DCA Postcard Entrance vs DL Train Station

[mark]

I was thinking that one of the things I like about DL is how you go by "Garden Mickey" under the Train Station and tracks to enter. Nothing especially great or enticing. BUT... beyond the tunnels, you are in an entirely new world: wonderful Main Street and a terrific castle at the end to draw you toward it. It builds my anticipation for a great day. And it is the same once you get to the hub. You are just drawn in at each direction you look.
At DCA, the opposite takes place. I like the postcard look of the outside, the Golden Gate bridge, and the giant letters, but once you are inside, it falls flat. The shops are nondescript (very 1980's I think in appearance) and there is nothing spectacular to draw you in. If you do go to the Sun Court, the same thing seems to happen. So, the effect is to be disappointed and to have lowered expectations for the rest of the park. The opposite of DL.
If the inside of DCA were more hidden, (and the San Francisco theme carried out in the entrance area), people might be more enticed to go in. But between seeing PP and the ability to look into DCA down the boring main drag to what looks like an ordinary fountain and sun scultpure, these experiences are demotivating. Makes the place look uninspired and cheap. Even though it does have some great attractions and detailed touches.

Mark

[Meyers]

I was thinking that one of the things I like about DL is how you go by "Garden Mickley" under the Train Station and tracks to enter. Nothing especially great or enticing. BUT... beyond the tunnels, you are in an entirely new world: wonderful Main Street and a terrific castle at the end to draw you toward it. It builds my anticipation for a great day. And it is the same once you get to the hub. You are just drawn in at each direction you look.
At DCA, the opposite takes place. I like the postcard look of the outside, the Golden Gate bridge, and the giant letters, but once you are inside, it falls flat. The shops are nondescript (very 1980's I think in appearance) and there is nothing spectacular to draw you in. If you do go to the Sun Court, the same thing seems to happen. So, the effect is to be disappointed and to have lowered expectations for the rest of the park. The opposite of DL.
If the inside of DCA were more hidden, (and the San Francisco theme carried out in the entrance area), people might be more enticed to go in. But between seeing PP and the ability to look into DCA down the boring main drag to what looks like an ordinary fountain and sun scultpure, these experiences are demotivating. Makes the place look uninspired and cheap. Even though it does have some great attractions and detailed touches.

Mark

DCA's entrance and Sunshine Plaza effect has been a subject of debate by some on MI, it obviously is different. You have the tunnels due to the train adding to your expectation entering Walt's Magic Kingdom.

I think the idea was to purposefully make it cleaner and simplier as the designers did not have a lot of room either like at DL. In practically no time at all, one enters and there you are at the Sundisk.

I think more landscaping would help, but perhaps it was kept to minimum to keep the clean, uncluttered look. Flowers always set a nice tone in my opinion, something you can't miss at DL's entranceway.

The Sundisk was a good idea, but perhaps could have been more spectacular with better landscaping. Maybe it should have been set in a dramatic fountain with gold spotlighting and the excitement of water jets. However, I think the idea was to keep to beach theme with the use of sand.

I wouldn't be surprised if some improvements are done to DCA's entrance sometime in the future, but since it does serve its purpose adequately, it won't be a priority. Entrances have been redone at other parks in the past, SeaWorld, Knotts and Magic Mountain come to mind.

Anyway, go inside and enjoy the rides you do like at Disney's California Adventure!

Meyers


"DisneySky," Walt Disney World, 2010

[disneyman]

The main reason I think the DCA enterance needs work is not because it is so gaudy, but because you can see right into the park from outside. DL's enterance provides more of a "seperate world" feeling, and I think the enterance to DCA needs to make the park feel more secluded.

[YellowMan]

Ehh...I don't think you can see very far into the park. With the California letters and turnstiles out front blocking the lower view, you really can't see clearly past the Golden Gate Bridge.

I think that DCA needs to rework the Sunshine Plaza. Right now, it's just an open courtyard with nothing exciting happening (musical groups singing non-stop is not my idea of exciting). However, I'm not even sure exactly what could be done to change it. Perhaps a more enticing icon to replace the Sun Icon? Perhaps more beautiful gardening in the area? Perhaps some kind of attraction akin to the Main Street vehicles and trolley on Main Street? I really don't know exactly, all I know is that it is definitely lacking a few things.

[tinkswinks]

To me DCA seems more along the lines of a local fairground. Don't get me wrong I know DCA is not suppose to be Disneyland the sequel, and I dearly love DCA, but it could use a little more landscaping in the forms of trees to possibly cool it off in the park. It gets so darn hot in there.

[YellowMan]

Don't get me wrong I know DCA is not suppose to be Disneyland the sequel, and I dearly love DCA, but it could use a little more landscaping in the forms of trees to possibly cool it off in the park. It gets so darn hot in there.

I agree about this. The thing that bugs me about the large paths is that it makes it harder for the trees on the sides to cover it, like it is in DL across the way. Hopefully with newer additions will come more landscaping.

[onecutemoose]

True about the trees...I'd love more trees...but I do love the W-I-D-E walkways!!!!

[mark]

Someone somewhere mentioned DCA was designed to be a "hot park". What does that mean? Does it have to do with the use of landscaping and water effects?
Mark

[Nemo88]

I agree about this. The thing that bugs me about the large paths is that it makes it harder for the trees on the sides to cover it, like it is in DL across the way. Hopefully with newer additions will come more landscaping.

Id love to see more trees at DCA,I think more trees the better,it really adds to the ambiance of any park..with that said...if any park can "get away with" being less shady,its DCA...afterall the park is basically themed to the California Sunshine.