What's so wrong with California Adventure?

[Leofoenget]

I don't think there's a thing wrong with it. I think that many of the professional DCA bashers are just spoiled children who never grew up and who feel entitled to instant gratification and a thrill a minute entertainment.

I don't HATE it, it's just not up do DISNEY standards. The park is a nice "little" park. Unfortunatlly its not supposed to be. It's supposed to stand on it's own not be the overflow of the "REAL" park. If this park were any where else other than across the way from Disneyland I seriously doubt it would have lasted as long as it has. We have a park here in Santa Clara CA (owned by the people who own Knotts) and it's 100x more interesting than DCA. They have a water park IN the park, many many roller coasters. It's more along the lines of Magic Mountain.

Sunobo wrote:
We love DCA and found it great to hop over there when the crowds got to us at DL. my point exactly!

just my spoiled childish never grew up opinion

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

There are a lot of things we love about DCA. However I do agree that some of the rides we can see just about anywhere, and were not that interested in doing those. We can spend a whole day at DL no problem, but we have a harder time doing that at DCA. We do the ones we love, then hop back over to DL. They need more popular E ticket type rides for sure.

So I think these changes are wonderful, and will for sure be having us spend more time over there.

 

[Grumpy Pete]

I must agree that DCA has to improve. In my not so humble opinion, the star attractions are Tower of Terror, Soarin', Screamin', & Bugs Life. But not necessarily in that order. The hike between them is like richoceting around a pool table--lots of distance between them.

 

[VegasMike21]

The only thing wrong with DCA is that they must add more attractions and shows, there just isn't enough. Also to me DCA just doesn't have that Disney feel like DL does or any park in WDW for that matter.

 

[CoolPool]

I see it as a theming problem. Disney did such a remarkable job of making unreal things come to life in so many parks all around the world and then came to DCA and just dumped a few good rides willynilly around a parking lot. I suppose there just wasn't enough room to lay out a "new world" so they just stripped everything down to the boardwalk level and thought we wouldn't notice. Lots of people don't. My kids don't. I do.

That said, my kids love the Bug area. Monsters Inc.

 

[VegasMike21]

I see it as a theming problem. Disney did such a remarkable job of making unreal things come to life in so many parks all around the world and then came to DCA and just dumped a few good rides willynilly around a parking lot. I suppose there just wasn't enough room to lay out a "new world" so they just stripped everything down to the boardwalk level and thought we wouldn't notice. Lots of people don't. My kids don't. I do.

That said, my kids love the Bug area. Monsters Inc.

Yeah theming to is a problem, just not enough of it going on, the lots of the rides chosen for the park are not really Disney type of rides, like the Maliboomer, Mulholland Madness, Sun Wheel.

 

[DoomBugger]

More trees and shade, more theming to make it a true Disney creation, better layout (that one won't happen) and more rollercoasters!

I think CA is really about three more thrill, "E" ticket rides away from being a true "all day Disney experience" with the addition of another two or three mid-range dark rides such as Toy Story Mania (soon to arrive).

They should better utilize the California concept as it is not really very creatively explored in my opinion. Maybe for a straight rookie tourist to the the west coast but anyone beyond that stage can quickly see it's attempt at capturing California is pedestrian and rather weak. California is like a country in itself, there are so many angles here they have not truly used to the fullest.

For example, get Jet Propulsion Laboratories involved and make it an excuse to do another Space themed dark thrill ride, like Space Mountain meets the old Mission to Mars / Moon. How about a mini Sequoia Forest adventure ride, giant trees and all with a Disney spin? An experimental jet/spaceship/alien craft ride based on ties with Lockheed/Skunk Works or a test pilot ride with Edwards Air Force Base/Chuck Yeager tie-ins or a Yosemite themed runaway mine train or something with California Gold Rush history/theming. Maybe a ride that incorporates surfing in some simulation manner.

Honestly the thing about CA that bugs me the most (besides lack of great rides of course) is THAT RIDICULOUS WASTE OF SPACE; THE LAKE! I hate it! I was bummed to see it will live on and will even have a small standing room only stadium built around it for shows. Whatever. It is way too big and makes the park so limited in the way you can walk around and through it.

If I had it my way I would do away with 75% of the water lake area, leaving just small areas around the food court area (I would put the Golden Gate there or something so it wouldn't be lost either) and by the sun wheel or soon to be giant Mickey head wheel.

Just think, that lake could be a whole area with all kinds of great attractions... such a waste.

 

[Tink208]

Yeah theming to is a problem, just not enough of it going on, the lots of the rides chosen for the park are not really Disney type of rides, like the Maliboomer, Mulholland Madness, Sun Wheel.

But, those are the types of rides you would find at a Boardwalk type of area like the whole Paradise Pier is supposed to be representing, so they are trying to be true to the theming, such as it is, in that part of the park. The problem is that in attempting to be true to a theme, they have managed to highlight the difference between those types of rides and what we expect of a Disney ride.

 

[MaiynaMouse]

I hear people complain all the time about the fact that the rides are not Disney type rides but I thought the point of DCA was to capture the spirit of California, not Disneyland. While I do see room for improvement in DCA, I don't have any problem with the "fair" rides. To me, they are rides that you find on a California boardwalk which is what Paradise Pier is, right?

I really like Bug's Land. I know many people don't but it's a great place to hang out when the little ones are tired and want to spend some time on their favorite rides without waiting in massive lines. We also really love Redwood Creek. Both of those spots are perfect for us when DL is packed but the kids aren't ready to go back to the hotel for a swim yet.

While there is definitely room for improvement, I think that DCA is great and I for one love the theming they have.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I don't think DCA is bad...it just not what is expected.

 

[DLR29]

I hear people complain all the time about the fact that the rides are not Disney type rides but I thought the point of DCA was to capture the spirit of California, not Disneyland. While I do see room for improvement in DCA, I don't have any problem with the "fair" rides. To me, they are rides that you find on a California boardwalk which is what Paradise Pier is, right?

While the "fair" rides might go along with the intended theme. The intended theme obviously did not bring the park success because people were expecting higher quality rides and theming. Ever since the first couple years of the park, the California theme has been forgotten, which IMO is a good thing.

 

[MaiynaMouse]

DLR29 - I do see your point. I wasn't trying to be argumentative but just pointing out that was what I thought the point of the park was...to have a California theme and I think they did that well, even if it wasn't successful. Did it work out the way they'd hoped? Obviously, it wasn't what the guests wanted but I do think the California theme *could* work.

I do love that Pixar is being incorporated into DCA rather than into DL. It just seems to fit better there. Off the top of my head, I can only think of the Buzz ride that is Pixar in DL. Was Nemo Pixar, I can't remember.

Anyway - that was just my two cents. I think everyone's points are definitely valid.
~mm

 

[Gemfyre]

I love DL, and parts of DCA

However, you cant deny there being a problem when DL is open 8am-12am on peak days and DCA is open 10am-6pm its just a huge difference.

Between the shortened hours the cost for consumers for the current theme just isnt worth it imo.

Im excited for this park to change .. Pixar theme is how I consider this park. Which, I adore.

 

[Gemfyre]

Yeah Nemo is Pixar

DLR29 - I do see your point. I wasn't trying to be argumentative but just pointing out that was what I thought the point of the park was...to have a California theme and I think they did that well, even if it wasn't successful. Did it work out the way they'd hoped? Obviously, it wasn't what the guests wanted but I do think the California theme *could* work.

I do love that Pixar is being incorporated into DCA rather than into DL. It just seems to fit better there. Off the top of my head, I can only think of the Buzz ride that is Pixar in DL. Was Nemo Pixar, I can't remember.

Anyway - that was just my two cents. I think everyone's points are definitely valid.
~mm

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

There isn't anything wrong with fair rides, at the fair. We can find those locally, and for a lot less of a entry fee! It's just not up to Disney standards, even if it does go with the theme. If they wanted a few fair rides they should have put a "disney twist" on them to make them their own.

Same with rollercoasters. I'd hate to see a bunch of huge rollercoasters go in. I can also see those anywhere, and a rollercoaster alone I don't find very disney either. Give it theming, special cool effects, and a disney twist. Then it's Disney (like Space Mountain and the Matterhorn).

I wouldn't expect or want it to become DL #2. But I do expect it to be Disney quality. Which is what I think they are working on in these changes.

 

[HydroGuy]

haven't had time to read this whole thread yet - I will do it later today. IMo DCA's problems are a combination of incredibly high expectations from DLRs main customer base - Southern California locals - coupled with be being adjacent to the most awesome theme park on the planet (DL) topped off with the wrong people in management when it was conceived and constructed and an original budget which was much too low ($1.4 billion for both DCA and the GCH - about half spent on each).

 

[deej696]

We made our first visit to DL over new years and absolutely loved DCA. It was refreshing to leave the crazy atmosphere of DL for a break next door where there seemed to be half as many people. I can understand, however, why the theme fell short for many of the locals who are the main drive of attendance at DL. I am from Central Florida, and if WDW added a park about Florida, I would be less than enthused. If I want to see the beach or the space shuttle, I'll just go there, I wont go to a theme park. It will be interesting to see the "new" park after all the changes are made. I figure in a few years I'll be due for a California trip to check on the progress

 

[MunkyMe13]

I like DCA but the first time I went I wasn't that impressed. Though it has grown on me. I am looking forward to the new additions and new entrance area. The changes should be pretty good.

 

[Dizneydaz]

I like DCA. We're AP and when we go to DL, we'll cross over to DCA when DL gets too crowded. And they have some of the best rides at DLR (IMHO) Soarin'; Tower; Screamin'; and Maliboomer.

I didn't know they were removing the bridge-that's a little sad to me.

I was just there recently and other then construction of DVC at Grand Cal., and Toy Story Mania, I haven't seen any other construction-yet.

I agree that ToT is pretty out of the way-a quicker route would be nice.

So, if they make all these improvements then won't DCA be as crowded as DLR? Yikes!

 

[cuucuu4karaoke]

I just returned home to PA today after spending 10 days in California. It was my first visit to CA and I loved it. I have, like most people on the board, been to WDW many many times. What I loved about CA was it was a Disney park but it wasn't. Does that make sense? In WDW, by the end of 2 wks, I get Disney'd out. That didn't happen here. I loved the theming of CA. I haven't read about the changes yet but it's disappointing to hear about removing the bridge. When my DH and DS would go off to TOT I would hang back by the bridge and people watch. I loved the theme, the music, the train that served as the store fronts..all of it. I think the big Sun in the main square should be illuminated at night and not dark.