What your gripe with Paradise Pier?

[kevdo]

First off, I understand the argument that this kind of "amusement park" was the type of park that Walt railed against when he created DL.

Then again, fifty years later, I see PP as a nostalgic look at the past, not unlike Main St. or Frontierland in DL. And, though many have complained, the alcohol consumption is quite a bit less prominent than many feared when DCA opened. They don't even see alcohol at PP anyway.

So, we're left with the rides. What do we have?

First and foremost we have an outstanding rollercoaster. Moreover, it's a coaster that many people can ride, unlike some of the really extreme coasters at other parks (I know, some view this as a bad thing, but this is a Disney park after all). I think Screamin frames the whole section quite well and there are a lot of thills on this quite long ride.

Okay, what else? I suggest that the Sun Wheel is a good ride too. As a cycle ride are there issues? Of course. But I think it gives outstanding views and thrills. I'll ride TOT but I'll NEVER ride the moving cars on the SW. Plus, the look of this and the size do make this a special ride, IMHO. I'd call this a D ticket overall.

I think the Golden Zephyr is a good C ticket. Good load capacity for a cycle ride and again something the whole family can do together. I like the motion on this ride and as it swings you out over the water it's a lot of fun.

I'd say the Rustworthy and Carousel are good attractions for kids -- my six year old could spend all day on these rides.

What's left? Stinger, Jellyfish, MM, Boomer. None of these strike me as particularly exciting or unique. Stinger is pretty look at but otherwise not very special. Worse, these all have height requirements so kids can't ride them (or, the thrills aren't that great for adults). These are the attractions I'd try to upgrade over time (esp. MM with the space over there including the Bay Area... could build something cool there).

I like the nostagic concept of the midway games but again these are nothing special or unique.

So, what do we have? One E, D, and C ticket, a couple good kid attractions, a great look, and some nice restaurants. Could it be better? Of course!

But overall I think the problem isn't the "concept" it is the execution of theme. Put in better rides and nobody could be complaining about the theme (okay... fewer people would complain).

[Rainfully]

I think the real problem many have with it is it's basically a glorified Six Flags... that's the impression I get anyway.

[SCUBAbe]

I like it and I do think the themeing hit it's mark. the first time my parents went to DCA they did not like it (they do now.) However, when we got to the pier area they said, "it looks just like the pike used to." Apparently they did something right...

[Rose Red]

My brother calls it Disneylands version of Lagoon. Laggon is amusment park in Utah that is full of travalling carnival rides and other such things. Every ride in Lagoon is on Paradise Peir - they are just newer.

[xfkirsten]

I agree with you! I think nowadays, it's a more nostalgic look at the way parks used to be. What didn't Walt like about them? If I recall, one of his gripes were that they were dirty. Well, Disneyland actually (tries) to keep PP clean, so no problem there. I think another one of his gripes is that it wasn't really a place where parents could go to spend time with they're children - it tended to be parents watching children. Well, PP still has a little ways to go in that respect. Like you said, the height restrictions make that a bit difficult. But there is a good mix of rides for both children and adults.

Overall, though, I'd say that PP is a good area, nostalgically themed to the amusement parks of old. Plus, I absolutely love the way it looks at night.

[imagineer boy]

I think they should trash all of the Clown, Coney island type decorations, and make it have a more main streetish, early 1900 boardwalk type look like WDW's board walk area.

[innerSpaceman]

I don't think it's nostaglically themed at all. Just because they used to have amusement parks like this 70 years ago does not mean that they are still not commonplace enough today such that Paradise Pier looks unappealingly generic.

They would have had to have gone way further with a historical theme to convey nostalgia. Besides which, the place is vacant-feeling and completely creepy during the day. Nighttime is night-and-day different, and I admit to it being a pretty place when all lit up. Sorry, though, we have what's called DAYTIME here in California, and the area has got to look good with the sun shining on it.

Add to that the crappiest food, and the most lame attractions, and you have a dismal failure that is the worst section of a terrible theme park.




(I kinda like 'Screamin' - but I don't like getting any closer to Paradise Pier than the Cove Bar.)

[Monorail Man]

Sorry, though, we have what's called DAYTIME here in California, and the area has got to look good with the sun shining on it.

Epsecailly when there's only about 2 hours of night time at the park, because DCA closes so early.

[xfkirsten]

They would have had to have gone way further with a historical theme to convey nostalgia.

Out of curiosity, how do you think they could accomplish that? Is there something in particular that they could add or change that would make it feel more historical or nostalgic?

(I kinda like 'Screamin' - but I don't like getting any closer to Paradise Pier than the Cove Bar.)

That's okay. All the less people for me to wait behind in line for Screamin'.

[mistyisjafo]

DCA has it's good & bad points.

GOOD: Less crowds, CA Screaming, Soaring, & of course Twilight zone.

BAD:
Superstar Limo - cheesy & still not changed!
the Muppets - I love the Muppets but when did they become "Disney"
Who Wants to be a Millionaire - No one!! Can this go, PLEASE??
The entire backlot of by the Hyperion - Not a well used place
The Embarrassments - Wolfgang Puck, Robert Mondavi and the host of sponsors that pulled out at the beginning that would have made the place great
Trying to hard but not succeeding - The very lame yet cool if your 5 Bugs Life Fair Grounds. Which is super lame if you've been to the Florida version which is awesome in comparison. Or the Lands? Lands? What Lands? What does Soaring have to do with a Giant Bear? Why is Hollywood the only area you can really tell that it's a seperate land?? Why, with all that water at the Pier don't they use it??

All I'm saying is that they worked so fast to get it in and done it just seemed that after all the hype it just doesn't live up to the expectation. As an AP it's a great place to hang out, eat, and ride a ride or two but Main Gate will always be better. It has no HEART like Main.

[Tinafromidaho]

I thought it was great, it seems to me, from what I read on these boards, that people who go to disneyland all the time don't like it and us silly tourists who only get to come once every couple of years appreciate it more.

[DISNEYJUNKIE]

I remember watching the building of DCA from my hotel room at the then pan pacific and the DLH a couple of times , the first look at the big Orange just did it for me...ugly ugly ugly... If the park looked like Calif as in the Grizzley Peak area and maybe a snow covered Mountain and lovely beach with sail boats or the central valleys farm land maybe it would have succeeded...Maybe the power to be should watch that soarin screen over and over again till some Ca themed rided ideas pop into mind and become a reality and he/they need to realize that California has never been cheap!

[Cousin Orville]

[QUOTE=xfkirsten]Out of curiosity, how do you think they could accomplish that? Is there something in particular that they could add or change that would make it feel more historical or nostalgic?

Skin the buildings with more graphics,siding, color and period detail and boardwalk side show type attractions.this would convincingly transport you to another era. Look at images of early Venice Beach and you'll see a ton of imagery that would make the whole thing richer. The designers did great considering the budgets they had, but it does look thin under even the briefest scrutiny and could benefit by an enhancement. WDW's Boardwalk is a good example of area richness. but could have been better with even one of PP's rides!

[Dr. Earkid]

BAD:
Superstar Limo - cheesy & still not changed!

um, gone.....

Who Wants to be a Millionaire - No one!! Can this go, PLEASE??

yes, gone too!! :botox:

When's the last time you were actually in DCA?

[SoCal]

When's the last time you were actually in DCA?

lol, I have a feeling that post has been posted a few times. The info is old and out of date, and this thread is about PP, not the entire DCA park :lol:

Anyway - the roller coaster and sun wheel aside, I HATE the PP area of the park. It really does remind me of an EAST COAST area and in no way reminds me of anything on the West coast. If it was not for the Sun Wheel and SOC I would not waste my time in that area of the park at all. I think it is themed really well - but not themed after a West coast area. Sure, there may have been some CA area that looked like that, but where did that sort of area originate in? Thats right - the East coast. I like to think they just put that stuff there to fill some space.

[Jspider]

All Disney needs to do if you ask me is add a few more retro touches to the Pier then add

a Lagoon show

http://www.micechat.com/showthread.php?t=798

and this darkride

http://www.micechat.com/showthread.php?t=798

those two combined would turn the Pier into an awsome part of the park

[Dr. Earkid]

Oh, I get it SoCalDude!!

See the word "gripe" and they instantly go to copy and paste from their saved Word document. :devil:

[MickeyMania]

SoCalDude needs to come up to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk if he thinks there's no place in CA that resembles Paradise Pier.

Keeping in mind that I haven't been there myself, my issue with the area is that the few truly unique rides (coaster, zephyr, for example) are outnumbered with rides I can find at my county fair. The worst is the orange peel chain buckets. Gimme a break!

I'm indecisive on the Sun Wheel. It's got something going for it that I haven't found in a wheel before (the moving buckets,) but I don't find Wheels that pretty, think it's ugly even as far as wheels go, and have been kind of uncomfortable since I first heard it would join the Matterhorn on the "things you see from the freeway" list. I guess I'd give it a makeover, that in the middle looks cheap, but keep it around.

Lastly, the temporary tattoo thing MUST go. Talk about the wrong message to be sending at a Disney park...

[fearsnda]

My brother calls it Disneylands version of Lagoon. Laggon is amusment park in Utah that is full of travalling carnival rides and other such things. Every ride in Lagoon is on Paradise Peir - they are just newer.

Lagoon!!!!!!!!! Lordy you're takin' me back. Now if Disney would ad an LDS Pioneer section to the Pier and the transformation would be complete

[Ian P]

I hate the complete lack of imagination in trying to hide the ugly metal railings that surround the legs and structure of Screamin'. Why did we not get nice wooden fences or at least cover them with old posters or something. Instead we are surrounded by miles of white metal railings, inside the Malibomer area is particularly bad. The whole area does have a theme, but it lacks the detail to make it convincing, it's all done on a cheap 'big' scale when it really needs small attention to detail.

Ian