What's wrong with DCA?!

[Diznut84]

Park attendance numbers are always much lower for DCA. That fact might be the biggest reason that DCA gets knocked.

We go to DL and CA every weekend, and we spend more time at DCA every week!

 

[erinbev]

ohh, man, I love DCA!

I mean, I love everything in those particular few acres in California (hehe), but I had a really nice time there last September. Of course, there aren't as many "rides" around you everywhere you turn, but we had such a good time just kicking back and relaxing for a bit - and the food is yummy! Their parade is really fun, too.
I guess if you've never been, it might seem that its not as fun...but its really great, just different. If I was only going to be in the area for one day, I would definitely hop.

 

[bumbershoot]

Plus, they do have excellent margaritas and an entire bar for relaxing and getting away from the crowd!

mmm, the Cove Bar...nothing like a Raspberry Pina Colava (b/c raspberry is red like lava!) on a warm day!!!!!

 

[mystic_path]

mmm, the Cove Bar...nothing like a Raspberry Pina Colava (b/c raspberry is red like lava!) on a warm day!!!!!

OOOOH I am in love... You just talked about one of my fav drinks I forgot about Thank You! Now I have something more to look forward to...

 

[vettegirl]

DCA is wonderful and there is a ton to do, I acutally prefere it over DHS in Florida.

 

[Lakewood]

Its all right, no DisneySea but its ok. I really like the generic carnival rides there.

 

[SmoothDisneyH2O]

I really enjoy DCA. I think its actually nice to break away from DL and go relax at DCA when I need a break. Its quite peaceful and refreshing to walk around the Grand Rapids area especially at night with the lights on and the sound of the water splashing. It reminds me of camping.

 

[PrincessYessenia]

I've always heard the lines and crowds are much smaller than the ones at DL...but I can't really figure out why?

 

[Sleepless Knight]

DCA is a tricky park. When I first visited it, I had been warned that it wasn't as good as Epcot or Disneyland, and those warnings were correct.

The first thing I noticed is that DCA didn't transport me anywhere, unlike the other Disney parks I've been to. What I saw was a replica of the Golden Gate Bridge and I live in the Bay Area where the real thing is.

DCA also got hurt by carnival rides with very little of the themeing that I've come to expect from Disney. Before Toy Story Mania, Paradise Pier felt almost exactly like the kind of place that Walt Disney was trying to avoid when he built Disneyland.

Now since Tower of Terror (though not as good as the original) came to DCA, the park has been improving. Monsters, Inc. is a good addition and Toy Story Mania is park transforming(I now have a reason to spend more time there). In my opinion, much of the early criticism of DCA was accurate. Michael Eisner said that if it was good enough for Six Flags, it was good enough for Disney. Not so, but the park is getting a lot better.

I also think that native Californians view DCA very differently, especially if they grew up with Disneyland.

 

[kkmcan]

So when you can't take the crowds any more, then you stroll over to CA. Suddenly everything is open and sunshine-filled. There's great music playing (ok, I'll say it, I can get REALLY sick of "When You Wish Upon a Star" and "California Dreamin'" can be a great change!) and people are strolling instead of shoving. There's great rides, places to relax, good food.


Also, I can get a margarita or a beer and walk around with it. Can't do that in Disneyland!

These are exactly the reasons we love DCA! I feels so nice and happy when you can stroll along side by side with your family and not get all squished and lost from each other. Here's a few more reasons why we love it:

Wine Country Trattoria
Grizzly River Run Area and Redwood Creek Challenge
Animation Studio, Animation Studio, Animation Studio!! Love this place!
Soarin'
Electrical parade!

 

[raftislander]

DCA has improved since it first opened- a lot of the bad opinion is still floating around by people who have not been in years. The SoCal crowd was used to DL- a park crammed to the gills with attractions and theming. DCA-especially when it first opened- was not. I completely agree with the earlier poster who spoke about the "flow" of DCA being awry. Whenever I walk from the entrance to the pier area I feel like I am just on a big sidewalk that might as well be outside the park. There is a big black hole in the middle of that park. DCA has some GREAT attractions. I consider the Aladdin show at DCA to be THE best theatrical show that I have ever seen at a Disney park. It is 45 minutes of Broadway quality entertainment. Do not miss it!. California Screaming is a great coaster and I love Grizzly River Run and Soaring. ToT is great too, as long as you haven't been on the one at DHS in WDW. I just tried TSM in WDW so that will be a great addition to the Pier Area. I grew up in California and took many rides on boardwalk coasters so I appreciate the look of the Pier area. Other than the carousel and Screaming, however, I did not think that there was anything particularly special about the attractions there. I only walked down there for Screamin and would do Maliboomer and the carousel if no wait, then I was outta there. TSM will be another draw. I hear that they have a nightime water show plannedin the renovations. The fireworks get cancelled frequently at DL due to winds and the proximity of residences to the park. If the show at DCA is not subject to cancellation due to winds then that will also be a welcome addition. In sum, I would say that if you are used to the parks in WDW you will have a great time at DCA and wonder what all the bad press is about. If you are most familiar with DL you will think that it is not as good overall, but still a place with some great rides and some welcome elbow room.

 

[mechurchlady]

DCA seems so empty unlike Disneyland. There is the empty Millionaire building, the entire empty backlot area, the massive restaurant and other eateries that often are not open. I love DCA but I see so much waste there. Disneyland is jammed packed with stuff in every corner. There is the artist in a corner by the bathroom at New orleans Square and upstairs you hear voices and tucked in a corner you can get a mint Julep. I had fun the last time I was at DCA and it is so much more disabled friendly. I love that in many places the paths are so wide. It is nice to take a break among the Redwood creek's trees.

 

[Rockiedave]

I have to agree with most of the posters here. My family loves DCA. I'd add Mulholland Madness to the rest of the rides that others have mentioned. It doesn't look like much, but is really fun. There are lots of great rides there and yes, it does have a different feel than DL, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

. I hear that they have a nightime water show plannedin the renovations. The fireworks get cancelled frequently at DL due to winds and the proximity of residences to the park. If the show at DCA is not subject to cancellation due to winds then that will also be a welcome addition.

And I think you hit a good nail on the head - this show will most likely NOT be cancelled because of winds, as it is going to be relying on mostly elaborate fountain show techniques and colorful projections and lasers and not relying on the quantity of fireworks ashes that can spread to the surrounding neighborhoods. That means people would flock to the DCA show on windy days - they might get a little wet, but if it's a really super amazing show..... who cares!

 

[~ButterflyKisses~]

Does anyone now when the renovations on DCA are likely to be completed? We will be there in late September and were wondering if it will be finished by then?

 

[mechurchlady]

Does anyone now when the renovations on DCA are likely to be completed? We will be there in late September and were wondering if it will be finished by then?

It will not be finished for 3 years so keep an eye on the following site for a simple run down of what is happening.
http://micechat.com/forums/disneyla...dventure-project-tracker-iii.html#post3430311

September should see everything from Screamin' to Maliboomer rethemed and upgraded and what not. The retheming of San Francisco Street will be done and the bathrooms will be moved to the east side. The Golden Dreams Theater and the bathroom next door will be torn down in the late spring or in the summer and you will probably see walls along the west side of San Francisco area.

The Rustworthy and Jumpin Jellyfish may be removed in September and that area is a bit iffy on what they are going to do there but it should be a restaurant with outdoor seating. The wharf should be done with schedules refurbs but who knows as Cocina whatever is not such a great restaurant.

Sorry but the bay will still be under construction.

 

[Jamian]

Don't believe the haters! We always spend at least as much time in DCA as we do in DL. I love that you can slow down your pace and not have to fight the mobs of DL. I've never understood the "lack of attractions" argument. You've got California Screamin, Toy Story Mania, Soarin' Over California, Tower of Terror, and Grizzly River Run (which is far superior to Kali in DAK). That's 5 E-tickets. How many E-ticket attractions are in Epcot? (TT, M:S, Soarin', maybe SSE) DHS? (TOT, RnRC, TSM) DAK? (E:E, KS, KRR). Plus you've got Aladdin, Monsters Inc., Tough To Be A Bug, Animation Building, Muppetvision 3D, Mulholland Madness, and a bunch of others in A Bug's Land and Paradise Pier. Plus you have the Pixar Parade and Electrical Parade. It's biggest downside is that it's lacking a "nighttime spectacular." Until Disney's World of Color opens in about a year you'll have to go over to DL. Remember is the greatest Disney fireworks show ever and you also have Fantasmic. Just go there, enjoy, and form your own opinions.