Jim Hill
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So let me make a prediction here, folks: In 10 years time, DCA will be to Disneyland what Disney / MGM has become to WDW's Magic Kingdom. The funner, edgier park that really appeals to teens and young adults. If you want to do something cute with the kids, you'll head over the Disneyland Resort's original theme park. But -- if you're looking for some serious fun -- DCA is the place you really want to be.

How can I be so sure? Because I've spent years studying the history of the Walt Disney Company. I make my living off of observing the Mouse. And -- historically -- Mickey only has two moves when it comes to making mistakes. The Disney corporation either tries to bury its mistakes (EX: "Light Magic" and/or the 12 years it took the Mouse to finally release "The Black Cauldron" on home video) or it spends the millions of dollars necessary to make things right (EX: The GM Test Track debacle).

And since you can't really bury a theme park ... Well, you get the idea.

So rather than continuing to grouse about what DCA isn't, why don't all you Southern Californian Disneyana fans rejoice at what's about to happen? You've got a front row seat for a truly extraordinary event. The Mouse is about to open its Godzilla-sized wallet and proceed to spend the wads of cash necessary to finally fix California Adventure.

So enjoy all of those short lines for "Soarin' Over California," "Grizzly River Run" and "California Screamin' " now, folks. Because they ain't going to last.

Look for "Lumin-Aria" to be the start of a trend, kids. That's the show that's going to make people start to associate the name "DCA" with the word "excellent." As good as the holiday edition of Disneyland's "Believe" fireworks show is, the seasonal light display that Disneyland entertainment guru Steve Davison and his team will be putting in and around at Paradise Pier Lagoon is going to top it. Mark my words. Just the interactive element alone (IE: Seeing an image that your child drew several hours earlier blown up on a screen 20 feet tall, playing a crucial part in an elaborate night-time pageant) will make "Lumin-Aria" something that Disneyland Resort guests will talk about for years to come.

And look for things to get even better at DCA as we roll into 2002.

Now please don't assume that -- just because I'm saying nice things about DCA now -- that I'm not going to criticize this theme park again in the future. Sorry. No can do, folks. My job these day is to be a professional thorn in Mickey's side.

But I -- for one -- have grown tired of being one of the mindless mob who moans monotonously about how "DCA doesn't work," how the park is a failure. To be honest, there are lots of things that work just fine at Disney's California Adventure. For example: Stand on the bridge leading out of the San Francisco-esque area over to Paradise Pier at the park at night and look over at all the lights reflecting on the water. I defy you not to smile at the sheer beauty of that sight.

Or stand outside the entrance of California Adventure and notice the dozens of tourists who insist on getting their pictures taken in, on or around those enormous letters. These oversized pieces of the alphabet are already becoming the hot new meeting spot at Disneyland Resort. I can't tell you the number of times that I've had friends tell me "Meet me at the 'L' (Or the 'A' or whatever) at 3 o'clock."

So you can choose to stand with the naysayers, to stick with the folks who insist on saying that DCA is a failure (and will remain so forever) if you want. Me? I know Disney Company history. That's why I'm certain that the Mouse will eventually fix everything that's wrong with the park and turn it into the showplace that we'd been hoping for all along.

Beyond that ... I know, I know. All of you Muppet fans are wondering whatever became of the final installment of "When You Wish Upon a ... Frog?!" Honestly, it was all ready to roll. But then I got this note from Paulie in Pittsburgh. It reads:

Yo, Jim:

You're not going to seriously wrap up your Disney /Muppet series without talking about "Dinosaurs," are you? That was a damn funny series, dawg! Even better than "The Simpsons." You have to write about that show, dude. It was the best!!

You know what? Paulie's right. "Dinosaurs" *WAS* a great show that occupies a very significant spot in Disney / Henson history. This Emmy award winning program does deserve more just than a throw-away reference in an earlier part of the series. So look for a full blown report on "Dinosaurs" and its unique impact on the Muppets' relations with the Mouse next Tuesday morning.

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-- Jim Hill

-- Posted October 5, 2001