Too excited for DCA?

[sam93]

Okay, so all over the web I've heard some really bad things about DCA however after looking at the pictures and the map I'm really looking forward to it for some reason, it looks great! Am I going to be disappointed when I get there? I've seen users on Micechat compare it to Walt Disney Studios in Paris which I did actually find very disappointing.

Thoughts?

 

[nicolispicoli]

Okay, so all over the web I've heard some really bad things about DCA however after looking at the pictures and the map I'm really looking forward to it for some reason, it looks great! Am I going to be disappointed when I get there? I've seen users on Micechat compare it to Walt Disney Studios in Paris which I did actually find very disappointing.

Thoughts?

It depends when you are going. Obviously it didn't turn out years ago as Disney had hoped, which is why they're doing all the work they are doing right now. People are complaining a lot about construction and DCA pre-construction. Well it can't get better without tearing it up, lol. If you are going after carsland is done June 15th, you'll find it in a lot better shape. Not sure exactly when Buena Vista street will be done and the main entrance back open, but by Fall I think it will be in great shape. I love DCA even as it is now, but it will be much better after everything is completed. My favorite part of the park that I finally got to visit my last trip is the Animation building, so amazing in there and fun activities to do like Animation Academy, etc.

I've never been to Disneyland Paris, so I can't comment, but I don't think you'll be disappointed if you're going after June.

 

[sam93]

Thank-you very much for the information, I'll be going in September so Car's land should be open. I'm really looking forward to riding California Screaming at night!

Walt Disney Studio's in Paris is probably good to those who haven't been to the one in Florida. But if you have it just seems like it's trying too hard to be very similar.

 

[ktlm]

Since you are going after the construction should be done and everything open again, I don't think you will be disappointed. We are WDW people, and while CA is small, we always enjoyed it. Aside from the pier area, I always thought it felt a lot like DHS. We will see if it still feels the same way when the remodel of Buena Vista Street is revealed.

 

[californiamomof4grls]

WE love DCA! Everyone talks about not liking it but we love it! I love the boardwalk feel over by the TSM. I am very excited to see all of the new themeing on Buena Vista! The trollys! I think it will feel a lot more "disney" after this. We love to take the children to Bugs Land the thememing there is awesome even the kids feel small walking in but as adults you feel bug size! Well with good imagination! I don't think you will be disappointed at ALL!!

 

[PinkBudgie]

I'm really looking forward to riding California Screaming at night!

When we go in the summer, Screamin doesn't stay open long into the evening because of WOC. I don't know how the schedule is in September, but thought I'd bring it up just in case.

I haven't heard any bad things about DCA unless you are talking BC ( before construction ) The only bad thing I'm worried about now is the crowds but we'll just have to manage as best we can. I wonder if even September will be more crowded than usual this year. It will be interesting to see.

 

[pixiewings71]

I always roll my eyes (not at you OP) when I hear reports of people not liking DCA.....we have always loved DCA, with or without construction walls, with or without the main entrance being open, with or without LM, TSMM, CL......we've just always loved it. I think you will love it OP!

 

[arthur06]

I have only been to DCA once, and I wasn't thrilled, but I wasn't disappointed either. I thought it was enjoyable and glad we went, but that was about 7 years ago.

We are going in November, our kids are huge Cars fans so we will be spending about 4 days at DLR. I have a feeling that we will be at Carsland every day. With the close proximity of the 2 parks, and we are staying at Grand Californian, we can hop all day!

Since you are going after June 15th, I'm sure you won't be disappointed!

 

[Dziactor]

Was at DCA for the opening day (slept in Disneyland) and did it for about 4 hours then went back to Disneyland. Since it has improved with ToT and I think Cars will take it to the next level. Haven't been since little mermaid, but hopes it has made the park better.

 

[KCmike]

DCA is my fourth favorite park behind 1)Disneyland 2)Epcot 3)Magic Kingdom at WDW. I think its better than Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. DCA has a lot to offer especially with Carsland opening this June. You won't be disappointed at all. You've got the Aladdin stage show (so amazing, think Broadway caliber), World of Color, Tower of Terror, Little Mermaid, Grizzly River Run, Soarin' over California, Screamin', Silly Symphony Swings, Monsters Inc, and all the new stuff coming.

 

[scoker]

My family went in October 2010. We had three generations represented ages 4-64 and I think we all liked it. The overall favorite ride for both parks was Soarin'. We liked WOC too. DD loved the ferris wheel, swings and the kiddie rides.

 

[mrswh]

I love DCA. I like it much better than Disneyland. Go ahead, throw rotten eggs at me. I love how it has much wider walkways so you don't feel like a sardine. I love all the attractions that don't have a long line and offer a respite from the summer heat (or rain, or tired feet, or whatever). WOC is very cool. I LOVED when they had the EP there. I hope it comes back. PP is a fun themed area, and no, it doesn't feel just like Disneyland. If DCA was just like Disneyland, nobody would pay to go to both parks! Soarin' is my favorite ride of all time and Aladdin has no equal in any of the CA or FL parks. When there are no construction walls, it is easy to get from one place to the next. I love the feel of the whole place. Love the Pixar Pals Parade and the Phineas & Ferb Dance Party. If you like Pixar, you will like DCA. Don't just blow by things that are unfamiliar to you - go into the Animation Building - there are plenty of fun things to do inside. Check out Blue Sky Cellar, it's cool. No, there aren't any princesses, and there is no Fantasyland, but DCA is great in its own right. If you don't care about Pixar and you only want the old school Disney experience, don't bother with DCA. But if you're open to new things, check it out, you might be surprised.

 

[kailuagirl]

The first time I went to DCA, maybe 9 years ago?? I wasn't impressed at all, we went in and out (me, my sister and nephew who was 3). Three years ago we went again (me, DH and DD who was 2 then), and again it was just okay, but better than the first time, went again when DD was 3, liked it a little better, and had a lot of fun, and this last Dec. we went again, and LOVED it, with the walls up, construction and all. We spent alot of time there in our 6 days in the parks. What I think really made a difference was DD was now 41" and could ride just about everything, and DH loves Screaming and we all love Little Mermaid. It really grew on us

To me, I love love love Disneyland, love it, is it Disneyland! DCA doesn't have the same vibe as DL, but it is still alot of fun and there are alot of great things to see, do, ride, experience there. So it's worthwhile to check it out.

Everyone has there own take on things, so I think you have to experience it for yourself and not just forgo it since other's don't like it. Take a chance, explore and have fun!! Heck, it's so easy to park hop and doesn't cost much more.

Have fun!!

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I have always enjoyed it as well--it is a great compliment to Disneyland. You will actually be going at a perfect time, too. The crowds will be gone from the opening of Carsland (opens June 15th, so steady crowds thru the summer are to be expected), yet everything will still be all shiny and new. Take lots of pics and share them with us after!

 

[HydroGuy]

Okay, so all over the web I've heard some really bad things about DCA however after looking at the pictures and the map I'm really looking forward to it for some reason, it looks great! Am I going to be disappointed when I get there? I've seen users on Micechat compare it to Walt Disney Studios in Paris which I did actually find very disappointing.

Thoughts?

DCA has had its challenges, but anyone comparing it to the disaster that is Paris's Walt Disney Studios is either exaggerating or has not been to WDS.

 

[fctiger]

Take it from a guy who was at DCA opening week back in Feb 2001 and loooooaaathed it! DCA was just one of the blandest, dullest, uninspired, cheap, cynical, inferior Disney parks I had ever been to! I didnt 'hate' it, it had its perks, certainly, but it wasn't up to par with a Disney park IMO. And I mean ANY Disney theme park! Now imagine putting it next to the one that started it all? The one that, even now, is one of the most magical, innovative theme parks ever built! Its like getting a Hyundai next to your Mercedes Benz in the garage and then being told you should pay the same price for the Hyundai as you paid for your sleek, ultra-refined Benz!

And then, it didnt help when 9 months later I went to Tokyo DisneySea for its opening! One of the most amazing Disney theme parks built for THEIR Magic Kingdom and California gets basically the strip mall with a few carnival rides and movies in it, tack on Disney on the marquee next to theirs? It was just, blah, in every way you can say it!

Buuut, 11 years later, I finally changed my tune! You can REALLY tell the difference from DCA 2.0 now and DCA 1.0 back then. Is it perfect, no, there are still issues that will probably stay with it and its still a lot less to do than DL of course, but it has GREATLY improved in terms of theming, rides, nightlife, shows, atmosphere and all around vibe. Yes, I'm now ONE of those people that is starting to enjoy being at DCA than at DL! Opening week, my DL-DCA ratio was 80-20! By 2005/6 it was 70-30. By 2009 60-40. From 2010 to present, its basically 50-50 now ASSUMING I stay about the hours DCA is actually open. Naturally with DL open longer and close later, I find myself there longer just because. But if it was even hours, I would say its 50-50.

And yeah, with SO much more to do now they have TOT, WOC, TLM, TSM, MI, Alladin, SSS, ElecTRONica, ETC, there is just more to do and experience.

And NOW you have really great areas just to relax in like Paradise Park and Paradise Gardens and I think FFF is great for the little ones of course! NONE of what I listed was there at opening!

And of course cut to this summer and we will have BVS, the trollys, Carsland, RSR, Carthay Circle restaurant, not to mention ALL the new entertainment from the Newies show to the Mad T Party (yeah, crossing my fingers on that one) DCA is just a really exciting place to be now!

I can't believe it, but I think come this summer DCA will be my favorite 2nd gate park AFTER Disneysea! And it use to be my worse park period, and I been to all of them worldwide!

So yes, it has come a loooong way!

 

[sam93]

Wow guys, so nice to see how everyone really likes the park these days. I love wandering around Disney Parks at night because of the atmosphere they have, I'm sure DCA will be no different with Paradise Pier.. it looks amazing.

 

[disneymom0104]

We absolutely loved DCA! We have only been there once, last Oct., so much of it was behind walls. We went in not expecting much since I had heard so many mixed reviews, but we loved it. I have not been to DL Paris, but I think it is so much better than DHS in Orlando. I love that you get a little bit of the DHS feel there, but there is SO much more to it than that.