Fixing Disney's California Adventure

[TimmyII]

Okay, I know there's a lot of talk on what to do with Disney's California Adventure and scrapping the whole thing and retheming everything is not a viable nor cost effective solution (from a shareholder's perspective--which I am).
There are much easier solutions such as moving the "California movie" with Whoopi Goldberg to the main entrance so it can INFORM people on what California is all about and how important California is to the United States. They might even want to make a new film to showcase that further explain what things California has (like boardwalks, bay area, redwoods, hollywood, etc).
Even simple videos or plaques that give information on why boardwalks are important to California, or why Redwoods are important to California, or why San Francisco, and canneries, and such are important to California! Let people know WHY these features and "lands" in California Adventure were chosen.......why aviation/planes, etc are IMPORTANT to California!
Don't assume that everyone knows all the important things in California. Eveyone knows why Hollywood is important.....but for a lot of people, that's all they know about California! There's so much more! Use it as a SHOWCASE for California!!!
Simple solutions. What does everyone think?

[NCTJoe]

very good ideas.

I think a lot of people aren't very familiar with California's history..
A. Not everyone lives in California
B. The average Californian only learns the state's history in 4th grade, and thats mainly a focus on the gold rush.

Small tasteful plaques at the entrances to each of the areas would remind the guests why they're entering a giant boardwalk or a demo farm.

I recently took a California History class, and I found it to be very entertaining, and interesting. I think most people would be to, if they were exposed to at least some of the stories.

[TimmyII]

Thank you, that is exactly my point! Having a film on the "history" of California WAY in the BACK doesn't do anyone any good! It should be at the front of the park to help kick off your adventure through California!

[arrowfanman]

I recently took a California History class, and I found it to be very entertaining, and interesting. I think most people would be to, if they were exposed to at least some of the stories.

Thats the thing! Having historical attractions isn't about "In 19--, this thing happened in CA". Its about the stories. If attractions were made that way, the history wouldn't even be questioned.

[simba_one]

Originally Posted by arrowfanman

Thats the thing! Having historical attractions isn't about "In 19--, this thing happened in CA". Its about the stories. If attractions were made that way, the history wouldn't even be questioned.

I visited California last Summer for vacation and found the State absolutely amazing - probably became more interested because I am already nuts about the US and am from London so Californian life is totally different from what I'm used to over here. Only visited the tourist areas but what I saw was beautiful and breathtaking!!! I understand how DCA may seem a little boring to some CA residents but as you guys have said there's a lot more to learn and discover about California than DCA shows. They really need to take advantage of California's history. I learnt quite a bit from my vacation but would absolutely love to learn more. And plaques and such placed around the park would do that - and in my opinion they would be a great addition to the park. I love the existing theming of the park however, I do think it needs a new land. Someone mentioned (in another thread) the other day a Wild West Land. Nice idea but it'd get ripped to pieces by everyone for it being too similar to Dl's Frontierland. I do like the rumor of a Test Track being put in the Timon parking lot though so that could bring a whole new land of its own. A lot of the park is based around So Cal though - I went to San Francisco too and it's completely different to So Cal. Something paying homage to the North of the State would be nice. As much as I love the South, the North deserved to be represented too. Even though I did not enjoy my time in the North whatsoever - mainly because my luggage was left in Vegas and I was told I mey never get it back. I'm sure it would have been a slightly different story if that wouldn't have happened though. Not too much though - the North is NOTHING compared to the South.

Back on track though - having visited three of the Disney's around the World, I have to say that DCA rates very highly on my list of great parks. There's no way it should ever be torn down and started over. There's nothing wrong with it as it is. Just add a little more theming (break away from the typical CA and show guests a different side to CA - the side they may not know of or have not thought about since as someone said 4th Grade) and it'll be a hit!!!

[JayandSara]

I say we wait a couple of years and see what they have planned. With the Monsters Inc. ride coming, I'm curious to see what will be done in the space that housed the limo ride and the now extinct Millionare. That entire corner area is pretty big and could fit a few decent rides. I'm sure we'll see DCA change quite a bit in the next few years. I love it the way it is, and I'm optomistic about what it can be.

[RankoAnime]

Originally Posted by TimmyII

Thank you, that is exactly my point! Having a film on the "history" of California WAY in the BACK doesn't do anyone any good! It should be at the front of the park to help kick off your adventure through California!

And you'd be amazed at how many people don't even KNOW that there's a film there! SO many people just walk past the building. The only time I see people acknowledging it is when they see a CM standing there, then they ask "Oh, is there something here?"

[TimmyII]

Again, you are right......there are tons of people that don't even know there's a film that talks about California in that building. Terrible, just terrible.

[NCTJoe]

Originally Posted by TimmyII

Again, you are right......there are tons of people that don't even know there's a film that talks about California in that building. Terrible, just terrible.

I think Golden Dreams has become a bit like "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln", in that it just doesnt have a lot of appeal to younger people or familes. I think Disney hurt itself when they cut the budget on this attraction.

Had it originally been the animatronic-fest that it was originally concieved to be, I'm sure it could have had much more attendance, maybe even comparable to Soarin'.

While the film is rather effective (i think) there is absolutely no repeat factor there. Unlike Lincoln, where you can go back to marvel at his lifelike movements. And Whoopi Goldberg just isnt as bankable as she was. I hope this attraction gets "beautified" next. And by beautified, I mean put in with animatronics. Theres some room behind the building that it might be possible. Maybe a combination of tronics, and some film clips would prove to be effective, and space efficent.

When we look back to when the attraction was opened, (then prez) Paul Pressler said it was the heart of the theme park. And indeed it is the only place where you can genuinely learn about California. Its a shame they didnt put more heart into the heart.

[TimmyII]

Great idea. It'd be more like the American Adventure in EPCOT at WDW where you go on an adventure through time with Mark Twain and Ben Franklin.

[simba_one]

Originally Posted by RankoAnime

And you'd be amazed at how many people don't even KNOW that there's a film there! SO many people just walk past the building. The only time I see people acknowledging it is when they see a CM standing there, then they ask "Oh, is there something here?"

I have to admit during my first few visits to the park I didn't know there was a film in there but the building caught my attention (it's absolutely beautiful) so I checked it out!!

[Burn.e]

DCA is an incredable and I think that themeing rides on certain aspects of California is far enough. Movies and ect are great, but with all due respect not alot go to Disneyland for a History lesson of California. I would much pretend to fly over the rocky's as in Soarin'.

DCA was obviously an attempt to get some of the rediculoud queues from Disneyland elsewhere... and failed misrebly. What is needed to get the park attracting more of the resort's guest's it some more advertising, and a new big substantial ride like an inverted coaster with lot's of Disney quality themeing... and perhaps an dark ride like a 5D which can be seen the world's best type of ride. This would really raise the parks credibility!

[Wendell]

Maybe they should make the park bigger! Close the extra parking lot and EXTEND it! Maybe make like a land about the islands off California's Shore, like Catalina and Santa Cruz. Since those islands were made by volcanoes, you can make a volcano mountain ride! Make it HOT inside and race through it evading lava falls! Oh well, just make the park bigger is the point.

[TimmyII]

I think there should be an area that resembles the pueblo in the TV show Zorro....with some kind of Zorro ride! YEAH! Zorro!

[JayandSara]

How about using that parking lot to create a new land that highlights one of the best features of California...Hollywood and Vine at midnight on a Saturday! Hey! I love DCA, so can't I knock it once in a while???