Transportation Idea at DCA (Armchair Imagineering)

[Cacopelao!]

While in DCA this weekend, I wondered why on earth there is no transportation in the park? I know this has been discussed on other threads, but I came up with an idea (and it may actually be a good one).

Just like DL has a Railroad, so should DCA, but it should be a classic zephyr-type train like the one that is permanent between the plaza and Soaring over California. Shiny, silver, and 1940's looking. It would be an elevated train most of the time though. The main entrance would be in the center of the plaza and it would run into the backlot and have a stop near ToT and then continue toward PP. The next stop would be at the boardwalk (near California Screamin') for those going to and then it would either go over the water or under (in a tunnel) and then it would make one last stop near GRR and then back to the plaza. It would add to the California atmosphere and provide some MUCH NEEDED transportation.

What do you think? What are some other solutions?

[sediment]

Re: Transportation Idea at DCA (Armchair Imagineering)

What would be really cool: DCA could be this vast open space where people could drive their own cars into spaces lined on each side, guided by cast members...

[tinkermonkey]

Re: Transportation Idea at DCA (Armchair Imagineering)

I think that since they have let the concept of placemaking and themeing in DCA get a little loose, they could do a train concept that might get some enjoyment out of just about anyone -- in addition to the zephyr they could have a second train (running on the same tracks, just never "together" that was modeled after a San Francisco red trolley. There's my Armchair imagineering for the day.

[elly]

Re: Transportation Idea at DCA (Armchair Imagineering)

they could have a second train (running on the same tracks, just never "together" that was modeled after a San Francisco red trolley

i like this a lot since i've never gotten the chance to ride a real one in Frisco

[dsnyfnatic]

Re: Transportation Idea at DCA (Armchair Imagineering)

unfortunately, i think the idea of a train just might draw too many comparisons to the park across the esplanade. however, trolleys/cable cars, something like that could work.

i do like your placement for the stops though (although maybe future expansion into the timon lot should be considered as well?)

i think that before any large scale transportation additions like this can be implemented, a few things need to be done to the park first....

1)build the much needed and much wanted pathway between bug's land and ToT, that in and of itself will help solve many of the transportation issues, allowing you to make a complete loop around the park, without walking into and out of dead ends (like you do in HPB)

2)add vegetation at the very least all around the perimiter of the park. ya, you screwed up not giving us a berm, the very least you could do is at least kinda try and hide the outside world from us using trees and plants and high grass and stuff (appropriately themed of course). you can't have a transportation system that goes around the park if the guests can look to one side of the train (or w/e system is used) and see the outside world of Anaheim. any possible illusion that you were riding on a train/cable car/trolley/etc would be totally shattered

just my two cents

[brassplayer]

Re: Transportation Idea at DCA (Armchair Imagineering)

1)build the much needed and much wanted pathway between bug's land and ToT, that in and of itself will help solve many of the transportation issues, allowing you to make a complete loop around the park, without walking into and out of dead ends (like you do in HPB)

I believe DCA's primary maintenance road lies between Bugs Land and the Tower. It's also used for the parade floats. So, Disney would have to tunnel if they wanted to create a link between the two lands.

--Tim

[Disneyland Daddy]

Re: Transportation Idea at DCA (Armchair Imagineering)

While in DCA this weekend, I wondered why on earth there is no transportation in the park? I know this has been discussed on other threads, but I came up with an idea (and it may actually be a good one).

Just like DL has a Railroad, so should DCA, but it should be a classic zephyr-type train like the one that is permanent between the plaza and Soaring over California. Shiny, silver, and 1940's looking. It would be an elevated train most of the time though. The main entrance would be in the center of the plaza and it would run into the backlot and have a stop near ToT and then continue toward PP. The next stop would be at the boardwalk (near California Screamin') for those going to and then it would either go over the water or under (in a tunnel) and then it would make one last stop near GRR and then back to the plaza. It would add to the California atmosphere and provide some MUCH NEEDED transportation.

What do you think? What are some other solutions?

I agree. It does need some sort of transportation system - because the park has sooooooooooo much walking from place to place. This would help with those sore feet.

[KDR]

Re: Transportation Idea at DCA (Armchair Imagineering)

The lack is probably in keeping with the fact that in most of CA, there is no decent public transportation. If they were going to theme it properly, the entire park would be drive through, and you wouldn't get out of your car for anything except potty breaks.

[Nautilus]

Re: Transportation Idea at DCA (Armchair Imagineering)

I think there is a plan to have a mine train in the Grizzly Peak area very similar to the old Mine train Through Nature's Wonderland.

[JiminyCricketFan]

Re: Transportation Idea at DCA (Armchair Imagineering)

Back in the early days of Los Angeles, they had the RED CAR! That was a trolley system that took people to work. I think they would make a great transportation system for DCA because they were relatively small cars, but they were RED! It would add a flash of color to the park. There is something about riding a RED vehicle that is more fun. Just as RED cars have the reputation as being more fun that other colored cars.

[mrfantasmic]

Re: Transportation Idea at DCA (Armchair Imagineering)

I think a cable car from "sunshine plaza" to "san francisco" around paridise pier and back down to the plaza would be nice.

[Doofy]

Re: Transportation Idea at DCA (Armchair Imagineering)

Maybe they could add a canal and have boats take you around the park. It would be something to differentiate DCA from Disneyland. I think that this would probably take up too much space but it would be fun.

[JerrodDRagon]

Re: Transportation Idea at DCA (Armchair Imagineering)

Well then need something I hate having to walk around DCA all day I would like to take a break (Like I do at DL) and just ride the train/What ever they get.

[dsnyfnatic]

Re: Transportation Idea at DCA (Armchair Imagineering)

looks like Al's latest ariticle has kinda answered the question of this thread huh?

different cars taking you to different lands

plus the monorail to be circling the park? id like a train/cable car/trolley as much as the next guy, but hey its a pretty dang good start

[Quacky4Donald]

Re: Transportation Idea at DCA (Armchair Imagineering)

What I always thought would be a cool idea is if they had a subway type system like B.A.R.T. in the Bay Area. I know it's probably not doable, but hey, it's a thought.

[3rdshiftCM]

Re: Transportation Idea at DCA (Armchair Imagineering)

No trollys! Red cars.

I would love a train but, a train is just to big. Look at how much area the DL train takes up, no room for a station in the plaza.

[Steve DeGaetano]

Re: Transportation Idea at DCA (Armchair Imagineering)

In fact, the idea for a train at DCA was floated.

The imagineers on the proposal actually had a complete and very well-thought-out plan.

The proposal was presented to John Lasseter a few months ago.

HE LOVED IT!!

Then the proposal was presented to Rasulo and company.

Project basically ended that day.

[Steve DeGaetano]

Re: Transportation Idea at DCA (Armchair Imagineering)

No trollys! Red cars.

Um, the Red Cars were trolleys.

But more particularly, most of them were interurbans.

[Steve DeGaetano]

Re: Transportation Idea at DCA (Armchair Imagineering)

Back in the early days of Los Angeles, they had the RED CAR! That was a trolley system that took people to work. I think they would make a great transportation system for DCA because they were relatively small cars, but they were RED!

The Red Cars weren't small--they were known as some of the largest interurbans around.

And they just didn't take people to work. They took them EVERYWHERE!! Shopping Downtown. Out to Burbank and Glendale. To Hollywood. Along the sand to Redondo. Out to the Valley. To Santa Monica and the West Side. To Long Beach. To Riverside.

Ever wonder why we have "Little Santa Monica Blvd." in Century City? The Red car line occupied the median! Ever see that tree-lined median on Sherman Way? That was the Red Car Line! See those little bolts on the freeway overpasses when you drive on the 101 by Universal Studios? Yep--they held the wire--the Red Car tracks used to occupy the fast lane of the Hollywood Freeway.

The Red Car had more than 1,100 miles of track--more miles than the LA Freeway System.

So yes, the Red Car would make a wonderful addition to DCA. From the turn of the century to the early 1960s, the Red Car was Los Angeles.

[JiminyCricketFan]

Re: Transportation Idea at DCA (Armchair Imagineering)

The Red Cars weren't small--they were known as some of the largest interurbans around.

When I said that the Red Car was not large, I meant that it would not take up as much space as a train with a line of cars. The system has to be small enough to maneuver around the buildings at DCA. Also, Disneyland has trains and other vehicles that are smaller than the original. I don't see any reason for not scaling down the Red Cars to fit DCA.