WOW DCA is a MESS!

[Lollipop's Mom]

I was looking at today's mouseplanet disneyland update (http://www.mouseplanet.com/8742/Disneyland_Resort_Update) and the photos from DCA show what a construction MESS it is! I seriously think they need to either just shut down and finish, or offer some incredible deal like a $20/day ticket. I just can't believe Disney thinks this is acceptable! I have friends who were going to go on their very first Disney trip ever - they have never been - and they saw these photos and decided to go elsewhere until it is in better shape.
It would really put off a first timer if they didn't know, paid $75 to go in there and saw that mess!

 

[bumbershoot]

I just checked out that article, and the only mess I saw was pictures of the empty lagoon. Which were very likely taken from rides, up above where, um, the average person is going to be thinking about taking pictures or looking down for more than a moment.

And of course it's easy for me to talk since I LOVE DCA and can overlook quite a bit just to get onto Toy Story Midway Mania, Monsters, Grizzly, and Screamin', and I have an AP so I can hop and go to DLR and not think about the cost for a year, BUT a one day one park is 69, while a one day hopper is 94, so they are already giving quite a discount if you feel you've paid to go to Disneyland and want to hop to DCA.


I'm bummed for your friends that those pictures kept them away...there are so many great rides that are open, and I'm not planning on looking down into the lagoon while on Screamin' anyway, so assuming those walls I see around the lagoon in those from-high-up pictures are all around, I doubt I'll even notice it.

 

[prncssmel]

Were your friends only going to DCA? I guess I just think of DCA as a bonus of going to DL, kind of the free gift with purchase of DL, even though we like DCA. I wouldn't want them to close it because we would miss out on a lot of our favorites when we go, like TOT and Monsters, plus riding TSMM for the first time.

I actually am really excited about the construction because it means that new stuff is coming soon! I have looked at a lot of pictures, but bascially it is the lagoon empty and a lot of construction walls. There are parts of DCA , like Hollywood, where you won't even see that.

When were your friends planning to go? Micechat has a great project tracker that says the lagoon will be filled in before the Halloween/Christmas season.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

Mess?? I dont think of it as a mess. They are improving the park for us and so any "mess" is worth it. The lagoon is empty but big deal, it isn't like it was used for anything previously other than looking at. I agree with PP's that there is still A LOT of stuff over in DCA that should not be missed just because the lagoon has no water and there are a few walls up. I love TOT, monsters, TSMM, soarin, california screamin, GRR...and on and on. If they dont want to go it's their loss...one less family in line ahead of me. But they are missing out.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

No, they were doing DL and DCA for 3 days, and are really picky people, and that mess is not acceptable to them.....
I would go because I love DCA, but I have been before.I can see how that could be off-putting to people though. Its not really pretty to look at.

 

[camouseketeer]

A mess? No. Evidence of construction? Yes.

The lagoon is empty and being worked on, and there are some barricades up. The path up to Ariel's has some areas blocked off and the path narrows in places, but it's not horrible and it is very exciting to think of what will come.

It's really not any different than when DL has major reconstruction going on (like the submarine area a few years ago).

It definitely does not limit access to any rides, and only from the San Francisco area do you see any changes.

Can you imagine the crowds in DL if they closed DCA? Now that would be a mess!

 

[pycees312]

if it's really going to be that bothersome to them that the lake is not filled with water then maybe they should cancel and reschedule in 2010/ 11 when everything will be done.

 

[jolynda]

I didn't think it was a mess either. The whole background of the Paradise Pier area is full of construction, which may put off some, but it didn't bother us, and if it were to bother someone, most of the rest of the DCA is intact...

 

[evandmp]

I was there yesterday and there was no mess. It's very clean and lively and the rides are still running fine except for the sun wheel.

 

[lorasmom]

A mess? No. Evidence of construction? Yes.

The lagoon is empty and being worked on, and there are some barricades up. The path up to Ariel's has some areas blocked off and the path narrows in places, but it's not horrible and it is very exciting to think of what will come.

It's really not any different than when DL has major reconstruction going on (like the submarine area a few years ago).

It definitely does not limit access to any rides, and only from the San Francisco area do you see any changes.

Can you imagine the crowds in DL if they closed DCA? Now that would be a mess!

I was there for my first time this weekend, and would disagree - it was a bit of a mess. I've never seen a Disney park such a wreck

 

[albertamommyof4]

I have never been to disneyland/dca and we are finnally going in April. I know that there is construction and yes i was thinking well maybe i should wait until it is all done, but nahh lol. I think that if you wait then there may be construction somewhere else lol.
I think i will still have a fabolous time weather there is a bit of construction or not. There seems to be so much there that it won't bother me.
Yes i would love for everything to be done and up and running but it gives me a reason to want to go back in 2012. Plus my kids are only young once and i dont think that they will be bothererd as they have never seen it before.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

Yes i would love for everything to be done and up and running but it gives me a reason to want to go back in 2012. Plus my kids are only young once and i dont think that they will be bothererd as they have never seen it before.

That is a great attitude to have!

 

[goofycathy]

No, they were doing DL and DCA for 3 days, and are really picky people, and that mess is not acceptable to them.....
I would go because I love DCA, but I have been before.I can see how that could be off-putting to people though. Its not really pretty to look at.

If they are really THAT picky, I would suggest waiting...

 

[lntsmom]

Wow! A couple of weeks ago someone here posted about how civil the DLR site was compared to WDW's and I agreed. Now there seem to folks here who just can't control the nasties.

The OP was stating an opinion, one that she's free to have even if others don't agree with her. I just don't understand this sudden change here. It seems to me that this type of response is somehow contagious.

Having seen the park in it's usual shape and seeing pictures of it now, I would agree that there is a vast difference in the aesthetics.

For those who are able to visit regularly or semi-regularly this might be viewed as progress. For those who for whatever reason find their trips to Disneyland few and far between, it could easily come across as a disappointing mess.

 

[bumbershoot]

For the people who have been in the last week...ARE there walls up surrounding the whole lagoon? CAN you see into it without going up on Jellyfish or Screamin' or from a hotel room, etc?

 

[Teki]

I agree there should be some sort of discount, but not shut down because then there are still rides in operating condition.

 

[Leofoenget]

No, they were doing DL and DCA for 3 days, and are really picky people, and that mess is not acceptable to them.....
I would go because I love DCA, but I have been before.I can see how that could be off-putting to people though. Its not really pretty to look at.

Well what are you gonna do with picky people?? I am going in June and I'm not thrilled about the construction either. I'm going to go enjoy the few things I like and move on. If they dn't like the mess they could take a day and go to Knotts instead, but they dn't have to blow off alllll of DLR

but that' just me

 

[pixiewings71]

Wow! A couple of weeks ago someone here posted about how civil the DLR site was compared to WDW's and I agreed. Now there seem to folks here who just can't control the nasties.

The OP was stating an opinion, one that she's free to have even if others don't agree with her. I just don't understand this sudden change here. It seems to me that this type of response is somehow contagious.

Having seen the park in it's usual shape and seeing pictures of it now, I would agree that there is a vast difference in the aesthetics.

For those who are able to visit regularly or semi-regularly this might be viewed as progress. For those who for whatever reason find their trips to Disneyland few and far between, it could easily come across as a disappointing mess.

That was me (I posted the thread about how nice everyone is here), and to be honest I don't see any nasties here, just people disagreeing with the fact that DCA is a mess. We were there 2 weeks ago, it's not a mess, it's under construction. I don't think they should close the parks or even offer discounted tickets, the big ticket rides are all still up and running, there are places to eat, things for big & little kids to do, the park is still running they are simply improving it. Yes, the walls are a bit annoying but it's not detracted from our enjoyment of the park any. Oh and ftr, that's what it looked like Pres. Day weekend, the only difference is the Pacific Wharf walkway was still open then. And of course you do have a good point, those of us who are blessed enough to go regularly will see this as progress and others will more likely see it as a mess.

I'm sorry your friends felt they needed to change plans but it's probably for the best. Hopefully they will be able to go back when the park is totally improved.

 

[prncssmel]

That was me (I posted the thread about how nice everyone is here), and to be honest I don't see any nasties here, just people disagreeing with the fact that DCA is a mess. We were there 2 weeks ago, it's not a mess, it's under construction. I don't think they should close the parks or even offer discounted tickets, the big ticket rides are all still up and running, there are places to eat, things for big & little kids to do, the park is still running they are simply improving it. Yes, the walls are a bit annoying but it's not detracted from our enjoyment of the park any. Oh and ftr, that's what it looked like Pres. Day weekend, the only difference is the Pacific Wharf walkway was still open then. And of course you do have a good point, those of us who are blessed enough to go regularly will see this as progress and others will more likely see it as a mess.

I'm sorry your friends felt they needed to change plans but it's probably for the best. Hopefully they will be able to go back when the park is totally improved.

I didn't see any nasties, either. Just people disagreeing that DCA was a mess.

OP. I hope your friends have better luck planning a trip in the future when the work is completed. One thing to remember though, no matter when you go, something is likely to be under construction or closed. Part of the magic of Disney is that it is always changing and improving.

 

[bumbershoot]

I know that MY reaction is based on the fact that the pictures seem to be taken from high above where any normal person is going to be looking. So these friends are going by awful information. Walls are walls (and I hear Knotts "ghost town" area is having construction done as well), but they are there for a reason, and when message board reporters stick cameras over walls (like some pix on micechat appear to be) or take the pix from high rides when anyone else would just be enjoying the ride, it kind of ruins what the walls are supposed to be accomplishing.

I feel that the friends are going by imperfect information, and it bothers me, so I know that I was trying to get across that they might want to consider how those pictures were taken and IF the view of the lagoon was really going to impact their visit.
*******


So is it? Are the walls all the way around the lagoon?