NewHotels,LittleMermaidRide,New "E-Ticket" 4 Tomorrowland,GoldenDreams 2 B Demolished

[innerSpaceman]

Originally Posted by alphabassettgrrl

Ok, I'm really excited to see what they do with the Hollywood Backlot. Those changes sound really really great. Actually theming it to California in the twenties and thirties- cool. Yeah.

Meh, I don't think putting stores inside those same storefronts will make much of a difference to the feel of that area. The fact that they are not planning on making the whole, exceedingly boring and concrete-plaza-era area near Monsters Inc. part of the "real Hollywood" re-theme is exceedingly disappointing. Fixing up the Hyperion Theater is a good idea, but everything else planned for the Hollywood area seems like very little is to change.

Originally Posted by Mousey Girl

My only problem with what they are doing in the row houses is that it brings back memories of all the promo hype they did with DCa when it was being planned. We got all excited about it, based on the plans and concept art that we saw. It was just a let down to see that 90% of the ideas had been scrapped.

Well, to be fair, the one inside Disneyland way-back-when was almost always full of "Coming Soon" models and materials for attractions and areas that never materialized.

If that's what the new one ends up as, it will be continuing a grand tradition!

[RStar]

I remember the corner of those row of houses being used twicw- once for an arcade durring the X-games, and once at Christmas durring Illiminaria for the Christmas cards made by kids durring the show.

[Kevy Baby]

When I think of Route 66 (the road), I do not think of California (yes, I know it runs through and terminates there). I think of it more as a "Discovering America" kind of ideology.

[RStar]

That's true, most of Rout 66 wasn't even in California.

I think this plan of "Walt Disney's" California Adventure could work out to be the best thing that has ever happened to the parking lot since they first ripped it up. They're pumping a lot of money into it, and trying to add magic to the mix this time. Focusing on Walt could bring people to Anahiem to see just that park! Imagine that!

But where will the APs hang after they take out our lounge?? Kinda sucks for us APs when both parks will be packed to the gills. But that's what it takes to get change. And if this works, we could see the third gate open some time.

But all this success has ruined one thing for me......

The off season. There doesn't seem to be one any more. To go and stroll around the park with very little traffic, to walk on any ride in 10 minutes or less. Those days seem to be gone. I haven't really seen them since Indy opened.

[innerSpaceman]

Is Walt Disney going to be a character roaming the new park?


If not, I don't see where the Walt aspect comes in. "California as Walt would have seen it" is kinda vague. Even if they throw in a replica of the old Hyperion Studio Bldg., I don't think that makes the lame California thing any more that 0.000002 Walt. And I don't think anyone will fall for it.

Cosmetic improvements are not going to "fix" DCA. And, as we've already seen, big attractions are not going to fix it either. The entire concept is flawed at the core.

Yes, prettier would be better. Yes, better rides would be better. A better DCA will still be DCA.


Don't throw away your AP Lounge membership just yet.

[Gn2Dlnd]

What fixes DCA then? Complete bulldozing? I'm serious, how do you take what's there and create a compelling Disney theme park experience? I know how I'd do it, looks like John Lasseter and the gang are going in a different direction. How would you do it?

I'm on my way to Century City to sell the cheez today, when I get home I'll post what I've always thought would be an easy and elegant fix. Not that they're coming anywhere near using my version of a good idea, but I'll post it anyway.

LoTters, what's your good idea?

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by RStar

But where will the APs hang after they take out our lounge??

Same place we always have: the Grand Cal

[RStar]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

Same place we always have: the Grand Cal

Oh, ya. That's right!

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Is Walt Disney going to be a character roaming the new park?

That's an idea I was just discussing this morning. I hear the Disney family won't allow an AA Walt, but how would the public react to a ride about Walt with him as an AA in it I wonder?

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

If not, I don't see where the Walt aspect comes in. "California as Walt would have seen it" is kinda vague. Even if they throw in a replica of the old Hyperion Studio Bldg., I don't think that makes the lame California thing any more that 0.000002 Walt. And I don't think anyone will fall for it.

I'm not so sure. There are a lot of fans of Walt out there, and that just may be the connection needed to make the California theme relitive to a Disney theme park.

But Walt or no Walt, the biggest complaint of the park (other than lack of E-Ticket rides) is the lack of "Magic". The magic is in part being transported to another time or place. As DCA stands it neither. Bringing it into another time should at least help that. Combine that with more rides and a better looking park, and it just may work. A complete fix that will skyrocket it's popularity past that of Disneyland? Of course not. I guess what our expectations are is what sets our level of success in the remake of this park. Right now I liken it to the same level as DtD or The Block of Orange. If it can reach the level of Knott's I'd be happy .

[innerSpaceman]

I don't think even another time period in California is enough of a transport to a different time or place. Sure, California 50 years ago is better than just plain California - - for a park located IN CALIFORNIA.


But I think an entirely different theme is the necessary starting point. The tourist mix is never going to be optimal for a California park in California, and I don't even think that kind of thing works for tourists anyway. If I go to France, a theme park about France is not going to substitute for me seeing France.

The idea, I'm sure, was for the park to substitute for visiting the rest of California ... and that is simply insulting on top of being absofreakinglutely boring.


At this point, if I were to bulldoze DCA and not put up a parking lot, I'd have to stick with Disney tried and true ... and either go with Disney Seas or a concept worked-on forever, like Disney's America. Personally, if going for the proven rather than the gamble, I'd flood most of DCA, and build World Showcase West.


FYI, neither World Showcase nor Disney Seas are long on attractions. They are little more than stunningly beautiful environments ... and I think California Adventure would come a long way if it weren't just so damn ugly.


Having a nonsensical layout doesn't help either. Heheh, WorldShowcasicizing it would solve that right quick.

[RStar]

I agree there. California theme in CA in just plain dumb. If they theme it to JUST Walt then perhaps it would have a chance. So this could inlude his time in MO on the farm (Bountiful Farms area), but anything else before that would be boring. Would you follow the exploits of a young Walt delivering newspapers in Kansas as a dark ride? Or in France durring the war? The rest that is interesting about Walt happened in CA. But that's not to say CA has to be pushed. Walt could be the main attraction. Heck, if Dolly Pardon can do it, why not Walt? Waltworld anyone??

But, as we all know, they will not start all over with a new theme park. They won't claim failure. I agree with you that it won't completely fix the problem 100%, but if it takes it from 30% to 80%, that worth doing. Plus, I'm hopeing Disney Seas becomes the third gate!