What is CA-adven?

[Cynthia]

No, I am not asking the "what is art" question, more what were they thinking?
I have just moved back to CA after a couple of decades in Albuquerque (yes that means I am a hick) have to say I am a bit confused by the California Adventure. . . what is the intent? To my eyes it was rather –sterile- though some of the deco-eesque buildings were pretty.

[Ghoulish Delight]

First off, welcome! Pull up to the swank bar, grab yourself a and get comfy.

As to your question...how much time ya' got?

The short answer - when California Adventure (aka DCA, aka the parking lot) was built, the man in charge (Paul Pressler) was known more for his ability to run shopping malls than amusement parks. In many ways, look no further than how much more well themed the shop interiors are than the rest of the park to understand where DCA went wrong.

Combine consumerism-centered thinking with radical cost-cutting, and a theme that doesn't inspire much in the way of Disney-esque fantasy and creativity and voila, you've got a recipe for bland.

That said, there is some evidence that the company has recognized those shortcomings and is working to rectify. IF (and I stress the IF) the plans they've presented in the "blue sky" display are executed with the level of imagination and commitment that Disneyland once stood for, they stand a good chance of setting the park on a much better path. But only time will tell.

[RStar]

Welcome Cynthia!

Yes, what GD said. It's a missguided attempt for sure.

But to elaborate a bit as well, the 1 Billion $ makeover is suppose to do something that was missing to that park. When you step into Disneyland you are transported to 1) another time, 2) another place, or 3) another reality. When you step into Magic Mountain you step into a place with rides. No escape from the real world, but fun just the same. It's that escape from reality that sets Disneyland apart. When you step into DCA, you leave California and enter the amazing world of....California! Now, I love California, but the Disney touch of transporting to another place is missing.

Enter the fix- "Walt Disney's California Adventure" (working name in progress). It is suppose to become the California of the 1920's when Walt first stepped off the train to start the Walt Disney Bros studios with his brother Roy. They are also adding a whole new land (the first added to the park for the resort since Toontown), and at least one new E Ticket ride as well.

But as GD said, time will tell if it works.

[Cynthia]

Well that explains everything, they should just mow the thing down and put up a parking lot.
Or better yet send all the rides and attractions that have been pulled over there- call it retroland!

[innerSpaceman]

To judge by the first improvements. No.

Paradise Pier was supposed to evoke the old-time beach-pier amusement zones of bygone days. At night, if often succeeds in looking pretty. But it never bore close examination, because all the buildings and rides were done in a plain-wrap, ugly concrete style of bland-personified.

Now that the buildings have been re-done as Victorian beauties - the result is a much prettier land of total boredom and blandness. And this DESPITE the addition of one of the resorts most improbably fun attractions - Midway Mania.


Fixing up the way California Adventure looks is going to be like putting lipstick on a pig. Taking designed-for-Disneyland attractions like The Little Mermaid Ride and sticking them in DCA will not work either. The entire experience is unappealing. They are not changing the basic theme, just the window dressing.

Even though there will be pretty to look at, and some attractions you might actually enjoy - it will not be a place wonderful to BE AT.



If you don't "get" California Adventure, you're in good company.

[flippyshark]

I was born in Albuquerque, and attended UNM there for a couple of years. Much of my immediate family are still there. I love visiting, especially during balloon season, and I miss access to good New Mexican food so bad it hurts sometimes.

Everything they said about DCA with buttons on.

Welcome to the Lounge!

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Paradise Pier was supposed to evoke the old-time beach-pier amusement zones of bygone days. At night, if often succeeds in looking pretty. But it never bore close examination, because all the buildings and rides were done in a plain-wrap, ugly concrete style of bland-personified.

I've been to Atlantic City, Ocean City and Bethany recently. "Plain-wrap, ugly concrete style of bland-personified" is a very good description. I guess they copied the boardwalks as-is and forgot to Disneyfi them.

[Morrigoon]

Oh you'll fit in just fine around these parts! LOL

DCA is Disney's attempt to give out-of-state visitors a glimpse of the diversity of CA (so that they stay in the Resort area rather than visit it themselves). Basically, to inspire longer visits from non-locals who are known to spend more per day on a DL visit than local guests, who make up a good 80% of the visitor base.

It's symptomatic of the Florida-centric attitude the company takes toward the theme parks division. Rather than figuring out how best to make money off the guests we get, they're trying to attract more guests like the ones Florida gets. That way they can just take the same approach with both Resorts and won't that make life easier for them. DL guests behave differently/are a diff kind of consumer than WDW guests.

[Not Afraid]

Cynthia, are you stalking me?


Welcome to LoT. The best answer to DCA is "Why?".

[Snowflake]

Welcome to LoT.

Well, I enjoyed Tower of Terror. Fun and made for a cool group shot.

Otherwise, I've spent probably less than 2 hours in DCA and felt my visit was overlong. :-(