DCA Retrospective-The Past Decade

[rld275501]

So, since DCA 2.0 debuted in 2012, I was thinking: How many attractions DCA has gained, after that day? We are starting AFTER RSR, so RSR shall not be included in the count. Not replacements, but new attractions ADDED to the park. Built from the GROUND UP, as an expansion, not a "reimagining."

We are looking for an increase in ridecount.

Is it truly 0?

[mickeyfan42]

Would inside Out Emotional whirlwind count? I could see that going either way since it is a replacement/relocation of Flik's Flyers.

Otherwise the only one I can think of is Spider-Man opening in 33 days.

[Jspider]

Would inside Out Emotional whirlwind count? I could see that going either way since it is a replacement/relocation of Flik's Flyers.

Otherwise the only one I can think of is Spider-Man opening in 33 days.

reading through the opening I don't think even Spiderman will count. Even if we didn't count emotional whirlwind for replacing Flik's Flyers it also kinda replaces the Maliboomer?

I could be wrong but I think we're looking for an overall increase in ridecount.

The honest answer if that's the case is that ride count hasn't increased. I'm divided on the overall philosophy of the expansion going forward but I do feel its worth acknowledging at least in my opinion that the changes are making the park more repeatable.

The randomization of Guardians makes its experience much more dynamic and I believe Spiderman will be better than ITTBAB as it's both interactive and physicaly moves riders around.

I do wish we did have more to bring total counts up but DCA has always had alot of filler so I can't exactly morn Bugsland as a loss when it was so skippable (prettty to walk through but worse versions of alot of county fair style rides).

The only areas I can think of where we'd see another net increase is the Timon lot, the tram area behind the Hollywood backlot (assuming we ever go back to that new parking garage plan across the street) and potentially the parking lot around the Paradise Pier Hotel.


I want to see larger expansion happen of course but I'm also fine with removing the fluff. I know there's a whole debate about when DCA will become a "full day park" but I think it's technically at that place already. I just feel the full day idea struggles when so much of the park has been film based and flatride based to this day making the experience pretty dry especially for the California market where flatrides and 3D attactions never got the same lines as in Florida.

[DLR92]

Truly zero new additions since RSR and Toy Story Mania. Spider Man is just a replacement for It Tough To Be A Bug. So their is no net gain for DCA. Honestly that disappointing.

Hollywood’s and has a couple of unused buildings itching for new attractions to be in placed. Goofy Sky School is another pad for a dark ride trade off.

[mickeyfan42]

reading through the opening I don't think even Spiderman will count. Even if we didn't count emotional whirlwind for replacing Flik's Flyers it also kinda replaces the Maliboomer?

I could be wrong but I think we're looking for an overall increase in ridecount.

The honest answer if that's the case is that ride count hasn't increased. I'm divided on the overall philosophy of the expansion going forward but I do feel its worth acknowledging at least in my opinion that the changes are making the park more repeatable.

The randomization of Guardians makes its experience much more dynamic and I believe Spiderman will be better than ITTBAB as it's both interactive and physicaly moves riders around.

I do wish we did have more to bring total counts up but DCA has always had alot of filler so I can't exactly morn Bugsland as a loss when it was so skippable (prettty to walk through but worse versions of alot of county fair style rides).

The only areas I can think of where we'd see another net increase is the Timon lot, the tram area behind the Hollywood backlot (assuming we ever go back to that new parking garage plan across the street) and potentially the parking lot around the Paradise Pier Hotel.


I want to see larger expansion happen of course but I'm also fine with removing the fluff. I know there's a whole debate about when DCA will become a "full day park" but I think it's technically at that place already. I just feel the full day idea struggles when so much of the park has been film based and flatride based to this day making the experience pretty dry especially for the California market where flatrides and 3D attactions never got the same lines as in Florida.

I hear ya, though I feel like it should be pointed out that even as is, DCA (17 including Spider-Man since it is only a month away) still has about double the ride count of any of the WDW second gates: Epcot (9), Hollywood Studios (9), and Animal Kingdom (8)

[Brian PieGuy]

Because Bugs Land contained so many rides, it will be a while before California Adventure has a net gain in rides. I liked Heimlich's Chew Chew Train and loved It's Tough to be a Bug, but the rest of those rides I usually skipped, so the net loss hasn't really affected my visits.

As for expansion, I've heard from someone involved in the construction of California Adventure that the "San Francisco" area by the Little Mermaid ride was intended as expansion space, so perhaps that part of the park will be used in the future, in addition to areas others have mentioned.

[mickeyfan42]

Because Bugs Land contained so many rides, it will be a while before California Adventure has a net gain in rides. I liked Heimlich's Chew Chew Train and loved It's Tough to be a Bug, but the rest of those rides I usually skipped, so the net loss hasn't really affected my visits.

As for expansion, I've heard from someone involved in the construction of California Adventure that the "San Francisco" area by the Little Mermaid ride was intended as expansion space, so perhaps that part of the park will be used in the future, in addition to areas others have mentioned.

one clever thing they could do (if room for it) is a Big Hero 6 attraction in that space since San Fransokyo wouldn't be much if a change for a San Fransisco area, but there really isn't much room to work with over there due to the Sonoma Terrace and Wine Country Trattoria being so close to it and I highly doubt Disney would be willing to close one or both of those locations just so they could put in a new ride there (even though I wasn't impressed with their menu at Sonoma when I tried it and would happily bulldoze it).

[Brian PieGuy]

one clever thing they could do (if room for it) is a Big Hero 6 attraction in that space since San Fransokyo wouldn't be much if a change for a San Fransisco area, but there really isn't much room to work with over there due to the Sonoma Terrace and Wine Country Trattoria being so close to it and I highly doubt Disney would be willing to close one or both of those locations just so they could put in a new ride there (even though I wasn't impressed with their menu at Sonoma when I tried it and would happily bulldoze it).

I could see Disney building something like that, even though I would prefer California Adventure represent real locations in California. I would be sad to see Wine Country Trattoria go, not simply because I go to it a lot, but because its just plain cool to have a vineyard in a theme park. Regardless, if Disney wanted to add another cheap carnival ride to Paradise Pier, the San Francisco area seems like a good spot.

[DLR92]

DCA really need more signature attractions like DL. RSR was a spot on right choice of attraction. I’m just surprised Disney and WDI never thought o cram more dark rides in former Paradise Pier area to fill the need for more family friendly attractions.

[Brian PieGuy]

DCA really need more signature attractions like DL. RSR was a spot on right choice of attraction. I’m just surprised Disney and WDI never thought o cram more dark rides in former Paradise Pier area to fill the need for more family friendly attractions.

This is the problem with California Adventure; they have a lot of rides, but most are not the kind that get people wanting to come back again and again. I've never woken up and thought "I really miss Golden Zephyr and Jumping Jellyfish". Even as a child these kinds of rides didn't appeal to me as much as the signature attractions at Disneyland. Perhaps Avengers Campus will provide a signature attraction or two to California Adventure.

[BasilOregano]

It's never going to happen, but I'd love to see a trackless Muppets Studio ride off Buena Vista Street. Filling in a Beauty and the Beast and/or an Aladdin dark ride type attraction close to Little Mermaid could also work to give that area sort of a Disney Renaissance classics theme I think, and you could definitely do a Pixar themed ride by Pixar Pier too (maybe an actual Inside Out attraction, instead of the current carnival clone? Or Coco?).

[DLR92]

This is the problem with California Adventure; they have a lot of rides, but most are not the kind that get people wanting to come back again and again. I've never woken up and thought "I really miss Golden Zephyr and Jumping Jellyfish". Even as a child these kinds of rides didn't appeal to me as much as the signature attractions at Disneyland. Perhaps Avengers Campus will provide a signature attraction or two to California Adventure.

Agreed! They over empathizes with filler end attractions like those. They that why DCA still suffering getting the clicks entry when DL is just more polished and developed.

[Mark Twain]

not everyone is fixated on rides. some just like to walk around and soak up some ambiance.

[Captain Andy]

I think it totally depends on who you ask when it comes to California Adventure. My grandparents took my sisters and I to California Adventure the first summer it was open. Of course, it wasn't Disneyland, but something about the Beach Boys playing underneath the Golden Gate Bridge, the original California Screamin', our family singing on Grizzly River Run, Soarin' over the Golden State, and the delicious Bakery Tour are very nostalgic for me, even to this day. DCA has changed drastically over the years, but I think I've personally found a very soft spot for it. That soft spot makes it my first and last park of the day.

My only wish is that it didn't dive headfirst in the headache which is IP marketing, but parts of the park have still retained its very odd and proud Golden State character.

[Brian PieGuy]

I think it totally depends on who you ask when it comes to California Adventure. My grandparents took my sisters and I to California Adventure the first summer it was open. Of course, it wasn't Disneyland, but something about the Beach Boys playing underneath the Golden Gate Bridge, the original California Screamin', our family singing on Grizzly River Run, Soarin' over the Golden State, and the delicious Bakery Tour are very nostalgic for me, even to this day. DCA has changed drastically over the years, but I think I've personally found a very soft spot for it. That soft spot makes it my first and last park of the day.

My only wish is that it didn't dive headfirst in the headache which is IP marketing, but parts of the park have still retained its very odd and proud Golden State character.

I'm so happy the Bakery Tour still exists; it and Redwood Creek Challenge Trail always bring back fond memories of the old California Adventure. Getting handed free slices of bread is a benevolence you don't often get in a theme park.

[Eagleman]

Family friendly attractions?
I recall when IGER was CEO........That Company market is gear up, for the teen's and young.
IMO - that way they going......sad
and you can see it the parks ,the way they are changing from theme, to Brand Marketing !

[Spongeocto4]

It technically hasn't been a decade yet. Cars' Land will only be turning 9 this summer, while The Little Mermaid ride is turning 10 in June. [I feel old.]

Disney does deserve some credit for trying, though. They did plan to expand DCA via the now scrapped Eastern Gateway Expansion plan. Had the plan actually gone through, Avengers Campus would of likely been built in Hollywoodland, with the Monorail track being partially moved for more room in DCA.

And of course the planned Avengers E-ticket has been in development he11 for the last couple of years, which is causing a notable gap in Avengers Campus.

That being said, Disney (and a certain former parks director) deserve some blame for the misplaced development in DCA. Pixar Pier was unnecessary and the lack of scope for Avengers Campus will likely not be received well with the public.

However, we should still hold some hope for Disney Forward, as it could be the next big expansion that DCA needs.

[DLR92]

It technically hasn't been a decade yet. Cars' Land will only be turning 9 this summer, while The Little Mermaid ride is turning 10 in June. [I feel old.]

Disney does deserve some credit for trying, though. They did plan to expand DCA via the now scrapped Eastern Gateway Expansion plan. Had the plan actually gone through, Avengers Campus would of likely been built in Hollywoodland, with the Monorail track being partially moved for more room in DCA.

And of course the planned Avengers E-ticket has been in development he11 for the last couple of years, which is causing a notable gap in Avengers Campus.

That being said, Disney (and a certain former parks director) deserve some blame for the misplaced development in DCA. Pixar Pier was unnecessary and the lack of scope for Avengers Campus will likely not be received well with the public.

However, we should still hold some hope for Disney Forward, as it could be the next big expansion that DCA needs.

I might the the only few who was glad Eastern Gateway failed miserably. I don’t think the potential direction to allow marvel to take over Hollywoodland was not a positive move either.

[mickdaddy]

DCA really need more signature attractions like DL. RSR was a spot on right choice of attraction. I’m just surprised Disney and WDI never thought o cram more dark rides in former Paradise Pier area to fill the need for more family friendly attractions.

To me that is the thing that DCA is missing, That signature pirates/ HM dark ride. RSR is a wonderful hybrid of that concept and Monsters and Mermaid fill the fantasyland style dark ride but they are missing that longer more immersive dark ride. To me Avengers campus is a great opportunity to add that type of ride in.

[Jspider]

I hear ya, though I feel like it should be pointed out that even as is, DCA (17 including Spider-Man since it is only a month away) still has about double the ride count of any of the WDW second gates: Epcot (9), Hollywood Studios (9), and Animal Kingdom (8)

This is where it all becomes relative though. Epcot has alot of meat to its Pavilions even if you don't count them as individual experiences.

I mean compare the Living Seas to say the Animation Building? I mean the aquarium will always be something more interesting to walk through than a Sour Dough bread tour.


I think the California audience is defferent and even the tourist market revisits more frequently here than in Florida which is why I was noting repeatability as an important improvement.

You're right about the ride count. What I think I'm failing to comunicate is DCA can stay ride count neutral and still be growing if the experiences being replaced are significantly more repeatable.

Little Mermaid is a dramatic jump above Golden Dreams and event though getting through the attraction now happens more rapidly it no doubt draws higher ridership and is something many will do with every visit to the park raising the average time spent at DCA each visit. I'm relatively certain Spiderman will be something similar since ITTBAB bearly had any wait in its early years and has only gotten worse with age.

DCA really need more signature attractions like DL. RSR was a spot on right choice of attraction. I’m just surprised Disney and WDI never thought o cram more dark rides in former Paradise Pier area to fill the need for more family friendly attractions.

The issue there a dark ride ally not being a part of the initial planning and now the land layout and facilities aren't terribly conducive to adding much more than what is already there.

While it is happening slowly at a rate of almost one or two per decade I do think DCA is slowly rounding itself out with signature attractions. While I'd love to get a hot streak with a Pirates and a Mansion showing up side by side I don't know that it will happen in the modern era.


I'm not particularly a fan of the movie model but for being what it is they're doing pretty good at it I think. My only real ire now is that they keep introducing the land THEN landing the key attraction and I don't know if that's entirely wise especially since they keep cutting the budget on the entertainment side of things. I could at least see these giant land openings being good if the land itself was interesting to explore but I feel like Avengers campus is going to be pretty light on that at launch (granted the pandemic may be more to blame this time) and we all know how Galaxy's Edge was.