I think the question people need to ask before all others is "Why does Disneyland need another gate?" That's not supposed to be taken to mean it doesn't need one, it's just a question that I think a lot of people don't consider. Most people question what kind of park is needed or what it should be like, but if you take a step back there's a more important question.
Disneyland was built because Walt wanted a park that adults could enjoy with their kids. There was a reason and a need for that park at the time. But California Adventure has shown us what a theme park looks like when it's opened for no other reason than to make money. Few (if any) people looked at Disneyland's old parking lot and mentioned, "Hey, you know what would go good here...". In other words, everyone seemed content with Disneyland by itself and no one seemed to want anything more outside the park. California Adventure is an answer to the question no one asked and it was motivated by nothing more than money.
There is no need for another gate on Disneyland property because people don't leave Disneyland begging to go to another park. Walt Disney World was built from the ground up to be a destination resort so the parks are built accordingly: huge and not very intimate. Disneyland on the other hand has the unique honor of being built mostly by Walt Disney and feels a lot smaller and more special. It's not a place leaving you wanting more when you leave the gate.
I think ultimately the "resort" mentality will kill Disneyland's uniqueness. Because the resort mentality is so new, Disneyland has not had a chance to be fully effected by it yet. But as the years and decades pass, and Disneyland starts to evolve into a pseudo-resort, the focus of the park will become different. If you look at Disney World in 1972, what did you think of back then? The Magic Kingdom...but now if you mention Disney World, you think of all 4 theme parks together. In time, Disneyland will mesh with California Adventure (or whatever it is called in the future) and will no longer have its own unique identity. Personally, I feel the *worst* thing we could do is open a 3rd gate next to the park.
Disneyland was built because Walt wanted a park that adults could enjoy with their kids. There was a reason and a need for that park at the time. But California Adventure has shown us what a theme park looks like when it's opened for no other reason than to make money. Few (if any) people looked at Disneyland's old parking lot and mentioned, "Hey, you know what would go good here...". In other words, everyone seemed content with Disneyland by itself and no one seemed to want anything more outside the park. California Adventure is an answer to the question no one asked and it was motivated by nothing more than money.
There is no need for another gate on Disneyland property because people don't leave Disneyland begging to go to another park. Walt Disney World was built from the ground up to be a destination resort so the parks are built accordingly: huge and not very intimate. Disneyland on the other hand has the unique honor of being built mostly by Walt Disney and feels a lot smaller and more special. It's not a place leaving you wanting more when you leave the gate.
I think ultimately the "resort" mentality will kill Disneyland's uniqueness. Because the resort mentality is so new, Disneyland has not had a chance to be fully effected by it yet. But as the years and decades pass, and Disneyland starts to evolve into a pseudo-resort, the focus of the park will become different. If you look at Disney World in 1972, what did you think of back then? The Magic Kingdom...but now if you mention Disney World, you think of all 4 theme parks together. In time, Disneyland will mesh with California Adventure (or whatever it is called in the future) and will no longer have its own unique identity. Personally, I feel the *worst* thing we could do is open a 3rd gate next to the park.
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