Adventure™ park and you can experience all the fun of making a new movie! The irascible Donald Duck directs loveable Goofy and his son Max in a wonderfully funny beach movie with special guest stars Mickey and Minnie Mouse! So be sure to stop by!

7. Chance to Shine In this interactive musical, Guests play along as three "Hollywood extras" try to outdo each other with wild tales of their lives "in the business" -- from the trials and tribulations of being cast as a belly dancer to a day in the life of a B-movie Space Girl! Located on Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood Pictures Backlot.



Things to Eat

1. ABC Soap Opera Bistro As the up-and-coming star of one of ABC's hot daytime dramas, you'll get all the attention when you dine at the ABC Soap Opera Bistro, which features a menu of delectable hors d'oevres and fabulous entrées. While seated among the sets of All My Children, General Hospital, One Life to Live or Port Charles, you'll see that enjoying a great meal comes with all the drama of a real-life soap!

2. Hollywood & Dine Combining the romance of Hollywood's Golden Age society with the excitement of a contemporary movie production location, the Between Takes Catering Company serves up some great tastes of Hollywood's best bygone restaurants in this food-court-style eatery -- including sandwiches from Schwab's, Don the Beachcomber's Chinese specialties, individual gourmet pizza and salads from Villa Capri, and California's favorite burgers at the Wilshire Bowl Grill.

3. Between Takes Operated by Between Takes Catering Company, which is catering the shoot at Hollywood & Dine, this movie production "catering truck" serves up nachos.

4. Fairfax Market When you're strolling down Hollywood Boulevard, start your day with the freshest fruit in the land. Among the boxes and crates, you can select melons, berries and grapes or other cut fruit, vegetables and nuts. It's all brought in fresh each morning at the crack of dawn.

5. Award Weiners Featuring trendy gourmet sausages, this is definitely not just a hot dog stand. At Award Wieners, home of Hollywood's hippest haute hot dogs, you'll find a menu starring specialty sausages with a tasty supporting cast of fries and sides, Tinseltown Treats for dessert and a fountain of drinks.

6. Schmoozies Schmoozies is "the" hit juice stop on the Boulevard. Colorful fruit smoothies are the power juice drinks for a full day of adventure.


Places to Shop

1. ABC Soaplink In this interactive musical, Guests play along as three "Hollywood extras" try to outdo each other with wild tales of their lives "in the business" -- from the trials and tribulations of being cast as a belly dancer to a day in the life of a B-movie Space Girl! Located on Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood Pictures Backlot.

2. Gone Hollywood features merchandise that only the rich, famous and highly-spoiled deem indispensable in Hollywood. Products that spoof current "Hollywood trends" such as designer pet products, "feng shui," and the stars' fascination with Zen spiritual enlightenment items are featured.

3. Rizzo's Prop and Pawn The outrageously silly world of the Muppets comes to life at Rizzo's, an irreverent shop filled with lots of other innovative products that support their special tongue-in-cheek humor.

4. Off the Page The magic of Disney Animation leaps "Off-the-Page" in this fun, interactive "toon" experience where Guests can collect a wide variety of Disney animation and memories that will last a lifetime.

 

[roymccoy]

My point was that there aren't any RIDES in the backlot area anymore. I personally don't really care for the shows too much, I like rides. Like I said, Millionaire is pretty neat but it is only played about 4 times a day. The Hollywood and Dine is closed most of the time. The Fairfax Market hasn't been open for months. The Between Takes Catering truck is just a prop...isn't it?? I've never seen it open. That leaves the $7 hot dogs and the Broadway musical. Sounds like a great Disney Day!! Muppetvision 3D is really neat, though. They hit a winner there, but they DID just recycle it from WDW, though. The backlot area at DCA reminds me an awful lot of Tommorowland in DL...and that ain't sayin' much!

Roy

P.S. Who or what is "Road Trip" ?? I've never seen anything or anyone called Road Trip in the Backlot area.

 

[Tink33]

From the DCA schedule:

Disney's California Adventure

Park Hours
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Parade Schedule
Disney's Electrical Parade - 8:00 PM

Event Schedule
Golden State
ArtsVentures - Bountiful Valley Farm - 9:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 5:30 PM
Donald's Vision - 9:45 AM, 10:35 AM, 11:35 AM, 12:35 PM, 1:30 PM, 2:55 PM, 4:00 PM
Groove 66 - 1:45 PM, 2:45 PM
Legend Keepers - 10:15 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM, 4:30 PM, 5:30 PM
Mickey's Garden - 9:45 AM, 10:45 AM, 11:45 AM, 12:45 PM, 1:45 PM, 3:15 PM, 4:15 PM, 5:15 PM
Minnie Earhart: Mouse with Mettle - 9:45 AM, 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM, 5:00 PM
Scream At The Hairy Blue Monster - 9:45 AM, 10:15 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:45 PM, 5:00 PM
Smoothie Jones & the Mighty Angels (Reggae Band) - 2:45 PM, 3:45 PM, 4:45 PM, 6:15 PM, 7:15 PM
The Orchid & The Wandering Wisteria - 11:00 AM, 12:15 PM, 1:35 PM, 2:45 PM, 3:45 PM

Hollywood Pictures Backlot
Goofy's Beach Party Bash - 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:45 PM, 5:45 PM, 6:45 PM
Road Trip - 12:50 PM, 7:15 PM
The Power of BLAST! - 1:30 PM, 3:00 PM, 5:15 PM, 7:00 PM
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire - Play It! - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM, 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM

Performance Corridor
Road Trip - 12:30 PM, 2:10 PM, 3:20 PM, 4:35 PM, 6:25 PM, 7:45 PM


I will be there on Saturday, I will take pictures of Road Trip and post them.

 

[roymccoy]

You're going on a Saturday. I can't say much about Saturday because we usually go during the week. The things I pointed out are closed during the week. Also, Mon-Thurs the hours are 10-6. Most of the restaurants are closed during the week. Millionaire has less shows. DCA really has an "empty" feel during the week. Not much is open and there isn't a whole lot of action. Saturday might be different because that should be the busiest day of the week, but don't take Saturday and think that is how the park is all week. It's a ghost town Monday thru Thursday. Also, there is no electrical parade during the week. My advice would be to go on Saturday if you want to see more things open. There will be more crowds but at least the park will be operating more attractions and restaurants. Unless you have an annual pass, it's a waste of money to go during the week. I know it's less crowded, but Disney really cuts back on those days. So much so, that the experience isn't worth the money they're charging. IMHO.

Roy


P.S. We've went on a couple of Saturdays and I've NEVER seen the Catering Truck Nacho stand EVER open.

 

[princessKT]

WHY DO YOU KEEP GOING BACK IF YOU HATE IT SO MUCH??

((sorry, this guy is just driving me nuts!))

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>We were there two Saturdays in a row. (my dd/12 and her friends love DCA)

On 1/19, I couldn't get over how much fun it was at the park. I saw The Power of Blast for the first time (btw, I highly recommend this show!), and while dd & friends were off on the various attractions, I strolled through the Hollywood Backlot, and couldn't get over how much FUN people were having! There was music all over with a trio of ladies singing in the middle of the street. Cruella DeVil was interacting with so many guests of all ages. She was so much fun to watch (and it was the cm who plays her the best, imo). I went over towards the Main Plaza, and Road Trip was playing "Play That Funky Music." It was about 7pm at night, and pretty darn chilly, but there was a big crowd of people listening and dancing to the music. There was so much energy, and everywhere I looked people were smiling and having such a good time. I stayed there until the car moved on just because it was so much fun watching everyone.... and yes, I moved to that funky music, too.

On 1/26, Tink33 and I went over to DCA & saw Blast (she hadn't seen it yet). Again, it was a great show. It was our luck that Road Trip was out performing again. They played in the Main Plaza, and again, people were dancing. For those of you who haven't seen it, there are some shops as you enter DCA that are set up in "train cars." Several times a day, the 'train engineer' and 'conductor' come out and have fun with the guests. Well, these two were out there dancing with the guests while Road Trip played. It was so much fun watching them. Road Trip then went into the Hollywood Backlot and performed there - Tink33 took a pic, and one of the guitar players/singers mugged for her - it was funny! We then went to the Pacific Wharf for a delish lunch of clam chowder in a fresh bread bowl, and we noticed that everywhere we went there was live music going on. It was great! We ended our visit with a ride on Soaring. We both noticed that the scents were very noticeable, and I honestly didn't notice any specks (maybe I was just having too much fun). We really enjoyed the little girl sitting next to us who was thrilled with every sequence of the attraction.

IMO, I think attitude has a lot to do with how a person enjoys the parks. We always go, expecting to have fun, and we do.

 

[MissScarlet]

So Hollywood Backlot would be better with more rides but It isn't all bad. I just have to say that the animation building is really fun. I had been to DCA a couple times but never inside the animation building untill my last trip. The entrance area is really neat. All the different screens! it is fun just to sit there and watch everything going on. Then there is some short animation show which is very cute and they now tell you about lilo and stitch. There is the socorers workshop which is really fun! Hands on, make your own animation, take a test to see which character you are most like (in the beasts' library which makes it even better), and record your voice over a movie scene(in Ursula's grotto). There is also artwork and right now a movie on Walt Disney you can see but we didn't do that. If you've never been in here I would really recomend it even though it is not a ride.