Aug. 17, 2012: S.S. rustworthy

[Werner Weiss]

Link to Yesterland: S.S. rustworthy at Yesterland

Please discuss it here.

[TomGreen51]

Re: Aug. 17, 2012: S.S. rustworthy

I used to work custodial down there and man would I get depressed every time I walked pass. The Maliboomer to California Screamin was ok , even though the Hollywood area was better. I haven't really been down there since the new area came up, but my opinion was that corner of the park could have used a great E-Ticket attraction. The coaster and even the Maliboomer are good rides, but that part of the Pier was bland. All critiques aside, I had some good memories and it's still good to hear some recognition for the old attraction.

Keep up the good work.

[DisW]

Re: Aug. 17, 2012: S.S. rustworthy

The various "Yesterland" entries on the original DCA, the one on the SS rustworthy included, are rather startling because they're a reminder of just how aesthetically unattractive so many major sections of the park really were. The ugliness of the design and layout of the "boat" area make it seem like the Imagineers were purposefully trying to be as uninspired as possible when working on DCA. If they instead were actually doing their darndest to be quite skilled and professional, then they must have had major stress in their personal lives and were too depressed to realize their design efforts were quite bad.

[kindagoofy]

Re: Aug. 17, 2012: S.S. rustworthy

Nice article, as always, thank you! I found it laughable there was a 'wait time' sign at this pile o' junk. Even on the busiest of hot summer days, it was always empty, except for the one or two squirt stations that still worked.

[dfan07]

Re: Aug. 17, 2012: S.S. rustworthy

I always found it funny that the wait time sign went up to 45 minutes:

[disneylandreport]

Re: Aug. 17, 2012: S.S. rustworthy

Personally, I am very glad I have very faint memories only of this part of the park. Rustworthy, burger invasion, etc. It all seems so garish and severe. I'm so grateful they upgraded this part of the park.

And what was the 45 minute wait for exactly?

[AB Born]

Re: Aug. 17, 2012: S.S. rustworthy

Was Tony Baxter one of the Imagineer's that did DCA 1.0?

[rwsmith]

Re: Aug. 17, 2012: S.S. rustworthy

That entire corner of DCA was so unattractive. The Paradise Grill area is a major improvement in terms of aesthetics and cuisine. Goofy's Sky School is only a slight improvement.

[Werner Weiss]

Re: Aug. 17, 2012: S.S. rustworthy

I always found it funny that the wait time sign went up to 45 minutes:

45 minutes? Now that's funny!

---------- Post added 08-17-2012 at 08:06 PM ----------

Was Tony Baxter one of the Imagineer's that did DCA 1.0?

My understanding is that a lot of smart Imagineers tried to distance themselves from the original version of Disney's California Adventure. Tony Baxter's name is not associated with California Adventure.

Two key Imagineers for California were Barry Braverman and Tim Delaney. Braverman had a key management role. Delaney's concepts shaped the original entrance and Paradise Pier.

However, in defense of the Imagineers who worked on the original California Adventure, I think it's safe to say that Imagineers who wanted to keep their jobs did what they were asked to do. There were Disney executives (including Michael Eisner and Paul Pressler) who set the direction, determined the budget, and were ultimately responsible for what opened in 2001.

[BassBone]

Re: Aug. 17, 2012: S.S. rustworthy

Was Tony Baxter one of the Imagineer's that did DCA 1.0?

Whether or not he was, everyone is constrained by budget concerns.

[DuckyDelite]

Re: Aug. 17, 2012: S.S. rustworthy

Love the nautical feeling of the metal grating and hand rails.

The main thing I remember about this thing is the loud and annoying horn. Definitely glad it's gone.

[DisW]

Re: Aug. 17, 2012: S.S. rustworthy

everyone is constrained by budget concerns.

That at least would have been a good excuse. But the fact the Imagineers -- if they even deserved to be called that -- actually believed their version of a somewhat larger playland area found at a typical McDonald's needed a wait-time sign indicates the fault can be traced to their sheer foolishness. It was total, utter ineptitude that guided DCA at its beginning. I hope it's a lesson that the Disney corporation will never forget, and which they may never live down.

[Timekeeper]

Re: Aug. 17, 2012: S.S. rustworthy

Yet, if you read the Disney War and the Disney A-Z: The Official Encyclopedia, it actually is a blatant reminder of the places where these executives went to (the Golden Vine Winery Section) and also various different parts of the company at that time (the ABC Soap Opera Bistro and the Art of Disney Animation) with synergy at it's finest.


Timekeeper