Originally Posted By Darkbeer <a href="http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/money/homepage/article_970968.php" target="_blank">http://www.ocregister.com/ocre gister/money/homepage/article_970968.php</a> >>Disney's California Adventure turns five years old next week, bigger and blessed with a broader range of attractions than the day it opened. The theme park continues to grow and evolve, but a recent visitor pointed out why it also continues to fall below the company's attendance projections. "This has some cool stuff, but it's just another theme park," said Matt Lock, 27, of Temecula, as he toured California Adventure. "Disneyland is Disneyland."<< >>Another impediment for California Adventure is the sophistication of Southern California's audience, said Craig Hanna, an industry expert. He's chief creative officer for Thinkwell Design & Productionand president of the board of TEA, an association that represents the professionals who create theme parks and similar immersive experiences. "When you look at the pricing being on par with that of Disneyland, it doesn't take long to see the disparity in the two parks, and people wonder if they're getting the same value for their money," Hanna said. "Disney does a great job once you're in the gate delivering compelling experiences, but it's a struggle for the locals to make that decision."<< >>"They just made a core mistake with this (California) theme," Lutz said. "It alienated the locals, and, unlike Florida, our attendance is mostly locals. To get people to come now, they're giving that park away with the two-fers." Lutz was referring to the promotion announced this month that allows local residents to buy a pass that's good for admission to the two parks on two different days. Hanna, from TEA, agreed that the theme is a tough sell for Californians: "It's like selling snow to Eskimos. It's a much better place to visit if you're from out of town." Lutz and other fans are looking forward to the creative touch of Pixar's John Lasseter, who becomes creative adviser to the parks in the recent deal. "The next major addition could be an attraction tied to 'Cars' (a Pixar film due out this summer)," Lutz said. "I think they'll push for 'Cars' because that's very near and dear to Lasseter's heart."<<
Originally Posted By CoasterKrayzie >>"The next major addition could be an attraction tied to 'Cars' (a Pixar film due out this summer)," Lutz said. "I think they'll push for 'Cars' because that's very near and dear to Lasseter's heart."<< maybe we will see Autopia relocated to DCA and rethemed to Cars. wishfull thinking anyway its space in TL could be used for something much better.
Originally Posted By ArchtMig Leave Autopia in Tomorrowland. Replace the current gas fired engines with battery powered elecric motors if necessary, but leave that iconic experience in Tomorrowland. Take out that piece of crap Mullholland Madness and do a Cars themed attraction out in that corner of DCA. Might as well rip out Maliboomer and Orange Stinger while they're at it, and do up an interesting and unique Cars based attraction that makes a reason to head out into that side of the park in the first place.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub That would be a good location(MM) since the movie theme is Route 66.
Originally Posted By Blacksheep Uncle and the OC Register also says this: >>As the newer park, California Adventure has fresh appeal, but it's fighting the power that Disneyland relies on to pull people in year after year. Most Disneyland visitors have a deep affection for the 50-year-old park because of childhood memories. California Adventure can't compete with that, even as it adds attractions such as the Pixar-themed ride Monsters, Inc.: Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! that opened this week.<< in fact the first half of the article is pretty darn rational, and you don't see the same old negative nelly whining until they start quoting Al Lutz, and asking Al Lutz about DCA seems to me a lot like asking Michael Moore how he thinks President Bush is doing...sure it's an opinion but hardly an unbiased one...
Originally Posted By idleHands No one knows what the next attraction will be for DCA at this time. Major changes are coming to Glendale, on all levels. And I do mean, on all levels. Everything is being re-evaluated. Including attraction projects that have been shelved. "Hang on to them hats and glasses, 'cuz this here's the wildest ride in the wilderness!"
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA "Hang on to them hats and glasses, 'cuz this here's the wildest ride in the wilderness!" There going to build Big Thunder Mountain in DCA, is that it? Did I get it right?
Originally Posted By Darkbeer I think that AL Lutz has a good point, in the fact that John Lasseter has a LOT of new power at WDI, and the board in general, and if "Cars" is his favorite, well, it now has a higher chance of happening. As idleHands said, there is a LOT of changes that are happening, and will happen in the next few months due to the merger.
Originally Posted By ArchtMig Let's hope that Lasseter recognizes and supports creativity and design talent in theme park attractions development as he does in digital animated movies. I think Lasseter is on good terms with Tony Baxter. This could be good news for Tony as he could find himself enjoying renewed presence and respect at WDI. And that would be good for all of us.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt An interesting article, until the author started quoting Al Lutz. One comment from the article that really struck me was the following statement from Craig Hanna, chief creative officer for Thinkwell Design & Production and president of the board of TEA, an association that represents the professionals who create theme parks and similar immersive experiences: "It's not something you can do [improve guest experience] overnight," he said. "Disney has had a slow, planned, methodical approach to growing that park since day one. A lot of critics would love to see that happen all at once, but rarely will you see any organization willing to do that."
Originally Posted By gadzuux >> "Disney has had a slow, planned, methodical approach to growing that park since day one." << I wonder if that's really true. When you look at the park's early history, you don't see "planned" or "methodical". You see 'eureka' being pulled, two and a half different iterations of 'steps in time' being given the heave-ho, blast being purchased outright "off the shelf", the quick departure of puck and mondavi, the closure of SOB and H&D, the arrival and deparure of SSL, x-games, luminaria, concerts-by-the-bay, soap opera weekends,the hurried additions of 'fliks', millionaire, ELP and TOT, the subsequent closure of millionaire, and now the current and on-going 'placemaking' projects. Some of these changes were for the good, some were not so good, but "planned and methodical from day one" it ain't.
Originally Posted By disneywatcher >> ...sure it's an opinion but hardly an unbiased one... << Yes, sort of like asking all the inept people responsible for DCA whether the park is good or not.
Originally Posted By Nobody "This has some cool stuff, but it's just another theme park," said Matt Lock, 27, of Temecula, as he toured California Adventure. "Disneyland is Disneyland." I think I remember that guy. Wasn't he an attorney that solved crimes? I thought he looked older than that...
Originally Posted By idleHands <<I think Lasseter is on good terms with Tony Baxter.>> Sounds like it's better than that. From Fab's discussion boards: <<So... you heard about the "big meeting" that Lasseter held on Wednesday, with Disney folk, right? Well, before the meeting began, after everyone took their seats, John walked right up to Tony, shook his hand and put his arm around him. Everyone was stunned to see Lasseter do this. And apparently since then, folks have been "very, very nice" to Tony. LOL!>> I contacted a few folks, to see if this really happened. "You bet" was the response. :^) <<This could be good news for Tony as he could find himself enjoying renewed presence and respect at WDI.>> Absolutely! And if I were a betting person, I'd go so far as to say that Tony will be the next Marty, in the very near future, as head of Creative Development for WDI. (Provided, of course, he wants the job.) <<And that would be good for all of us.>> You'll get no argument from me! "Hey, John Lasseter! You just became the Chief Creative Office for Walt Disney Feature Animation, and the Principle Creative Advisor for Disney Imagineering. What are you going to do next?" "I'm going to Baxterland!" Yeah, baby!
Originally Posted By Dave >>>I think that AL Lutz has a good point<<< I would think Doobie has a good point too if I worked for him.....wait I do work for him... and you work for AL, so that explains it... Go Figure! ~
Originally Posted By 9oldmen >>in fact the first half of the article is pretty darn rational, and you don't see the same old negative nelly whining until they start quoting Al Lutz, and asking Al Lutz about DCA seems to me a lot like asking Michael Moore how he thinks President Bush is doing...<< Well, you'll have to look long and hard to find anyone to say anything negative about President Bush's performance. I mean, he's so popular now.
Originally Posted By Blacksheep Uncle what does post #17 (and #18) have to do with Disney or DCA anyway?
