Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ... you wake up and the old DCA has slipped away (you gotta love bad 70s fern bar music, right?) That reality hit me cold in the face today when looking at the usual fan site Monday updates of that old 'heroin monkey on DL's shoulders' (kinda wish Jonvn and Darkbeer and the old gang were still here). I thought I might get there next month, but given the choice of DLR (where I definitely will be in September anyway) or two weeks in Alaska, well ... I don't see myself in Anaheim! And that means even more of the old DCA like Greetings From California and Brrbank ice cream and what's left of the entrance will be gone by my next visit. I admit, I knew DCA was a troubled park when I got my first preview in 2000 of the construction site and couldn't believe that 'this is all of it?!?!' But now, almost 10 months removed from my last visit ... when I rode the Maliboomer 4-5 times just because it gave a way kewl view ... and when I walked around what was left of Bountiful Valley Farm just days before the walls went up ... when I stood under the entrance murals saddened they would be destroyed (much like Eureka was), well, I full well knew what was coming. It kind of had to. DCA 1.0 wasn't what it should have been. The desperation fixes destroyed some of what actually was right. And TWDC simply couldn't stomach a park being ripped in the new bold online world such as DCA was. I could also tell the DCA vibe had also changed late last summer when I was there ... in that DCA finally HAD one. A positive, fun and maybe even with GlowFest and WoC, a semi-hip one. But the place was never gonna be the same. And I actually liked the park. I'm sure I'm going to enjoy DCA 2.0. I just can't help but be a little (not to much though) sad that such drastic change was needed to start with. Oh well, so how many of you think that Disney will ever greenlight a Phase II of this when it seems pretty clear that the first billion plus (closer to two if you start including things like TSMM and WoC and all the overruns on RSR! etc) will solve the major problems the park has? In other words, what really is in it for TWDC to add anything for years after Carsland is done (beyond perhaps a few cosmetic changes here and there and Paradise Pier)?
Originally Posted By DlandDug I think they will settle down and let the "new" DCA alone for a while. The level of crowding (I mean, popularity) will be the real determining factor. If the place does get swamped (I mean, popular), then we will likely see that Drive-In restaurant over in Carsland. Possibly there will be additions to the Backlot (two big empty soundstages there). There's also that corner of the Pier where MaliBoomer stood, and where they didn't bother changing out the shop facades. We will almost certainly see parades, shows, and frequent tweaks to World of Color. So that should keep the place refreshed and pulling in the masses (I mean, popular) for a while.
Originally Posted By dshyates I agree with Dug in that after the "do over +" is done we probably won't see a "Phase 2" per se. But there will still be additions. Like to the 2 empty soundstages. And I believe that a new dark ride will be added to PP with its entrance where Maliboomer used to be. Along with cosmetic changes like Screamin' and Fun Wheel queues, Triton's Canopy, and the remaining shops. I doubt we will see the addition of anything like the rumored train ride in the Grizzly Peak area, but there may be the addition of a few AA critters to GRR.
Originally Posted By tashajilek I am amazed at how quickly the park is changing too. Its been 2 months from my last visit and i will see Mermaid, Startours, New DLH restaurants, new parade and Paradise pier for July 1st.
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>I am amazed at how quickly the park is changing too.<< Boy howdy! I edit a newsletter for my Disney club and there was so much to update just since last month's issue. Even over at Disneyland there was the newly reopened Mlle. Antoinette's Parfumerie. (And yes, locals really care about stuff like that!)
Originally Posted By tashajilek Its nice having so many new things to see and do. Sadly it will probably come to an end after Carsland.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA tashajilek -- remember... "Disney California Adventure Park will never be completed. As long as there are character franchises to be used and abused"
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA And thanks to the Spirit, I now have Paul Anka singing in my head. Thanks Spirit! 'Remember....do you remember...the time of your life...'
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>Even over at Disneyland there was the newly reopened Mlle. Antoinette's Parfumerie. (And yes, locals really care about stuff like that!)<< Makes scents.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance "Boy howdy! I edit a newsletter for my Disney club" How on earth can I join your club Doug?
Originally Posted By Malin I think Disney need to review the situation after Cars Land is completed. Find out what Guests enjoy, crowd movement and decide what improvements need to be carried out next. Take a year or two out and see how people react to all the changes. Once you have all this feedback you can than plan phase II. And I believe the park needs to finish what its already started. Not just do a WDW and build another half a day park. Soarin could be a possible next step in the development of this park. Its something that could be done quickly and production cost would be shared out between both Resorts.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA My biggest concern about the new expansion -- over-crowdedness at DCA. It's already a tight park with not much in the way of 'safe zones' to escape to. Add in Carsland, and man, it's going to be crazy.
Originally Posted By DlandDug DCA was designed to handle very large crowds. The main corridors are very broad. The traffic flow hasn't been the best (especially that dead end that was Hollywood Pictures backlot). Carsland is being thought out a bit more carefully. There will be three access points-- via "Route 66" between Pacific Wharf and the Farm, through the natural arch at the Pacific Wharf food court, and through Flik's Fun Fair. DCA has only seen major crowds in the last year or two. Those big empty walkways have finally been filled with guests. But it has not seemed terribly crowded to me.
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>How on earth can I join your club Doug?<< I belong to the Chapter at the Park, the original Chapter of the NFFC (now DIsneyana Fan Club). We meet once a month in Orange County: <a href="http://www.chapteratthepark.org/" target="_blank">http://www.chapteratthepark.org/</a> We are also on FaceBook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Chapter-at-the-Park-of-the-NFFC/122651746791" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/pages/...51746791</a>
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< My biggest concern about the new expansion -- over-crowdedness at DCA. >>> If DCA ever gets too full and they have to close the entrance gates, they can always send the disappointed guests across the esplanade to DL for the day.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA <Those big empty walkways have finally been filled with guests. But it has not seemed terribly crowded to me.> Large walkways are simply walkways. I suppose the new beer garden will help, but in general, DCA has always lacked areas to sit and relax. Of course, you probably know better, because...well, you always know better.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance Doug instead of meeting in Orange County, I think you should meet at my house up in Oregon. It just makes more sense.
