After viewing several photos of Downtown Disney and DCA on the Internet, I was skeptical that the Disney crew we have today (including the modern Imagineers) had lived up to the level that was established by Walt and his original crew.

Knowing there was a NEW Disney attraction across the way with NEW themes and NEW rides was actually exciting!

Once past gateway plaza, DCA has amazing juxtapositions. I especially like the waterfalls around the corner from the winery tour and the view of the coaster tracks overhead near Paradise Pier. High-quality materials are used throughout the park so if youčre a fan of quality craftsmanship, youčll enjoy DCA. Bugs Life has a great new theatre and a complete recreation of the Muppet theatre was a neat idea. Once on the ride, Soarin' Over California is almost worth the price of admission to DCA on it's own.

The entrance was designed poorly. I don't like the tile mural at the entrance and don't like the fact that the first thing I see upon entry are the restrooms/guest relations. I also don't understand their design theme. Is the style supposed to match the California Zephyr around the corner?

Like many signs at Downtown Disney, the plastic signage of some DCA attractions seems cheap. They may have been trying a "carnival" theme approach near Paradise Pier but it just doesn't look like something Disney would do. The signage at Soarin' Over California is another example of this.

Speaking of Soarin' Over California, the hanger was a good idea but the way it was carried out doesn't work. The theme in the cueing area is designed somewhat like an underground military base but the ride is more glider-like than jet-fighter. I love the ride---but the theming doesn't prepare you for it.

As I've gotten older I've began to appreciate the shops and dining areas of Disneyland. I think this is largely due to the architecture and theming that I was too busy to notice as a kid. Having said that, once I pay admission to a park, I expect to have more free options than purchase options. That's not readily apparent at DCA. It seems as if they're using shops to help establish area themes and/or to fill in gaps. I would also argue that their shops are not completely true to their respective themes. The "free" entrance to Downtown Disney, and the availability of "free" theming at the Las Vegas hotels for that matter, may be contributing to this realization since they offer outstanding dining and shopping without admission (what a concept). Yes, it may be that Disneyland has the same ratio of shops to attractions, but that's Disneyland.

In addition, there are a lot of carnival game booths along Paradise Pier. I understand how they work into the "pier" theme, but they're also another place to spend more money. I've already paid at the entrance guys!

Perhaps DCA does not offer enough contrast to our current time period, circa 2001. Everything seems to exist in the near present whereas Disneyland contrasts the past with the future (or at least used to*).

I cannot conclude the article without first venting about the entire idea of a California theme. Why California? All the areas themed in the park are ALREADY in the state. If out-of country tourists have made it this far, and really wanted to experience Monterey, wouldnčt they rather see the real one? So O.K. They want to add more attractions to the Anaheim area. Why not bring in the missing Liberty Square? Why not do a West coast space camp with a full-size shuttle to climb in? Or a landing on Mars adventure? Give Mulan an avalanche attraction. How about a complete recreation of the Hundred Acre Wood? Pooh-bear definitely deserves more attention than Tarzan. Actually, while youčre at it, put the Swiss Family Tree House back where it belongs and relocate Tarzančs tree in the new area.

What were you guys thinking?

Does DCA live up to Disneyland? Well, Is that a realistic question? How could it possibly equal what we call łDisneylandČ? Our "Disneyland" is made up of history and personal memories. It dates back to a time we want to remember: when we were young. How can DCA possibly do that?

When I got back home and opened the map I remembered the good things about the new park. I suddenly had the realization that people who criticize the park (including me) may be taking it a little too seriously. After all, it's just another place to go to have fun, and the Disney kind of fun has always meant less roll-coaster and more theme. DCA at least meets that standard. One thing's for sure though, you don't come out of DCA thinking, "wow" or "so that's what the theme park of the new century feels like."


*Converting the entire Tomorrowland to the Jules Verne look was not a good thing in my opinion (and I love the movies based on his novels). That style does not communicate "future." It just pays homage to Verne--which is just an even older vision of the future than the one Tomorrowland had (which was more a late 1960's/early 1970's vision of the future. There is no longer much "time" contrast between the lands in Disneyland. If I was in charge of Disneyland, the first thing I would do (after converting Tarzan's Treehouse back to the Swiss Family Robinson's) is give Tomorrowland a more NASA/real future look and feel.