Content in DCA

[hbquikcomjamesl]

I noticed something very interesting during my week at WDW:

It seems that even if you throw out SuperStar Lemon and Mulholland Mistake, count all of the carnival games in PP as a single attraction, and count Flik's Fun Fair as a single attraction,

DCA, for all its relative immaturity, still has a higher attraction-count than MGM or AK.

That doesn't mean we don't need more and better content. But it does mean that perhaps a bit more patience is called for.

Also: I happened to notice that the attraction building in MGM for GMR was much smaller than I remember it. Maybe we do have enough room, if we gut the SSL and H&D buildings, to squeeze in the entire attraction.

[hbquikcomjamesl]

Somebody in Florida, I think it was my Backstage Magic guide, said she'd enjoyed a visit to DCA, and further suggested that perhaps the persistent hostility to it (and perhaps also to Innoventions as well) might have something to do with the fact that many of the people expressing that hostility had never been to WDW, and weren't expecting EPCOT-style or MGM-style attractions.

I'm sure that isn't all of it, but it certainly could be part of it.

[RStar]

Thank you for your observations. I never thought of it in that light, and have never been to any other Disney park outside DLR. So all I can go on are the impressions of others when comparing to other parks.

But I feel that we get into problems comparing them because they are all different, and "like" is subjective.

I like Knott's, DL, and yes, DCA. I hate Magic Mountain, and barely like Universal. We all have different tates.

[hbquikcomjamesl]

You know, "RStar," I agree with you about liking DCA and loathing MM. I used to like Knotts a great deal, but as it drifted further and further away from Walter Knott's little theme park built to entertain the people waiting for his wife's chicken, it gradually lost its appeal to me. The turning point, I think, was when they got rid of general admission, many many years ago, leaving guests with a choice between an expensive ticket book that many might never use up without being able to come back on a general admission, and an even more expensive unlimited use tag. When that happened, it was no longer cost-effective for most locals to come out to Knotts every month or so, because it would be cheaper to go to Disneyland (which DID offer general admission up to the day they did away with ticket books).

And as to Universal, I've been there two or three times. I like it OK, but it's not someplace I need to visit every year, and I haven't much interest in doing the Florida version at all.

[mad4mky]

I have been to WDW twice...And we are AP'ers for DLR (we go as often as we can...I live in N. California).

I think DCA is a large disappointment...especially after being at MGM and AK. The whole idea was kinda a bust if you ask me. A park about California in California seemed stupid to begin with. Then to go into the DCA (and this is before I ever heard any disparaging remarks from anyone...the park was only 2 weeks old the first time I went) for the first time...
And after 3 hours (we got in the park at 6pm..) I was done with everything. I said to my husband "this is it? How disappointing!!" And it was then, and it is now.

MGM...the themeing, the attractions the rides are wonderful (except for the hokey Backlot Tour), and the restaraunts unique and fun. DCA still cannot hold a candle to it. Although I can't spend a whole day in either park ...I find MGM to be a lot more well thought out. (I can't spend a whoe day at AK either).

I feel like DCA was just thrown in to get more people to DLR. I still go into the park to get away from the DL crowds. But, even my kids now comment how they don't want to go into the park.
It's boring all the way around...seen it once...been there, done that. There really is no reason to go back...until The Tower of Terror comes...which is WDW's best ride if you ask me.

[hbquikcomjamesl]

Yes, I rather enjoyed ToT in WDW. But not nearly as much as I enjoyed GMR, Ellen's Energy Adventure, Imagination, and American Adventure. If there's any way to squeeze GMR into Hollywood Backlot (and the building does look a lot smaller than I thought it was), I'm all for it.

[mad4mky]

Originally posted by hbquikcomjamesl
Yes, I rather enjoyed ToT in WDW. But not nearly as much as I enjoyed GMR, Ellen's Energy Adventure, Imagination, and American Adventure. If there's any way to squeeze GMR into Hollywood Backlot (and the building does look a lot smaller than I thought it was), I'm all for it.

We enjoyed the GMR also...it is my youngest daughter's favorite ride, other than Test Track.

[parky_in_paris]

GMR is one of the largest rides (area wise) that Disney have built.
It's a building that is really well hidden in the centre of the park and tkaes up far more room than you think.
The queue area alone would probably take up the whole of SSL.

I also think you deserve something new rather than another attraction from another park.
Use the idea and the technology of you like, but maybe change the films, ideas, etc.
I also think you need more thrill rides, or something on a grand scale.

Ian

[Hydroman]

mad4mky posted:
I feel like DCA was just thrown in to get more people to DLR.

That is exactly correct. That was the whole purpose in building DCA, to get more people to the resort.

More people=more turnstile clicks=more hotel stays=more food & souvenir purchases = MORE $$$$$$$

Disney is a business, and exists solely to make money. It is how they choose to make money (and their choices in designing DCA are certainly suspect) that makes them "attractive" to us. And certainly the perceived value (another shortcoming of DCA) of what they have to offer will affect our opinion of them.

That being said, I don't think DCA should be viewed as an "independent" park. It was created to add one day to a two or three day visit to Disneyland. So the content should only be 1/3 to 1/2 of the content of Disneyland. So the question is, why do they charge the same price for DCA as for the land?

My $0.02 ....

[hbquikcomjamesl]

The queue area alone would probably take up the whole of SSL.

Hmm. But perhaps if the Hollywood & Dine building, and the whole Lion King Tram section of the East bus/tram area were used . . .