Letters to the Editor
Page 2 of 4
Rick West gave a more critical review of DCA in his February 21st West Side of the Kingdom which garnered responses like this:
Thank you for a very reasoned article on what you perceive
as DCA's flaws. I have to agree with you that California Adventure cannot succeed (in the
long term) as it is now. I like the look of the Park now, but it will need at least two
more E-Ticket rides, and several C or D level attractions to become a great Park. In
truth, I would rather have the World Showcase and/or DisneySea in California. However, I
do believe Walt's vision (which you explained so well in TPA's POC issue) is too powerful
a force for the current Disney Company's stumbles to destroy. I think we're going to see
some bad times, and the Parks are going to suffer. What will finally happen is that people
will stop coming. Then someone will realize that Walt was right and he or she will return
the Disney Parks to the standards and operating procedures that made them great. I think
that same person (or persons) will make the necessary investment in DCA to make it a great
Park. I don't expect that Eisner or Pressler will be that person. However, I think someone
will eventually come along that that realizes that Walt's way, of running a theme park,
created something wonderful, but also is the smartest way to make A LOT of money.
-- LS
Thank you for your honest and frank appeal to all the
lovers of magic. I am also on a wait and wait and see. I love Disney have been to D-land
too many times to count but my wife and I (who went on our honeymoon to D-land) are
waiting 2-3 years before we go. My hope is that by then things will have started to iron
themselves out, for the better. My second hope is that whatever the Mouse has planned for
the 3rd park that money and magic will be no object. They need a huge hit after the ho hum
so far with DCA. I loved your wisdom on the matter keep up the good work.
-- JT
I do not claim to be a Disney expert, though I am a HUGE
fan of certain attractions, especially the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean.
Since I am only 17, I have only been able to visit DL once in my life (although I have
been to WDW twice), but I do enjoy visiting web sites and learning more about "The
Happiest Place on Earth." I, too, think it is such a shame that DCA is not like an
extension of Disneyland, complete with the magic and ambiance, but more like any other
amusement park. When I first heard about DCA, I was excited about what treats were in
store. I never thought Disney would ever be so cheap as to create a park based around
conventional, over-used ride types (ferris wheels, plain steel rollercoasters) instead of
their memorable dark rides and themed thrill attractions. Of course, I'm sure that there
are redeeming qualities about DCA, but I think it was really just a waste of money. The
project had such amazing potential, but I guess that was never really carried through.
Hopefully, as you wrote, "Phase Two" will capture at least some of the fantasy
and wonderment that DCA is lacking. But again, I can only hope... :-)
-- G
Another staff member, Daniel Kaplan, gave his ratings of DCA's attractions in a January 30th Guest Column. Not everyone agreed:
superLAME Limo- a 7 out of 10? I fully disagree! This ride
crosses the dUmB line. (I just wish I could've bought that picture they take when you're
totally DUMBFOUNDED! I looked like I had one tooth! Anyway, to each his own, Maybe I
should check it out again, huh? no. You're totally right on with California Soarin'. The
Redwood Creek Challenge trail. YES! I spent about an hour in there. It's like a y2k Tom
Sawyer Island! The Animation Building is really cool. We ended up going back there later
in the evening for a second look. I thought the wave action under and around the pier area
was really cool. Got to check out the lounge in the new hotel after a Social Distortion
show. Very cool. Really great drinks, fireplace, theming. All in all, WAY better than I
expected. $43? It's no Disneyland.
-- S
Thank you for this straight forward look at DCA. The rose
colored glasses of the Disneyphile were removed and it is much appreciated as I sift
through the info in planning for our trip in 16 days!
-- CA
Readers seemed to be pleased with the same-day coverage we were able to put up on DCA's Grand Opening Ceremony.
Thank you so much for the awesome coverage of the opening
day! It felt like I was almost there. Please keep us up-to-date with on going events, and
don't forget Disneyland!!!
-- MG
Great story and pictures, as it will be a while before I
can make it to the new park from Seattle it really made me feel a part of the opening day
doings. You always do a nice job of lots of pictures and I really get a good feel for
being in the park. Thank you!!
-- R
But not everyone had a 100% pleasant experience at the opening:
I was in the second "herd" let into the ceremony
area from Disneyland - which makes me one of the first 100 or so "non-invited"
guests into DCA. I thought it was an honor to be there on the historic opening day and
view the opening ceremony in person. However, during the ceremony it was so upsetting to
hear people standing around me grumbling on how they had to wait another half hour before
they could be let in. They thought that the ceremony was a waste of their time. Some even
were stupified on how the invited guests and media were let in before us! If the warm
feeling that the ceremony gave me wasn't as powerful, I probably would have socked one of
those non-appreciative morons...
-- K