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DISNEYloon
10-11-2004, 08:45 PM
Hello.......

Just wondering why people don't like DCA, I have been 3 times now and it's not bad. It's not 'Disneyland', but then again, I don't think they intended it to be Disneyland.

I personally think they could add more attractions, or 'dark rides', but I don't think it's all THAT bad.

Looking forward to your replies........... :)

Earkid
10-11-2004, 08:51 PM
I try not to compare DCA to DL. I really love the Aladin Show, GRR and Soarin'. I just wish there was enough there to make the entire day worthwhile.

DefyingGravity
10-11-2004, 08:54 PM
I actually really like DCA. I always have fun there. It doesn't have the same deep atmosphere as DL, but I think it's a very fun, energetic park. Course, I am 15, so I may be who they were aiming for.

sediment
10-11-2004, 08:59 PM
It sucks money out of DL, due to its high cost and low attendance and to the fact that the Resort area is financially analyzed in total.
That's why I don't like DCA.

Disneyfreak
10-11-2004, 09:04 PM
I think that DCA has potential if they would just give it the atmosphere that Disneyland has. I also think it needs way more rides to make it worth what they ask to get in.

sediment
10-11-2004, 09:14 PM
It was built for a different type of market. Many guests are AP-holding day-trippers in a 75-mile radius of the place. With DCA, there is now more to do than a day will allow. And since the themes of the two parks do not mesh well (fantasy vs reality), it becomes impossible not to compare the two.

SCUBAbe
10-11-2004, 09:44 PM
Whats not to like? I LOVE DCA! On most visits we spend more time there than at DL.:)

Vegitabeta
10-11-2004, 10:43 PM
Course, I am 15, so I may be who they were aiming for.

Hehe, same here, I'm 15 and I think DCA is a really cool place to be. Fair enough, it's not Disneyland, but it's something different to do. There wouldn't be much point having to parks almost the same as easchother just across the street.

Tigertail777
10-11-2004, 10:44 PM
Ok seeing how yer a newbee I will try not to get into one of my usual tirades about this issue (I have gotten extremely passionate in the past over this on more than one occassion).

The detail of the lands the attractions are in is not the kind of immersive indepth detail that I, or most people expect from Disney. Aside from Disneyland studios Paris, this is the most bare bone park Disney has ever done when it comes to intricate details, even MGM was far more immersive.

The "mixed message" of the park: is it supposed to only cater to teens and thrill seekers, or is it supposed to be a family park? If its the first category, then in my opinion the rides are not "thrilling" enough to compete with six flags or the best of Knotts. If its the latter, there isnt enough for ALL of the family to do with so many height restriction rides, and small kiddy rides that dont cater to the broad spectrum of ages.

The theming to several attractions themselves is mixed and not well thought out; soarin' for instance was originally billed as a hang gliding experience, however the preflight film is themed to airplanes as is the entire que. The way the ride actually works makes more sense as a hang gliding experience: ever been able to smell orange groves on a airplane?

Frankly to me personally, the layout of the park is quite confusing, and shows they did very little traffic flow tests.

Paradise pier flies in the face of exactly the kind of thing Walt said he didnt want his place to be. That aside, the turn of the century seaside theming is very spotty and incomplete. If you want to see how theming for something like that SHOULD be done, pay attention to the American Waterfront part of Tokyo Disneyseas; the costumes are all very authentic the cast members wear, and the land theming is equally authentic down to the tiniest details. If they are recreating something as cool as a seaside resort during the 1900's, then it needs to show that in every last detail. Otherwise, without that detail, it just becomes a lame excuse to put in cheap carnival rides.

Overall, there just wasnt much thought put into the entire park. There needed to be a whole lot more testing and research before they even thought of opening DCA. It does not have the same showmans quality and care that Disney has become known for, instead it seems like they took components directly from competing parks and added light theming and snazzy names, then tried to make people beleive it was the same quality that they have always done.

and yes, compared to my other rants, this one is quite short on this topic. LOL ;)

sdfilmcritic
10-11-2004, 11:20 PM
The thing I don't like about it is there's not as many E-Ticket like attractions and Disneyland does. But DCA does gain some major points for the California themed atmosphere and the kick back stress free environment. I like DCA when I want to slow down a little more and take a breather.

DLRCM
10-11-2004, 11:48 PM
I personally love DCA. There are a few reasons why. First, its less crowded. Some days I just feel like roaming around without having to dodge baby strollers, guests who walk at a very slow pace, working CMs, etc. DCA has a lot more room to move around (Actually, the walkways there are just plain wide. If you notice, there's tons of room to walk). So whenever I feel like going to DLR, but don't want to walk at the crowds slow pace, I'll go to DCA. Secondly, I'm a California born girl. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. I love CA and love having a park entirely built upon it. I now live in Los Angeles (which I hate!) but love walking through the Redwood and San Francisco areas of the park, because it reminds me of my home and the family that I miss so much. I do agree with the previous posters that said it has to do with age. I am 20 and feel that this park was built with the intentions of drawing an older crowd. DL does draw a crowd, but for the older folks it can be a bit overwhelming with crying children and such (I mean, the early 20s people, or the people with no kids. I have noticed that most older folks go with their children). DCA is almost like a more grown up park with CA Screamin' and Tower of Terror, etc. But it also still has that "Disney touch" to still shine through. It's not at all like comparing a Disney park to Magic Moutain. Because Disney will always hold something else over any other theme park.

Darkbeer
10-12-2004, 04:41 AM
"It's not at all like comparing a Disney park to Magic Moutain. Because Disney will always hold something else over any other theme park."

^ But that isn't true, look at this rating of the parks...

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/allparks_rating.cfm





Sea World Orlando (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Sea%20World%20Orlando&Park=Sea%20World%20Orlando) - 7.8
Islands of Adventure (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Universal%20Orlando&Park=Islands%20of%20Adventure) - 7.74
Disney-MGM Studios (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Walt%20Disney%20World&Park=Disney%2DMGM%20Studios) - 7.62
Tokyo DisneySea (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Tokyo%20Disney%20Resort&Park=Tokyo%20DisneySea) - 7.57
Universal Studios Florida (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Universal%20Orlando&Park=Universal%20Studios%20Florida) - 7.48
Cedar Point (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Cedar%20Point&Park=Cedar%20Point) - 7.47
Universal Studios Hollywood (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Universal%20Studios%20Hollywood&Park=Universal%20Studios%20Hollywood) - 7.32
Busch Gardens Williamsburg (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Busch%20Gardens%20Williamsburg&Park=Busch%20Gardens%20Williamsburg) - 7.3
Sea World San Diego (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Sea%20World%20San%20Diego&Park=Sea%20World%20San%20Diego) - 7.19
Dollywood (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Dollywood&Park=Dollywood) - 7.18
Epcot (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Walt%20Disney%20World&Park=Epcot) - 7.14
Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Walt%20Disney%20World&Park=Magic%20Kingdom) - 7.13
Disneyland Park (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Disneyland&Park=Magic%20Kingdom) - 7.07
Disney's Animal Kingdom (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Walt%20Disney%20World&Park=Disney%27s%20Animal%20Kingdom) - 7.06
Six Flags Over Georgia (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Six%20Flags%20Over%20Georgia&Park=Six%20Flags%20Over%20Georgia) - 7.06
Kings Island (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Kings%20Island&Park=Kings%20Island) - 7.03
Busch Gardens Tampa (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Busch%20Gardens%20Tampa&Park=Busch%20Gardens%20Tampa) - 6.95
Kings Dominion (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Kings%20Dominion&Park=Kings%20Dominion) - 6.94
Alton Towers (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Alton%20Towers&Park=Alton%20Towers) - 6.94
Six Flags Great America (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Six%20Flags%20Great%20America&Park=Six%20Flags%20Great%20America) - 6.94
Legoland California (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Legoland%20California&Park=Legoland%20California) - 6.84
Knott's Berry Farm (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Knott%27s%20Berry%20Farm&Park=Knott%27s%20Berry%20Farm) - 6.83
Thorpe Park (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Thorpe%20Park&Park=Thorpe%20Park) - 6.75
Blackpool Pleasure Beach (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Blackpool%20Pleasure%20Beach&Park=Blackpool%20Pleasure%20Beach) - 6.72
Canada's Wonderland (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Canada%27s%20Wonderland&Park=Canada%27s%20Wonderland) - 6.71
Disneyland Paris (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Disneyland%20Paris&Park=Magic%20Kingdom) - 6.69
Six Flags Magic Mountain (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Six%20Flags%20Magic%20Mountain&Park=Six%20Flags%20Magic%20Mountain) - 6.64
Six Flags Great Adventure (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Six%20Flags%20Great%20Adventure&Park=Six%20Flags%20Great%20Adventure) - 6.57
California Adventure (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Disneyland&Park=California%20Adventure) - 6.57
Geauga Lake (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Geauga%20Lake&Park=Geauga%20Lake) - 6.22
La Ronde (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=La%20Ronde&Park=La%20Ronde) - 6.2
Hersheypark (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Hersheypark&Park=Hersheypark) - 5.8
Great America (http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Great%20America&Park=Great%20America) - 5.36

I Heart Disneyland!
10-12-2004, 04:58 AM
Personally, I have to agree with those who mentioned it is just lacking something magical. My opinion may be slanted in DL favor since I've been going there since the 1960's, BUT, I have given DCA a good chance and I always end up wanting to leave and head back across the sidewalk to DL. There's not as much in the way of shade or foliage, there is a cold feeling over there that I don't like. I DO love Soaring and Bug's Life is kind of cute, (but gets old, if you consider I will ride POTC over and over, but, wouldn't sit through Bug's Life the same way) but, overall....like I said...I go in there for about an hour and find myself ALWAYS wanting to get back to the other side of the walkway! :)

mousey_girl
10-12-2004, 05:09 AM
My mom had not been to DL in over 27 years. We took her to both parks Saturday. We spent the morning at DL and the afternoon at DCA. I plan on taking her back to DL so that we can spend more time in the areas that we missed. We spent less time at DCA and we hit all areas of the park.

On the way home I asked her what she thought of DCA. She said she liked it but that she thought there wasn't enough to do.

She has back issues so we had to be careful what rides we took her on. At DL she was able to ride all of the dark rides, Pirates and JC without a problem. At DCA the only thing she was really able to ride was Soarin'. She did go on Francis' Lady Bug Boogie with The Boy, but said that even though it was short she had problems when the cars went from one disk to the other.

DL seems to have way more rides that can appeal to almost everyone. DCA is lacking this.

I try not to compare the 2 parks, but since they are both on the same piece of property it is not easy to do. DCA will always be the step-sibling of DL. No matter what improvments they make it will always pale in comparison to the original.

Brian Noble
10-12-2004, 05:24 AM
I'm not sure how much stock to put in TPIs ratings of nearly anything, based on how my experience jives with what TPIs "readers" think. I may just be counter to the mainstream, but here are some observations based on my own opinions of the list Darkbeer posted.

Cedar Point is great, (and my home park,) but I don't know that I'd put it above all but two Disney parks.

Disneyland Paris is phenomenal, and vastly better than Knott's or SFGAm (both fine parks in their own right.) It may be my favorite "castle" park of the three I've seen (MK, DL, DLP).

I've not yet been to Disney/MGM, so I'll withhold a judgement here. But, I'd be surprised if *any* other group of people would vote it their favorite Disney park.

There are other things about this list that do jive with my experience: namely the ihigh ratings for Dollywood and BGW: both great places, and if you find yourself in the appalachians or the mid-atlantic, you should visit. I'll also add two other parks you should visit whenever you're within striking distance: Kennywood and Holiday World.

I happen to like DCA. It isn't Disneyland, but that's precisely the point---build something that extends the average guest stay, and increases attendance overall at the resort. On the former metric, it seems that DCA is a success. On the latter, not so much. I also happen to like Paradise Pier, but that's because I'm an amusement park history buff, and the recreations of the (one of a kind) Coney Island Wonder Wheel and the (fast disappearing) Traver Swing are both good efforts. There are some duds to be sure (maliboomer), but what park hasn't had a few?

blondiemouse
10-12-2004, 07:38 AM
Darkbeers used these self appointed experts chart thingy to back up his case before-the problem with it is LOTS of people ( I think you need to be crazy to agree with their rankings in general not just DCA ) do not agree with them :mad:

dlandnut
10-12-2004, 08:29 AM
I like CA. Of course it's not DL, but I have been there on many occasions and enjoy it for what it is. My favorite? Of course, it has to be 'Soarin. I like being able to relax a bit, walk around, feel the spirit. I think a few more attractions would be great and assume that enough people have made that known to the "Disney chiefs" so that they are hopefully working on something to improve the whole CA concept. My least favorite part? The Paradise Pier area. I'm not big on ferris wheels, etc. Favorite: Soarin and the Corn Dogs. Also enjoy "It's Tough to be a Bug". :)

3894
10-12-2004, 08:41 AM
DCA confused my girls, ages 12 and 14.

Reasons:

They didn't understand the absence of Disney characters, music, and films.

The boardwalk area for them was Chicago's Navy Pier. What's so California about that?, they wondered.

That Whoopi Goldberg film about California - Golden Dreams? - felt provincial and self-congratulatory to them. You're not a Californian? Then you're a hick from the sticks.

EandCDad
10-12-2004, 08:58 AM
I hate the Golden Dreams movie, but I have to sit through it every time I go since my 7 year old loves it. I'm not sure why someone wouldn't expect a movie about California in a park about California to be positive towards the people of California.

I think some people don't like DCA for the same reason some people don't like chocolate ice cream, people have different tastes.

3894
10-12-2004, 09:01 AM
I'm not sure why someone wouldn't expect a movie about California in a park about California to be positive towards the people of California.

It's one thing to be positive, another to repetitively insist that California is the place where dreams come true.

sediment
10-12-2004, 09:04 AM
You're not a Californian? Then you're a hick from the sticks.
You're absolutely right. We shouldn't be saying that out loud, in front of the hicks. Just not polite.

SCUBAbe
10-12-2004, 09:05 AM
The boardwalk area for them was Chicago's Navy Pier. What's so California about that?, they wondered.

my parents loved the boardwalk area and said it was just like the pike they used to go to when they were young. They got the california connection right away. Also, the more they goto DCA the more they like it. :) Their only complaints are it's hotter than DL and the loud music everywhere. I still LOVE it..:)

EandCDad
10-12-2004, 09:07 AM
I guess guests from other states might be hyper-sensitive, best they should stick to the Muppets 3-D.

3894
10-12-2004, 09:09 AM
I guess guests from other states might be hyper-sensitive, best they should stick to the Muppets 3-D.

Hey, I'm just telling you what two Midwestern girls thought of DCA. Since the target for DCA is not actual Californians, maybe that perspective is worthy of articulation, anyway.

sediment
10-12-2004, 09:10 AM
Only took 11 posts before someone states that she likes DCA because it's less crowded.
That's how it's ruining DL. That's why I don't like it. If it weren't directly ruining DL by sucking out some of the budget (and hopefully CM Matt has corrected this), I wouldn't have a problem with it.

That list by DarkBeer needs to have the not-theme-parks removed. I'll let the Universals stay, since movie-making seems to be the theme. But Cedar Point, no matter how cool it is (and it is), is not a theme park. Unless one wants to equate "theme" with "amusement."