Really the only bit of Walt your average parkgoer will observe is the Partners statue. Everything else is nostalgic or exotic, depending on a parkgoer's age and background. I grew up with annual Disneyland visits and Main Street never seemed specifically about Walt to me back then.

what exactly is to much Walt about the entrance?

a statue and a theater with a museum inside referencing Walt.

The rest of the area actually deals more with the connection of the parks name.  A major city in California.

The teen group was addressed already with attractions like Screamin and most recently with Tower of terror.  That alone did not seem to do much for the park.

This WDI (if he exist) has really little idea of what works and does not.  A change in the entrance will do more than just please a bunch of disney fanatics.  The entrance change will finally bring a much more pleasant feel as you enter the park instead of large cold concrete areas.  Store that have gaudy neon signs and laughable replicas of some known buildings.

Will most of the non-Disney dweebs not really care about the Walt references at the entrance? Probably. Does that mean that the redo of DCA was a bad idea and that they should build another E-ticket with the money? Probably not.

Disney's tried the "if we build an E-ticket, they will come" bit and it didn't work - wasn't ToT supposed to bring a big boost to attendance? If they just built Carsland and left the entrance as-is, they'd probably have the same thing that happened when ToT and a bug's land and WWTBAM-PI opened - a brief attendance spike for the folks coming over to check things out, then attandance would fall back to the usual low levels. I don't know if all the changes to DCA's entrance will be enough to pull people in and keep them in, but maybe with the new look and the new attractions, at least people might stick around and give the park another chance.

I'm a little surprosed I'm defending the re-do, since I've actually gotten to like the place - it's no Disneyland to be sure, and I'm still convinced that if they'd sunk the money into the original design and building of DCA, the park as originally built might have actually been a modest success. But it's become pretty clear that a segment of DLR visitors don't care much for DCA as-is, so they've gotta trying something.

Oh, and one last aside to Mister "The Disney Dweebs Will Never Be Satisfied No Matter What We Do": Ever check the attendance figures across the way? DL may not be perfect (goodness knows it's still got a few problems), but WDP&R and WDI  must be doing something right over there. Maybe you and your friends should quit complaining about how those stupid guests don't appreciate the hip and edgy feel you tried with the original design of DCA and figure out what will draw them in.

Putting shops next to a statue of Walt Disney? That's not the right way to honor someone. People are going to get the wrong idea. They'd think the statue is a tribute to a billion-dollar corporation, not an inspirational artist. Moves the stores away from Walt.

What's needed are a whole lot of attractions, E-ticket attractions that don't remind people they could have spent a lot less at Knott's Berry Farm. The entrance is a good start, but I'm hoping that some of the cool stuff you find in Japan actually makes it way over here... Including rides that are a little more immersive than plywood cutouts or another film.

It would also be nice to have some new top of the line attractions that aren't spun off of already popular franchises (you know, to make MORE franchises!)

I was just watching a historical perspective on Pirates and HM, and those two attractions have been a draw for thirty years. Let's see some innovation where Disney can return to a leadership role, rather than be a follower.

I know these are pipe dreams, and new, innovative rides are expensive, but DCA was conceived as a mall- with a few rides, and it really does show.

If the entrance is MGM good pre-sorcerer's hat, I'll count it a winner.  A decent reference might be the New York section of TDS.  Areas like that cause people to linger and enjoy, lingering people buy more stuff, ride their favorites a second time, etc.  With the ease of park hopping, E-Tickets alone aren't the answer.  One could easily jump to DCA, ride the new stuff, and jet back to DL (as has been the pattern at DCA since day 1).  Comfortable, warm, engaging ENVIRONMENTS cause people to want to hang out in a place... that plus a few fun rides means people will WANT to stay without thinking about what they're missing across the way.

Wow...one wonders how long a WDI with that attitute would have lasted if Disney was still here?  He certainly wanted to hear all sides, but this blanket 'blame game' would never have been tolerated...that's one employee that needs to look for a new line of work.

They still insist on making 'shopping' their primary goal, it should be in a supporting role and never give that in-your face feeling.  I have malls at home.

I believe that a permanent tribute area to Walt is something they definitely should pursue. As one who, on every vacation trip to WDW, always made a point of seeing "The Walt Disney Story" tucked inside that little corner of Main Street in The Magic Kingdom for many years, I think something along those lines would be very welcome indeed for real Disney fans. For those who never did experience it, "The Walt Disney Story" consisted of an approximately 15 minute film about Walt, from his boyhood to his success as a world entertainer, with a waiting area/lobby that featured all manner of wonderful momentos of his films, such as animation maquettes, a small scale model of The Nautilus, and his special set of Oscars for "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs". In short, it was a quiet area of the park where Disney fans could come to celebrate this great visionary who had brought the world such everlasting pleasure with his creations. Is a similar tribute to be built at DCA really too much to ask? Apparently some Imagineers think so. Perhaps they're the ones who don't belong at Disney...

Ponsonby Britt-

Your comment about "real Disney fans" is the exact problem MANY people in the Disney company have with us Disney-philes. The fact is that most of the current visitors to the Disney parks are more into "HSM" and the Johnny Depp version of "PotC" than Walt and his legacy. It's the reason the Disney Channel is the hottest network for the ever important tween market and no longer shows classic Disney shows (how I miss Vault Disney...).

DCA needs massive work. And I would love the new Disney Museum being developed to be at DCA. But most of the people making the trek to the Disney parks could care less about going to a museum. The question Jim raised is a very valid point.

"Of course, the real irony here is that we're trying to placate people who can never be placated. If you look around the Web, you'll see that Disneyana fans have managed to find fault with everything that WDI has ever built. So it's virtually guaranteed that -- no matter what we do with the front portion of that park -- Disneyana fans are still going to find a way to complain about it."

Wow ... hopefully this isn't the way WDI folks really feel about their guests, otherwise this company is in more trouble than I thought. I've often suspected that Imagineering held guests to some level of contempt (based on their recent penchant for guest abuse, a la spraying them with water, blowing stink in their faces, etc.), but to see it so boldly in print is very troubling.

Have they ever stopped to think that we're not happy because they're not doing a very good job?? Because most of their attractions lately have been well below par in terms of Disney attractions? I mean really ... when was the last time Imagineering put together something that truly just blew everyone away? Something like Pirates or Haunted Mansion?

And the other thing that really irritates me is how badly out of touch with things they are? I can't believe they're still in this "building an E-Ticket thrill ride solves all problems" mode. Haven't they learned yet? Yes, it's worked a few times but it's fallen flat more often than not. They need to stop worrying about appealing to this demographic or that demographic.

True Disney attractions are timeless and span ALL demographics. I don't think there's a single group out there (except maybe disaffected teens and you can't get to them anyway) that doesn't love the classic Disney rides. I mean do you REALLY think those lines at Pooh and Peter Pan are only because parents want to take their kids on them? Hell no! They want to ride as much as the young-uns do. Ditto for Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, etc. I mean wasn't Walt's ENTIRE IDEA for Disneyland to build a park that adults and kids could enjoy TOGETHER?? Why all this slicing and dicing???

Look Mr. Imagineer ... Just build a great freakin' ride and then everyone will shut up and stop criticizing you. Attendance will go up, across all your demos, and your problems will be solved. Otherwise, if the best you can do is garbage like Stitch's Great Escape, why don't you fold up your tents and go home. Because crap is crap, regardless of whether it says Disney on it or not.

The biggest problem with DCA... is that it's next to Disneyland. A theme park next to Disneyland gets inevitably compared to Disneyland. Not only that, but if a family is coming, and can only afford to go to one of the two theme parks, which do you think it's going to be?

As for me, I will stick with what I've always said, which is that I personally enjoy DCA more than Disneyland, partly because of the very thing that probably irks Disney management... it's not as busy as Disneyland. Plus, the backlot area of the park does more to showcase the work of Disney than anything in Disneyland does.

Gee, Jim, I thought you're first article after Thanksgiving would be about how Enchanted turned out to be such a disappointment at the boxoffice, not how the billion dollar re-do of DCA is on the track to being a disappointment.  I'm disappointed in you!

I don't even know where to begin on this one Jim.  I guess I'll start with the trivial.  First, you might want to clue in your WDI "source" to the fact that Col. Sanders was a real person (Betty Crocker was not, Sara Lee is, and Walt Disney was).  Second, considering that there is virtually NO Walt Disney in DCA I don't know how you could have too much of Walt in a park that doesn’t have any of Walt to begin with.  Third, "demographic" teen boys and little girl groups don't pay for their park admission; don't pay for a hotel room; don't pay for their 3 meals a day (and snacks); don’t pay for souvenirs, etc.  Let us remember that the purpose of DCA was to turn Disneyland into “Disneyland Resort” for multiple day stays by guests, especially families from out of state.  Fourth, I believe that the parks are for “peoples of all ages” (correct me if I’m wrong) and as such “demographics” has no business being in the vocabulary of an Imagineer.  Fifth, your “source” sounds like a hold-over from the Pressler era and needs to either leave WDI and move over to the Accounting department or leave all together.  Lastly, the fact that many people do consider Walt Disney just a corporate creation is MORE reason to have a greater Walt Disney presence in DCA.  I think it safe to say that the WDC does as much as it can to take Walt Disney out of the Walt Disney Company.

I must agree with the above poster. I can't imagine a theme park using such defined and niche market segments. At WDW, a single E-Ticket attraction can save a theme park (a la Expedition Everest) because you must drive (or be bused) from park to park. When you can walk out one theme park and right into another, a simple ride addition isn't goint to create any sustainable spike. If Disneyland truly is trying to built their marketing plan as if they were a rock radio station ("we must cater to 20 yr old males!") then things have really gotten bad out West. The problem with MGM and CA is the lack of a story. Every Disney park needs to have a story, just as every ride within the park should be telling a part of it. A hodge podge of rides whose only theme is "It's in California!" or "It's from some movie!" doesn't make a good Disney park. That might fly at Six Flags, but there are higher standards here. There are reasons people make Disney a full vacation, and not a stop along the way of a larger one. Creating a true Disney experience will go a long way towards that.

Jim - you must be talking to people who are friends of the Disney Animation sources you have. You're already priming the pump for the "see I told you so" stories that will come for the coming years from every WDI person who LIKED what they did with DCA and don't like the fact that they have bene second guessed. Again - you're inside sources a a great plus for us Disneyphiles but over the last two years your info has been so one-sided.

To add - why does your WDI source have concern with 18-25 males, and then Mermaid only for little girls?  Supposedly this push for the remake at DCA was supposed to overall attract the family again instead of focusing on any single demographic. I can see it now - just like a Bad Hollywood script (in the hands of Disney Pictures exec VPs no less) - too many re-writes to the plans of DCA and the pressure these pundits will put in order to make their "stamp" on the park will definitely hurt the overall product.   They have to have something for everyone - the Walt-0-phile, the E-ticket junkie, the hang-out-at-the-park visitor, etc. That's why Disneyland itself does so well - and it keeps getting swept under the rug as "old school".

I must also ask if this "source" is the same person who informed you that the city of Anaheim was angry that so much of their tax revenue came from Disney, and not any outside sources. That claim made no sense, and neither does this one.

Unfortunately, just 1 hundred or so yards from DCA and inside Disneyland used to be the "Walt Disney Story" ... (Featuring Great Moments With Mr Lincoln). Not anymore .... and the full re-creation of Walts Burbank Office was really cool and may still be there... but last time I was there it was covered up.

And Lincoln ... replacesda video starring Steve Martin and Donald Duck.

If no-one could take the time to stop and see these atraction ... why would anyone believe that a whole entrance to DCA themed in this way would make any difference?

I have to agree with the person who said that it would make more sense to invest the money in additional rides and single atractions rather than retheming shopping and entrance areas.

DCA has a lot to offer... Soaring Over California and Tower Of Terror are two of the best rides in Southern California ... California Screaming is one of the smoothest roller coasters you can find anywhere .. and still one of the longest tracks in the world. And DCA has a full size "broadway" style theater... and although gimicky ... its the only place where I can see the Main Street Electrical Parade ...

As a Disney fan .... DCA is already a "must see". I find that many of the people who claim to be diehard Disney fans are knocking the place without ever having set foot in it.

So what if its not as jam packed and imense in size and scope ... yet. Look at Disney Hong Kong.  Its tiny and has all of about 12 rides.

Now ... if Disney wants to get all nostagic on us .... rather than painting mourals on walls and putting up statues .... try setting up an themed area of the park with some true nostagia.... ... i'm thinking something like oh.... COUNTRY BEAR JAMBOREE!. Or how bout Adventure Thru Inner Space ... or maybe an updated AMERICA SINGS. Bring back some the the orignal 1955 rides and atractions.

Ultimately ... the problem is that the average visitor to Disney California just havn't totally accepted the idea of two parks ... two tickets. They feel they are getting ripped off....I fear that is the sad truth. Adjust the prices.

Like Ilsoap stated and I have stated previously; DCA's big problem is that it's built right next to the park that changed amusement park history. (Disneyland)

I like the ideas I've read about "adding more Walt" to the park. It's not gonna hurt the generation X'ers to lear a little Disney history. Just do it in a way that entertaining to them. Maybe the way to do that is to add an E-Ticket attraction to the 20's themed front, along with the shops.

As for adding "more Walt" there's always ways to do that even at Disneyland. Opening the Disney family apartment could be one way. Though the Disney family owns the furniture inside as well as the wax music rolls for the gramaphone that are hidden away in the apartment. Plus it's extremely small so opening the apartment might not be a great idea. (I'm talking about the one above the firehouse)

What about adding Roy Disney Sr. to Disney parks. Most people have no idea that he even existed.

Seeing as how so few people go to DCA, I'm sure most everybody will be happy to hear about improvements. If people, both 'disneyphiles' and 'regular folks', actually liked the park and went... no need for a rehab would be needed.

And let's see.... everybody from the age of about 40 and on down didn't get to 'grow up with Walt' and yet we still enjoy Disneyland. For the average guest, I don't think Disneyland has much Walt in it that they would even be aware of. To add some, heck, any Walt to DCA can only help. It doesn't sound like to me that they are going to plaster him all over the place and go overboard. If we ever hear about getting Walt's head the size of the sorcerer's hat at mgm, I'll be worried it's too much. But one complaint I hear about DCA all the time is how not Disney it is. To think that adding a bit of Walt won't help is stupid.

I also find it ludicrous that they (WDI) come up with the idea, in an effort to placate the 'continual bitching', and then blast us for the choice THEY came up with. I think the complaints were that DCA was not very Disney (meaning quality, or fun, or immersive, or a full day of stuff to do).... I never heard someone say the park needs to be a tribute to Walt. The people who didn't like the park, and that's most people... complained... WDI came up with the solution. If they don't like what they came up with they can only blame themselves.

So... disneyphiles complain about everything? I think I've heard more griping and complaining and finger pointing from Jim's sources then any disneyphile I know of. And those dorks work for Disney.... they have a part in making the things they complain about. But it's never their fault. They do the right thing everytime... we just complain.  Riiiiigggghhhht.....

I love how the thing that DCA execs are "particularly excited about" is more shops. LOL If that doesn't show you how stupid they are and how bad DCA needs fixing, I don't know what does. Cuz we all know that nobody goes to DCA because the shops aren't good enough! lol

In my opinion, the best tribute to Walt, is a better park PERIOD. Whether or not it has a statue of Walt is pretty moot.

The whole concept for DCA was flawed. Anything other than 'more of the same' is a marked improvement.

Personally I don't even think Walt would want a park based on himself.

Please Jim, stop talking to these Disney Insiders who hate Disney, hate their jobs, and hate the people who buy their crap!!

I  like the parallel aspect of the proposed statue and entrance- making DCA more of a companion park rather than someplace I rush into every couple of park visits for a couple of rides and a free tortilla. I'd like it to have a themed entrance tied into the past that gives the park a nostalgic, idealized CA identity. Six Flags-quality fixtures and shops are not the way to go- especially of things still around today like the Golden Gate bridge.

"If we ever hear about getting Walt's head the size of the sorcerer's hat at mgm, I'll be worried it's too much."

That's hilarious.

I agree with pretty much everyone here.  I'm not sure how the place is going to be "catering" solely to Disneyphiles when the front entrance of the park is in exact accordance with the original theme: California.  I don't think everyone's going to walk in and automatically think "oh, so they themed this place to Walt's arrival in California in the 1920's, huh?".

On the other hand, I am going to admit that I am wary of the way the park concept is steering.  Its really not making any sence.  I mean, you got the overal Pixar theme, the original California theme, and now this idea of Walt Disney in the 20's.  Of course, if they make it all blend together nicely, I think we'll be fine.  The line up of attractions sounds great.

I think this new concept is much better than the original.  It has some holes but only the Disneyphiles will find 'em (Let alone be looking for them).  The placemaking idea is for the fans - the rides are for the rest of the world.  And it takes both of those groups to make it work.

Most of us have read the books about creating, building, and running Disneyland. Some have gotten to go to conventions or presentations that feature the talented people and imagineers that worked to create this new form of entertainment - the theme park. Now, think of those people and then listen to these phrases from this current imagineer:

"Something that would appeal to 18-to-25 year-old males."

"hopefully finally silence those Disneyana fans who have continually bitched"

"we're trying to placate people who can never be placated."

"It's supposed to make Disneyana fans feel like we actually listened to their complaints"

"translate into better per-square-foot sales ratios"

Does that sound like Marc Davis or Bill Evans or Bob Gurr or John Hench to you? Even Ward Kimball at his crankiest couldn't come up with such garbage.

All the talented people that would like to work for Disney Co, and this guy somehow slithered onto Flower Street. If this imagineer is on the DCA team, it sounds like Bob Weis isn't the guy for this redo job after all. To me, he sounds like a leftover middle manager from the dark days of Eisner/Pressler, and is hopefully polishing his resume.

Looking back at those quotes - the obvious answer is Tokyo Disney Seas. Designed by imagineers, not designed to placate or silence, and hardly a Walt shrine. If Disney Co had slapped something of that detail into the parking lot, it would be very difficult to find complaints - from philes, fans, bloggers, or casual visitors. Unfortunately, DCA was poorly themed and built on the cheap. Now they're trying to fix it on the cheap. Even the general public knows - it didn't have to be that way.

As for Jim's question - Is there really such a thing as putting too much Walt into a Disney theme park? It worked pretty well from 1955-1966, and kept right on working till Eisner tried to make the Disney theme parks into shopping malls in the mid 80's.

Interesting comments from your source, and a lot of which I agree with.

No one is going to care about Walt Disney in the 1920s.  It's basically too complex an idea in the first place.

Main Street in Disneyland is 1910 Street Scene.  That's it.  All the other stuff about Marceline and whatever is just a lot of jabber that no one really cares about.  They care about walking past this quaint little street to get to the rest of the place.

WDI (or whomever it is in Disney doing this) is over complicating all their things, and missing the big picture.  They want to  cater to 18-25 year old males?  They should.  It seems that most everything they do in their parks these days is for young girls or the youngest boys.  12 year old boys really don't get a lot anymore, and have had a lot of their things taken away (like the guns on TSI).  

The problem with everything they have announced for DCA is that it is simply all cartoon based.  You are not going to attract young guys with cartoons.  All of their themes, are totally inward looking.  If it's not about a Disney or Pixar cartoon, it's about Walt Disney himself.

It's too much.  They USED to look outward for their themes.  The themes spoke about the public at large, and the things they liked.  Now, all Disney does is make rides about Disney content.  While that has its place, if that is all they can do anymore, it completely removes the variety and interest the parks have.

It would be as if the film studios simply made documentaries about the film studio.  After a while, this one note type of attraction is going to wear down people's interest.  You can't have a theme park based strictly on the concept of Fantasyland, and with the Disneyland Resort, they are not only doing that, but trying to make TWO parks that are simply based on the Fantasyland concept.

Because of this, the additions they have announced are simply not very good.  It's all cartoons, it's all about them.  They need to go back to making things about us.  That's what made the place an emotional touchstone.  It's a much more complicated idea, and perhaps harder to understand than "Let's slap mickey's face on the big ferris wheel, that'll show them,"  but it is what they need to get back to doing.

Stop doing rides about cartoons, stop doing rides about yourselves,  Disney.  Make things about us again.  I'm simply not going to want to spend 3 days visiting Fantasyland.  It's tiresome and boring.  No matter how much money you spend, if you spend it on a bad idea, then you've spent a lot of money on a bad idea.  Money doesn't mean anything if at the base of it you've got something that is weak.

I agree with a lot of the posts above. DCA needs more rides, unique California themed rides. The layout of the park is already problematic, but in the way that Disneyland takes you to different locals , DCA should transport to different eras in California history where you cover everything from the Gold Rush and the Barbary Coast to The Labrea Tar Pits and the begining of Time. Instead of trying to recreate things that exist now, take take them to places they couldn't see anywhere else.

More rides, fewer shops--if people are entertained, they will buy things. If the public starts spending more , you can gradually move new inventory into existing stores. Wipe the dollar signs out of your eyes and start thinking like a guest.

I do think there should be some Walt history in the animation studio area ,and maybe even an attraction dedicated to Mickey Mouse. (I say again, overhaul the old 'Mickey Mouse Revue' from WDW and put it in DCA)

Disneyland is about exoticism and nostalgia. Hence you walk in through an idealized early 1900s small town main street towards mythic versions of Old Europe, Frontier America and the future (which is now themed in a retro Jules Verne style).

None of these places in the park are particularly associated with California. So is having the host state theme a problem? Not neccessarily. It's a matter of execution. So I'm all for this period retheming. The Matterhorn catches your eye because it's halfway across the world. The Golden Gate bridge isn't. Locals are more likely to have seen it already, as well as out-of-towners looking to see more of the state during the trip. It's why Paris has an Old West Haunted Mansion rather than a European-flavored one. It's about showing a world that never was or was long ago. And early Hollywood is one such place- a mix of reality and myth, just like the Wild West. And long gone. From what I've heard in recent years, the school field I played soccer on as a kid was the polo field Walt used to play on.

Ok... everyone is missing a key opportunity here.. Rather than having to choose "more Walt" vs. "Another E-ticket" to draw crowds, just combine the two. In the new front of the park, just create an e-ticket ride all about the life of Walt Disney. Think about it.. combine the story of Walt Disney with the technology of the Indiana Jones ride. It can be Uncle Walt fighting off animation studios, instead of Indiana fighting off the eyes of the Mara. This could be fun. :)

Or even some kind of dark ride to tell the Walt Disney story. I am sure the imagineers could come up with something both entertaining and fun.

Well, here's the viewpoint of a Midwesternite who's a fan of Walt but does not collect Disney pins, toys, look for hidden Mickeys, etc. etc. etc. Just wanted to clarify that before I begin:

I could not care LESS about DCA. One reason for that is that I don't give a damn about California. Not a damn. As far as I'm concerned it's full of flakey politicians and dimwitted celebrities, and what's the appeal in that? The ONLY part of California history I'm interested in is...guess what...Disneyland. So IMO, the more Walt in DCA, the better. At least then that park would have something to DO with Disneyland and that would at least partly justify its existence. Theming a park after California is one of the worst ideas ever, IMO.

As far as kids not knowing who Walt was...really? He's been featured in a lot of the DVDs, most notably the Lady and the Tramp one, and he's certainly celebrated in WDW. There are books about him all over the place. He might not mean as much to them as to those of us who remember (vaguely, in my case) seeing him on TV while he was alive, but he's still not as nondescript to them as per Betty Crocker or Colonel Sanders IMO. For my part, I'm very excited at retheming DCA into Walt Disney's Hollywood. I love the statue idea. If the changes I've read about take place (and that includes throwing the Muppets out - it still sickens me to see worn-out purchased properties like the Muppets and the Power Rangers infesting Walt's kingdom), then I will be able to put aside my dislike for the state of California and actually pay the money to visit Disneyland. Otherwise, WDW suits me just fine.

I wonder if we aren't missing the boat here a bit?

I'm not sure that tying the theme to the era of Disney when he came to Cali and started the whole thing is the same thing as sticking Walt into everything. If every window, door, placard, sign, etc, etc,... said "Walt did (insert whatever here) here" then I think that's too much. I don't think they will have face characters walking around the park that look like Walt.

When I heard about this retheme I was happy because, in my mind at least, it gave it a time and a place and therefore some purpose, some distinction... which the current park totally lacks. Yes, Main Street is based upon Walt's hometown blah, blah, blah... but unless you know that, or take the time to find out... you wouldn't know it. I think that is what this will be the case for DCA. It will look better, more unified, definately more dignified... but unless you stop and read the sign on the upperfloor window, or do some research to find out that this is what Disney's original studio looked like.... it will just look like the 1920's.

I think it's a specific time period setting that will set it apart and improve it. Everything in Disneyland is not 'today' it's yesteryear, it's next century, it's make-believe... all places you can't get in your car and drive to. DCA is entirely places you can drive to in a day or less!

Gigglesock, you said a mouthful. I couldn't agree more.

The entire concept of DCA was flawed from the very beginning. Trying to build an entire theme park out of some ill-defined "California" theme was just plain stupid. That's what you get for letting the CEO's wife pick your theme.

What's most likely going to happen is what you've seen happen with some of the WDW parks (Epcot and the DHS come to mind). Desperation leads to the addition of attractions simply for the sake of "doing something." This leads to the eventual blurring and dissolution of the park's original intention and the creation of an incoherent mish-mash with no real direction or clear focus.

I see this happening with DCA. The front of the park is dedicated to Walt, you've got some bolt-on Pixarland in the back (that has WHAT connection to California, I ask??) ... it's a mess and likely to continue being a mess.

I agree that the real thrust of the themeing should be towards a recreation of the "mythic" California... The nostalgic legend of the state. That's where the real meat of the 1920's Main St. DCA is. Yes, it will be the new home of The Walt Disney Story and that's great (I find the statue idea a little contrived, but that's just me) but the really pull is on it recreating that 1920's Golden Age atmosphere.

That's something that doesn't exist anymore, even as much as it did exist. The Hollywood of today isn't the same Hollywood of 1920's/30's romantic myth... Which is exactly what Hollywood Studios in DCA should be. That's why Tower of Terror works so awesomely: it's such a fantastic recreation of Art Deco fantasy. That's also why the rest of Hollywood Studios is so disappointing. If the Hyperion Theatre were a recreation of a classic 1920's-style movie palace rather than a false front to a big box, I might actually bother waiting in line for Aladdin. And I don't even know what the dickens Monsters, Inc. is doing there except for that being where they had some space.

I like the idea of them driving in Paradise Pier as a Victorian carnival. As it was, I spent all of five minutes walking in, seeing that it was just variations of the same rides at the local carnival, and walking back out. Turn it into that nostalgic Victorian fantasy and it might have some more draw. The only way to sell off-the-shelf rides like that is to give it that kind of atmosphere.

I don't care much for Pixar, but at least "Cars" has Route 66 to work off of... Another classic piece of Americana that doesn't exist anymore. I would probably prefer a Route 66 to a Carsland, but hey, it's at least a land with a strong central theme to it.

For the next trick, I'd love to see the Golden State revisited... I know it's TRYING to come off like Yosemite, but it needs a lot of work yet. Go back to the 1920's theme again; that's the classic era of National Parks Rustic style, the Arts and Crafts movement, rangers in flat-brimmed stetsons... Heck, there is even a ready-made pair of mascots in Humphrey the Bear and Ranger J. Audubon Woodlore. Drive home the Grizzly Mountain motif with the Country Bears. And I LOVE the idea someone gave above on a La Brea/Ice Age themed attraction... Who cares about STORIES by "Brother Bear" characters? Dip me in tar and take me back to their world!

E-tickets? Yeah, sure. I'd love to see Discovery Bay replace the Pacific Wharf, with an import of Journey to the Centre of the Earth (explore the inside of Grizzly Mountain!), a Nautilus walkthrough, a Hyperion cafe (or better, ride) and an import of the Disneysea 20,000 Leagues Ride with an "Atlantis" overlay. But the rides themselves don't mean as much and won't be as big a draw without creating the same atmosphere as a Fantasyland, Adventureland, New Orleans Square, or what have you. This is a THEME park after all... The theme is the Golden State in the Golden Age. Run with it!      

Innovation is killed by HEAVY demographic analysis - it's oil and water.  Even DCA's name was an analysis snafu.  Hasn't Disneyland been the ultimate (Disney) California adventure since 1955?  

If Walt showed up & said, "While you're at it - fix the name - simplify this jumble" .... suddenly the moniker would become less convoluted.  

WALT:  "Call it Californialand."

WDI:  "Californialand?"

WALT:  "Yeah, it's part of Disneyland anyhow.  Call it 'Californialand' like the old Hollywoodland sign  -  Disneyland will always be king in Anaheim - there's no competition & Disneyland is broken into 'lands' remember?  

Right now our old Disneyland parking lot is 'Cala-schmunga-land' as thorny as the whole place is.  Just call the name what it is ... don't dress it up.  Be simple when simplicity is best."

WALT:  "You can call it 'California Adventure-land' or 'DisneyParkinglot-land' for laughs - 'California adventure' (that's freeway commute time everyday) ....  - so be straight & call it what it is - it's 'Californialand' as a depiction like Frontierland is a story depiction.  

Don't over sell anything, you don't need to.  Nothing competes with Disneyland.  Disneyland must always be first."

WALT:  "The two Parks are looking down each others front doors for goodness sake.  Disneyland must always be the star slugger and people will come because of word of mouth and stay away because of word of mouth.  A name is just what it should be, this is what makes us Disney, don't over polish a name for hopeful ticket sales - it's all part of Disneyland.  This isn't Disneyworld here.  

Don't be afraid to call it what it is - 'Californialand' a special part of Disneyland - if it's good people won't care about the second ticketed gate if reasonably priced, because word of mouth will say so.  We should never insult our guests or treat them like we're marketing down to them.  They'll always know the difference.

Just be reasonable and straight with the guests.  That's what they expect from us."

"Over-complicating is the problem you analysis people created in the first place.  You're Disney Imagineers remember?   You represent me to the public out there  ...  and they won't confuse me and Betty Crocker whether I'm on TV or not.  =)  ...  and I detest this modern term 'brand' thing."

WALT:  ".... so don't talk down to the guests.  They know what that thing is out there & you've had it open nearly 8 years all ready.  Stop treating them like they're fools.  Call it 'Californialand' cause that's what it is  ....   move on to the next thing."

--  Walt would describe a project authentically without unnecessary embellishment and always made sense ... 'pirates' which happen to be in the Carribean,  ....  and the name is??; experimental prototype community of tomorrow (boom).

Even if intricate, Walt wouldn't fear an unusual acronym because people had never heard it before, nor marketing analysis panic that people might shy away.  

If Walt had never spoken the initals EPCOT as a word describing the project, can you imagine the pale name likely created by the demographics dept. for Walt's greatest experiment?

Walt's descriptions were straight.  It is what it is.  Walt was venue inventor - unique originator, architect, discoverer & seeker of innovation - remember?  

If 105 year old Walt (106 on Dec. 5th 2007), slowly sauntered or was wheeled up to peruse DCA at present in his elder optimism, (use the 'old' Disney imagination) taking glances   ... even he'd gravitate back into his baby - examine Disneyland & the trains (with his wry smile) before saying, "Time for Smoke Tree Ranch."  =)

Sounds like some good is coming with WDI's redo.

I'm a little distressed at the motivations and thought processes presented here.

"...we're trying to placate people who can never be placated."

"It's supposed to make Disneyana fans feel like we actually listened to their complaints ..."

"Make DCA seem that much more 5-to-8-year-old girl-friendly."

"Something that would appeal to 18-to-25 year-old males."

Placate? Make DCA more appealing to this age group or that age group? Make it SEEM like you actually listened to our complaints?

The biggest and baddest complaint Disney critiques have had in recent years is just this type of thinking. In the end, no one really cares WHAT Disney does. It's the WHY that matters. We don't want Waltcicles on a stick, or a Walter Falls ride or even Walt Fries with out shake. What we wanted was a restoration of an ideal. The one that puts the Guests' experience above all else, regardless of demographic. That was the brilliantness of the creation of the Theme Park to begin with. The fact that everyone wanted to experience it together.

In the end, it won't matter what they do, if they don't do it with the right motivations. A painter with no feeling for his work, will convey no feeling IN his work. If the creators are only painting us a portrait of Walt and Mickey just to placate "complainers", and not because they really are inspired to do so, then of course it will fall flat. A gold ring in the nose of a sow. The point of all that complaining was to show that the heart had to be in it. Whether Walt's face is on it or not, it won't matter if the project has no soul. And it won't take a non-Disneyphille long to figure that out. Just take DCA as it stands now as an example.

I once hear an imagineer say that the central idea for imagineers is the story WHETHER OR NOT THE GUESTS UNDERSTAND IT RIGHT AWAY....meaning: if you loose the story this new entrance is telling people are going to feel jipped, maybe not conciously, but subcontiously.

I love the new entrance. I have no complaints, so unnamed imagineer: "I have no complaints and love the entrance plans." << you can wuote that.

Digital Jedi, that might be the best post I've ever read anywhere on the 'Net on any topic.

To quote Crush ... Awesome, dude/dudette. Totally awesome.

I think the entrance really does need the attention that its going to get.

For one, the generic and rather plain style of the front of the park is complaint shared by many, not just Disneyphiles.  Also, there's just not enough shopping at the front.  The redo is going to ad a lot more options for guests to spend their money at the park, not to mention the new life and enviornment overall is going to be busier and might hype people up and actually get them to want to purchase merchandise.

For example... the routine at Disneyland's main street is... "Oooh look at that.. it looks cool.. lets go inside."  And as you'll see, most of the shops are packed with wandering guests just going through the isles looking at merch.  You can't say the same for the shops at DCA currently.

It will work out for everyone.   It will work out for Disney and it will work out for it's guests.

I'm excited.

You can always add a new attraction later anyways, just keep in mind to leave a place for it in the future, but right now is as good of a time as any to get the asthetical part of disney up to par.. cuz frankly, it's only slightly above that of Knott's Berry Farm, or any other decently themed theme park of its type.