Originally Posted By DlandDug If you have a yen to enter DCA as it was for the last ten years, today's your final opportunity. The diverted entry is scheduled to open tomorrow morning, routing all guests behind Taste Pilots, and into the park via Condor Flats. While there's not much to see of the original entrance complex, you can still walk past the location of the tile mural installation, under the last remnants of the Golden Gate Bridge, and into the heavily truncated Sun Plaza. The entire complex with Greetings from California and the candy store is still intact. I was at DCA yesterday, and it appears that the new entry route is being given a lot of theming and decoration. I guess they figured it will be in use long enough (through next Spring at least) to justify the effort.
Originally Posted By gadzuux I'll be interested in hearing if there are any reports about the smell of frying hamburger as guests make their way behind Taste Pilots. For years, the walkway that runs between the sub lagoon and the backside of TLT has always been filled with burger-scented air all day long. I suspect that this new DCA walkway will be similar.
Originally Posted By DlandDug Mmmmm. Burgers. It will certainly beat that burnt odor of roasting coffee beans that pervaded the air in the original DCA entry.
Originally Posted By TP2000 The Burnt Coffee smell! Doug, I had forgotten all about that! Did we ever get to the bottom of that mystery? How, or why, did it smell like that for years? For those who forget, or weren't born yet in 2001 (when does school start again?), the DCA Sunshine Plaza entry complex smelled horribly of burnt coffee from opening day onwward, and for at least several years. The story, never quite confirmed by Disney, was that the Imagineers thought it would be great to pipe the smell of coffee out of Bakersfield Bakery through a vent in the roof, since that bakery was going to do the really hip 2001 thing of roasting its own beans for the espresso. Except it turns out that the process of ROASTING coffee beans is very different than actually brewing coffee beans. And the smell from the roaster smelled horrible, even though the equipment was working correctly and the espresso end-product was actually pretty good. But the smell permeated the whole entry, and it was just gross. Finally, they stopped the roasting process to try and save the entry experience for DCA, but it took them several years to do it. Perhaps out of typical WDI ego and/or TDA hard-headedness over a concept that some VP probably thought was brilliant. I haven't smelled that smell in years, so they finally did something. But how kind of you to remind us all of that sad yet funny tale from DCA's sad yet funny opening years. What a fitting way to celebrate the last day of DCA's original entrance! Thanks for the memories!
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I really liked the old DCA entrance... it was one of my favorite areas of the park. I'm sure the new DCA will be more popular, but the park has totally lost what gave it suck a unique feel compared to the other Disney parks. I'll miss it.
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>...the park has totally lost what gave it suck a unique feel...<< Freudian slip, Trippy...?
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>Did we ever get to the bottom of that mystery? ... The story, never quite confirmed by Disney, was...<< No mystery, and no need to wait around for confirmation. The scenario you described is correct. I know the coffee roaster who opened DCA and trained the subsequent cast members. It really was the case that someone thought that the aroma of roasting coffee beans would create an unforgettable experience. Of course, it is the aroma of BREWING coffee that is so appealing. Although the stench of roasting coffee beans did create a truly unforgettable experience-- just not the one that was anticipated...!
Originally Posted By RoadTrip LOL Dug... no, not really. I REALLY LIKED the original DCA. Loved the entrance plaza with the bridge, the mural, and the Zephyr replica. I even liked the goofy Sun icon. I thought DCA had a more "adult" feel than the other parks and really enjoyed the difference. I enjoyed the restaurants that soon closed, and enjoyed the small attractions that no one else seemed to appreciate... Seasons of the Vine, the Bakery and the Tortilla Factory. My goodness... I even got teary at "California Dreams". Loved the wine tastings at the Golden Vine Winery... made me the wino (excuse me... wine aficionado) that I am today. Was a wonderful park with a pretty clear vision of what it wanted to be... unfortunately most did not enjoy that vision. Today it is just a mish-mash. I will certainly give it a try again once everything opens, but for me I doubt it will match DCA 1.0.
Originally Posted By DlandDug I liked just about everything you described, RT. Sadly, we were in the minority. And I still can't believe that DCA 1.0 was ever approved, built and offered to the public.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo well Roadtrip, that is how we felt too. The original version of DCA had an Epcot World Showcase vibe and we loved it. In fact, of the 8 Disney parks we have been to, it was actually my wife's favorite (which we took a lot of stick for). And it was certainly in my top 4. DCA of today is not as interesting to us.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 "Loved the wine tastings at the Golden Vine Winery.." Me too. One of those little things that gave the park a different vibe and set it apart. And the thing is, after the "blue sky"' period ends next year, they could easily bring it back, and u hope they do. (they actually could bring it back now )
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I agree with post 9 RT and Davewasbaloo. I noticed the Golden Vine being utilized for the WOC picnic area so hopefully it will eventually return a small gourmet grocery section for last minute picnic'ers. Do they still "educate" wine groups(classes) thru-out the day?
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I don't know if there are any scheduled times to learn about wine, but they still offer the tasting flights, at the counter by Blue Sky Cellar and at the WOC picnic area. I'm not sure exactly how informative the process is, but I've seen people doing it, and it gives some great one-on-one time with a CM. I've found most of the CMs there to be extremely knowledgeable, so even if there is nothing structured, I'm sure you could learn a lot from it. One of the best parts of the Cellar is that you can take your glass of wine in with you! I'm sad that I never got to see Seasons of the Vine before they took it out (it was always closed), but I do look forward to possibly doing it once the changeover is complete. I enjoyed it on YouTube, so I can only imagine that it would be a lot better in-person.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Dave... yes, when it first opened DCA was in my top three Disney parks... right behind Epcot and DL.
Originally Posted By Schmitty Good Vibes I agree with post 9 RT and Davewasbaloo and Mickeymouseclub.
Originally Posted By Schmitty Good Vibes >>>....they still offer the tasting flights, at the counter by Blue Sky Cellar and at the WOC picnic area.<<< Do you have to be a certified sommeleir to work this post as you do to be a server at Napa Rose?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo In the Mondavi days, I think they had to be. I am not so sure now. Last time I bought wine there, I was not given the opportunity to taste before they poured out the glass, so I doubt it. But I am sure someone with more recent knowledge will be better able to comment.
