Originally Posted By Malin DCA is only 2 weeks away from finishing its Paradise Pier Makeover project. Re-theming the Pier to the Seaside amusement parks of the 1920's. Since 2008 we have seen several changes both small and large to the area. Now there is no disputing some of the changes have been needed. Toy Story Mania, World of Colour and the Little Mermaid have all been very popular additions to the attraction line up. But how about the rest of the face lift? How do you feel that Disney has given most of the Pier a cartoon makeover. The Boardwalk Games, Mickey's Fun Wheel, Silly Symphony Swings and the upcoming Goofy's Sky School. Do you enjoy the mixture of Characters with a Victorian Pier theme. Or do you miss the old days with the tacky boardwalk signs and Maliboomer. How would you have done the makeover differently to Disney. And I respect its probarely a little too early to talk about the new Restaurants or Goofy's Sky School. But everything else is free for discussion. And with the project near to finishing. No better time to discuss the pro's and cons to the re-imagined Paradise Pier. Plus feel free to talk about what you would like to see go into phase II.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt It's a mixed bag for me. From the start I said the remake of the Pier was more about style than substance, and with the exception of WOC and Mermaid, that has turned out to be the case. A lot of people wanted Disney to step up the look and feel of the area and that's exactly what's they've done, and overall it's a huge improvement. Could they have done more, sure, however it's very likely that the remaining untouched sections will be dealt with down the road. Specifically, the pavilion for King Triton's and the queue for Screamin'. Regarding the next steps I think there needs to be a real replacement for the park in the north helix of Screamin', and perhaps returning the former Wolfgang Puck eatery to a fine dining establishment. I'd also like to see the queue for the Fun Wheel redressed somehow along with a face lift for the facades of the shops across the way, as long as Clarence stays of course. I know a lot of people hate Goofy's little coaster, but I like what they've done to redress it and I think it's popular enough that it should stay until some sort of E or D ticket can be concocted to either replace it or is built nearby. Finally, I would love love love to see some kind of vintage seaside pier street entertainment along the boardwalk section. Maybe a flame swallower, juggler, unicyclist, magician... something like that.
Originally Posted By Malin I last visited the Paradise Pier in 2009. A lot of the area was under construction walls. And it was hard to really get idea of how well executed the older changes were to the area. Since it was just a mish mash of themes and ideas. I was how ever greatly impressed with Toy Story Mania. Imagineers really fitted it into the surrounding area. And the attraction queue also fitted the 1920 era. I really can't wait to get back to the Paradise Pier in August to see the finished phase of the project. And hopely Mickey's Fun Wheel will make sense. I also read that new Background music was installed. So will be interesting to see if this changes the atsmophere enough to really get and appreciate what WDI are trying to re-create here.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Looking at online images, the section between Screamin' and Jumpin' Jellyfish looks fantastic. I'm just as eager as you are to see it in person.
Originally Posted By Malin *** Finally, I would love love love to see some kind of vintage seaside pier street entertainment along the boardwalk section. Maybe a flame swallower, juggler, unicyclist, magician... something like that. *** Thats a nice idea and something very easy to add. Streetsmophere is something that is lacking in this park. Another thing I find rather suprising to see not addressed during this phase were Character re-themes for Jumpin' Jellyfish or Golden Zephyr. It just comes across a bit weird to see everything else with Characters themes while these two rides remain untouched.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt That's true, however I'm relieved that they weren't touched, especially The Golden Zephyr.
Originally Posted By tashajilek Im really ok with Everything being a charcater tie in at the Pier. DCA is a Disney Theme park so it isnt really suprising to me. " Finally, I would love love love to see some kind of vintage seaside pier street entertainment along the boardwalk section. Maybe a flame swallower, juggler, unicyclist, magician... something like that" That would be really great, but i doubt we will see it.
Originally Posted By Daannzzz The idea of remaking the pier was a great idea. Most of it has been fine. Mickey's sticks out a bit with it;s black paint job but I still like it better than before. The Silly Symphony Swaings looks much better and the "cartoon" themeing works okay on it but this attraction should have been removed (never put in in the first place). Goofy's sky school also looks better than it's predecessor but should also have been removed. They really should have budgeted to replace those two attractions along with the removal of the Space Shot. Otherwise I think the Pier section has improved a lot.
Originally Posted By Malin *** That's true, however I'm relieved that they weren't touched, especially The Golden Zephyr. *** It wasn't until someone explain to me that the Golden Zephyr is the only kind of its ride in the United States that I could understand why it was important to keep inside the Paradise Pier. Before that I just saw it as a very unreliable ride system that could only opperate during low winds. *** How about setting Duffy on fire??? *** I love Duffy and had forgotten he's part of Paradise Pier. I'm also going to pretend I didn't read that you suggested to set him on fire
Originally Posted By tashajilek HAHAHA that creepy bear put his paws on me when they should not have been lol.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "It wasn't until someone explain to me that the Golden Zephyr is the only kind of its ride in the United States that I could understand why it was important to keep inside the Paradise Pier." Yep, it's one of the more authentic elements of PP. "HAHAHA that creepy bear put his paws on me when they should not have been lol." Oh c'mon. Everyone knows that Duffy is gay.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance " Maybe a flame swallower, juggler, unicyclist, magician... something like that. " Great idea. "How about setting Duffy on fire???" I almost choked this was so funny, but it makes me sad too. Poor Duffy.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <Finally, I would love love love to see some kind of vintage seaside pier street entertainment along the boardwalk section. Maybe a flame swallower, juggler, unicyclist, magician... something like that. > Great idea - super-easy to do, and would really enhance the feel of the place.
Originally Posted By Moon Waffle I like what they've done so far but it is nowhere near "finished" in my mind. Too many areas still need to be re-themed.
Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct The Boardwalk resort area in WDW has the vibe or feel that Paradise Pier should have. All the photos I have seen of the Paradise Pier redo looks spectacular. The characters do not bother me except the big Mickey face on the wheel which I have gotten used to seeing now. At first it looked too contrived to me but when I see the Mickey face on the wheel in context of the World Of Color show - I like it. (video only - can't wait to visit DCA in person after Buena Vista Street is complete). And the games of chance I think perfectly lend themselves to the characters. What do I still wish for (and really not much with all that has been done) would be some attention to the California Screamin queue area. It feels so cheesy six flags-ish .... I don't mind the queue tot the Mickey Wheel because the space is so open to the charm of the Pier atmosphere where as the Screamin queue is isolated in an awful corner space that offers no charm at all. It is funny how the one area that truly bothered me a DCA was Paradise Pier and to see it so transformed now - I have such renewed excitement to see this land and "feel" the vibe in person. It looks so fantastic in the photos.
Originally Posted By DlandDug Count me among those who are very pleased with the newly refreshed Paradise Pier. I like the way they made some pretty standard issue amusement park rides look like big vintage tin toys. I am hoping they will get to that final corner (Man, Hat, 'n Beach, Curiosi-Tees, Point Mugu Tattoo) and finally lose the last vestige of those bland stucco boxes.
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>Streetsmophere is something that is lacking in this park.<< Ah, those of us who have been regulars at DCA since before Day One could weep at this comment. When DCA opened there was a great program of street entertainment. Jugglers, mimes, pavement artists... all themed to the "risky," "edgy" DCA of 2001. We still miss you, Three Bags Full, DaVine, and La Feet, even if the general public found you pretentious and baffling!
