Is the California theme of DCA the main reason for the park's problems?

[Meyers]

I read a lot of the posts related to DCA and criticisms by those that have visited the beleaguered park. Seems most either don't like the park for a number of reasons including selection of the California theme. I wonder if it is really the actual theme, but more due to the execution and limited money spent to build DCA? In some regards, it may not really matter too much what a ride is themed to, matters more that it is an entertaining and perhaps exciting ride too. Grizzly River Rapids would be the same experience whatever the theme was. Soarin' Over California would be a good attraction even if it weren't flying over the Golden State, but most any another state or part of the world. My point is that it appears to me that the two biggest problems were first, insufficient funds to build a Disney quality park (which I believe the public expected) and second, the theme wasn't very well executed. Some sections were basically token sections such as San Francisco and Pacific Wharf which much more could have been done to give credibility and atmosphere to those sections. Paradise Pier seems to have been chosen primarily for it was a natural to include both a couple showy thrill rides and cheaper spinning rides. Guess I'm sour grapes for I wanted to see WESCOT or at least DisneySea in the parking lot. We have Michael Eisner to thank for DCA in the end for it was he that OKed the California theme and the budget. DCA is an embarassment for the Walt Disney Company/Disney Enterprises. The park now stands as a testament to his "vision." I suggest perhaps a new "partners" statue be placed in the Sunshine Plaza entrance of Michael Eisner holding the little hand of a midget accountant. Meyers

[drinksumpepsi]

forrealz thank MICHAEL EISNER FOR SUCH A GOOD QUALITY PARK!!! ERR HAHHA port disney woulda been cool and WESTCOT wouldve been cooler hahah lol !!

[Instidude]

I have a couple theories as to why DCA is underperforming. The easiest thing to say is that the California theme doesn't work in California. I live in MIchigan, visited the park last fall, and loved it. So, the California theme works for people from out of state (the original target audience), but can be problematic for the local visitor who is the current bread and butter for the park (this may change some as tourism/economy picks up).

Now, the budget for the park wasn't bad, but the use of the money was not the best. There were a couple nice E-tickets developed, but too much money was spent on shops and food. This was apparent to me last fall. Some of that money could have been used to enhance the theming of the park. This was most likely due to the input from the head of the parks at the time, and his background and interests.

The second component is that Disney tried to build DCA in the same manner as other most recent Disney Parks (AK and Disney/MGM). That is, start small, and build out over 5 years. That method works very well at WDW, since you ahve a captive audience and everyone park hops. So, if it only takes you 4 to 6 hours to see the original version of Disney/MGM, no biggie, you then go over to Epcot or MK. This ideas didn't work at DLR, sicne most visitors are of the day trip variety. When they entered DCA, they didn't see the value for the price of admission, which immediately put the word of mout as bad. If DCA would have opened at WDW, I would expect that no one would have cared, because it is a nice park and would have been a good 2/3 of a day visit, then onto another park. The way Disney priced and marketed the park in California hurt it.

So, what I can sum it up as is: focus of the use of the $$$ may have been significantly off-target, and Disney did not take the time to fully understand that the California market is much different than Florida. At least at WDS in Paris, they are only marketing the new park as a half-day park (so they could be learning). In contrast, OLC underwtood in Japan what their guests wanted, and built a much more developed park, knowing that their guest base would need that in order to embrace the new park.

Eisner has to take blame, since, much as a manager in baseball or coach in football, he is ultimately in charge, and responsible for the people who work for him, but much of the blame lies in the fact that the people below him would not, or could not, see what the market needed. Hopefully, Rasulo is not afraid to bring bad news to his boss, along with the good.

[Nemo88]

I dont think the problem lies with DIsney OR the California theme....I think the problem lies with the public...a similar thing happened to Epcot when it first opened,it struggled because ppl go to these 2nd and 3rd gates expecting Disneyland #2...and when they get there and its not that way,they say it sucks and word gets out and before you know it the park is struggling...I think its the publics ignorance that really hurt DCA....DCA is a great park,the Cali theme is definatly broad enough,it has a ton of potential.... if the public would realize DCA is NOT Disneyland,theyd go into it with a more open and claer mind,and probably have a blast...

[soarin22]

Being from outside California, I don't mind the California theme of DCA. Yes, there are other themes that would have worked better, but California is ok. However, I think there is so much more they could have done with the theme. Why is the Great Movie Ride not in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot? And how about a Brown Derby or Spago? Could the shopping district have been a Rodeo Drive? Why not a Graumann's or a walk of fame around the park with Disney Characters having their own stars and star ceremonies just like in Hollywood? Couldn't San Francisco included a Lombard Street with unique places to shop and eat along the way? California has almost been a mythical place to those of us who live outside of the state. We know California by TV and some of us are just as starstruck as Lucy was when Ricky brought her to LA. Disney had a great opportunity to capitalize on creating the California everyone thinks exists before they visit. They had a great chance to give visitors a total California experience without ever leaving Disney property. DCA is a nice park, but it can be so much more.

FYI--X games don't work for me, but Nemo would have.

[refurbmike]

"it struggled because ppl go to these 2nd and 3rd gates expecting Disneyland #2"

There's a lot of truth to that in my case. When DCA opened, I expected it to be as captivating as DL. I expected the rides to be themed and to surround the guest with environment.

When you walk into DL, you are walking out of California and into Fantasy and times of the past. You feel like you just entered another world.

When you want into DCA, you are walking out of California and into... California, with the Monorail buzzing overhead. Not as breathtaking.

[WorldEpcot]

I think X Games appeal to more people- of course, I'm always incorrect.

But I completely agree with Nemo- DCA isn't Disneyland folks.

[woody]

But I completely agree with Nemo- DCA isn't Disneyland folks.

DCA "not being Disneyland" is the least of its problems. DCA "being Knott's and Magic Mountain" is the problem.

[CA Screamin Guy]

No, Magic Mountain is a 'thrill park' that is too big and too under themed. Disney's California Adventure Park is the right size, and has excellent theme, regardless of what you say, there is definate theming all over.

DCA is not Disneyland and until everyone understands it, DCA will continue to draw unfair criticism.

[Santa Monica]

When you walk into DL, you are walking out of California and into Fantasy and times of the past. You feel like you just entered another world.

When you want into DCA, you are walking out of California and into... California, with the Monorail buzzing overhead. Not as breathtaking.

100% agreed! I think the ugly entrance sets the tone for DCA. When you pass through those turnstiles, you fall into a gray cement canyon (comparable to the feeling inside the parking structure).