Originally Posted By TomSawyer Here's a special that was aired in January of 2001 to build up some excitement for DCA. And nothing says excitement like your hosts Richard Kind and Barry Bostwick... <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syd6DbfYLTY">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...6DbfYLTY</a>
Originally Posted By mawnck I still have the tape of that sucker from when it aired on KCOP in Los Angeles. You can't say it was false advertising. That show was just as cheap, tacky and intelligence-insulting as the park itself was. The actual title of this production, BTW, is "Disney's California Adventure in California", which just about says it all, doesn't it.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I've always said the worst aspect of DCA circa 2001 was the stupid marketing campaign and here's the proof.
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 I actually liked DCA in 2001, especially The Eagles cover band they had...
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "I actually liked DCA in 2001" So did I. The promotional marketing was abysmal though.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I really liked DCA 1.0 also. It had an overall vision and theme that is lacking in the present park, as nice as it is.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros What a great find! Although I didn't make it inside the gates until 2005, I've always had an interest in the early iteration of this park. While it may not have resonated with guests as well as they hoped, I enjoyed that they stuck with the theme and made some really bold decisions (for better or worse). This TV special did a good job of showing off a lot of the original attractions and park basics Interesting that at 2:55, Colin Mochrie's character calls it "Disney California Adventure" without the possessive 'S'. He must have seen it coming! Odd choice to feature Bambi in the Animation Building lobby, since I don't remember it ever a part of the lobby's film loop It was also fun to see all the things that changed from the early days, most notably the size of the trees in the Grizzly area; you could see the Pier from the Challenge Trail back then! There was also some great footage of the wave machine in Paradise Bay, Maliboomer without scream shields, and lights chasing the trains on the Screamin' Mickey head (plus the Screamin' OSTRs without the seatbelt latch) And most interesting of all, I was surprised to see what they left out. Superstar Limo was nowhere to be seen, nor were either of the two signature restaurants (though Avalon Cove was in the background of a shot or two). There was a brief clip of Eureka, but not enough to get a good idea for the parade, nor was there any other entertainment represented; with some of the unusual acts in the park on opening day, I'm surprised they didn't try to show them off. They also made no reference to the availability of alcohol, or the existance of the Wharf and factory tours (starring none other than Colin Mochrie)
Originally Posted By mawnck >>I was surprised to see what they left out<< Depending on the production schedule, at least some of these things may not have been ready for television when this was being taped.
Originally Posted By TP2000 I watched this special on the TV while having a pre-dinner drink in the lounge at the Chart House in Newport Beach. The bartender and I both agreed it was a stinker; both the show and the park which didn't look that great on this special. We all know how the park ended up. But I often wonder whatever happened to that bartender.
Originally Posted By Brad Funny how even a bartender was smarter than that self-important lecturer jonvn! I still remember his prediction that the WDC was very close to closing DL up, as it was in a rotten neighbourhood and was losing money. Uuuuuummmmmmmmmm.............yeah, right. One thing I actually loved about early DCA was the space and the emptiness - it was a nice quiet respite from DL!
Originally Posted By FerretAfros A couple things: 1. jonvn hasn't been on the boards for years. Let's not attack him. Check out the community standards (link at the bottom of every discussion board page) for more info 2. I don't know what DL's financial situation was like, but it's easy to see that the neighborhood was pretty rundown. The greatest success of the DL resort expansion has always been the way that they were able to clean up the surrounding area. With the addition of the Anaheim Resort District, they made the nearby hotels and restaurants look attractive, and made an environment that people were willing to walk around in. They may still be the same old sleazy motel buildings, but at least they look presentable now. With the advent of the ARD, and the addition of DTD (with or without DCA) DL felt like much more of a destination than a solitary theme park next to a giant parking lot ever could
Originally Posted By phruby I love the beginning where the mother and father are pushing their daughter towards DCA. I can just hear her saying, "But Disneyland is over there!!!"
Originally Posted By Schmitty Good Vibes I watched the first 20 minutes of the video and I couldn't stand to watch any more.
Originally Posted By Tippy $$$$$I've always said the worst aspect of DCA circa 2001 was the stupid marketing campaign $$$$$ that was the worst thing about DCA???? You mean not Superstar Limo and cheap execution all over the park? So advertising is more important to you than substance? Too bad that Disney didn't put out a campaign that cost 400 million because that would have been much more enjoyable to watch rather than experience stellar offerings in the park. baaa baaaa baaaa
Originally Posted By Tippy $$$$The promotional marketing was abysmal though. $$$$ ya that really makes me mad to pay about $75 dollars to get in and their ads on TV are just not that good. What a bum deal!!!
Originally Posted By Tippy If only those ads were done better I would have enjoyed the park so much more!!!! baaa baaa
