Originally Posted By SpokkerJones "It's all going to be moot soon with WOC, presumably. I see that as a big hit that will necessitate two shows a night for all but the slowest times." They would still have to stagger the closing times or they'd have a crowd control nightmare. TDS and TDL both close at the same time every night, but they have a monorail that can actually absorb crowds (not like the trams, which some people give up on and walk to the parking structure) and a parking structure within walking distance of TDS. Of course, many people arrive to TDR on the train. At DCA, when World of Color opens, you're going to have an even larger annual passholder base (who are more likely to drive alone than casual visitors) descending on the park to see the new show. It's going to be parking and crowd control hell.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <<< I've always wondered why they didn't OPEN DCA later, then close it later at night. They could have the same number of hours, just start later. >>> <Let's take an off-season day where DCA might be open 10am-6pm. Consider what would happen if they were to shift this to 1pm-9pm. It's true that they would pick up the dinner hour, but what would this do to ticket sales? Keep in mind that the model originally was that DCA would support single-day tickets on its own at the same price as DL, or at least additional days on a multi-day non-park-hopping ticket.> How are you going to sell many single-day tickets for day visitors that chose DCA over DL if the park doesn't open until 1pm?> You could, for the people who arrive in the afternoon to begin with. Even back when when DL was a single park, we'd often arrive at noon or 1, then just stay till closing. Besides, DLR has been on more of a WDW park-hopping model for a while now (except hopping is a lot easier). Most people have hoppers or AP's, so shifting the hours later still makes sense to me. Though soon, with WOC, it will be pretty much moot anyway. (I agree that staggering the times for Fantasmic, fireworks, and WOC will be a challenge so that everyone's not leaving at the same time.)
Originally Posted By gadzuux All three shows are waiting for dark. In mid-summer,that's not until after 9pm. That doesn't leave a lot of time for two F! shows, two WOC shows and of course the fireworks. Because fireworks are so traditional, they'd likely want to keep them as early as possible, if only so families with kids can see them. The way they have it now works out very well, with the 9pm F! show, followed immediately by the nightly fireworks. This leads to a surge of guests leaving the DL just before 10pm. The likeliest solution would be to offer WOC at 9pm and 10pm. Presumeably the show will run about twenty minutes. So the guests attending the 9pm show and heading out afterwards will hit the tram loading area around 9:30 to 9:45 - during the fireworks. The surge of guests leaving after the 10pm show would be around 10:30 to 10:45 - during the second F! show. I'm guessing that the access gate next to 'Soarin' will be opened to allow for guests to move directly to the M&F tram stop, and bypass the main entrance altogether - at least for the first summer.
Originally Posted By di-tard4life it doesnt matter when the parks close-- at 9pm 8pm and around 5pm.the tram is soo freakin full i end up walking to the parking lot-- hence when DCA closes at 9m--that is like the wrong time to go home-- both parks have parades letting out and then u have a "cattle yard" forming...
Originally Posted By danyoung I think the earlier DCA close is a reaction to the crowds and what they choose to do. After MEP, they all rush over to see either the DL fireworks or Fantasmic! or both. I'm sure in those early days DCA had late hours, but the crowds just didn't stay, forcing Disney to cut back.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney I can give you a few theories if you let me indulge: -The park sucks! -Its not enough to do to stay the whole day, much less until night. -The park sucks! -There is nothing to do at night beyound see MEP so everyone rushes back to DL with nighttime parade, Fantasmic, the Fireworks and yeah a crapload of rides to do. -The park sucks! -Attendance has never warrented it to stay open longer than what it is. After awhile, they are just paying a lot of people to stand around mostly. -The park sucks! -DLR relies more on APs, the majority who are locals and prefer DL. And this is mainly because... -The parks sucks!
Originally Posted By Mr X lol. Hey WD, how are ya? I think I owe you a mail or something (I thought about writing today, in fact). Hope you're well in Oz!
Originally Posted By WorldDisney Hey X, good to see you dude! Yeah, we got to trade some mail this week . Doing okay in Oz, spend lots of time with Irishfan these days! Will send you a PM this week, promise. Getting back OT: -The park sucks!
Originally Posted By WorldDisney We have to agree to disagree Dave. Sure the toon thing isnt great, but they will at least have some ORIGINAL, story orientated rides again and some real themeing for a change. And my favorite area of the expansion is the entrance. Hell, they just made THAT back in 2001 I probably wouldve liked this park heaps more. But yeah, still have a wait and see attitude basically.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Sorry, having seen the excrement produced over the last few years in the guise of toon popularity, I cannot be bothered to wait and see. It is capital investment that is a waste of money. I agree the entrance is a welcome change (but still does not add much in the way of things to do), and although I am looking forward to the cars/test track attraction, I'd be happier in 1950's mustangs or something. To me it feels like Disney is becoming one enormous commercial devoid of soul. At least the original DCA had a more noble ethos. Now it is starting to suck harder than a vaccuum with a new motor.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney LOL, ouch!! And yeah, I caught a 2-3 pages of the 500+ posts of the MK thread first time today, I certainly know your position . But this is the way Disney is going sadly, but at least I see creativity in the stuff thats being added. You have to look at Toy Story land that is going in to HKDL in a few years to see how bad the toon stuff can REALLY be when they dont even try . DCA at least seems to be trying to add some real life in their attractions again. Like I said before, even though most of the stuff in there really has zero to do with the theme and as far away from California minus the entrance of course, how could anyone say attractions like Cars land, TLM ride and WOC are things that wouldnt get people excited for? But yes, its all one big commercial now, the ONE thing I could actually give the original DCA credit for. It wasnt all just blatent 'synergy' and in-your-face marketing of every Disney brand and toon like it is now (but there were so many stores in the place, you walking in downtown disney east anyway ). But end of the day, the stuff looks fun, kill me!
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 Sorry, having seen the excrement produced over the last few years in the guise of toon popularity, I cannot be bothered to wait and see. It is capital investment that is a waste of money. I agree the entrance is a welcome change (but still does not add much in the way of things to do), and although I am looking forward to the cars/test track attraction, I'd be happier in 1950's mustangs or something.<< So I take it you won't be first in line for the Toy Story land at WDSP?
Originally Posted By disneywatcher >> Darkbeer, I have question for you: What is your personal opinion as to why this is such a difficult concept for some to grasp, even after all these years? << I'll offer my own answer: The story of DCA has been a fascinating glimpse into the different ways that people deal with the failures and incompetency of others and themselves too. Added to that, of course, is the different way that people deal with opinions that conflict with their own. So now more than 8 years since DCA premiered, I'm sure those in particular who were directly responsible for the creation of the park have feelings of resentment when their baby, DCA, is characterized as anything but a big success, or when it's judged too harshly. They may no longer work for the DisCo, but I'm sure their bruised egos still need some nurturing and protecting.
Originally Posted By disneywatcher >> At least the original DCA had a more noble ethos. << What?! What was so noble -- ethos or otherwise -- about a park born out of a weekend corporate conference in Aspen, Colorado? Tacky or cheesy, yes, noble, no.
Originally Posted By barboy I have the perfect idea for another Disney park but this time in WDW. **Disney's Florida Adventure**. Sections will be: everglades, Miami Beach, Kennedy Space and Key West/Ft Jefferson. The park will feature orange growing(sponsored by Minute Maid) and key lime pie baking. The signature ride could be "Alligator Canal Run" where you board a fan boat lookalike which has not even one AA alligator. DFA will be a huge hit, trust me!
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones "'m sure those in particular who were directly responsible for the creation of the park have feelings of resentment when their baby, DCA, is characterized as anything but a big success, or when it's judged too harshly." Actually, I think the people responsible for DCA don't think about it for a second and don't care what people think of DCA. They are living their lives comfortably while their replacements clean up the mess.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney ^^Sounds like the last White House administration . But yeah, DCA was a complete mess for a long time. Someone HAD to do something about it because its been obvious for a long time it was considered a joke of a park and basically a failure of trying to prove it was more than a 2nd rate Disney park with little-to-no real interest from the average public and scorn from most of the fanbase. I'm surprise it took THIS long for them to finally do something about it. It only took HKDL 3 and a half years to realize their failed park needed help much sooner. Of course even LESS people are around at night in that park .
