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View Full Version : The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2004 thoughts on DCA



Darkbeer
09-16-2003, 10:08 AM
Here are a couple of paragraphs from one of the best read guide books dealing with Disneyland (and Unversal Studios Hollywood) written by Bob Sehlinger...


Then there's the park's theme. Although flexible, possibly even all-encompasing, California Adventure comes off like a default setting, lacking in imagination, weak in concept, and without intrinsic appeal, especially when you stop to consider that two-thirds of Disneyland guests come from Southern California. As further grist for the mill, there's precious little new technology at work in Disney's newest theme park. Of the headliner attractions, only one, Soarin' over California, a simulator ride, breaks new ground. All the rest are recycled, albeit popular, attractions from the Animal Kingdom and Disney-MGM Studios. When you move to the smaller-statured second half of the attraction batting order, it gets worse. Most of these attractions are little more than off-the-shelf midway rides spruced up with a Disney story line and facade.
From a competitive perspective, Disney's California Adventure is an underwhelming shot at Disney's three Southern California competitors. The Hollywood section of DCA takes a hopeful poke at Universal Studios Hollywood, while Paradise Pier offers midway rides a la Six Flags Magic Mountain. Finally, the whole California theme has for years been the eminent domain of Knott's Berry Farm. In short, there's not much originality in DCA, only Disney's now-redundant mantra that "whatever they can do, we can do better."

Now whether you agree or disagree with this is one thing, but the bigger question is what effect that this opinion has, due to the fact that it is read by many more folks than all the Disney websites....

jrad32
09-16-2003, 10:35 AM
I'd say it's a red flag for those who may not be real familiar with the parks. If you're in Oregon or Idaho or somewhere, thinking about a DLR trip you maybe look at this book. I think it says pretty clearly go to DL for a day if you want on your vacation to SoCal, but you can skip DCA.

I'd say that's pretty good advice.

merlinjones
09-16-2003, 10:41 AM
>>Then there's the park's theme. Although flexible, possibly even all-encompasing, California Adventure comes off like a default setting, lacking in imagination, weak in concept, and without intrinsic appeal, especially when you stop to consider that two-thirds of Disneyland guests come from Southern California. As further grist for the mill, there's
precious little new technology at work in Disney's newest theme park. Of the headliner attractions, only one, Soarin' over California, a simulator ride, breaks new ground. All the rest are recycled, albeit popular, attractions from the Animal Kingdom and Disney-MGM Studios. When you move to the smaller-statured second half of the attraction batting order, it gets worse. Most of these attractions are little more than off-the-shelf midway rides spruced up with a Disney story line and facade. From a competitive perspective, Disney's California Adventure is an underwhelming shot at Disney's three Southern California competitors. The Hollywood section of DCA takes a
hopeful poke at Universal Studios Hollywood, while Paradise Pier offers midway rides a la Six Flags Magic Mountain. Finally, the whole California theme has for years been the eminent domain of Knott's Berry Farm. In short, there's not much originality in DCA, only Disney's now-redundant mantra that "whatever they can do, we can do better."<<

The only two words in this review I disagee with are "albeit popular".

Disneyphile
09-16-2003, 11:11 AM
Hopefully the outlook will change a bit when ToT opens. Hopefully.