Why Wasn't DCA a big hit?

mhendrix · 10-06-2009, 12:17 PM

I've been scratching my head for years at DCA.

It took me some time to realize that the front of the park was supposed to be a pop-out postcard. I just thought it looked really tacky.

Entertainment there has sucked wind for a long time. I think the Play Parade was a great addition and they've really upped atmosphere entertainment as well.

Paradise Pier looked cheap, Condor Flats, had it been bigger, would have been awesome. And Golden State area? Meh...

I agree with a post above, why would anyone want to have a pre-packaged facade of California when they are not only in it, but near many of the real things.

About three years ago it just seemed like Disney was giving up on the park. No nighttime entertainment for years, things were deteriorating and not being kept up, even the Cast Members that worked there seemed like they knew it was a third world park in Disney standards.

Monsters had the potential to be great, it was just dressing-up Limo, ToT was put in as a quick-fix that didn't do the trick, even though no one went into the theaters come show time for Muppets or Golden Dreams, they still ran them rather than upgrading or changing them all together, the Hyperion theater was built without restrooms and a huge flight of stairs, Stage 17 and Stage 12 have been closed for years, Pacific Wharf was more of just a scenery filler and Paradise Pier had attractions you could find at a fair or a boardwalk.

Neglect is the idea here. Neglect and ignorance toward the guest. When your resort is sustained by over half of the guest population being locals and Annual Passholders, (WDW is the exact opposite) why would you build a park about California in the first place?

Many, many problems.

When the press conference was held that Disney was admitting to their major mistake, I cheered. The improvements will be a welcomed change that is needed. If I recall correctly, the park took $1 billion to make, and the remodel is clocking in at slightly more.

DCA might be the most costly error in Disney history, but that they have finally acknowledged the problem is commendable rather than just continuing to act like there wasn't one.

One thing though, why spend all this money on changes and restoring what wasn't just to put a replica of Disney's Hollywood Studios entrance in place? I thought the idea was to establish DCA's own successful identity?

TuesdayBear · 10-06-2009, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhendrix

I've been scratching my head for years at DCA.

It took me some time to realize that the front of the park was supposed to be a pop-out postcard. I just thought it looked really tacky.

Wow, I didn't know that! It makes more sense now.

But it still looks really tacky. It just doesn't have that same "red carpet" feel that Walt Disney knew was so important to the total experience.

jessiestudio · 10-07-2009, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhendrix

One thing though, why spend all this money on changes and restoring what wasn't just to put a replica of Disney's Hollywood Studios entrance in place? I thought the idea was to establish DCA's own successful identity?

YES! It seems that in recent years the American parks have been losing their identity little by little and just copying from each other i.e. both getting a little mermaid, both having Soarin' , HSM parades, etc. The parks need to stop taking from each other and looking at what they can do in one park that another park just couldn't.

As for why DCA failed, I have to imagine it started as a joke. Like... "Come over here Bill, look Charlie photoshoped the monorail on the Golden Gate Bridge. Isn't that stupid looking?" Then there was a Photoshop contest among the imagineers with the theme "How bad can you make California look?" and Eisner, being appointed judge, thought it was a park concept and green lighted it.

So, yes definitely the park will be 1000X better once the remodel is done but will it be a park on par with the other Disney Parks, not quite yet.

TuesdayBear · 10-08-2009, 11:21 AM

[QUOTE=jessiestudio;365271]
As for why DCA failed, I have to imagine it started as a joke. Like... "Come over here Bill, look Charlie photoshoped the monorail on the Golden Gate Bridge. Isn't that stupid looking?" Then there was a Photoshop contest among the imagineers with the theme "How bad can you make California look?" and Eisner, being appointed judge, thought it was a park concept and green lighted it. /QUOTE]

Okay, people, I've got a sore throat right now, and you need to give me some warning before you post something that's going to make me laugh that hard! I'm just glad I wasn't drinking my tea when I read that! Props to you, Jessiestudio!

You know, I'm just glad that the company realized something was wrong and is trying to fix it. The first time I went to DCA, I remember standing on Paradise Pier and asking myself why Disney all of a sudden thought that copying KBF's Roaring 20s/Boardwalk/whatever-they-call-it was an acceptable theme design. It heartens me to no end that someone at Disney realized that, too.

SHADO · 10-08-2009, 01:26 PM

IMO the park hasn't failed..It's just not living up to it's potential, but it's still making money...If it wasn't they would have turned it back into a parking lot...I personally like the park, I hate the walking but over all it's better than going to a miniature golf course with a cheesy roller coaster and batting cages...LOL

Sesshomaru-sama · 10-08-2009, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhendrix

It took me some time to realize that the front of the park was supposed to be a pop-out postcard.

I never knew that. How did you find that out?

I personally like Disney's California Adventure. Not as much as Disneyland, of course. My only reason as to why I go there is only for the good rides. There are some scenery there I like, like the wilderness theme near Grizzly River Run.

However, I doubt this park will be able to stand all by itself. I just don't believe it.

Sincerely, a brother of a half-demon,
Sesshomaru-sama

SHADO · 10-09-2009, 12:33 PM

When DL opened ToonTown they tore down a ton of BTS offices...Only to create more space for a new land(although it closes so early)..DCA is doing the opposite..The buildings on the Harbor side are newly created office buildings which could have been used to house a new ride in the Hollywood Backlot...Once Carsland opens I think the park could stand on it's own and the hours increased...

10-06-2009, 12:17 PM	#16 (permalink)
mhendrix People who found this post helpful: Join Date: May 2006 Location: The OC Posts: 339	I've been scratching my head for years at DCA. It took me some time to realize that the front of the park was supposed to be a pop-out postcard. I just thought it looked really tacky. Entertainment there has sucked wind for a long time. I think the Play Parade was a great addition and they've really upped atmosphere entertainment as well. Paradise Pier looked cheap, Condor Flats, had it been bigger, would have been awesome. And Golden State area? Meh... I agree with a post above, why would anyone want to have a pre-packaged facade of California when they are not only in it, but near many of the real things. About three years ago it just seemed like Disney was giving up on the park. No nighttime entertainment for years, things were deteriorating and not being kept up, even the Cast Members that worked there seemed like they knew it was a third world park in Disney standards. Monsters had the potential to be great, it was just dressing-up Limo, ToT was put in as a quick-fix that didn't do the trick, even though no one went into the theaters come show time for Muppets or Golden Dreams, they still ran them rather than upgrading or changing them all together, the Hyperion theater was built without restrooms and a huge flight of stairs, Stage 17 and Stage 12 have been closed for years, Pacific Wharf was more of just a scenery filler and Paradise Pier had attractions you could find at a fair or a boardwalk. Neglect is the idea here. Neglect and ignorance toward the guest. When your resort is sustained by over half of the guest population being locals and Annual Passholders, (WDW is the exact opposite) why would you build a park about California in the first place? Many, many problems. When the press conference was held that Disney was admitting to their major mistake, I cheered. The improvements will be a welcomed change that is needed. If I recall correctly, the park took $1 billion to make, and the remodel is clocking in at slightly more. DCA might be the most costly error in Disney history, but that they have finally acknowledged the problem is commendable rather than just continuing to act like there wasn't one. One thing though, why spend all this money on changes and restoring what wasn't just to put a replica of Disney's Hollywood Studios entrance in place? I thought the idea was to establish DCA's own successful identity? __________________ "Remembering good times together, with someone dear to your heart, find love, planning a future--telling stories and laughing with friends, precious moments you never forget!" -- Parade of Dreams
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10-08-2009, 11:21 AM	#19 (permalink)
TuesdayBear People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: High Desert, Southern CA Posts: 168	[QUOTE=jessiestudio;365271] As for why DCA failed, I have to imagine it started as a joke. Like... "Come over here Bill, look Charlie photoshoped the monorail on the Golden Gate Bridge. Isn't that stupid looking?" Then there was a Photoshop contest among the imagineers with the theme "How bad can you make California look?" and Eisner, being appointed judge, thought it was a park concept and green lighted it. /QUOTE] Okay, people, I've got a sore throat right now, and you need to give me some warning before you post something that's going to make me laugh that hard! I'm just glad I wasn't drinking my tea when I read that! Props to you, Jessiestudio! You know, I'm just glad that the company realized something was wrong and is trying to fix it. The first time I went to DCA, I remember standing on Paradise Pier and asking myself why Disney all of a sudden thought that copying KBF's Roaring 20s/Boardwalk/whatever-they-call-it was an acceptable theme design. It heartens me to no end that someone at Disney realized that, too. __________________ Come join us! (You must be 18 years of age or older)
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10-08-2009, 01:26 PM	#20 (permalink)
SHADO People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Santa Ana off of Harbor Blvd Posts: 440	IMO the park hasn't failed..It's just not living up to it's potential, but it's still making money...If it wasn't they would have turned it back into a parking lot...I personally like the park, I hate the walking but over all it's better than going to a miniature golf course with a cheesy roller coaster and batting cages...LOL __________________ Number of times At DL 2009 = 68 Number of times at DCA 2009 = 34 Total Rides 2009 = 321
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10-09-2009, 12:33 PM	#22 (permalink)
SHADO People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Santa Ana off of Harbor Blvd Posts: 440	When DL opened ToonTown they tore down a ton of BTS offices...Only to create more space for a new land(although it closes so early)..DCA is doing the opposite..The buildings on the Harbor side are newly created office buildings which could have been used to house a new ride in the Hollywood Backlot...Once Carsland opens I think the park could stand on it's own and the hours increased... __________________ Number of times At DL 2009 = 68 Number of times at DCA 2009 = 34 Total Rides 2009 = 321
	Did you find this post helpful? Yes \| No

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