Minor DCA Expansion Budget Cuts

Originally Posted By jmuboy

Well, while they are minor, some budget cuts are already happening at DCA "Expansion Land". Blue Sky Disney Blog is reporting that the removal of Maliboomer is going to cost much more than Disney had planned. So the current plan is to give it a minor makeover with a new theme and keep the ride.....for now.

The wrap around boardwalk at the Fun Wheel has also been cut. No confirmation on whether the Victorian themed makeover and canopy for the Fun Wheel's queue area has been cut or not. lets hope at least that is built.

The reason given for these cuts was so that more money could go toward ensuring rides like Radiator Springs Racers and TLM had all the money they needed to get built without severe cuts in their budgets. While I'm glad Disney is trying to keep these new rides at top notch levels, I'm also disappointed the layers of details are being cut this ealry on. it's these details that make DCA so bland compared to DL. Without any major changes to or around the queue, The Fun Wheel will simply be the Sun Wheel with new paint and the same old ugly concrete pit as a queue. not my idea of how to change a guests perception of the park.

 

Originally Posted By gadzuux

I never understood the advantage of a 'wrap-around boardwalk'. The current design is built to emphasize the reflection the wheel and the lights casts upon the water - this is why the coffer dam is lined with shiny metal.

Maliboomer is a different story. Its presence in the park reduces the image of the park overall - it does far more damage to the entire disney brand than it provides with its limited entertainment value. Even if it's more expensive than they may have originally thought, it's still money well spent.

And - crazy me - I think the same thing about 'mullholland madness'. Especially considering that they're going to be spending heavily to make the new 'alpine beer garden' nice and attractive. Except that it will now be surrounded by big vulgar noisy metal contraptions. With these overbearing rides on either side, they might as well just keep the mcdonalds back there.

 

Originally Posted By jmuboy

"they might as well just keep the mcdonalds back there. "

Shhhhhhh, the Disney Accountants might read your post and steal this idea!!!!!

 

Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt

I agree with gadzuux on this. The wrap around boardwalk for the Sun Wheel seemed pointless.

Was it ever confirmed that Maliboomer was going to be removed/changed? I thought that concept was up in the air.

 

Originally Posted By Britain

It's the shiny metal wrap that doesn't fit the victorian theme well.

What seaside pier ever partially submerged their ferris wheel? This was an attempt to hide obviously modern engineering.

Oh well, no big loss compared to what bigger fish could have been cut loose and yet haven't been (ie. new attractions).

 

Originally Posted By disneysnout

not him again.

 

Originally Posted By ArchtMig

That cold damp concrete pit of a queue for Sun Wheel is one of the worst things in any Disney park anywhere. Budget cuts notwithstanding - and we all expected that there would be budget cuts - I really hope that they do something about it before DCA turns 15. That mirror edge around the outside was yet another Bravermanesque lame attempt at theming on the cheap. Compared to the fully detailed and beautiful Victorian developments going up all around it, that Sun Wheel mirrored pit looks like something out of a 1960s era Las Vegas Strip Club.

And by God, I hope the Maliboomer is ripped off its foundations at some point before I die. Again, hopefully before DCA turns 15.

 

Originally Posted By Liberty Belle

>>I hope the Maliboomer is ripped off its foundations at some point before I die. Again, hopefully before DCA turns 15.<<

You hope to die before DCA turns 15?!

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

"I thought that concept was up in the air."

When I was in the preview center, one of the CM's said that they were removing the Maliboomer, but they still weren't sure what they were putting there. It was when somebody asked about the parachute drop ride in the model, and she confirmed that the Maliboomer would be gone. Of course, it was a CM who said it (although, one in a position where they should know), and everything is subject to change, but that's what I heard.

 

Originally Posted By disneysnout

They really should take it out of the park, no doubt.

 

Originally Posted By bean

well they really are not budget cuts but more off a money relocation program. The money is just being moved to other more substantial things for the moment. Doesn't mean they will not happen in the future

 

Originally Posted By pitapan16

that Sun Wheel mirrored pit looks like something out of a 1960s era Las Vegas Strip Club"

-I thought a pier boardwalk around the Fun Wheel would have been glorious. I hope the finished product is more substantial than just new paint and a mickey mouse face and new name. But we will see the finished product soon enough.

 

Originally Posted By danyoung

I had mixed feelings after seeing the Blue Sky Disney exhibit in DCA last week. I like the new entryway, with the tram and the Carthay Circle Theater. And I'm looking forward to the new Carsland. But what's with bringing back the old Flying Saucers as a new hubcap ride? And re-theming of the swings and the wild mouse ride won't change the fact that they're simple off the shelf swings and a wild mouse ride. I'm applauding any changes that bring this park up to Disney standards. But bringing back old attractions and performing retheming of lame attractions isn't the way to go, IMO.

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

Dan - you and I seem to be in 100% agreement. I think some of the PP stuff is a waste of money. You can gilt feces but at it's core feces is still feces.

And I liked the look of the original sun wheel, so if they had simply added the lighting rig and better queue, to me that would have been a better use of the funding.

Hope you had a great trip.

 

Originally Posted By plpeters70

<<they had simply added the lighting rig and better queue, to me that would have been a better use of the funding.>>

Totally agree! It's still the same ride - Mickey head or not, so why not spend that money somewhere else where it's needed. Adding a new queue would have been more than enough here - and then maybe that money could have been spend plussing the roller coaster and carousel instead. Those rides could definitely use some re-decorating!

 

Originally Posted By danyoung

>Hope you had a great trip.<

Well, I had some good time with family at Christmas, but there's never enough Disney time. Plus I spent pretty much all my money in November getting up to Idaho and dealing with my Mom's death, so there was no money and very little credit to fund the Christmas trip. Still I had fun - did the HMH and iasw Holiday, did Midway Mania a couple times, rode Soarin' maybe 4 times as a single rider. I saw Fantasmic! once, but due to a martini too many at the Uva Bar I don't really remember much. Gotta cut down on the vodka while on vacation (but Justin at the Uva sure makes a tasty martini!!!).

 

Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains

<<And I liked the look of the original sun wheel, so if they had simply added the lighting rig>><<It's still the same ride - Mickey head or not>>

Yes it is still the same ride, but isn't the retheming and addition of the Mickey head all to go with the new water show?

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

Shame it couldn't have been a blow out trip Dan, but it sounds like fun all the same, enough to make me a little envious ;-)

Gottaluvdavillains - indeed it is supposed to be in synch with the new show, but I am sure the paint job on the vehicles is not necessary. I am sure it will look quite nice, but I am very tired of having character rammed down our throats at every opportunity. How does this advance the story of PP?

 

Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains

I would say the cars were in need of some TLC when the kids (my DD and LS's son)... I am withholding my final opinion on how it looks when it's finished. I really like the idea of the Mickey Syphonies... And from the models and pictures I saw in the viewing room it looks like it should fit in well.

I think a bigger issue than the make over of the SunWheel would be the horrible makeover instead of removal of the mulholland madness.

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

Indeed, it is a shame MM doesn't go the way of the Dodo (or if it were a fast passed blacklit dark ride, that would be better too.