Disney's California Adventure

[OnWithTheShow]

Let me say that when I walked into the park I was very pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed the park a great deal. I thought the music was great, the buildings well themed and the live entertainment was nearly to the quality at the Studios. Things were going so well...and then I reached Paradise Pier. Heres the deal:

Main Entrance/Sunshine Plaza:
I love the bridge with the monorail but I think that it looks a little too squished. The fountain and the Sun thingy is really cool but I think they need to develop a better Icon. I think the park has too many. The studios had the same problem for a while. They need one huge eye catching original piece right at the center.

Park Music:
The music in every section of the park (even paradise pier) was absolutely great it made you feel that much more a part of the action. I especially liked the Backlot and Condor Flats music (being the huge movie buff that I am). I cant tell you how excited I was when I heard the theme song from The Last Starfighter playing.

Park Stores:
I found the selection of merchandise and quality of cast members in all of the stores to be very weak. They were also inconsistant with the items they carry with the DCA logo. I.E. One store would have DCA polo shirts in white and navy and another would just have the navy.

Live Entertainment:
Was everywhere! I don't think I was ever in the park when there wasnt a live show going on. Way to go entertainment! The kids activities spread throughout the park were also enjoyed by the little ones. BTW we also got invited to the Grand Californian lobby one morning with the kids to write letters to Mickey. What a fun activity.

Hollywood Pictures Backlot:
My favorite section of the park (gee I wonder why, kind of reminds me of home). A little clone heavy with Millionaire and Muppets but still unique. I didn't get to see the Hyperion theater which I hear is amazing. Disney Animation is absolutely spectacular! As soon as I walked into the lobby I was in awe. The different interactive exhibits and shows as well as the walk through section were great and I could definitely spend all day just relaxing in the lobby.

Bountiful Valley Farm
A mini-outdoors version of the Land with Its Tough to be A Bug. The live entertainment here was fun for the kids and my brother sure got a kick out of siting in the cockpit of the tractor. I think the Bugs mini-land will add a great deal to this area. I missed the vine making attraction but both restaurants in the area looked like they had tremendous atmosphere's.

Pacific Wharf
The toritilla and bread making exhibits are too similiar in my mind bit both were very entertaining (Mind u this is coming from a 21 year old card carrying roller coaster enthuasist who could also spend weeks at a time exploring EPCOT. I guess I am just a odd find.) The live entertainment in this area was also great.

Bay Area:
Not sure what exactly is in this area other than Golden Dreams. The view would be nice if Paradise Pier wasnt there. I enjoyed Golden Dreams a great deal and especially liked the effect on the statues. The story line could be too intense and depressing for the little ones (it even got bad for me at some points 'look how we rounded up all the Japanese-Americans and put them in camps')

Grizzly Peak Recreation Area:
My second favorite area of the park. On second thought it may be my first. I didn't get tp ride grizzly river run but it looks great. This area is amazingly well themed and blends perfectly with the Grand Californian next door. I definitely sat and jsut relaxed in this area for over an hour. I think if I had stayed longer I would come out from my hotel room early in the morning and around sunset and just enjoyed the atmosphere in this area. The kids loved the Challenge Trails. BTW I really do love Grand Californian I noticed that they pipe in cricket noises at night in both GC courtyard and Grizzly Peak.

Paradise Pier:
Oh my God what happened! They completely utterly and totally ruined what was shaping up to be an excellent park. I absolutely despised this area of the park. The theming was half-rate and the attractions were average. I understand that this may be an integral part of California and the were building 'California' Adventure, but they definitely let it fly out of control. The two positives were that Screamin was fun (but for some reason doesnt quite fit in my mind, maybe the lack of a storyline?) and the music was nice. Now for the negatives. Long lines for everything, almost 1 out of 7 light bulbs were buirned out, attractions are off the shelf and have no story, too many carny games, too many shops. I think that if Paradise Pier had been kept to the area that Screamin, Malliboomer and Sunwheel are in I could tolerate its presence but not when it just stretches on and on into the distance. Oh and what an eyesore from the pool of Grand Californian. The queues in this area were also quite uninspiring. I guess maybe they were trying to grab more locals.

Condor Flats:
Another mini-sized land that would do well with another attaction, but unfortunately there is no room I can see. Another area that featured great live entertainment, good music and fun kids activities. Soarin Over California....wow. The music on the ride is at least half the experience and you have to love the preshow with puddy. The cast seemed overwhelmingly confused all 3 times I experienced this attraction on 2 separate days, they may need additional training. The attraction itself is definitely a unique experience that wows you (here's something for you all those people who say Disney attractions dont wow them anymore). I think it could be 10 times better if it had a cohesive story line.

Jump on me if you want but I really enjoyed California Adventure! (If I pretend that Paradise Pier doesn't exist)

 

[hopemax]

DCA is one of the "hot" buttons, one misunderstood phrase or statement and it's a drop down drag out fight in most discussions.

DCA is a "fun" park, but really, are any of the big parks (Universal, Six Flags, Busch Gardens) not "fun?" But like you saw for yourself DCA can be very schizophrenic; some areas are very nice like the Grizzly Rapids Area or Animation, and then there is the Pier. You also got to miss out on the umm... i"nteresting" Superstar Limo. My main issues with DCA are: I think there are serious capacity issues (I don't know what the lines were like when you were there), percentage-wise I find DCA lacking in "family" things to do (the rumore about bugs mini-land is adult-only parties won't be allowed to ride, though if you have a kid with you, you can ride), and I question the types of rides (mainly the Paradise Pier rides, but also the decision to include the 10 year old Muppet film at the same time you put in the technologically advanded Tough to Be a Bug just around the corner).

I just expect Disney, with closing in on 50 years of theme park design experience to be more consistant in their efforts.

 

[raidermatt]

I think that was a pretty fair assessment. Its not a BAD park, but it could have been (and hopefully will be) much better. Its still enjoyable, but the inevitable comparisons to its next-door neighbor mean that OK just won't be successful.

Its funny, but the song that stuck out for me was also The Last Starfighter.

 

[DisneyFanGuy]

I was surprised that I liked DCA. I spent a full day there last month and really enjoyed it. But would I go back? No. Not until there is something new. I would, however, visit Disneyland every day of the week and twice on Sundays. That is the difference between the two. After nearly 50 years Disneyland can still "Wow" you, and DCA is a nice place to visit once.

 

[brad]

I had just about given up on you OWTS until you actually found PP to be unpleasant.

I have come to calling this area "Jocelyn Wildensteinland", in honor of the woman that keeps getting more and more plastic surgery but just gets weirder and weirder looking.

See:Ugly Big Blue wall around the Mad Mouse coaster.

They actually turned something ugly and offensive to the eye into something EVEN UGLIER and MORE OFFENSIVE to the eye.

 

[Bob O]

Im looking forward to visiting this park but i am a little apprenhensive due to alot of negative reports. Thanks for the info!!

 

[Luv2Roam]

DH and I were at DCA/DL last May. I am sure things have changed, even though it has been less than a year.
DCA was nice. Everyone seems to love Soarin' Over CA.
But it's just a matter of personal taste. We thought the whole most boring part of BOTH Anaheim Disney parks was the Back Lots. Other than the Sorcerer's Workshop, we both said "Why Bother" on that entire area.
So it just goes to show it's all a matter of personal taste.
We enjoyed Paradise Pier. We didn't LOVE it, and it seemed like a scaled down Six Flags. But DH FORCED himself to ride CA Screamin' five times! Although he likes RnRC better. (Theming and in the dark)
But they did a GREAT job on setting up a place for us wimps to snap pics of the victims, er, those on the roller coaster.
The ferris wheel, yes it is just a ferris wheel, was done nicely. "In the water" was a nice touch. But it is just a ferris wheel that is a step up nicer than most ferris wheels.
They did a great job on the Grizzly Rapids. But even that seems very lame next to Universal Studios Jurassic water ride. Same with the Mupperts 3d, TtbaB, comparing those to TS 3D. There is no comparison. US did a MUCH better job on there one than the two Disney 3D's put together.
I agree, the old time magic just doesn't seem to be there. We know what Walt would have done. We know what Ei$ner does too.
The food choices between WDW and DL/DCA -- again no comparison. Blue Bayou is VERY GOOD! But after that....
The stores at DL/DCA are not near as nice as WDW.
But Dl/DCA is a very fun time. And it is PERFECT for park hopping! And once ToT is open -- who whoo!!!

 

[Luv2Roam]

DH and I were at DCA/DL last May. I am sure things have changed, even though it has been less than a year.
DCA was nice. Everyone seems to love Soarin' Over CA.
But it's just a matter of personal taste. We thought the whole most boring part of BOTH Anaheim Disney parks was the Back Lots. Other than the Sorcerer's Workshop, we both said "Why Bother" on that entire area.
So it just goes to show it's all a matter of personal taste.
We enjoyed Paradise Pier. We didn't LOVE it, and it seemed like a scaled down Six Flags. But DH FORCED himself to ride CA Screamin' five times! Although he likes RnRC better. (Theming and in the dark)
But they did a GREAT job on setting up a place for us wimps to snap pics of the victims, er, those on the roller coaster.
The ferris wheel, yes it is just a ferris wheel, was done nicely. "In the water" was a nice touch. But it is just a ferris wheel that is a step up nicer than most ferris wheels.
They did a great job on the Grizzly Rapids. But even that seems very lame next to Universal Studios Jurassic water ride. Same with the Mupperts 3d, TtbaB, comparing those to T2 3D. There is no comparison. US did a MUCH better job on there one than the two Disney 3D's put together.
I agree, the old time magic just doesn't seem to be there. We know what Walt would have done. We know what Ei$ner does too.
The food choices between WDW and DL/DCA -- again no comparison. Blue Bayou is VERY GOOD! But after that....
The stores at DL/DCA are not near as nice as WDW.
But Dl/DCA is a very fun time. And it is PERFECT for park hopping! And once ToT is open -- who whoo!!!

 

[OnWithTheShow]

Unfortunately Blu Bayou was also closed during my visit. I also don't agree with everyone's comparsion between WDW's 3D shows and T2-3D. I found T2-3D to be quite unimpressive. The actors do a poor job lip-syncing with the audio track, the CG affects look like they came from the early 80's, the timing is always off with the actors, and the attraction is too intense for the whole family to enjoy. I prefer any of the WDW 3D films (including Captain Eo, which is still my favorite).

 

[Bob O]

OnwiththeShow i would repectfully disagree!!!!! T23D totally blows away any disney 3d attraction!!! The intensity of the attraction is GREAT and the live action parts a bonus from the film which is great. Its nice to have something intense and not something that caters to 3yr olds!!! I like disney's 3d shows but after a couple of times they do become boring and i never fell that way about T23D. It has a great combination of action/humor and intensity to make a great overall experience. A true E ticket attraction if their ever was one!!!

 

[Judy from Boise]

well, talk about personal taste.....I just returned from TDS, and the woman I was with said she prefered DCA ! Granted she only spent about 6 hours at TDS....but still she couldn't find an attraction there that touched CA screaming or Soaring.
I will give you my opinion in Dec when i will get to DCA.

PS. Brad contain yourself , no I won't give you her address so you can beat some sense into her

 

[raidermatt]

BobO- There is a difference between catering to 3 year-olds, and just not sending them screaming out of the building.

Your opinion that WDW needs to beef-up its thrill quotient is well documented, as is mine that it might need a little tweaking, but thats it.

However, Its Tough..., Honey I Shruk..., and even Muppets do not cater to 3 year-olds. In fact, some of the effects still scare some of them. But more 3 year-olds are able to get through them and enjoy them than shows like Terminator, which I think has a height restriction (?). My point is that while the WDW shows may not cater to the ultimate thrill-seekers, at least part of their target does include some mature adults, who are well beyond the age of 3. (Well, I know I like 'em, and while some do question my mental maturity, I was definitely born more than 3 years ago! )

 

[Another Voice]

The top five dumbest things ever said about Disney Theme Parks:

#5 - “His experience with shopping malls will be a great asset to his management of the parks and resorts”.

#4 - “Disney guests are asking for more opportunities to meet with Disney® characters, so we’re canceling Early Entry.”

#3 - “Michael wants a strong American feel in the park and in the hotels. The French will just LOVE it.”

# 2 - “It’s an icon”

…and the #1 dumbest thing ever said about Disney Theme Parks:

“I prefer California Adventure over DisneySea”

 

[d-r]

I wish Kali was as good as Grizzly.

 

[MikePezz]

AV, I was suprised the following didn't make your list (of course, maybe they are in your top ten):

"Disneyland's 'NEW' Tomorrowland doesn't really need any new attractions. Just paint it."

"Let's celebrate Walt's 100th Birthday. It's not morbid--it's marketing!"

 

[meowthew2]

Originally posted by Judy from Boise
I just returned from TDS, and the woman I was with said she prefered DCA !

That's a valid opinion. TDS lacks attractions. Granted, it's the same number as DCA, but the Mermaid Lagoon kiddie rides take a nice chunk out of that number for adults. Elaborate theming is great, but it isn't everything. So to it's credit, DCA does have more attractions for adults than TDS.

Granted she only spent about 6 hours at TDS....

Well, of course, like everything else Disney does these days, it's a half-day park.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I don't think it can be discounted since the woman has actually been to and experienced both parks , sounds to me like someone who has made a choice based on personal preference of attractions over themeing. There are many who do.

 

[Another Voice]

I try to be tolerant of other opinions and I give a wide latitude to differing tastes. But (in jest) there are personal preferences and then there are people who claim that SPAM tastes better then real meat. At a certain point a difference of opinion simply the crosses the line of common sense. For me, that difference is the view across Porto Paradiso to the Volcano compared to the view across Paradise Lagoon to the Anaheim Convention Center and a blue tarp splattered with sea gull droppings. To keep one’s sanity, one must hold on to SOME standards!

Actually, the #6 Dumb Thing said is “We’re celebrating Walt Disney’s 100th Birthday by offering two Big Macs® for just $2.22!!!!!!”

 

[airlarry!]

Warning: I am the pimp in the box for Tokyo Disney Seas. I am doing everything possible to make a trip there for next year. So, yes, I am biased.

But I think that this friend, who I jokingly suggest is in reality Mrs. Pre$$ler or Mrs. Ei$ner, should be shown this trip report:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/dtp/trip.rpt/report_files/tokyodl.rpt/kuzcotopia01oc.htm

courtesy of Brian and Mouseplanet.

And then, head over to www.laughingplace.com and forward the address to her so she can take a look at Marc's latest pictures.

And then have her come back here and explain her opinion on DCA. The same people who would be quick to fault some of the other Disney sites for their harsh criticism of DCA, should read, and reread their coverage of the TDS openings. It has opened to rave reviews, and unlike DCA, is turning away people! on a Tuesday!! at 12:00 noon!!!

Just take one look at the Jumpin' Jellyfish ride at DCA, and the Jumpin' Jellyfish at TDS!

 

[Carnotaurus]

We were in DCA in January and were surprised by how much we enjoyed it. I wondered if one (just one) of the reasons that locals aren't loving it is that it's so different from DL. DL is dense -- sensory overload. It was built before anyone knew much about crowd control, so it feels more intense. Whereas DCA is spread out (much more like a Florida Disney park). You have to really walk and explore.

I wished that the river ride was wilder and wondered why the jellyfish and zephyr rides were there. And Superstar Limos was so bad that my husband insisted that we go on it again so he could videotape the entire experience ...

But .... We still really liked the park. Soarin' Over California is incredible. It's so very Disney. And California Screamin' -- how cool is it to ride a roller coaster that tries to make you fly, not vomit?

Here's another California observation: We saw tons of characters just wandering around without escorts. I'm not a Mickey stalker, but it was pretty magical to encounter Belle at the castle, to happen onto Mickey and Goofy. Maybe they can do that because most of the visitors are local, people who are over seeing Mickey. (We also thought that would explain why so many of the castmembers and other visitors were so rude. This is just a place they go on weekends.)