So what exactly happened to DCA in the planning stages?

[DisneyMickey]

With all this talk about how DCA desperately needs re-Imagineering and paint, it got me wondering. What happened in the first place? Was is Barry Braverman's design? Just what did Paul Pressler and others do that shaped up DCA to be such an ugly park? Take me back.

[k_peek_2000]

Re: So what exactly happened to DCA in the planning stages?

It was Planned, Designed, Built and Ran Cheap.

[DisneyIPresume]

Re: So what exactly happened to DCA in the planning stages?

A main problem was Pressler's overzealous cost cutting measures. He valued cutting costs over any creativity that came out of the Imagineers.

I read an article in several months ago in Business Week Magazine that was talking about his leaving the GAP and basically the article stated that the same problems he had with Disney followed him to the GAP, and basically that was the fact that his cost cutting measures created a deficiency in creativity. Basically he cut off or at limited the resources required to create a quality product in order to save money.

[Datameister]

Re: So what exactly happened to DCA in the planning stages?

Which in turn loses the company money, be it Disney or GAP or what have you. It's really too bad he hasn't figured this out yet.

[Rocket Jet]

Re: So what exactly happened to DCA in the planning stages?

I remember going in 1999 when all they had was the preview center. All the concept art made DCA look really cool. It didn't look mediocre at all, IMO.

[shadow]

Re: So what exactly happened to DCA in the planning stages?

With all this talk about how DCA desperately needs re-Imagineering and paint, it got me wondering. What happened in the first place? Was is Barry Braverman's design? Just what did Paul Pressler and others do that shaped up DCA to be such an ugly park? Take me back.

Basically, almost the entire thing seems to be picked out of an amusement park 'catalog'. "Hmmm, let's see here, a rollercoaster yes...we'll add the Mickey head to give it a theme...oh, see here, this looks amazing, yet look at at the price tag, really cheap, but looks..nice, nice...we've gotta hit the wal-mart catalog next...maybe we could slap it together in singapore..."

[Mountain Man]

Re: So what exactly happened to DCA in the planning stages?

It's more like what didn't happen. Frankly the concept was a bit weird to begin with. Early promotion on DCA talked about the new park representing
some of the most interesting features in California. (Places you could actually visit after a half hour plane ride. So what was the point again?) Oh yes, let's present the state of California in a way that makes it possible for the visitor to have a real sense of what the Napa Valley is like, or the gold rush country, or how about an old fashioned California amusement park (the kind the real Disney felt had been done quite enough even in his day..that's why he developed the theme park concept)..To put it simply, rather than tearing down paradise to put in a parking lot they did the opposite with the end result only missing the paradise part.

Many wanted the parking lot back after their first visit. Personally, I think they should level it and let it go at that. Spend the Billion on hiring people who might stay on the job longer than 30 days without tagging every surface in the backstage area in their spare time. Call it just another of the Million Dreams.:lol:

[Pressler69]

Re: So what exactly happened to DCA in the planning stages?

It was built under the philosophy, "if it's good enough for Six Flags..."

It was never designed to be the grand second gate we've always hoped for. It was always designed to be low on attractions and high on shops and dining. Nothing "happened" to make DCA the way it is. It's exactly how Eisner, Pressler, Braverman, et al, wanted it to be.

[J Thaddeus Toad Esq]

Re: So what exactly happened to DCA in the planning stages?

Picture a board-room, and a beer-keg, and maybe some pie charts...

[Aladdin]

Re: So what exactly happened to DCA in the planning stages?

At the same Exact time, Tokoyo got Disney Seas, built with imagination,
creativity, fire breathing volcanos, King Triton's undersea kingdom,
a Land where Aladdin would feel at home, an actual water show with
creatively designed boats, etc.

and the Original Fantastic Park that was built by Walt in Anaheim
got a steel coaster dressed to look like it belongs at Knotts, a
project that started out as an animatronic show which ended up
being a history movie on California, a total of ONE new dark ride
which was closed before the 1st Birthday, A "Broadway Style" show
which also was closed before the year was up, giving up on a
brand new Parade, which lasted a little over a year.

DCA backfired on Pressler, got him fired, and was one of the many
fires started by Eisner, which eventually pushed him out of the top
spot at Disney.

[Pressler69]

Re: So what exactly happened to DCA in the planning stages?

DCA backfired on Pressler, got him fired, and was one of the many
fires started by Eisner, which eventually pushed him out of the top
spot at Disney.

No they all decided at the same time they wanted to spend more time with their families.

[Aladdin]

Re: So what exactly happened to DCA in the planning stages?

Ah, yes, and to brush up on their painting skills.

In fact, they will be featuring some sofa paintings of
former Disney Executives at the convention center
during the upcoming "Starving Artist Sale"

[Koutesu]

Re: So what exactly happened to DCA in the planning stages?

The '90s were depressing in retrospect. We saw the demise of attractions like the Skyway and PeopleMover as well as a lack of upkeep during the latter part of it. The Main St Electrical Parade was leaving and the all new Light Magic would debut the next year. We waited in anticipation as Tomorrowland became a maze of construction walls for the new Tomorrowland '98. And then we all went through this excitement when we found out the parking lot would be the new site of a new Disney park, hotel, and shopping/dining district.

We were all a little naive then.

[mainstreetcm]

Re: So what exactly happened to DCA in the planning stages?

Quite simply....Disney just FLAT OUT did NOT want to spend much cash on the building of the park. It doesn't get any more to the point than that.

[thrax]

Re: So what exactly happened to DCA in the planning stages?

all tell you what happen to DCA, some people just don't understand that sometimes magic cost money!

[Rex Dopey24]

Re: So what exactly happened to DCA in the planning stages?

Aye me thinks their cheap.

[DisneyMickey]

Re: So what exactly happened to DCA in the planning stages?

It is said that Pressler pushed Disneyland to achieve record profits thus his appointment to Disney theme parks president. But his decisions were only short-sighted right? Even though he made big bucks in the short term, wouldn't he have damaged them in the long run if he stayed any longer?

[GhostHostJeff]

Re: So what exactly happened to DCA in the planning stages?

I really don't think that California Adventure is that bad. I believe building the hotel so close was not a great idea because it could have been used for more room in the park. Paradise Pier looks great at night, but it still looks like a carnival. I know if Disney spends the time and money they can turn out something great in California Adventure.

[DLandFansAZ]

Re: So what exactly happened to DCA in the planning stages?

I don't live in California and never have. The only places in CA that I have really visited are San Diego and the Anaheim area. Yes, I've gone north to Universal Studios and once took a trip to the bay area when my brother lived in Livermore. As for what went wrong in the planning stages, I can't say, however after visiting DCA many times I can't say I know California and better from going to the park. But I will say that I don't hate DCA, I just don't think it lives up to what it was supposed to be.

[MasterGracey]

Re: So what exactly happened to DCA in the planning stages?

What happened to DCA during its planning stages?

A PowerPoint presentation. That's what happened.

http://www.micechat.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2165137&postcount=33