Re-branding DCA

[BigThunder]

Looking at another thread about Disneyland's new corporate logo got me to thinking about the problems with DCA. In another forum, I believe it was Merlin Jones who suggested re-branding DCA around a "Walt Disney comes to California in the 20's" theme (if it wasn't you Merlin, I apologize). In this scenario a recreation of the original mission style Hyperion studio's building would be the new center piece for the park, complete with its iconic Mickey Mouse/Silly Symphonies billboard.

I really liked this concept and it got me to thinking about names and logos. I'm sure that many of you could do better but here's what I came up with:



So DCA becomes Walt Disney's California (or WDC if you must abbreviate). A subtle but effective change of theme that could give much needed direction to the floundering park. The theme could be Disney Animation through time and would take visitors from Mickey (or even Oswald and Alice), through the classic features and up to Pixar (yes Pixar is Disney. In fact it could be argued that Pixar is more Disney than Disney has been lately).

Will they go that way? I sure hope so.

Edit: Just found the post I was thinking of and it was Merlin Jones (thanks Merlin!). http://imagineerebirth.blogspot.com/...walts-dca.html He explains the concept much better than I can.

Edit: Props also to PragmaticIdealist & sir clinksalot for their ideas on this topic from previous threads.

[doombuggy driver]

Re: Re-branding DCA

That is a great idea and an awesome logo! You should work for Disney!!!

[Speedway]

Re: Re-branding DCA

Looking at another thread about Disneyland's new corporate logo got me to thinking about the problems with DCA. In another forum, I believe it was Merlin Jones who suggested re-branding DCA around a "Walt Disney comes to California in the 20's" theme (if it wasn't you Merlin, I apologize). In this scenario a recreation of the original mission style Hyperion studio's building would be the new center piece for the park, complete with its iconic Mickey Mouse/Silly Symphonies billboard.

I really liked this concept and it got me to thinking about names and logos. I'm sure that many of you could do better but here's what I came up with:



So DCA becomes Walt Disney's California (or WDC if you must abbreviate). A subtle but effective change of theme that could give much needed direction to the floundering park. The theme could be Disney Animation through time and would take visitors from Mickey (or even Oswald and Alice), through the classic features and up to Pixar (yes Pixar is Disney. In fact it could be argued that Pixar is more Disney than Disney has been lately).

Will they go that way? I sure hope so.

Fantastic logo. Wonderful ideas.
What program did you use to create the graphics?

[BigThunder]

Re: Re-branding DCA

Fantastic logo. Wonderful ideas.
What program did you use to create the graphics?

Thanks.
Good 'ol Photoshop.

[The Mad Hatter]

Re: Re-branding DCA

Interesting. Would you keep the current 'lands'? If not then what would you add/subtract?

[Disneyland Daddy]

Re: Re-branding DCA

Looking at another thread about Disneyland's new corporate logo got me to thinking about the problems with DCA. In another forum, I believe it was Merlin Jones who suggested re-branding DCA around a "Walt Disney comes to California in the 20's" theme (if it wasn't you Merlin, I apologize). In this scenario a recreation of the original mission style Hyperion studio's building would be the new center piece for the park, complete with its iconic Mickey Mouse/Silly Symphonies billboard.

I really liked this concept and it got me to thinking about names and logos. I'm sure that many of you could do better but here's what I came up with:



So DCA becomes Walt Disney's California (or WDC if you must abbreviate). A subtle but effective change of theme that could give much needed direction to the floundering park. The theme could be Disney Animation through time and would take visitors from Mickey (or even Oswald and Alice), through the classic features and up to Pixar (yes Pixar is Disney. In fact it could be argued that Pixar is more Disney than Disney has been lately).

Will they go that way? I sure hope so.

Great idea. I like the name "Walt Disney's California".

[lazyboy97O]

Re: Re-branding DCA

I believe Disney has destroyed the possible use of this great name idea. The near constant "Disney's" branding of everything would make this name more problematic. The "Disney's" is dropped from almost everything outside of official use: (Walt Disney's) Enchanted Tiki Room, (Disney's) California Adventure, (Disney's) Animal Kingdom, etc. So that almost leaves this to be simple "California" or WDC, which is also short for The Walt Disney Company.

The overall concept of the theming and direction the name is taking is very good. It is this sort of underly concept that Disney's California Adventure really lacks.

[BigThunder]

Re: Re-branding DCA

Interesting. Would you keep the current 'lands'? If not then what would you add/subtract?

See this link for more details: http://imagineerebirth.blogspot.com/...walts-dca.html

Not my idea, I just happened to love it.

[merlinjones]

Re: Re-branding DCA

Big Thunder, you just put the biggest smile on my face... Cool logo!!! - - Now who wouldn't buy a t-shirt of that??? I hope someone down there is paying attention!

Great work! The vintage Mickey and Oswald would make awesome mascots for WDC!

Pragmatic Idealist also has some great posts on this type of concept in this thread:

http://micechat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17167&highlight=pragmatic+hyperion

Let's hear it for momentum!

[Mathius]

Re: Re-branding DCA

I hate the name change idea but I like the ideas you have.

[Lore]

Re: Re-branding DCA

Disney's California Adventureland has always sounded odd to me. I quite like Walt Disney's California. It makes it sound more unique and timeless. It would also open up DCA to have a 1930's feel, which would be vastly more interesting than the circa 2000 theme it has now.

[BigThunder]

Re: Re-branding DCA

Big Thunder, you just put the biggest smile on my face... Cool logo!!! - - Now who wouldn't buy a t-shirt of that??? I hope someone down there is paying attention!

Great work! The vintage Mickey and Oswald would make awesome mascots for WDC!

Pragmatic Idealist also has some great posts on this type of concept in this thread:

http://micechat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17167&highlight=pragmatic+hyperion

Let's hear it for momentum!

Just returning the favor Merlin. Your posts and blogs have been making my day since Save Disney. Thank's for getting the ball rolling. I hope they are listening.

Now if they'd only put us in charge...:whistling

[Disneyland Daddy]

Re: Re-branding DCA

Disney's California Adventureland has always sounded odd to me. I quite like Walt Disney's California. It makes it sound more unique and timeless. It would also open up DCA to have a 1930's feel, which would be vastly more interesting than the circa 2000 theme it has now.

I agree totally!

[Mathius]

Re: Re-branding DCA

I wouldn't mind the name Walt Disney's California Adventure.

[Circarama]

Re: Re-branding DCA

I like Walt Disney's California, because then it doesn't have to be based too closely on the real California because it's Walt Disney's interpretation of California.
And yes, early Mickey and Oswald would be perfect fit's for this type of idea.

[French25Fan]

Re: Re-branding DCA

If it was financially feasible, they should just get rid of the California concept... there isn't THAT much that can be done with it. It gets old fast...
I think they should make a Harry Potterland. This very British theme just doesn't fit with anything California.

[JiminyCricketFan]

Re: Re-branding DCA

I like your idea. The name sound good.

But I don't believe that the problem is the NAME for DCA. I believe that if Disney really did change the California Theme so that it gave specific locations, San Francisco, Hollywood, Santa Barbara, and so on with a specific time, 1920's, 1850's, 1950's, and so on, then the experience would be much better.

Also the rides have to FIT those places and times, not force fitted like A Bug's Life.

Then, and only then, should Disney change the name of DCA so that people know that the CONTENT has changed. Don't just change the label on the can and then have the consumer find out it is the same bad tasting soup! Change the product FIRST, then change the label to say "New and Improved!."

[Disneyland Daddy]

Re: Re-branding DCA

I like your idea. The name sound good.

But I don't believe that the problem is the NAME for DCA. I believe that if Disney really did change the California Theme so that it gave specific locations, San Francisco, Hollywood, Santa Barbara, and so on with a specific time, 1920's, 1850's, 1950's, and so on, then the experience would be much better.

Also the rides have to FIT those places and times, not force fitted like A Bug's Life.

Then, and only then, should Disney change the name of DCA so that people know that the CONTENT has changed. Don't just change the label on the can and then have the consumer find out it is the same bad tasting soup! Change the product FIRST, then change the label to say "New and Improved!."

A friend of mine hit it on the head a few years ago. A former cast member herself, while she loved DCA, she saidk that the reason it wasn't as magical (hence being popular) is because 'Walt didn't build it."

That seemed like a very interesting statement to ponder.

[cellarhound]

Re: Re-branding DCA

I like Walt Disney's California, because then it doesn't have to be based too closely on the real California because it's Walt Disney's interpretation of California.
And yes, early Mickey and Oswald would be perfect fit's for this type of idea.

It would be a great big dude ranch with a cayote running around... and a model train running through it... Humphry the bear pickin up litter next to mickey's trailer... Replace the golden vine with Zorro's Rancherro... (A property the company for the most part abandoned.)

There is a lot of milage on the idea, but it would mean completely reworking the infrastructure... I don't know if Disney would want to admit to it being THAT much of a loss. I don't know can the OC and the general public handle the cultural image of the American West California was projecting in the 1920's through the 1950's?

[AKComic]

Re: Re-branding DCA

You know, for years I've loved the idea of retheming DCA to Disney's America - but to be honest, I think I might actually like your idea even better! It's certainly more feasible - it could be easily done in stages without requiring a lengthy park shutdown, and could probably be done for far less money than the America concept.