DCA's Anniversary

[[ - kyo - ]]

When is it? I heard it's on February 8th? Do they plan or are they going to do anything for it?

[KarenW2]

Yep, you're right about the date of 2-8 for DCA's birthday. We went last year, since it's right at my husband's birthday, but they didn't do much. They had Cynthia Harriss and friends give a talk in front of Greetings and unveiled the plans for Tower of Terror and Flik's Fun Fair. If memory serves, we were given a pin back button that said, "Happy Birthday DCA" on it, or something like that. No cake or ice cream tho.

It was basically a stand around in a huge crowd thing, because they had the rest of the park closed off until the "ceremony" was over. There were VIP seats, but those, of course, were unavailable to us peons, even tho not all seats were used.

Since the announcement of TOT isn't news anymore, I don't know what else they would have to talk about there. Reopening of Super Star Lame-O perhaps??

If you'd like to see some pictures from last year's ceremony, you can go to our virtual photo album and look at the What's New section. You'll find it at: http://members.cox.net/barry.wallis/

[Laffite]

DCA has an anniversary? <insert disappointed groan>

[KarenW2]

By the time I found my pin back button from DCA's birthday that I was referring to, the time was up for editing my post. So I have to post this info separately. The button is a head & shoulders drawing of Mickey, wearing red sunglasses in a red & white Hawaiian-type shirt. Trees and Grizzly Peak are in the background, with a sunburst-type thing (for lack of a better term) behind it all.

The pin reads, "Disney's California Adventure - Happy 1st Birthday!" The pin is about 2.5 inches in diameter.

Don't know if they'll give out something for birthday #2 or not. Sure hope so!!

[DisneyGuy03]

Since the announcement of TOT isn't news anymore, I don't know what else they would have to talk about there. Reopening of Super Star Lame-O perhaps??

Maybe they have something else up their sleeves, that we don't know about? I doubt it, but it's a possibility.....I'll probably be there anyway, so, we'll see.

[merlinjones]

I'll plan to celebrate by taking an enema that day.

[DisneyGuy03]

What is so terrible about DCA? And don't give me a lack of attractions, there are 23 or so attractions in the park. I think it's a great park, well laid out, nice walkways, fairly well themed attractions (at least if you know California's History, you'll know that about 95% of the attractions in the park fit well within the California Theme) great shows and atmosphere entertainment. So, what's wrong? Oh yes, it's not exactly how you would have built it. I guess that's what it boils down to, huh?

[merlinjones]

>>What is so terrible about DCA? <<

It's tacky, cheesy, poorly laid out, unattractive, dull, uncompelling, irrelevant, below most expectations, lacks quality and freshness and inspiration, is non-escapist and defies the Walt Disney point-of-view of most everything.

>>And don't give me a lack of attractions, there are 23 or so attractions in the park.<<

Not enough and not good enough. Nothing that memorable. Few that are repeatable thrills. A few are standouts, but not worth the price of admission (Animation, Soarin', Aladdin show).

>>I think it's a great park, well laid out, <<

Ugly. No great views or vistas. The hub and main walkway are particularly bare, with no visual weenies to lure or compell you. No place to sit and soak up atmosphere (especially the low priced restaurants). No great movie-like art direction - - and just try finding a good picture spot. Even the souvenier book has cut-n-paste photos, because nothing photographs well (the opposite of exquisitely laid out, photogenic Disneyland, where even the lowest priced snack spot gives a good view).

>>nice walkways,

Where? Even the mountain is turned the wrong way (so the Hotel high rollers are the only ones with a decent view).

>>fairly well themed attractions <<

By Knott's standards or Magic Mountain's?

>>(at least if you know California's History, you'll know that about 95% of the attractions in the park fit well within the California Theme)<<

That's just hyperbole. By what measure?

>>great shows and atmosphere entertainment. <<

Other than Aladdin and Blast!, There haven't been any that appeal to me at all.

>>So, what's wrong?<<

It sucks, mostly - - and is a heartless, artless product of corporate banking and marketing culture. No showmanship or thematic purpose. It screams "bottom line" from the ugly entranceway to the closed snackshops.

>>Oh yes, it's not exactly how you would have built it. I guess that's what it boils down to, huh?<<

And most of the general public agrees, so what's your point?

[DisneyGuy03]

Actually, I'm not sure most agrees.....my point is we have:
Great Atmosphere Entertianment:
Groove 66
The Wizard Acrobats
The Barncats
The people on that car that drives around, I personally don't like them, but many people do.

At Christmas we als had the Mistletones.

And part of the atmoshere, we had: Ice Skating, a large Christmas Tree (granted not as large as Disneyland's, but that's generally the largest Christmas Tree on the west coast and the amazing Sand Castles.

Live Shows:
Aladdin
We also had Blast! and Steps in Time.

3-D Shows:
It's Tough to be a Bug
Muppet Vission 3-D

Other shows:
The ones in Disney Animation (although I still miss Back to Neverland)
Who Wants to be a Millionaire.
Golden Dreams (yes, it's an incomplete history, but you can only squeeze so much in a 15 minute or so time slot and it is very well done).

Great Attractions, with a high repeat value:
Soarin' Over California
Grizzly River Run
California Screamin'

These are generally undisputed, I also say that Mullholland Madness ranks up there. Also the Challenge Trail has a pretty good repeat value as well, along with a fun little show in there. We are also adding Playhouse Disney and Tower of Terror.

I think the entrance is brilliant in the manner in which they hide the monorail track and for a view, have you ever seen Paradise Pire from the Amphitheater area at night, it truly is beautiful. Even more so during Christmas. It just not what you would have put there, but it is good none the less and will improve even more over time.

I hope we see more attractions based on things that California has had in it's past, like the Paradise Pier area, at first I didn't like it, but I do now, I know California's History and these type of attractions were a major part of it.

[YellowMan]

I agree with DisneyGuy03. I feel DCA is a great park and it is possible for people to have a good time there. Sadly, everybody who visits expects a park as good as or better than Disneyland, but it isn't Disneyland so people hate it. If people would loosen up a bit and stop constantly thinking about how much they hate DCA for not being Disneyland then I think they could have an okay time. My main problem with DCA is the entry price (which I do feel is too high for a brand new park), but with the new $47 tickets that let you park hop between Disneyland and DCA, it's becoming less outrageous.

[Thomas]

I thought the post was regarding DCA's anniversary. Why do we have to have the DCA sucks vs. DCA is great debate again? Isn't there about a 100 posts about that already?

.........just venting!!!!!!

[merlinjones]

>>I thought the post was regarding DCA's anniversary. Why do we have to have the DCA sucks vs. DCA is great debate again? Isn't there about a 100 posts about that already?<<

An anniversary is a nostalgic remembrance of the past - - what more fitting time to remind ourselves and our cunning corporate cousins what a waste of energy, space and public goodwill that DCA has been, still is and will continue to be due to their shortsightedness, greed and vanity.

We must commemorate the place as we know it! Crappy Anniversary DCA!!!

>>Sadly, everybody who visits expects a park as good as or better than Disneyland, but it isn't Disneyland so people hate it. If people would loosen up a bit and stop constantly thinking
about how much they hate DCA for not being Disneyland then I think they could have an okay time.<<

I guess the marketing people are having a hard time putting this message across to the paying public.

>>I think the entrance is brilliant in the manner in which they hide the monorail track <<

Why would anyone want to hide the monorail track?

[DisneyGuy03]

Why would anyone want to hide the monorail track?

Because it's not supposed to be part of DCA, it just happens to have to go trough there, unless we close the monorail for an extremely inordinate ammount of time to take a move it's track.

An anniversary is a nostalgic remembrance of the past - - what more fitting time to remind ourselves and our cunning corporate cousins what a waste of energy, space and public goodwill that DCA has been, still is and will continue to be due to their shortsightedness, greed and vanity.

You still have yet to show me how this is the case, I say DCA shows a lot of what is good with Disney, as I mentioned above, but of course, not all attractions are going to be big hits, that's just what we expect, but there are plenty that are fairly big hits. And there will be more added as time goes on.

Here's a fact for you (out of the mouth of an nice older lady that I was talking with while waiting in a line at DCA):
There were more attractions at DCA when it first opened than when Disneyland first opened and the ones when DCA opened were all more spectacular than the ones when Disneyland opened.

Ok, the last part of that statement may be subjective, but the first part isn't. She said she had been at Disneyland on opening day and thought that DCA's opening was by far better.

This lady was not an annual pass holder, they had a park hopping pass (5 days, 2 of which were spent at DCA alone)

[merlinjones]

>>Because it's not supposed to be part of DCA, it just happens to have to go trough there, unless we close the monorail for an extremely inordinate ammount of time to take a move it's track.<<

The monorail is cool. An open, lovely view (of and from) the train should have been incorporated into the design of the slapdash park. But the Monorail's journey through DCA is a failure on both counts, as the MBA's didn't think such an expenditure would yeild sufficient shortterm payback.

So it feels like a subway through DCA - - no good views of anything, nor a good view of it (see Epcot, Disneyland, etc.).

And, FYI - - the Monorail was closed for an inordinate amount of time during the construction of DCA anyway - - to ill effect.

>>I say DCA shows a lot of what is good with Disney, <<

Depends on what Disney you are talking about. The Disney Company; a shallow over-emotionalized and hyped brand marketing machine that yeilds high return from low expenditures and cheap product (likely the Disney you are aligned with) - - or the Walt Disney aesthetic of surpassing all expectations, boutique, artistic family entertainment and escapism of unsurpassed quality and design (the Disney I - - and most Americans - -fell in love with as a child).

The former has no appeal to me (DCA) - - the latter always will (Disneyland). The "Walt" factor is missing from todays entity and isn't desired or considered relevant by todays's business school consensus trendoids.


>>as I mentioned above, but of course, not all attractions are going to be big hits, that's just what we expect, but there are plenty that are fairly big hits. And there will be more added as time goes on.<<

Big hits by what measure? This is not evidenced at the gate, the press or word-of-mouth (or even souvenier sales).

And who cares when the park as a whole has no appeal or beauty or reason d'etre other than to squeeze money out of people... and flaunt it.


>>Here's a fact for you (out of the mouth of an nice older lady that I was talking with while waiting in a line at DCA): There were more attractions at DCA when it first opened than when Disneyland first opened and the ones when DCA opened were all more spectacular than the ones when Disneyland opened.<<

So what? Disneyland has always been about the transcendant aesthetics and point-of-view of Walt Disney and its lovely grounds as much as its attractions. That is what made it a spectacular success with the general public from the beginning (despite day one tech and ticketing mishaps).

Disneyland was more whole on opening day than DCA can ever be, no matter how many cheezy attractions are slapped on to it - - as DCA has no heart or meaning or vision. It the stillborn child of corporate culture.


>>Ok, the last part of that statement may be subjective, but the first part isn't. She said she had been at Disneyland on opening day and thought that DCA's opening was by far better.<<

God bless her. They didn't have pins or beanie babies back then.


>>This lady was not an annual pass holder, they had a park hopping pass (5 days, 2 of which were spent at DCA alone)<<

Anyone who spends five days at Disneyland at one time is hardly a sampling of the general public.

[ErikBsandiego]

What remains in doubt is whether DCA will add rides that equal the best of the e-tickets at DL (Pirates, HM, Space Mountain, Indy, and Matterhorn [and for some Small world). What makes these rides special is that for many guests they do something remarkable for an amusement park ride - create cult followings and loyalty.

Now as many will point out - NONE of these rides were in place in 1955. They came later.

I personally think ToT will be a good addition and am looking forward to it. I also believe, if they do the "theming right" it will help create "fan loyalty". But DCA desperately needs one or 2 more E-tixs that do the same thing. Without it, they will remain a very overpriced park that appeals to AP holders only as a place to "get away from the crowds"

[Morrigoon]

originally posted by DisneyGuy03
There were more attractions at DCA when it first opened than when Disneyland first opened and the ones when DCA opened were all more spectacular than the ones when Disneyland opened.

Walt didn't count bread baking and tortilla making among his list of attractions, let alone as 2 separate ones.

There was only one movie attraction (the Main St Cinema) and even that had all different old-time movies running through it, not the same thing year after year after year.

Walt also made a POINT of not making his park look like the carnies he detested so much. No exposed-structure roller coasters (in fact none at all until he added the Matterhorn in 1959, and notice how little track you see!) No midway games meant to suck up the cash of little kids who don't realize the games are designed to be nearly impossible to win. No ferris wheel (the ferris wheel, I grant you, is not *all* bad, but it ONLY works in the theme it has, which is fundamentally opposed to what Walt had in mind for Disneyland.)

Steps in Time; while by definition a stage show, it would be a serious stretch to call it entertainment. I have yet to see an elementary school play less entertaining than S.I.T.

Blast is gone

I cannot judge Aladdin, not having seen it yet.

**************************

However, if Disney would just give up on the stupid CA theme, and change it to Disney's America, it would open the door of possibilities wide open for potential attractions that would draw crowds (not to mention good themes for food & merch locations!) But that requires a) admitting they screwed up and the public is not likely to jump on the DCA bandwagon any time soon, and b) loosening the purse strings enough to do things right the first time. This "present cost over life-of-attraction cost" philosophy should be left to the ENRONs of the world. That approach should only be used by companies planning to jack up their value quickly in order to sell out and leave some other poor sucker to clean up the mess. Does anyone here REALLY want to see that happen?

Happy birthday DCA

[DisneyGuy03]

What makes these rides special is that for many guests they do something remarkable for an amusement park ride - create cult followings and loyalty.

Judging by my website, Aladdin has done just this, I know it's not a ride, but it certainly has a loyalty, considering it is the most major part of my website at the moment and I am nearing 300 hits since Jan. 9th, hey for all I know it could be at 300 hits by now. So, judging by this, I would say Aladdin has done just this and I think you are right about TOT and I think, given time, Grizzly will as well, also Disney Animation has done so also.

[DL4EVER]

Well, this is interesting.....so many things to say........I agree that the Disney California Adenture theme isn't that great of an idea, but is presented in a good way and fits since it is IN California. Now granted that they could have done a lot better...........there are some important points to be made.............

1) I was on a trip to Disneyland in 1998 and I saw the land that DCA was built on all dug up......it was not very big at all since it was pretty much built in a PARKING LOT. Now, considering that I think that DCA uses the space wisely. I realise there are not that many noteworthy or Disney type rides.....but what are you comparing that to exactly? Disneyland? DCA isn't Disneyland, wasn't supposed to be Disneyland, and will never be as good as Disneyland, but I think it was presented nicely and is still pretty fun. Poorly presented, but fun.

2)About the carnival games/ride, roller coaster, and ferris wheel issue, the ferris wheel and the roller coaster fits in with the pier theme, most of those carnival games are no more difficult to win than a crane game in one of Disney's hotels, and the carnival rides(orange stinger and other paradise pier rides) fit in with the pier theme, but Bug's Land has no excuse IMO. I do see the fact that they can't exactly go and put anything too cool in Bug's Land, cuz they already had Tough to be a Bug, so what are they to do: put in crappy rides. It was poorly done, but they had to try something and try it fast.........

[Tigertail777]

OK I have to say the "DCA has more than Disneyland's opening" no longer holds water... we are in DCA's what? second, third year? If you look at Disneyland history you will note directly after it opened Walt was constantly adding new great attractions every year. look at how relatively short a time Disneyland was opened, and Walt's death, and how many things were added in that short of space.
Secondly its impossible not to compare DCA with Disneyland, the pricing structure, as well as its physical location make it so. The park is situated right within sight of the gates of Disneyland, if they didnt want so much unwelcomed comparison they should have hid it from view. Plus due to their shortsightedness of pricing this as a sepreate park with an equal price, the public is going to be very slow to forget what they already taught us just from that original price structure: this is a seperate park that must be just as good as Disneyland because it has the same price. You know that saying you never get a second chance to make a first impression? This is very true especially when it comes to entertainment: first impressions are everything... this is why Disneyland, even though it had little to do when it opened, is so fondly remembered: they tried as hard as possible to make a good first impression. I personally beleive that this is why MGM never had as much hateful criticism as DCA.. it had less than DCA to do when it opened, but they tried hard to make a good impression with great theming, good shows right from the start, wonderful topiary and layouts (the whole park is the shape of a Mickey head.. now thats cool!). And then followed up not too long after with a truly groundbreaking first class ride: Tower of Terror...something that was a unique experience that you couldnt get anywhere else.
I will admit DCA has some cool stuff: animation building, soarin, some of paradise pier...there is nothing there truly worth the price they charge..no unique earth shattering new experiences, and certaintly no super detailed theming -MGM's sunset boulevard has more theming than any of the hollywood pictures backlot, heck they even have real period cars parked on the street for picture taking opportunities... (how cool is that??)...I searched real hard for a equally neat picture taking area in hollywood pictures backlot and found none. I was even taking pics of the storefronts, and eating kiosks in MGM the detail of the theming was so cool...not so at DCA.
I went expecting atleast SOME really cool stuff, but found very little... I was highly dissappointed. Even my dad who is really a Disney muggle, was really dissappointed (he wanted to see this new park really bad for some odd reason) he walked out the gates saying "thats it?"
Anyways... if DCA is your cup of tea, then Happy Birthday DCA, and I am sorry about the rant.

[disneyhead]

Well, DisneyGuy03, since you consider A mad mouse to be a great Disney attraction, I am not surprised that you like the park as a whole. I myself consider it to by the definition of what is so incredibly lame about the park, and is a succinct summary of what is wrong with the decision making process that is running rampant through DisCo.'s upper echelon.

As far as the 2nd Anniversary goes, They will go on about the opening of Camp Flik, praise Alladin like it were "The Producers", then stress the "Brand New" Playhouse Disney Live copy, and lastly they will gush endlessly about the "Brand New" ToT Lite copy like it were the secongd coming.

[DisneyGuy03]

OK I have to say the "DCA has more than Disneyland's opening" no longer holds water... we are in DCA's what? second, third year? If you look at Disneyland history you will note directly after it opened Walt was constantly adding new great attractions every year. look at how relatively short a time Disneyland was opened, and Walt's death, and how many things were added in that short of space.

We are getting ready to go into the third year and not counting the bakery or tortilla factory, we still have more attractions at DCA that Disneyland did at the equivelant period in it's history, this is a fact, like it or not.

Secondly its impossible not to compare DCA with Disneyland, the pricing structure, as well as its physical location make it so.

I will agree that the pricing structure should be different for each park, but I still maintain they never should have hadd Flick's Fun Fair, but rather kept it up with what the original intent was, to have a more adult oriented park. If they want to make it kid friendly, remove all alcohol from the park. That sure wouldn't hurt my feelings any anyway, but the point is it was designed ot be mroe for the adults than for Kids, it should have remained that way, it hought the concept was great, but unfortunately they didn't stick with what they wanted to have.

As far as the 2nd Anniversary goes, They will go on about the opening of Camp Flik, praise Alladin like it were "The Producers", then stress the "Brand New" Playhouse Disney Live copy, and lastly they will gush endlessly about the "Brand New" ToT Lite copy like it were the secongd coming.

Hey, I remember hearing things like there will be nothing new announced right around the 1st anniversary and look at what happened......anyone ever think that they might just have something up thier sleeves this time around? If they don't, they need to get something by the 8th.

[jrad32]

Well to each his own. I hope that DCA improves over time, but right now I have to agree with Merlin. It is garbage.

DisneyGuy are you sure your real name isn't Eisner?

[zapppop]

Originally posted by merlinjones
I'll plan to celebrate by taking an enema that day.

LOL!
Do you work for TDA ?


I plan to celebrate DCA's anniversary by clothes shopping in the malls, including a GAP Store ( a tribute to Pressler ), followed by lunch & a movie, and going to DL to ride Casey Jr and watch the fireworks.

[kranders]

Originally posted by DisneyGuy03
If they want to make it kid friendly, remove all alcohol from the park. That sure wouldn't hurt my feelings

Hey, now!!!! Let's not get carried away!

[zapppop]

Originally posted by DisneyGuy03
If they want to make it kid friendly, remove all alcohol from the park

But then how would the adults get through an entire day in DCA ?