Why Wasn't DCA a big hit?

[DxCxAxSummer2012]

It's Feb 8 2001 and DCA finally opens what are your personal prespectives why wasn't DCA a big hit?

And will this park ever be a big hit with all these changes happenning now?

[Chris]

I want to put this out there; this thread is likely going to get a lot of negative response and will be closed it things get out of hand.

[TuesdayBear]

When the park broke ground for DCA, we were told that it would be a celebration of California... a place for people to see the Sierras, Hollywood, San Francisco, etc. all in one place.

When I heard that, my initial thought was, "Why the heck would I come to Anaheim, spend dollars and time that I could be spending at Disneyland, and see what basically amounts to a papier mache version of the real thing. After all, we live in California, and I can go see the real Sierras, or the real San Francisco, any time I want! And the real Hollywood is practically around the corner!" Most of my friends felt the same way, and none of us ever had any desire to go to DCA.

I just honestly think that a second gate might have been more palatable if the concept didn't include advertising things that Californians and tourists can easily go see in actuality.

Do I think it will be successful after the refurb? Possibly. The thing is, Disneyland itself has that magical quality to it because it is so rooted in childhood memories. You are allowed to feel like a child again when you go there. Even at the time it opened, before people had developed fond memories of it, lands like Frontierland, Tomorrowland, and Fantasyland really appealed to the interests of children in the 1950s. I don't think DCA really appeals to children in the same way, and that's where your fan base is going to start.

I think that things like the new plans for Carsland have the potential to reach out to children in ways that DCA just hasn't done so far. My 3 YO son and his peers have a good chance to be enthralled by it in the same way that my mom and her western-loving friends were enthralled by Frontierland in the 1950s. Depending on the quality of what Disney puts in Carsland, that may keep my son and his peers coming back for those fond childhood memories for the rest of their lives.

However, it's going to take a lot more than one land to do that, and I'm not sure if the rest of the refurb plans have enough "magic" in them that would appeal to a child.

[DisneyDennis]

because DCA isn't Tokyo Sea. they even opened on the same year.

[mickeymania1]

The park flopped big time because unlike Disneyland, people weren't taken to a whole other world different from what we see every day. DCA was the complete opposite of that, it had stock "Six Flagsesque" rides that didn't inspire or really make another visit seem worthwhile. I really hated that there wasn't any dark rides on opening day (except the horrible Superstar Limo which is poor example of an attraction) & that kids were leaving the park early due to lack of attractions oriented for them. It wasn't until A Bug's Land opened that I actually had faith that the Disney company acknowledged their mistakes with the park. It also seems like WDI is apologizing for the park & offering us alot more Disney in the park with Radiator Springs Racers, The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure & Goofy's Sky Skool. Maybe just maybe, this expansion will bring a lot more positive energy in the park & maybe it'll become as legendary as Disneyland. Only time will tell so let's keep our fingers crossed!

[Disney_Guy]

Disneylanders have been spoiled with the awesomeness of Disneyland for many generations, and when Disney chose to open another park right next to pure awesomeness, our expectations were that there would be even more awesomeness... But that didn't happen. Our expectations were drained because DCA was not on par with the creativity, the imagination, and the quality of that other awesome park. So our awesomenessity levels were like "AAHHHHH NOOOOOO. It's Draininggggg" in the end.

But yeah. *Sips tea*

With the renovations occurring right now at that other park, DCA will hopefully be put on the right track.

[SHADO]

I dont think DCA wasnt or isn't a big hit...It's hard to compete with a legend but it does all right...It has CaliScreamn, TOT Mullholand Madness and a few others that set the park into it's own...It's only problem is having too many road side attractions..They have 4 "E" ticket rides in the park and too many kiddie rides, where DL has 9..Hopefully Carsland will pick this up...

[donald1k]

"Why wasn't DCA a big hit?"

Because everybody on the fan websites said so?

[Piglet]

Originally Posted by donald1k

"Why wasn't DCA a big hit?"

Because everybody on the fan websites said so?

Nope, attendance #'s were extremely low for a very, very long time. I don't think atendance really increased until about 3 years ago.

[believeinmagic4ever]

I hope that the new Carsland and the WoC next year will bring out the best in DCA. It could be good in it's own set of mind, but as of right now, it isn't doing so hot. It could do so much better, I know it could.

[stevo505]

When the expansion is complete, I think the park will be much better than it has been the last eight years.

[Disneyland_DHI]

Originally Posted by Piglet

Nope, attendance #'s were extremely low for a very, very long time. I don't think atendance really increased until about 3 years ago.

well, they probably timed it incorrectly. Well, they timed it alright, but because 9/11 came, guest attendance started dropping at the resort.

see, now, I thought it was looking kinda shabby because show buildings loomed above facades, but hopefully that's fixed

[Piglet]

IMHO, California Adventure really has potential. I love the theming of the different lands, and I love the good rides that are already there, so I hope all the additions will only add to it's atmosphere and make it amazing!

[Disneysea_fan]

DCA can be amazing! There is no doubt about that. Parks like Disney Sea and Epcot might have more potential, but I think DCA could compete with them someday... I think people simply like Disneyland better, and their are visitors that might only have time to go to one of them.

Before the improvements DCA lacked theming and quality. This is probably why it didn't start out with a bang. Now that they are fixing the theming and possibly even the quality, More people will come after the renovation.

[disney-fan-forever]

Well, you have to look at it this way. Disneyland, had many problems when Walt first opened it in 1955. Layouts of walkways and landscaping were not constructed correctly, rides kept breaking down, trash filled the park, and so on and so on. However, I do have to agree with everyone else on this. Disneyland has a sense of "magic" and "wonder" that relates to children's imaginations that DCA never had, doesn't have, but one day might have. Kids are looking for immersive experiences that take them into different and fantastical worlds, rides that are not just thrilling but enthrall them into something that they can dream over and over again. DCA just doesn't have that same effect.

First off, kids won't point out landmarks and California style architecture. They just won't relate to that because they may not even know what they are in the first place. Over at Disneyland, kids can relate because they've [probably] grown up with these characters since they were small children and are already enthralled in their worlds. California doesn't have that same effect. However, I do believe DCA will become a hit one day just because of what the Imagineers are doing. Remember this... DCA was not Imagineering's problem; it was the Eisner-era. If WDI had full control over the design of the park, it would be much different than it is today. Now they're spending 1 billion dollars to basically recreate a park from scratch. And, this is a good thing.

Personally, I'm hoping DCA will hold through and become a park that's not considered Disneyland's little brother, but a park worthy of being a park in of itself. California Adventure WILL hold through and it WILL overcome, just like Disneyland and Disneyland Paris have done.