Poll, Which is the best theme

[YoHo]

Ahhh, with Landbaron gone to WDW and gcurling and the Captain there too(As well as dscoop), I suspect a significant drop in the amount of Discussion around here (lets face it, they are the most prolific) So, in the intrest of keeping things interesting, (and to stave off my own boredom) I thought I'd get some thoughts on Some of Disney's theme park themes. The idea for this poll struck me last night while I was contemplating the failure that DCA seems to be. I've never been to DCA, but having studied pictures, maps and seen the construction, I think the biggest turnoff for me is the very weak theme. It seems like they took a boardwalk which if done right could be maybe half the park and then stuck random bits on and called it california themed. The theme seems merely an excuse to shove in a few rides from Disney/MGM Studios.

The dscoop tells us that much of it was supposed to be part of Disney's America, and one wonders why they didn't stick with that concept. I suspect it might actually play better out west. Afterall, You don't have Liberty Square OR the US Pavilion at Epcot. And, While California plays an important part in US history, It doesn't play a part during the Revolution or the 50 or so years that follow, which means your not stepping on so many non disney toes, AND the site isn't all that historic. Replace superstarLimo with The Show at Epcot, or Even move Great moments with Mr. Lincoln over.

Paradise Pier is pure Americana, but Why they skimmped on the kiddie rides, I don't understand. Sure, an undecorated Tilt-a-whirl or Scrambler doesn't appeal, nor does a mini ferriswheel, but certainly with the addition of a few spitting camels the park could have been greatly enhanced.



Well, I have more to say, but I'll post later. Just FYI, I broke DL/MK into lands, because I felt That each stood on its own theme wise.
Also, New Orleans Square, Liberty Square and Bear country are not included. Neither do I distinguish between DL and MK nor do I include DLp or DLTokyo, (mainly I ran out of space) Vote for the one listed that you like the most and then write in if you prefer.

For my purposes, I consider New Orleans Square to be part of Adventureland, Liberty Square and Bear Country to be part of Frontierland

 

[HBK]

while I don't see DCA as anything close to what my (amittedly minimal) interpretation of what Disney's America was supposed to be, I think it would be a great theme out there....

They could really have played up the gold rush (I would imagine a whole land....ghost town, haunted mine car ride, children's play area where they sift for "gold", etc).

 

[All Aboard]

Hey, I'm still here!! I'm just going to be an O-Town weekend warrior. Leaving Friday after work, returning Sunday evening. But, there's this little matter of a tropical depression soon to be a tropical storm to deal with. Perhaps the meet will have to move indoors.

But, I agree, things are eerily quiet on the Rumors board.

I kinda wish you had split Epcot into FW & WS. I still voted for it, but only because of World Showcase. There, the attration IS the theming. And, a marvelous job was done.

 

[hopemax]

I voted for Tokyo Disney Sea because what works best for me is the combination of adventure and fantasy. Since I couldn't vote for Adventureland and Fantasyland, and I feel that TDS embodies both of those.

Take me somewhere I can never go, that will delight me and startle me and where a new discovery is just around the corner.

 

[YoHo]

gcurling, Aside from the board forced limit of 10, the reason I left epcot whole is because it has that whole World's Fair vibe going to it, and from that point of view, FutureWorld and World Showcase are only 1 theme.


I have a few more things to say especially about Disney Seas, but I've gotta get some work done, so It'll be later this afternoon.

 

[Another Voice]

The Paradise Pier concept goes back long before Disney’s America. The idea has been a pet project of Michael Eisner from the beginning and has found it’s way into at least five different park proposals – The Disney/MGM Studios Backlot (Burbank), the original concept for The Boardwalk (WDW), Port Disney (Long Beach), America (Virginia) and WESTCOT (Anaheim) – before it ever made to California Adventure. Mr. Eisner has a fondness towards a fictional Coney Island that’s escaped analysis for years.

Of course the funniest thing about Paradise Pier in California Adventure is that seaside amusements parks are not a part of California’s culture. There have been only two significant parks – Santa Cruz (still open and still a classic) and The Pike in Long Beach (only popular because it was located next to a naval base during WWII). Others were built, but they tended to have an extremely short life span and almost none of them survived into the 1950’s. No one in California hears the word “beach” and thinks “roller coaster”. Like everything else in the park, Paradise Pier is a huge miscalculation. And YoHo – you are absolutely right about the “theme” for California Adventure. It’s a marketing angle for the park, there is very little truly “California” about the place.

As for “theme” in general – it’s more a matter of the stories that are told from it than the theme itself. If New Orleans Square was just shops, no one would care. But put ‘Pirates’ in it, and the whole theme becomes exciting.

 

[YoHo]

AV, I didn't realize that Seaside Amusment parks failed in Cali. I knew about Santa Cruz, and I knew about Long Beach, ONLY by Infrence from the Movie 1941.
My thinking is that its truely Americana. In the past I've suggested that Paradise Pier would do better in florida, now, I wonder if just needed a better Themed park to be a part of.

As to DCA relating To Disney's America. Well, Certainly The Water ride (name escapes me), and California Soarin could be massaged into history (California history) themed attractions. With a few Revolutionary War era additions and such you could turn that park into a solid theme. (Assuming you accept that Paradise pier is a representation of Americana and American history, Which I think it is.)

 

[Bork]

It was a tough choice between the lands in the MK, but I chose Frontierland. It just feels like you are back in the old west.

Tokyo DisneySea could give the MK a run for it's money though, based on the pictures I've seen. Everything is so incredibly detailed. Each land is well themed and seperate from the rest. At DCA, besides not having much theming, you see everything at once, including outside the park. I can't imagine ever getting the feeling of magic and escape from realty that you feel at the MK and from the looks of it, DisneySea.

My wife and I were planning a trip to CA next year. I had been there a few years ago and wanted to take my wife there for the first time. But now after seeing the previews of DisneySea with all of the rides and theming, we may have to consider a Trip to Japan. Prices are similar to CA, so it may be worth the extra $1000 in airfair to see the best Disney has to offer.

 

[daannzzz]

It is to bad Paradise Pier at DCA is themed to California. If Disney couls have replicated Coney Island during Luna Park, Dreamland and Steeplechase parks heyday it would have been so much better. Imagine if the rest of Paradise Pier had been themed (Not engineered) like the Golden Zephyr and rides (with higher capacity and new technology) were duplicated from the past. I was so dissapointed that they put a chair swing and space shot in. That is mostly what wrecks it for me.
As ffar as the best themed land or park I would have to say that with the pictures of TDS coming in that is exactly the fantasy style atmosphere I want. Big, adventurous and awe inspiring. I hope the attractions are of the same caliper.

 

[Captain Crook]

I'm not gone yet either, Yoho!

For me, the best theming, hands down, is Animal Kingdom. While I understand some people's lack of interest and love of AK, I can't imagine that too many people can not be impressed by the theming. I always feel like I'm in a totally different place at AK, with the isolated walkways, lush landscaping and the sounds of far away lands seemingly always in the background.

In fact, my next two choices for great Disney theming weren't included in your list (because they're Resorts). But I think the AKL & WL ane absolutely incredible and do a great job of transporting you fom Florida to other far away places. Eisner maybe doesn't get high marks in a lot of things but building (approving) great Hotels ain't one of them...Sorry for straying...

 

[Lesley]

Interesting that the supposedly least popular park (or I guess if you're going by attendance alone it probably is the least popular....but to me how much I like it doesn't necessarily reflect in my going there more often) is the one that is being voted as best themed. I do feel the attention to detail at AK is stunning....I went in expecting the same quality of theming as the rest of WDW and it exceeded my expectations. Beastly Kingdom could make this park into a real contender as far as attendance goes, since obviously they did something right already.

I do think all the lands in the MK are very well themed too...I love Adventureland because of its generic exotic feel , the whimsy of Tomorrowland, the step back in time on Main Street and in Frontierland/Liberty Square, and the storybook feel of Fantasyland (which I think has lost something in recent years, yet I can't put my finger on it...)

 

[johare]

MK as a whole is the best themed park, however no single land in MK is better than Epcot as a whole so that's where my vote went. Don't understand AK getting the most votes right now since IMHO it is the worst themed off all the Disney parks. AK is landscaped VERY nicely and has some nice trails and walk, but landscaping and pretty trails by themselves don't equate to theming.