Originally Posted By Darkbeer <a href="http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/archive/2006/05/16/2407.aspx" target="_blank">http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/ jim_hill/archive/2006/05/16/2407.aspx</a> >>The DCA version of "Midway Madness?" It's actually being built back in the Paradise Pier section of that theme park. Which has long been criticized as not having enough family-friendly rides, shows and attractions that feature the Disney characters. But what's really significant about this proposed Paradise Pier addition is that "Midway Madness" is being built in place of DCA's next placemaking project. Which was to have revamped the entire "Sunshine Plaza" section of Disney's California Adventure. So that -- when all this retheming was done -- the entrance area of this troubled theme park was then to have resembled the California that Walt Disney first encountered when he arrived in the Golden State back in August of 1923.<<
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA This comment comes from an email that Jim Hill received from an Imagineer. <This whole placemaking thing is a crock. I wish that they'd just abandon this idea and let us get to the job that really needs to be done here. Which is designing & then building all of the rides, shows and attractions that DCA needs. So that that theme park can finally be a worthy companion to Disneyland.> To me, the Imagineers always get to blame the 'sharp pencil boys' no matter what. If the Imagineers don't get enough money 'Well, it could have been better, but they cut my budget' If Disney Ops has opinions about what should be done and when, the Imagineers say 'Hey, leave us alone, would ya? Let us do what we do.' And then in that same email the same Imagineer writes: <"Remaking the 'Golden Gateway' and 'Gateway Plaza' so that 'Sunshine Plaza' then looks like the California that Walt Disney encountered when he first arrived in the state in 1923 is an incredibly stupid idea. Who -- outside of a few annual passholders -- is actually going to understand or appreciate a concept like that? That's $30 million that WDI might as well flush down the toilet. For -- if they actually spend that money to redo DCA's entrance -- it's going to have zero impact on the park's gate.> To me, this is an Imagineer who thinks he 'get's it' but doesn't. Building an entrance to DCA that makes sense is a waste of money??? That's like saying 'why bother with all those old-fashioned facades on Main Street -- no one notices anyway.'
Originally Posted By Darkbeer ^ Heck... Why build shade?, While build themed queues?, it is the ride that the folks come to...... (Insert rolling eyes smilie here)
Originally Posted By Moon Waffle Personally, while I think the entrance to DCA is bland, I'd much rather have some new rides, shows, or attractions.
Originally Posted By irishfan >>Personally, while I think the entrance to DCA is bland, I'd much rather have some new rides, shows, or attractions.<< I'd love a new entrance, AND new rides, shows and attractions, but I guess we are not living in an ideal world.
Originally Posted By AladdinAZ Blechhhhh! Adding "Midway Madness" to the pier area?!?!?!? THAT is what would be incredibly stupid. They need to eliminate the Midway theme altogether. It ain't Disney and never will be true Disney entertainment. The Pier area is the one most in need of help, but adding crap this area won't cut it.
Originally Posted By woody Why would it cost $30 million to change DCA's entrance? That would be a waste of money. I think the placemaking concept should be done, but in piecemeal fashion. Perhaps Paradise Pier deserves it's placemaking project first. They could fix that whole area that is extremely sparse. Don't abandon the entrance placemaking project. It truly looks disturbing.
Originally Posted By tonyanton <I'd love a new entrance, AND new rides, shows and attractions, but I guess we are not living in an ideal world.> Exactly...while I'm not a DCA-hater, the park is in need of both!
Originally Posted By planodisney Marcie over on Mouseinfo was talking about the entrance placemaking being put off, and Midway mania beig greenlit a couple days ago. The good news, is that it sounds like the Pier will be getting a fairly extensive retheming to a Victorian Boardwalk. But, I wish the Entrance was being redone as well.
Originally Posted By bean The name for the attraction is still in consideration. Midway Madness is not the final name. The placemaking for the entrance has not been abandoned. Basically after the entrance the next placemaking would have been the pier in approximately two years. The only thing that has happened (as of now) is that the placemaking for the entrance and the pier have been switched. Instead the Pier will get its placemaking first since the atraction has been pretty much approved by everyone including Lasseter. As a matter of fact the attraction seems so promosing that WDW pushed to have it cloned for MGM. (yes the attraction was built specifically for DCA but WDW pushed to get a clone of their own and will do their best to open it a few months before in an already established building) So far the Placemaking for the entrance has not ben cancelled just changed till after the pier gets its new attraction and placemaking. which should be done by 2008. DCA might just get its entrance changed (not specifically with the same idea that was almost ago-ahead for this fall)before the parks tenth anniversary
Originally Posted By Imagineer This So are we really getting a new and improved DCA after all or just slap something new in there and see if anyone happens to like it? (
Originally Posted By leemac This is the problem with JHM in general. He receives info from one source and publishes it without any corroboration. Even the place-making project hadn't been signed off fully by TDA so the whole next step for the park is still in a state of flux. Just because WDI are pushing one agenda does not mean that TDA will wish to follow the same principles. The place-making project is still a priority.
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 In regards to post #2 and the Imagineer's letter. I'm not sure why he feels that the average tourist won't "get" an arts & crafts style entrance? Yeah, maybe they won't understand that it's trying to represent California at the time Walt moved there, but people DO know the architectural style. It makes me wonder how out of touch Imagineering can be sometimes. Are they really trying to play to the lowest common denominator and not innovate anymore? I think the placemaking project WILL help, in addition to new attractions. I don't think they should abandon it at all. I would be glad if they switched them around though so the back of the park gets it first. Paradise Pier rethemed would be great.
Originally Posted By woody >>The place-making project is still a priority.<< According to you? You??? You just described how TDA didn't sign-off on the placemaking. It isn't a priority for TDA.... at least they didn't think it was important enough to sign-off on it. WDI has its priorities and it isn't the placemaking.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <Instead the Pier will get its placemaking first since the atraction has been pretty much approved by everyone including Lasseter. As a matter of fact the attraction seems so promosing that WDW pushed to have it cloned for MGM.> Why it is so promising, bean? From what I've read so far, it seems quite similar to Buzz. A fun ride, but not earth shattering, and with Buzz just across the esplanade, it didn't sound to me like something PP particularly needed. Is there more to the concept than just Buzz with different targets? I find it hard to believe Lasseter would get too excited about that.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA <I'm not sure why he feels that the average tourist won't "get" an arts & crafts style entrance? Yeah, maybe they won't understand that it's trying to represent California at the time Walt moved there, but people DO know the architectural style.> What the Imagineers used to pride themselves on was an attention to detail. Which to me, meant that when you walk down Main Street U.S.A. you see the old buildings and you might say to yourself 'Yeah, turn of the 20th Century, neat.' But the more you go, and the more time you spend on Main Street, the more you see details -- like the names in the windows, like the gas lamps, like the old-fashioned vehicles driving up and down the street. When you look even deeper, you find out that Main Street was created as a dedication to Walt Disney's hometown of Mercelline, Missouri. And...even if you don't take the time to learn more about Main Street U.S.A., my philosophy is that people 'feel' it anyway. If the Imagineers were to upgrade the entrance to DCA to represent an Arts and Crafts feel similar to a style of architecture that Walt Disney would have seen in 1923 when he arrived in Los Angeles -- they should. It doesn't matter if people 'get it' -- and can walk in and say 'Hey, this is the California that Walt Disney saw when he arrived in Los Angeles in 1923.' It will simply be that. The attention to detail will be 'felt.' Which used to be okay.
Originally Posted By kmovies I feel, given a budget of 30m, it would be much better spent on a new attraction in the Pier than a new entrance. I know people want both but we are greedy. I don't think having a "arts and crafts" entrance to DCA is going to change most people's opinions of DCA. It is important to the people on the boards with their annual passes because they care about every detail of the park. The visitors who come every few years care much more for attractions. Paint peeling is completely ignored by these folks. Let's get a new attraction. I'd really say that a new entrance is really "icing" on the cake that only needs to be explored after a few more attractions are added. If a new attraction was added at the entrance, then yes, make over the area when you do the attraction (such was done when Monster's opened). Yes, we want more attractions, more shows, more "eye candy" but Disney must list them in order of return on investment and the attraction is going to be much higher on the list than a new entrance.
Originally Posted By kmovies I feel, given a budget of 30m, it would be much better spent on a new attraction in the Pier than a new entrance. I know people want both but we are greedy. I don't think having a "arts and crafts" entrance to DCA is going to change most people's opinions of DCA. It is important to the people on the boards with their annual passes because they care about every detail of the park. The visitors who come every few years care much more for attractions. Paint peeling is completely ignored by these folks. Let's get a new attraction. I'd really say that a new entrance is really "icing" on the cake that only needs to be explored after a few more attractions are added. If a new attraction was added at the entrance, then yes, make over the area when you do the attraction (such was done when Monster's opened). Yes, we want more attractions, more shows, more "eye candy" but Disney must list them in order of return on investment and the attraction is going to be much higher on the list than a new entrance.
Originally Posted By leemac <<You just described how TDA didn't sign-off on the placemaking. It isn't a priority for TDA.... at least they didn't think it was important enough to sign-off on it.>> That isn't what I said at all. I said they hadn't signed off on it yet. That doesn't mean it isn't a priority. They just haven't allocated the budget and given it a greenlight.
Originally Posted By leemac <<I find it hard to believe Lasseter would get too excited about that.>> Which is precisely why webmasters are over-playing the Lasseter card. He has been fully immersed in Cars all year and is currently promoting the movie. He isn't due to even start looking at significant WDI stuff until the fall after he takes all of August off.
