Sunshine Plaza or 1920s Los Angeles?

[WDWizard]

DCA is supposedly completely changing its entrance from Sunshine Plaza to a 1920s vision of Los Angeles as Walt saw it back in the day...



I have no doubt that the 1920s Los Angeles concept will be very well done and amazing, but Sunshine Plaza as it is now is great too in many ways (although I admit that it has its weaknesses).

I imagine that Los Angeles in the 1920s looked like the Olvera Street district of Downtown L.A. that we glanced at while on vacation in SoCal in August. It was a nice area, Union Station was there and there were lots of historical buildings with a Spanish/Mexican influence.

I have mixed feelings on DCA's entrance area, but what do you think?

[FinalAdventure]

Re: Sunshine Plaza or 1920s Los Angeles?

I'm not sure what to say... I wouldn't say "Sunshine Plaza? Yuck, give me 1920s Los Angeles"... but more of "I'd slightly prefer 1920s Los Angeles, but I'd really miss Sunshine Plaza".

I know, you can make fun of me now. I'd miss Sunshine Plaza, but it's not as big and grand as Aquasphere or Spaceship Earth or Tree of Life or Disneyland's Train Station... so I'm open for change after having seen other grand entrances. First, I want to see what 1920s Los Angeles looks like, then see how different it is from Sunshine Plaza... then I'd make up my mind then.

So the answer is: We'll see. I'd miss Sunshine Plaza, but I'd like to see what 1920s Los Angeles would look like.

[MarenBoBarren]

Re: Sunshine Plaza or 1920s Los Angeles?

I think as much as i would miss sunshine plaza 1920s LA could look really cool.......

[Aladdin]

Re: Sunshine Plaza or 1920s Los Angeles?

The Grand Californian Entrance to DCA is cute. And best of all, it does
take you to a different place, a place that could be one of several
National Parks. BUT the main entrance, the "Old Fashioned
Post Card" that unfolds as you enter is pathetic.

And only a caveman would find the concrete planters and "benches"
comfortable and attractive. The "main" weenie, the Sun above the
water fountain, is let down. The imagineers did not use the correct
definition of "WEENIE" when they built that useless icon. Why didn't
the biggest weenie of DCA become the Main weenie for the entry, when
DCA opened (that would be Grizzly Peak.) Of course, that's just one
of the hundreds of problems with the layout of the entire park ~ and
of course, changing the layout of the Park really isn't possible. Those
are going to be problems for as long at DCA remains in operation.

[MiCkEy07]

Re: Sunshine Plaza or 1920s Los Angeles?

i would love to see a 1920's LA....but then again, DCA wouldnt be the same without the CALIFORNIA letters or the monorail going thru the golden gate bridge. its a toss up for me. I never really liked the "California postcard" entrance, so I would like to see that go...it's just...you get attatched to the letters and the golden gate bridge. (or maybe im just weird like that)

[lesmisfan]

Re: Sunshine Plaza or 1920s Los Angeles?

i never really liked the sunshine plaza area. So i am looking forward to the new 1920s L.A. look.

[The Disneylander]

Re: Sunshine Plaza or 1920s Los Angeles?

It's the difference between atmosphere that really counts. Sunshine Plaza has a kind of upbeat, vibrant feel to it, while the new 1920's LA should be more subdued and peaceful.

[FinalAdventure]

Re: Sunshine Plaza or 1920s Los Angeles?

i would love to see a 1920's LA....but then again, DCA wouldnt be the same without the CALIFORNIA letters or the monorail going thru the golden gate bridge. its a toss up for me. I never really liked the "California postcard" entrance, so I would like to see that go...it's just...you get attatched to the letters and the golden gate bridge. (or maybe im just weird like that)

Don't worry. As many DCA haters there are in MiceChat, my opinion has always been that Sunshine Plaza was amazing. When I heard it might go back in 2003, I freaked out, because I thought, "What could ever replace it?"

Answer: 1920's Los Angeles

Now the challenge is: Would it work??

[DarthDucky]

Re: Sunshine Plaza or 1920s Los Angeles?

I'm not gonna answer because I haven't experienced the 1920's entrance

[ROBONICS95]

Re: Sunshine Plaza or 1920s Los Angeles?

I am extremely excited about the concept of being transported to the "Jazz Age."

I don't mind Sunshine Plaza, but it doesn't take me anywhere. Main Street is able to create such a unique feeling and experience that as soon as I pass through those tunnels, I know I am in a special place.

To theme an entrance to the Roaring Twenties can help create that unique feeling that grabs me and lets me know I am in some place special.

I would love to hear 1920s Big Band music playing through the entrance speakers. I would love to see a well themed "speak easy." Maybe even have a little Jazz Club that we can visit. The OP mentioned "picking something up at the bakery," where a train is currently used as the entrance. Why not elaborate on the train idea? Traveling by rail was extremely popular in those days.

Like Sunshine Plaza, would LOVE a 1920's "main street."

[startours1]

Re: Sunshine Plaza or 1920s Los Angeles?

I would really like to see 1920's los angeles. I think it would be great. If they planned it out right and they gave it a good design

[TwilitWings]

Re: Sunshine Plaza or 1920s Los Angeles?

I'm going to miss the Golden Gate bridge and the letters terribly, but (although I'm okay with the plaza) I'm looking forward to 1920's Los Angeles. :]

[Goofy Daddy]

Re: Sunshine Plaza or 1920s Los Angeles?

1920s L.A. will be seen in the current Hollywood section after the makeover from what I here, and I see no reason to extend that out into the plaza. IMO Sunshine Plaza serves a good pupose (much like DL's hub) and is separate from the Hollywood section.

[WDWizard]

Re: Sunshine Plaza or 1920s Los Angeles?

So I'm thinking 1920s L.A. looked like the Olvera Street district of Downtown LA that has a big Spanish/Mexican influence. Below are some pictures to give you an idea of what it looks like...


This is the only vision of 1920s LA I can think of, or maybe the 1920s Los Angeles that Walt saw was more of an old Hollywood..?

[TwilitWings]

Re: Sunshine Plaza or 1920s Los Angeles?

So I'm thinking 1920s L.A. looked like the Olvera Street district of Downtown LA that has a big Spanish/Mexican influence. Below are some pictures to give you an idea of what it looks like...

This is the only vision of 1920s LA I can think of, or maybe the 1920s Los Angeles that Walt saw was more of an old Hollywood..?

I think they are more likely referring to the "glamorous" Hollywood of the 1920's over the gorgeous and historically important, but culturally limited Los Angeles. :]

Although I do find it odd since the 1930's and the advent of sound was considered the "Golden Age" of Hollywood, if I'm not mistaken. I guess they don't want to touch the Great Depression? : /

[Rex Dopey24]

Re: Sunshine Plaza or 1920s Los Angeles?

1920's la would be great.

[DisneyMickey]

Re: Sunshine Plaza or 1920s Los Angeles?

Sunshine Plaza is one of the ugliest entrances in any Disney park. There is nothing special about it. It's a big concrete plaza that is un-inspired and serves as the worst first impression of any Disney Park. Walt Disney Studios Paris' entrance is nicer than Sunshine Plaza. Everything screams cheap, ugly, and un-inspired. The post-card entrance is one of the worst concepts. It may have sounded cool, but the fact that you can see an icon from almost all the parks lands proves how transparent it really is. There is nothing dimensional about the entrance. It is industrial at best. The mural, the letters, the droopy bridge, the speakers, the flat circular layout, the buildings, the sightlines, the concrete planters. Everything should be torn out and re-thought.

The anticipation you see from the train station mounted atop a lush train platform serves a much better sightline. The low sightlines of the tile mural and CALIFORNIA letters lack the vibe Disneyland's entrance gives off. I always thought the entrance to DCA gave its power away. Everything in the park follows the same formula as the entrace- one dimensional and un-inspiring. When you think about it, all the great Disney theme parks have the same entrance formula. The impressively mask the adventures that hide within the gates.

[ksejr1]

Re: Sunshine Plaza or 1920s Los Angeles?

love the 1920's idea!!!

[Athlonacon]

Re: Sunshine Plaza or 1920s Los Angeles?

I think that nostalgia has taken over and people are thinking about the Sunshine Plaza differently today than they did 7 years ago. After the 1920's LA gets installed people will long for the days of Sunshine Plaza (myself included), but I think that after enough time goes by and we start to get emotionally attached to it, we'll wonder how we ever liked Sunshine Plaza in the first place.

I don't think it's going to be an exact replica of Los Angeles in the 1920's, it will be "Disneyfied" and given that upbeat, reality-that-never-was feel that is so prevalent in Disneyland. If there is one thing Disney is good at (or once , it's taking reality and transforming it into fantasy without losing touch with the reality.

[codelyokorox]

Re: Sunshine Plaza or 1920s Los Angeles?

I think that I'd really enjoy the 1920s version LA in the entrance plaza. I do like Sunshine Plaza. It makes me happy, and it hides how fun the rest of the park is (YES.I'll admit it. I love DCA.). It's nice, and while I wouldn't choose it over Disneyland, I do enjoy going there.

I think it'd be nifty if they did it in grey scale. Just like, an old film? It'd be unique, for sure!