Could Disney's California Adventure Be Fixed?

[@NinthShinigami]

They should just rename the park to Disney’s Cinematic Adventure, because at this point it’s 90% more about IP and films than it is about California.

[@baronvonlimbourgh1716]

Everything will be soon enough, in all parks.

[@NinthShinigami]

@@baronvonlimbourgh1716 I totally agree. MK is getting Tron, Epcot got Frozen and Ratatouille, and is getting GOTG and Mary Poppins as well as the Play (IP) pavilion, and Avatar in AK. Hollywood went on a rampage with Star Wars, Toy Story, and Cars

[@JowlOfFruit]

You got a point there I personally love the name Disney’s California Adventure but Cinematic Adventure is good too plus we still get to call it DCA for short!!!

[@mikeiseastman]

Almost half the park doesn't fit. Soarin, GRR, Redwood Creek, etc. There's too many big elements which don't fit the movie theme.

[@ButterFlyGardenBlossom]

That name actually sounds cool, and more fitting for the new experience. DCA is just the Islands of Adventure of the Disneyland resort, with themed IP based lands.

[@MonStarGuy]

I think Knott's Berry Farm captures the feeling of California much better than California Adventure ever has.

[@thequestion8697]

I feel the same.

[@crudkip4326]

Same with magic mountain lol

[@averyeml]

I literally started this video twenty seconds ago but I would like to say that every video should start with that Euro Disneyland opening bit with Eisner’s voice cracking. Possibly my favorite Disney history moment of all

[@gymnasiast90]

It’s especially funny if you know French and hear how terrible his accent is :P (though fair play to him for making the effort).

[@No-be9fw]

You would love defunctland

[@Zipzippieeeyy]

Uuvare!😂

[@merkerb]

It’s very unfortunate that the Eisner is so remembered for the terrible end of his run. Most people don’t remember/know about how much great stuff him and Wells did together!! It’s a very real possibility that there would be no Disney as we know it today if not for the team of Eisner and Wells

[@NinthShinigami]

Eisner was a pretty good imo, certainly much better (at least with the parks) than Chapek and imo better than Iger

[@merkerb]

@@NinthShinigami you won’t hear any arguments out of me on that. I think as a whole Eisner was good. Did way more good than bad. Just sad that all the bad came at the end which is what people tend to remember. Hopefully we will get some form of a Eisner Wells team pretty soon to turn everything around

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I understand why Eisner was hated, though people often only see the negative. Thinking about the end of his time, we saw Animal Kingdom, Sunset Blvd with its respective attractions, Mission: Space and the last true Eisner attraction of Everest. By the time his removal was in motion, the studio side of things had started to pick back up as well. I won't deny that there were a lot of issues, especially with DCA, Hong Kong and the Studios in Paris, as well as the corporate drama between him and Katzenberg, but things were also really starting to turn around.

[@ricln5464]

@@PoseidonEntertainment also, Paris was a failure for anything but the quality. Is the most good looking DisneyLand of all time

[@TheItachiIshtar]

@@PoseidonEntertainment The loss of Frank Wells is often cited as the biggest cause for Eisner's downfall, but I would argue that the biggest cause at least in terms of what happened with the parks all stemmed from the failure of EuroDisney. All of the cancelled plans and cost-cutting that occurred during the 2nd half of Eisner's tenure were all because Eisner grew terrified of spending money after the financial strain he had to endure from EuroDisney. Had EuroDisney not failed, we likely would be looking at very different parks today. It's also a huge shame because Disneyland Paris was gorgeously done thanks to the creative brilliance of Tony Baxter.

[@LaRivierePhoto]

With all due respect, I don’t think Cars Land works anywhere else BUT California Adventure. Yes…the Arizona thing is more obvious to those who know Route 66 well. However, when you think about the geography of California, you have mountains, beach, metro city and desert. One of the only places in the country or even world that you can see all that in a single day. DCA was lacking the desert landscape in the park and it works perfectly. Even without the Cars franchise attached, CA desert and its car culture would still work!

[@jaydub7386]

Cars Land 100% works in AND adds a lot to DCA.

[@briandavis6898]

I think their emphasis on big rides and ignoring the simplicity and charm of dark rides is a problem. Fantasyland has four dark rides crammed into one area should be the pattern for the Hollywood backlot area.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I agree for sure. The small attractions are great for park capacity. It seems like every new attraction produced over the last few decades has to be some big and expensive venture, almost all of which fail to live up to the hype.

[@TheItachiIshtar]

@@PoseidonEntertainment What irritates me is that despite the growing crowds, Disney insists on continuing to build new rides that take 5 plus years to build, are low capacity, and are prone to breaking down constantly. They need to build more reliable people eaters that don't take an eternity to construct.

[@wherethetatosat]

I honestly think California Adventure was doomed from the get go. I'm going to say something crazy here but bear with me: the California theming isn't the problem. I remember when the park first opened. I think I lot of the flack actually comes from the limo ride being lazy, rather than everything else. Keep in mind, the Tower of Terror was really well themed and reflected the downtown area of LA. Soarin' Over California actually took the theming and ran away with it showcasing a lot of California's unique geography. The Grizzly River Rapids are also pretty well done and themed. People forget that a large section of California is actually mountainous. Even the pier at opening is well themed. People may not like it for how cheap it feels, but it really does feel like Santa Monica pier which has all those same cheap rides and carnival games. So what was the problem? How it was advertised. It wasn't supposed to be Disneyland 2.0 and I think using the Disney brand was a mistake. The fact that California Adventure *does* sell alcohol should tell you everything about who the target audience really was. Adults. Adults who could let their "older" kids run free around Disneyland for 2-3 hours while the parents unwind at California Adventure at one of the nicer restaurants sipping wine or beer in the hot California sun. And maybe going on one of the more thrilling rides their younger kids may not have liked. Now, it's just a Frankensteined mishmash of all the IPs Disney can't/won't use in the actual Disney park and Pixar.

[@j-toki_1262]

I think for me I prefer DCA pre Guardians (when it was still Tower of Terror). The park was definitely flawed, but I much preferred Paradise Pier instead of Pixar Pier. It just had this charm to it that was better than just “generic IP laden experience.” I guess I’ll always have the memories of my visits to the parks (DCA, Disneyland, and all of WDW) in the early 2000s when they still at least half-cared

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

For all of the crap directed towards Eisner (including myself), the parks were for the most part in a much better place. The last true Eisner attraction was Everest, and we haven't gotten anything nearly as compelling since.

[@cardman1031]

i think dca 2.0 was the best and closet thing we got to what California Adventure should have been. i didnt mind cars bc at least they felt California in a way even if it wasn't based off California. the minute guardians and pixar pier came they killed it. i was at Adventure 1.0 in 2001, seen them start 2.0 do 2.0 and than ruin it w the new IP Adventure. so i can definitely tell the vast difference in it.

[@willissudweeks1050]

Yeah that was super lame how they ruined the Tower of Terror with that guardians bullshit.

[@Kayyleeeeee]

Paradise pier is far superior.

[@hottakethrills]

@@willissudweeks1050 I prefer guardians to tower, it’s much better.

[@Ataraxia462]

It's interesting that Walt's original ideas for Disneyland were basically a response to the (what he felt were) dirty and non family friendly boardwalk amusement parks around at the time. So the fact that Eisner and Imagineering went ahead with adding a whole themed land dedicated to old time amusement parks, it just seemed like it was ill-advised from the start. Like they really didn't understand the appeal of what made Disney parks so enjoyable.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I don't really agree. While Coney Island was a seedy place, I think there is definitely a way to emulate its more glorious aspects and Disney would be the perfect place to do it. The issue with Paradise Pier is that it just fell too short.

[@melaniemanning2462]

My dad said the same thing, it is sad.

[@dayoldbread1696]

@@melaniemanning2462what’s also sad is that Disney hasn’t even started construction on that avengers e ticket ride for California adventure. Because otherwise avengers campus sucks

[@allenmovies]

DCA was heading in the right direction with Buena Vista Street and Cars Land. They had plans & concept art to make Hollywood Land more vintage looking, and they had plans to transform Paradise Pier into a lush Victorian Era boardwalk. You can see hints of that in some of the post Cars Land / pre Pixar Pier additions they made. But Pixar Pier ruined that. They made it even more tacky than before with the shoehorned IP. They could have easily added a Boardwalk Fun House, Illusions, of House of Oddities themed dark ride to Paradise Pier. And Avengers Campus feels even more out of place than Bugs Land did. I also preferred it's tough to be a bug VS the new Spiderman ride, which feels like a tacky and less interesting version of Toy Story Mania. I just hope the planned Avengers E Ticket eventually gets built. Cuz as of now, it feels like a waste of space. While a fun retheme, losing Tower of Terror and getting Guardians was the biggest loss.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I wasn't aware that these plans were ever on the table. Do you have any links to the concept art?

[@allenmovies]

@@PoseidonEntertainment Yeah, I'll try to find them! They had a bunch of concept art for both Hollywood Land & Pixar Pier, both of which were in the Blue Sky Cellar at DCA which previewed upcoming theme park plans and expansion. Hollywood Land's Hyperion Theatre for example was supposed to get a grand new full scale theatre facade to replace the cheesy blue sky & cloud mural.

[@Peblo51]

@@PoseidonEntertainmentnot sure if you saw it yet but in one of offhand disneys recent vids he goes over the pre Pixar pier plans.

[@tylermann9939]

Speaking of a House of Oddities dark ride, there were actually plans for a side of The Haunted Mansion to be a "Museum of the Weird". Why not use those plans to make a kitschy dark ride in the Victorian Era Pier?

[@dayoldbread1696]

@@allenmoviesweren’t they also going to turn paradise pier into a villains pier? Also yeah they badly need to hurry up and start building that avengers e ticket ride. Because the campus sucks and it will suck even more now that they are cancelling all the shows at the campus

[@kimberlynoelle1]

It's funny how childhood nostalgia paints everything as wonderful-- I've watched multiple videos on the woes of California Adventure and I understand the cheapness of it, but my 7 year old self absolutely loved the original park. I loved hearing "California Girls" by the Beach Boys playing over the speakers and singing along. I loved the Hollywood section (my sisters and I were picked to be a part of a street show and we had a blast). I thought being in "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" was amazing, as we watched the real show on television all the time. I remember eating a loaf of sourdough bread from the San Francisco area as my sister and I saved our spot for the parade. I 100% agree things needed to change (and keep needing to change), but I really did love it.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

For as often as the park is criticized, there were definitely a lot of people who really liked it when it first opened. Critics seemed to like the stronger emphasis on dining, even if the attraction line-up was underwhelming.

[@Kayyleeeeee]

I was the same way. Being a toddler and growing up when DCA was it’s older version. I had so much fun. Of course I was viewing it through a child’s lens but I always thought old school DCA was so magical. Sometimes it felt even more magical then Disneyland. I loved hearing The Beach Boys too, DCA is a reason I’m a huge beach boy fan. I loved seeing Mickey & friends in there vacation outfits. I also loved seeing the bright beach aesethics. The new additions I do like though are cars land, mickeys face on the fun wheel, and little mermaid ride. A lot of the new changes I’m not not a fan of.

[@KittyCookieCat]

Same

[@landonquinney3178]

Holy cow, literally took the words right out of my brain, right down to the "California Girls" music. I loved it so much. It was California within California, but I still wasn't from the area and it was like all of the state hyper focused into one area and it was great. I also never went to any other theme parks besides Disney as a kid, so it was nice to have the sort of "generic" rides tbh. I know that is probably a very specific and individual experience to me though.

[@ghoulannabanana]

Damn, good to know i'm not the only one who associates that song with DCA 1.0. California Girls (specifically the little glockenspiel part or whatever it is), the smell of sunscreen, frozen strawberry lemonade in my hand, ugly 2000s sunglasses on my head, Neil Patrick Harris on the speaker of the Scream-er counting down their launch, walking by the giant orange and smelling it, corn dog castle...aw man I wish Paradise Pier stayed the same :(

[@chompythebeast]

I have to say that I disagree that Grizzly needs animatronics, I really like the low-key theme of a Bear spirit that we never see, it makes the ride feel more grounded. It also makes room for the best part of that ride: Interacting with the other riders that you're literally facing, and with whom you're sharing this wet roulette experience. More stuff to pay attention to could only detract from that

[@kristenhanisch8508]

I totally agree! I love the experience of Grizzly the way it is and adding animatronics or giving it more of a comical feel would cheapen it. It makes me think of a white water version of Big Thunder Mountain, but it feels complete without the addition of a goat with dynamite.

[@shannong2174]

I was hoping to see a comment like this. Kings Dominion has White Water Canyon. It has no theme but is beloved because it doesn't really need a theme. Not everything has to attack your senses to be good.

[@briandavis6898]

Truly they should have done Disney Sea which was being built in Tokyo at the same time. Unfortunately the Oriental Land company has a non-competitive clause limiting what Disney could copy.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Honestly, that concept art for the California Disney Sea was really something else. I wish that Euro Disney hadn't failed, because we'd be having a very different conversation about Disney parks today.

[@kevinodonnell4094]

I was there for the opening week of Pixar Pier, and it dawned on me that they really had utilized Pixar IPs more than anything else at that point. Had they not removed A Bug's Land they very well could have turned the park into a Pixar theme park, albeit with some attractions from other IPs. I'm sure Imagineers could come up with creative ways as to how various Pixar characters are "presenting" the attractions featuring other IPs, as well as tying in the San Francisco areas with the fact that Pixar's studios are there. The entire park could convey the heart of Pixar's best films while also allowing for a comedic tone wherein Pixar characters are trying to make their "own park" like the Mouse-owned one across the street.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I did notice that at one point, it did seem like a Pixar themed park. Still, that's exactly the issue I have with it.

[@debbabe2254]

When Disney began re-theming so much of DCA with Pixar, I honestly thought they might rename DCA "Park Pixar." With the addition of Marvel, they can just stick with DCA: Disney's Confusing Amusements.

[@fourlittlebirds6166]

It’s should have been renamed “Disney’s Pixar Park”. I agree with the top comment that they went at it halfway. If they had just thrown everything they had into this whole Pixar theme across the whole park, it may have actually worked and been better received, as they wouldn’t still be trying to make both types of theming fight against each other. I was also there on opening season for California adventure and though I loved the detail in theming, remember thinking it was boring. Very, very few rides. And what was there was just kinda meh.

[@SlushysSecret]

Had they not rethemed TOT to a marvel IP they could’ve changed this park into a Pixar park

[@danopticon]

Honestly, those bread-making and tortilla-making and farming experiences sound right up my alley! Weird or quotidian though they may be, they’re not something you’d find just anywhere. Maybe this is why I was also a sucker for old, original E.P.C.O.T. Center?

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

That is what I once appreciated about Disney. The uniqueness may not have been for everyone, but I don't really care about them stuffing their parks to the max and the demands of shareholders. I miss when Disney was a cultural institution that made money through their quality and experience, rather than attracting in everyone from everywhere with what is often intellectually cheap.

[@zacg_]

I appreciate your comments about California Screamin'. It may be the case that many guests didn't understand the coaster because I always heard people complain that it was a Disney coaster that wasn't themed. But it absolutely was themed. It was themed in a meta way analogous to Velocicoaster. It was a coaster themed to being a coaster. In the case of California Screamin', it was a modern steel launched coaster themed to being a classic boardwalk wooden coaster like Giant Dipper at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. I thought it worked really well and Incredicoaster feels very forced and doesn't feel like an immersive fleshed out effort. In that regard, I find Incredicoaster to be inferior even if you disregard my bias against Disney's general bad focus on IP.

[@zlataisawsome]

As a major fan of the ride, I agree. They should’ve at least kept it as is. Pixar pier just doesn’t fit right

[@kristinmoore4624]

Agree. We really liked paradise pier and there was nothing wrong with screamin.

[@reddeadredeemer1025]

The general consensus prefers incredicoaster though

[@llamascanbepurple6252]

This was a really interesting analysis that made me appreciate DCA's original theming, or attempt at theming. I honestly love your videos, especially since they take such a critical lens but also share genuine interest in themed entertainment and interesting experiences when analyzing parks and attractions. You have fast become one of my favourite youtubers.

[@alysaurusrex2166]

I never understood the criticism of it being a theme park dedicated to California IN California. That seems like a good idea to me. But then again, my hometown park is Dollywood which is essentially an East Tennessee theme park dedicated to East Tennessee. And it rules tbh

[@lohphat]

My fundamental complaint is that the lack of imagination by Eisner on-wards, they’ve cheapened the parks into studio parks all about film franchises and merchandising. There was no reason to add film IP into It’s a Small World. It’s like adding sugar into a main dish. It was fine as it was created. I haven’t been to any park in over 5 years and I’m a former cast member. It breaks my heart seeing the legacy of Walt diluted into a quarterly profit and loss game.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

The characters in IASW make plenty of sense to me. That shop at the end of the attraction is always filled with kids begging their parents to buy Disney dolls.

[@lohphat]

@@PoseidonEntertainment IASW is about world peace and kids not ham-handed a tie-in for film franchises. The gift shop is already at the exit. Enough is enough with the barrage of crap to sell.

[@Jim-Tuner]

The people who took over Disney in the early 1980s never believed in any of Walt's ideas. Walt's whole Disney park concept was to provide a superior experience. To be the opposite of what other theme parks were. Disney today just sustains itself on nostalgia. All their parks are dirty, crowded, awful and expensive experiences. The entire Disney experience is about getting people to the shops and getting them buying merchandise. The entire admissions system for the attractions is now optimized around getting people sitting around in the park with nothing to do except go into the shops. The entire point of ISAW is lost on them. Its not about world peace or the original point of the attraction, its just a showcase to display and sell dolls. What you see with the IP creeping into ISAW is just the start. Its going to be gradually re-imagined totally into a doll selling showcase event.

[@LARKXHIN]

Im more invested in the movies and shows; the most I see of the parks are videos like these. And even I am like "Why is there IP everywhere? What happened to the original ideas? What is the difference between this and a movie?" I can just watch the movie instead of go to WDW or DL.

[@KeepCalmContemplateYourChoices]

California Adventure was finally beginning to find an identity and an actual cohesive theme, but then ToT got turned into Mission Breakout, and then it aLL went downhill from there

[@Carnivorousplantyum]

The whole idea of route 66 was going TO California rather than being in California but I think that still ties it in to the California theme. Our family drove from Saskatchewan, Canada in 2012, down to Colorado and then over to Disneyland and so in my mind it was a perfect fit.

[@LosAngeles941]

The main problem with DCA is that most of the new rides are just bland. Spider-Man is a pretty boring ride and doesn’t make it feel special. Soarin is better under the California idea not the around the world idea. Except for 2-3 rides, they are just generic merry go round, generic sit there and watch ride, generic swings ride.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I completely agree. I doubt Avengers Campus will even be getting the e-ticket that they promised.

[@NinthShinigami]

The only part I like about DCA is Cars Land and Soarin around Cali

[@AlexA00]

@@PoseidonEntertainment They will be getting that e-ticket, it's too large of a franchise not to add it.

[@mae-mae0361]

So happy that soarin over california is back at least. The other one sucked!

[@simplysuelou2014]

@@mae-mae0361 It only comes back for the food & wine festival. That’s over and now it’s back to Soarin’ over the world.

[@JamesonThomas24]

I have always felt bad Michael Eisner had a voice crack during the Euro Disney ribbon cutting haha Every time I see that clip… poor guy

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Everything about that ceremony was so deliciously awkward.

[@reddeadredeemer1025]

Cars lands is truly one of the most beautiful areas of any theme park. If California adventure has that same quality of theming as shown in Cars land, it would truly be one of the best Disney parks.

[@yousaysilver]

this was a really cool breakdown, its nice to hear about the old attractions i was too young to remember and all the scrapped ideas

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

The scrapped ideas are what make me most frustrated with the park. It sounds like it was full of neat ideas from the beginning.

[@CEOofNano]

“We gotta hide the body where nobody would think to go.” “The middle of the ocean?” “No, California Adventure.”

[@1ronEntertainment]

I always thought that California adventure was named that way because it’s located inside California. It wasn’t until i watched this video I realized that it was called California adventure because of its California theme.

[@marcusstrinidad]

That was me as a kid. As a kid you’re not thinking about how California grows an alcoholic drink you can’t drink yet. I remember going as a kid in the early 2000s thinking, where’s all the fun characters and why are there not more rides?

[@Anwelei]

@@marcusstrinidadI was on my 20s in the early 2000s and I had the same thought. They randomly had cruella Davil walking around and she was so spot on with her character we were both thrilled and unnerved lol. That was my only memory besides being bored out of my mind on the pier. So yeah, I was old enough to drink but really bored with DCA.

[@astroguster5522]

I went to DCA its opening year, I was 12 years old, and even though I was so young and excited, I remember thinking how few music tracks they had for the area music. I remember hearing the same Beach Boys muzak track over and over. Every aspect of this park was so cheap. Great video Herr Poseidon. Its been fun watching the channel grow.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

As poor as the park was, I would still be interested in experiencing it as it opened. Despite its cheap nature, it still seemed like there were genuinely creative ideas there.

[@astroguster5522]

@@PoseidonEntertainment I stayed at the Grand Californian hotel too. Having a literal hallway which led straight into DCA was one of my favorite parts of the hotel. I took an entire VHS tape recording of that trip, I should find it..

[@kennaraynor4299]

I recall going as a kid when the sun face was on the ferris wheel and roller coaster and thinking the park ended really quick. We ran out of things to do there before the day was up. The highlight was that Aladdin show! That was my first time sitting and watching professional theater. I was entranced! Still love musical theater to this day

[@19kilo241]

I’d love to see Mystic Manor incorporated somehow. Imagine if they slightly retheme sit with elements of the great movie ride so famous movie props and costumes came to life alongside fan favorite scenes from the original ride.

[@_loganrobertson]

i found your channel a few weeks ago and watched both videos on old universal studios! you’ve quickly became one of my favorites, keep doing great!!

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Thanks, I'm glad that you enjoy

[@stealth3409]

A ‘ghost train gone wrong’ is a fantastic idea and i think it could be well executed by Disney. I would love to see it in a rethemed paradise gardens area. A farming area is a nice idea with a flying dark ride would be good especially with the planes franchise

[@danielriccardo6592]

Excellent ideas for Dca and how to improve the overall theme of the park. Everyone always talks about what went wrong ,but you followed through with some unique ideas to plus everything. This is some of the best content on themeparks anywhere . Do you ever do podcasts?

[@bobbyswanson3498]

Coming from someone who’s never been to California Adventure, it just seems like the park isn’t very ambitious enough and should be a lot more whimsical. That golden spire would’ve definitely done wonders for the skyline.

[@NinthShinigami]

Been loving your videos more and more man, keep up the great work!

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Thanks, I appreciate the support!

[@lacanidjion]

One of my favorite channels to listen and learn from.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I appreciate the feedback. I honestly thought that people would find this one kind of boring.

[@JettSpitzer]

I went to DCA for the first time in maybe 15 years, and it was fun. That was it. I had fun then I went on my merry way. Each individual ride was fun, but so much of it felt like they haphazardly threw together a collection of rides. There were areas which felt like they really had something, like the Grizzly Peaks area and Cars Land. I also found myself enjoying the Wharf area and the view, as I was able to almost just zone out much of the IP mess that is Pixar Pier. However, for what its worth I would much rather spend half the money to go 5 miles down the road to Knott's Berry Farm. To me it feels like Knott's cares much more about the cohesiveness of their themes and the flow between the different themes works much better than at DCA. Even their interactive experiences are on par if not better than Disney's. Ghost Town Alive is everything Galaxy's Edge should have been, with actors playing walk around characters, people you can interact with and effect the story, with shootouts, trials, and many stunts. On top of the immersion add some world class roller coasters, leading to Knott's being one of the most well rounded theme parks in America. Not to mention the history of the park, dating back to the 1920's and 30's, with rides like the Calico Mine Ride and the Timber Mountain Log Ride both being big influences on Walt Disney when Disneyland was still in its infancy. I think that DCA has so much potential, but with the way it is going, I'd much rather stick to something else.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Knotts is fantastic. I'll be going back to California later in the year and I'll probably do a video on it then.

[@Spiff99]

@@PoseidonEntertainment A video on Knotts would be great!

[@ethanol1586]

I'll never understand why they couldn't change super star limo from avoiding paparazzi to just being late. It would still be a high-speed thrill ride but it would eliminate all connections to the tragic death of Princess Diana

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I think the connotations might still be there. I suppose we really wouldn't know how it would play out unless it was actually built though.

[@jonathanbowers8964]

Also by the time the park opened (2000-2001) the US was mostly past the trauma of Diana's death (especially after September 11 2001 when a new national trauma completely overshadowed the fading memory of Diana). I just think Disney was being a bit too cautious and didn't take the time to realize that the trauma would heal by the time the park actually opened.

[@alexisbase9977]

Such a great video! You continue to put out content that I look forward to watching. I would recommend shortening the black screen ad transitions though. Way too often have I come back from an ad thinking the video was over lol.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I lengthened them to stop the ads from intruding into the next segment, but they did also seem a bit long. I'll adjust them for future videos.

[@MatecaCorp]

I really do think that the premise of DCA had huge potential. A park evoking the rich history of California would be a wonderful companion piece to Disneyland, which itself has four lands focused on the history of the US as a whole. DCA for a while was actually on the path to becoming that love letter to California, but Avengers Campus and Pixar Pier really screwed it up. At this point the park would require major reworking and demolition in order to be cohesive. Pixar Pier, Hollywood Backlot, and Avengers Campus are among the worst themed areas Disney has ever created, each for different reasons, and DCA will never be truly good if those lands are allowed to stay.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I actually like Hollywood Land, but it needs a stand-out attraction. I like Monsters Inc., but it's out of place. Demolish that and the adjacent sound stage and create something interesting.

[@CAG83]

​​​@@PoseidonEntertainmentI think you are most likely in the minority in liking Hollywood land. Even as a kid, seeing the original DCA, I hated it. Ultimately, I think the California theming needs to be mostly let go of, and Disney should just focus on overall quality. Some aspects could be maintained, that guests actually like, such as the entrance and redwood area. Cars land is a great representation of quality. Avengers Campus and Hollywood land are not. I actually even liked Bugs land more than Avengers Campus, as it at least was self contained and well-themed inside.

[@EEvtg]

Eisner's biggest mistake (that then impacted the future parks) was building Euro Disney in France. French people have always looked down upon American culture. They aren't an optimal theme park audience either, and that matters. Hardly anyone in Europe even vacations to Paris, they go south to the perfect weather and beauty of the the Med (including parisians that leave in summer). Italy was one of the final considerations prior to choosing France, but it wasn't picked because the government wasn't willing to give as much as Paris. Choosing France for this reason alone (and because it's "central") was extremely foolish. Italy is a bigger vacation spot for Europeans (Brits and especially Germans/Swiss/Austrians), as well as a huge tourist destination in general. Italy also has better weather year round for mintenance and operation cost considerations. Lastly, the Italian population largely appreciates American culture and Disney, they would have attended in droves. Spain would have also been better...France was probably the worst place to put an American theme park other than scandenavia. I'm also confused why Disney hasn't already built a park in Korea...or Brazil for that matter. Both locations are far better picks than China.

[@watcheri5742]

The only negative about this great channel is I wish you had more videos ;). I have watched them all atleast twice. I think when I discovered this channel last year I went through every video in 2-3 days…Great stuff, spot on analysis by someone who understands what Disney was. A lot of people I see defending things like the Mickey and Minnie replacing the great movie ride are the youth who do not realize the quality that has been lost. Maybe a new video on how Disney is targeting audiences who do not know any better today as a way to drop quality and cost while still bringing in guests

[@NinthShinigami]

The people who think Mickey and Minnie was a good replacement either A, didn’t go on GMR, B, just really love the company mascot and his girl, C, the youth like you said, or D, just likes anything new that involves Disney IP and inherently think it’s a good thing, maybe E, they just simply like it

[@bl4bb3rm0uth]

If you see a video or a person defending Mickey and Minnie, run away

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Video production can take up a significant chunk of time, especially with more research heavy stuff like this. It takes a lot of time to sift through old footage. If I could produce them faster, I would lol

[@NopWorks]

Quality content takes time. I'd rather have a nice, long, quality video once in a while than a shorter & less thoughtful videos more frequently. Research. Writing script & storyboarding. Recording. Editing. Rechecking. They add up and take some time.

[@watcheri5742]

@@NopWorks That is not what I was trying to imply. I know there is a limit to what he can put out. I was just trying to express my love for this channel by saying I would watch a Poseidon production everyday after work……and much prefer it to any mainstream entertainment

[@vandythevandy]

As someone who grew up in the parks, honestly Cars Land was one of the best things to happen to California Adventure (to be fair the bar was pretty low tho lol). And Avengers Campus is the worst. I don't know how they're going to fix it. It's so bland and the Spiderman ride was so disappointing even on the first time I rode it. Cars Land would be even better if it wasn't based on IP but it's so well executed I don't even care. I don't feel that way about Avengers Campus tho. Literally just feels like walking around a business park. Nothing to do or see. Even the only restaurant is always so over crowded you can't even have a proper experience there.

[@advocatusdiaboli5344]

This is the first time I've seen the Tower of terror in this state. Not only is it gone but they made the building ugly beyond belief. They should be ashamed.

[@jaydub7386]

It's a terrible ride. I liked waiting in line more than the ride.

[@TooningIn2008]

DCA has the potential to be an incredible park, maybe even one of Disney’s best even if it’s a California theme park in California ,but it isn’t, simply because the company won’t give it the love it needs and deserves

[@MrDarthtater]

it makes me sad that we are long past the days of classic disney attractions. now they're all gonna have some sort of ip tied to them 😔

[@jakeholmes9416]

I loved the original DCA in Anaheim... A celebration of iconic California that is long gone.. Sure, couldve used a few more rides , but they would come in time. Didnt need an overhall.. Needed to work some surfing/skatebording/snowboarding in there someplace.. Action sports culture is very California

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Could be interesting, but considering that California sports were such a stereotype of 90's culture, I'm not sure how well it would age.

[@Jenny77901]

I will ALWAYS say that California adventure’s purpose is a love letter to California and i hate hate hate hate hate the park being IP dumping land California is such a huge state with so many places that having a park be a mini California with all sorts of romanticized and parts of California? The old Hollywood area? That giant billboard of the street with cloudless sky? The wharf? Grizzly peak? I just… really wish people could love California adventures and I wish Disney could love it. The park dedication is just… I just want to hold the feeling from the dedication to the park while in the park.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

It could be so good, but leadership just keeps throwing a sledgehammer at it. It's so frustrating how poor leadership is right now.

[@jamesklatt]

Knotts and Magic Mountain are themed to california too.

[@michaeltaylor1603]

Right! I've been to Southern & Northern on vacay. If given the right budget, could have been a great park. It simply broke many rules in theme park design/execution to work. Not to worry. Hard Rock cafe' had a park that lasted only 6 months! Only other park to fall victim sooner wasSid & Marty Krofft World in Atlanta, GA 1976. At least DCA is still around.

[@ravensflockmate]

why would you go to a crappy disnryfied version of a state you can instead just travel around and see the thing when you are IN CALIFORNIA

[@BrandonBowditch]

@@ravensflockmate It wasn’t meant to drive people away from the real locations. It was just meant to be a fun love letter. I don’t get what you internet wise guys are bugging about.

[@matthewlaird4009]

Went in 03 when Orange stinger still had orange sent, we have a 100 foot swing ride at Playland in my hometown now but I think Orange stingers peel shell really separates it from other swing rides as it really gives a solid summer fun vibe I rode it 3 Times

[@luma4902]

ok i never went to a disney park but as someone who grow up with a ton of disney i simply HAVE to defend the mickey head on the ferries wheel. it looks really similar to the old disney shorts title cards that would reveal which character star in it. The mickey head on it creating this great effect using the shape of the ferris wheel so doesnt look like it was a retheme/fix at all and is so much better than the sun( it is less tacky in my opinion too). Also is not like mickey wasnt already in a structure in the original concept and just got shoved in paradise pier to fix it because he already was in the rollercoaster. Even if paradise pier/pixar pier seems disapointed would for sure be the piece of california adventure where i would be most excited to take a picture with because of the mickey face on the ferrris wheel

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

You make some pretty solid points here. You've changed my mind. While I do like the idea of the Sun icon paying tribute to classic amusement parks through its visual style, how can I call it unfitting when I never thought to criticize the Mickey loop?

[@stealth3409]

I’ve thought about this ALOT so here are a few of the main points that I’ve thought could improve the park while continuing to maintain its California/ west coast theme. - the avengers land would be themed more like a training base within California with a Doctor strange trackless dark ride with a Victorian Californian house exterior to emphasise this. To accompany this, at the back of the land would be a flying coaster iron man ride and the ‘shaft’ -for lack of a better word- of guardians of the galaxy would be repainted to be more space like with a predominant dark blue colour and golden star details to make the tower less of an eye sore from the rest of the park. - Pixar pier would be adapted with the new design philosophy of a 1960s vintage pier with Pixar references. For example, drop towers would be added which would be mostly white but have some yellow and a wood Mike and sully statue at the entrance of the attraction and a name like ‘Scare Towers’ with a couple scare canisters outside that would fill up when the ride started and guests screamed to reference Monsters Inc. Similar to how the incredicoaster is themed. - The Paradise Gardens area would be turned more into a Californian beach front with a new family coaster and Californian restaurants like the alternative pizzas and ice creams. I hope someone actually reads this and I didn’t just waste my time and I’d love to know what people thought about my ideas

[@NinthShinigami]

Don’t worry good sir just read this whole post and easily agreed with lots of what you had to say! 👍👍👍💯💯💯 I would say the only problem is the Collectors fortress, but oh well you can’t solve every single problem either lol. Other than that very bright ideas here

[@stealth3409]

@@NinthShinigami thanks so much, I really appreciate it. I just thought of making the tower a cosmic blue so that it blends in more with the skyline but then again it might not be as big as a problem as I think it is as I have to admit, I’ve never actually been to the park.

[@vdo3000]

Just went to DCA on Monday. Cars Land is great. Radiator Springs Racers is always fun. Tower of Terror was a better theme but the ride is still fun. Soarin' Over California was back for a limited run (ended Tuesday). World of Color is a good show. Web Slingers now has a single rider line. Too bad the Frozen show ended during COVID because that was a great show. Overall I had a fun time there.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I do have a lot of fun at DCA as it exists today. Still, that's my current problem with Disney parks. "Fun" can be found anywhere, but only Disney had unique experiences that you couldn't find elsewhere.

[@thelastminmom5251]

I guess I’m totally weird. My family and I have been going to Disneyland together every year for the past 40 years. (Almost every year) and when the original DCA opened…I have to say……we really really liked it. It was a break from Disneyland. It was more spacious to us. (Maybe because no one was there..lol) it was relaxing. And…we could grab a beer!!! We loved it. Have a couple drinks….walk around. We loved bug land once that arrived. (It wasn’t there in the beginning) we loved the restaurants and shopping. Then we’d head back to the hustle of Disneyland after having a few hours of a great break. Now, it’s so different. I still like it, but we loved it in the beginning also. I love Cars land now also. I wouldn’t go to Disneyland unless I had a park hopper pass. I love it.

[@TimNoel2]

Unfortunately Disney will NEVER make another ride unless it is solely IP. Disney's ultimate goal is only to promote their movies, so unless a new ride is based off of a Disney movie or theme, Disney will not even consider it. It's such a shame since that eliminates so many fantastic ideas.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Perhaps for now. I have a feeling that within the next decade, we'll see a downturn in attendance that will force leadership to think more creatively.

[@jordanberndt4157]

@@PoseidonEntertainment Disney won't care about a downturn in attendance as long as the per capita guest spending keeps increasing (especially via merchandise and food sales sales). By 2035, I can see the American Disney Parks going up to $200/day with maybe only two-thirds to three-quarters of their current attendance. Disney would still be making more money than they do now. Under current leadership the parks will be increasingly focused on providing an exclusive luxury experience for the Top 10%. It'll stay with way for as long as the current generation of executives are in charge, or until tthere's another EuroDisney style financial disaster for the Parks Division.

[@TheItachiIshtar]

I wonder if one way they could potentially get around this current creative barrier would be to allow for an original idea for an attraction, but with a plan to have a new movie or show tie directly into it? After all, Pirates of the Caribbean only became a movie franchise thanks to the original ride's existence. This actually wouldn't be too different to how both It's Tough to be a Bug and Countdown to Extinction/Dinosaur opened before the A Bug's Life and Dinosaur movies did. Just have a solid idea for an attraction first, and then build upon it after the fact.

[@Louismoxley]

I just love your videos and verbalize exactly what I think of Disney.. huge fan but wish we could go back to when everything was magical.. The new Creations shop and Cafe are like a local mall/cafeteria hospital.. Keep up the great work

[@NinthShinigami]

Same here, I love Disney, but it just pains me to see what it’s become nowadays

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I don't necessarily dislike the "mall" feel of Epcot, as it was there from the beginning with The Land and Centorium. Still, those spaces were much more unique in comparison to the park space today. I went to Connections and found it pretty lacking. No amount of wall art will change that.

[@ToshisGarden]

The earliest I've been to one of your videos! Time to enjoy another one!

[@djbronzed]

I visited DCA before and after the re-theme and while the park now has more to do and see, I much preferred the original colorful entrance with the vibrant Main Street. The new Main Street looks something like The Grove or any other upscale outdoor shopping mall. It just falls flat.

[@joseolvera4467]

I loved the tortilla factory. Growing up my mom was always on a budget, after we got the fresh tortillas she would be a wrap with ingredients she brought from home 😝😩🥲 back in the 90’s and early 2000’s Disney was definitely affordable for any family, even poor ones. Man those tortillas were so fresh and warm. 🥰 brings back memories

[@fusionspace175]

"Come on in, it's Euro Itchy and Scratchy Land! Who are you to resist it, huh? Sacre Bleu! Oh come on, my children need wine!" - The Simpsons

[@CaptPolybius]

I remember when I went to California Adventure in the very early 2000's (probably within the first couple years of it opening). I was around 10 and I only remember the entrance, Soarin' over California, and the severe pain in my ribs and knees from one of the rides. It was very unpleasant and I remember the park being mostly boring. But I was OBSESSED with Soarin' at least.

[@zuccgivethsucc646]

For me personally, I love California adventure because of Soarin and Grizzly River Run, as I like the redwood forest and aviation theme of that area of the park, but the rest of it is barely worth a park admission imo

[@baronvonlimbourgh1716]

Disney moved away from it's main business model that gave it it's longevity and what secured it's future, nostalgia... They hooked kids in early trough their emotional films and profited from it when they got older while they also created a new batch of kids they could rely on 20 years later when they felt nostalgic for their childhood. What ip did they create in the last decades that those kids will be nostalgic for 20 years from now? Probably just frozen, nothing else. Cars maybe, but they milked that dry already and i don't think that has had the same emotional impact things like the lion king or snow white have. Star wars has just become generic schlock, marvel is going to fade away eventually as well. And it isn't focused on family experiences like disney used to be, breaking the nostalgia chain. It will eventually become just old ip nobody cares about anymore. The same issue universal had, attractions based on movie franchises nobody cared about anymore. I really think disney has had it's top with the kids during the disney revival era now being middle aged fueling their highs at the moment. But that cash cow is going to dry up more and more over the next 10/15 years with no longer a new generation of youngsters to replace them when it is their turn to become nostalgic about disney. It created a situation where it now has to keep investing in new contemperary popular ip to replace the old stale stuff nobody cares about anymore, and keep replacing it's atractions and lands linked to it. It will drain disney dry forcing them to make it cheaper and more generic.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I made a pretty long argument concerning this in my EPCOT Center video a while back. Ironically, while leadership considered Epcot a place that dated itself quickly, it was really the infusion of IP and more novel contemporary attractions that led to it becoming quickly out-dated.

[@ButterFlyGardenBlossom]

"What IP did Disney make in the last 20 years that people will still have nostalgia for?" Tangled, Wreck-It Ralph, Zootopia, Encanto, Moana, TPATF, Gravity Falls, Amphibia… agree with the rest, though.

[@ButterFlyGardenBlossom]

Sorry, I misworded it. I bet people will still really enjoy and be nostalgic for the aforementioned movies in the future. Pixar also has good movies, too.

[@eftelboy]

Most river rapid rides are there for thrills, not for scenery. With that said, Grizzly River Run is one of the best themed rapids out there.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I see your point, but I can't really agree. I think that Popeye and Bluto's is such a fantastic example of how you can have both, that I can't help but see anything else as inferior.

[@alaeriia01]

I still think that Superstar Limo would have been perfect for a park like Knoebels or Kennywood. The terrible campy theming would be perfect there.

[@bjvincent8786]

Ironically my family and I went San Clemente, California and decided to go to California Adventure on February 10, 2001 for my brothers birthday. Granted I nor my family were that impressed with what we saw; basically it did not feel like any other domestic Disney park. But, now I look back at the original Disney California Adventure and now hold a special place in my heart solely based off of nostalgia. Granted it was a pretty terrible park honestly, California Screamin was one of the only rides I really remember enjoying. A distinct memory of the park I do have is the The Bakery Tour (loved the smell of bread), Bountiful Valley Demonstration Farm, Golden Dreams, Mulholland Madness, Superstar Limo and Sorcerer's Workshop just to name a few. During that trip and a follow up trip in 2005 we went for my birthday and got a 1 day hopper pass at DCA and went on the The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and ended up going to Disneyland at later in the afternoon. As for what can be done now I have no idea (other than wishful thinking); such as start from scratch and Disney Company does something similar in another warm state in the USA to what they did with The Oriental Land Company were they license the theme from The Walt Disney Company to a another company and pays royalty and licensing fees to Walt Disney (however, Disney still has creative control). Or something similar to The Oriental Land Company were they hand over a new Disney theme park to a company that has the financial resources and actually cares about the Disney park name and guest. Or maybe take a cue from their foreign Disney parks like Hong Kong's Disneyland resort which is owned by a joint venture of which the local government owns 53% and Walt Disney Co holds the rest and/or the Shanghai Disney Resort; the Walt Disney Company owns 43 percent of the resort; the majority 57 percent is held by Shanghai Shendi Group. But as I stated before these scenarios are never going to happen. But, I read somewhere allegedly the Imagineers who built DCA are the same ones who built Tokyo DisneySea which was being constructed at the same time. DisneySea is a far more superior park because it was given a much larger budget by the Oriental Land Company. Disney California Adventure (DCA), on the other hand, was sadly funded completely by Disney under executives at the time wanted to build on the cheap. Imagineers had to make do with their tiny budget which I am sure was frustrating. There are many things I can criticize the Imagineers on, but for DCA, I wouldn’t necessarily say it is their fault for building an underwhelming theme park. It truly shows what Disney Imagineering can come up with when given a sizeable budget. I am simply blown away by what the Oriental Land Co. is doing with the Tokyo Disney Resort they give the fans what they want while still introducing new rides and attractions that feel like a natural and fitting addition to the existing parks.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Despite the issues, both with theme and budget for DCA, I do clearly see a lot of imagination and effort put into it. I think that Grizzly Peak (the icon) in particular is really well done as an interesting piece of theming. Even most of the flat rides went beyond what you would typically expect, even if I don't think that they should have been there. I don't quite understand why the Orange Stinger removed the building but left the ride. What was the point?

[@Multi-Waves_Music]

I find it very funny that the font on the thumbnail makes fixed look like "fucked"

[@TheItachiIshtar]

What's funny is that stuff like the original Paradise Pier, A Bug's Land, and Hester and Chester's Dino-Rama were all called out as being cheap off the shelf lands during the dark half of the Eisner era. But is something modern like Toy Story Land really that much better? Just like those lands, it was built on the cheap with generic off the shelf type of attractions. The most impressive attraction in Toy Story Land is Midway Mania, and that's only because it was already at Hollywood Studios for 10 years before the rest of the land. Slinky Dog Dash is just another roller coaster (one that gets way too long waits, I might add), and Alien Swirling Saucers is a typical carnival ride. Plus, the whole aesthetic of the land from the perspective of being shrunk down to the size of a toy is no different from A Bug's Land.

[@carminecdinoproductions]

I’d imagine Disney creating a DCA styled theme park themed to Florida for the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. It could be the same as Disney California Adventure, but with a Florida theme as Disney’s Florida Adventure with a romanticized representation of Florida and its history and culture, its different landmarks and locations, its cities, and its beaches to give it a fun Florida feel and atmosphere. Here’s what an ideal Disney’s Florida Adventure theme park would look like: - Themed Lands - Sunshine Street (inspired by St. Augustine) - Everglade Swamps (themed to the Everglades) - The Boardwalk (a boardwalk section themed to the beaches of Florida and some tourist attractions) - Sunny Skies Airport (themed to a Florida airport) - Other Possible Themed Lands - Rides and Attractions - Sunshine Express Monorail - The Everglades Adventure - Everglades Splash Mountain - a pirate themed ride - Boardwalk Blast - Boardwalk Carousel - Florida Sun Wheel - Dolphin Dive - Florida Beach Party - Sunny Skies Airliners

[@the_mackshack]

“An IP dumping ground” perfectly sums up the current state of the park. I’ve always said, the two parks should be called Disneyland and Subsidiaryland

[@melaniemanning2462]

The theming also resulted in very sunny and hot lands, except for the area by Grizzly River run.

[@AmusementParkFan]

Honestly, out of the disney parks I have been too, California's adventure is my favorite. They have my favorite Disney coaster, one of my favorite Disney dark rides and I love the atmosphere of the park.

[@DavidinSLO]

The large CALIFORNIA letters were moved to the State Expo Center in Sacramento. Kinda cool driving by, but also kind of a weird throwback.

[@WannaLearnMath]

A modern Disney couldn't pull this off, but there's a way of keeping the current "theming" of DCA while actually incorporating the rich diversity of the state of CA itself--using the IP to complement and bolster this history. California has a big tech industry. Imagine attractions showcasing the wonders of tech as narrated by Tony Stark and Peter Parker, or advances in medicine by Bruce Banner and Stephen Strange. Now you still get your Avengers campus, it's just not "Avengers Campus." Cars Land would be a geological/geographical showcase with the Cars crew and wouldn't even change Radiator Springs Racers. You already touched upon how the agriculture industry could fit in, and if the theming were all done correctly, Grizzly River Run and even Pixar Pier wouldn't need any real change. It would literally be a "modernized, IP-influenced, west coast EPCOT" that could successfully grab the interests of those who DO go to the parks for IP and those who go to the parks for that sense of whimsy and fancy and would tug on the nostalgia of those who miss edutainment EPCOT all while minimizing actual costs of "just redo the whole park." Wasted potential, too bad, Disney.

[@jacktheboss]

imo DCA was at its best when it was a blend between California theming and IP. 2013 might have been the peak of the park. It had recognizable IP but still managed to have that California flair. Now IP has taken over too much

[@Pollo.a.la.crema.]

Yo you keep creating some GREAT content I hope your subscribers start to grow more. I will be taking a weekend trip to Disneyland soon and I’m very excited!!

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Disneyland is just fantastic. Even if I don't like how IP focused DCA is today, I still vastly enjoy it over Hollywood Studios. When I was at Disneyland a few months ago, I noticed just how much better detailed everything is as well. Their Mainstreet makes the Magic Kingdom version look unthemed.

[@Pollo.a.la.crema.]

@@PoseidonEntertainment totally, I understand your dislike of the IP stuff happening at DCA though. I think you mentioned that you wouldn’t mind the IP stuff if the imagineers would still allow some great unique experiences, which I’m on the same page with. Instead we get Spider-Man sling ride..basically a third version of the same ride on the resort (Buzz ride, toy story mania). But yeah I’m curious to see how I’ll enjoy everything after watching all your vids lol.

[@dayoldbread1696]

@@PoseidonEntertainment sorry for the late reply but have you heard anything regarding the timeframe magic bands will be released here at Disneyland? It was announced by disney they would be arriving this year but so far nothing and no info. Would it be safe to assume they will be released at Disneyland in the next few weeks when magic band+ debuts at wdw? Or is it more likely they will be released at the d23 expo in September

[@jasonr361]

I agree with most everything you propose in this video. If today's Disney is unlikely to create a Great Movie Ride style attraction, I'd propose a similar ride using Disney's Silly Symphonies as IP. I already shared this thought on another KZbin comment section, but I'd tear out Monsters Inc, Who Wants to be a Millionaire, and the old Hollywood and Dine restaurant and build a facade of the original Walt Disney Hyperion Studio from The 30’s that houses a Silly Symphony themed dark ride (similar to the Marc Davis concept). The queue would lead guests down hallways where they could peek into story rooms, see animator’s drawings at their desks and unfinished painted cels, and hear actors recording voices in the recording studio. The ride would take guests through scenes of the Skeleton Dance, The Old Mill, Flowers and Trees, starting in black and white and ending in full technicolor with multi-plane style sets. Another thought would be to expand the Golden State/Bay Area streets into a more fleshed out New Orleans Square style land where guests could wander the streets of old San Francisco. DCA still has a lot of potential and its sad to see it enter its new Marvel-reliant phase.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I wasn't aware that an idea like this ever existed. I looked into it but couldn't find much information.

[@jasonr361]

@@PoseidonEntertainment I think there’s a drawing or two for a Silly Symphonies dark ride in the recent two volume Marc Davis book. I threw in the Hyperion Studio stuff though. Keep up the great work man!

[@joseolvera4467]

If Disney fully committed to the idea of the park from the very beginning and didn’t spare on quality it could have been amazing. History always repeats itself and I feel like Disney is in a worse state then the last 10 years of Eisner. At least back then we have Roy e Disney. Now we don’t have anybody. All the stockholders care about is money not quality.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I have a feeling that in ten years time, we'll be having the same conversation about cheap fixes and needing serious investment to fix them.

[@JP-1990]

You know, if "Superstar Limo" promised to have cute animatronics that were caricatures of the top celebrities of every few years, and did MAD Magazine type of jokes, I think that could be pretty funny.

[@SkyeID]

You came up with great ideas, but sadly, under current management, they're not gonna implement anything to make going to their parks a good experience. Too bad Disney doesn't care if you have a good time or not.

[@NinthShinigami]

💯

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

What if I propose a cheap retheme of a land centered around cartoon characters and say that it's inspired by California or something?

[@SkyeID]

@@PoseidonEntertainment well, here's an idea for a San Francisco themed dark ride called Goofy's Midnight Burger Run. It would be centered around a very hungry Goofy using public transportation to rush to a S.F. burger joint called Uncle Boy's before it closes at 12:45am. The sets could be landmark buildings in San Francisco made out of particle board (think Superstar Limo), To cut costs, there would be screens instead of animatronics, and the ride vehicles could be shaped like streetcars. What would be on the screens, you ask? Well, if they want streets of San Francisco realness, there could be a group of hungry, rowdy drunk people who just got out of the club holding up the line at Uncle Boy's, and homeless people pissing on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant.

[@briandavis6898]

The thing with grizzly River run is that it was meant to bea real river run and not a themed ride so having animatronics makes it fake. A good choice? Maybe but the idea of you really being on a real river trip was the idea.

[@robertrios2342]

I think that most people wouldn't really notice. Whenever people go on that ride they are more focused on not getting wet, not really their surroundings.

[@FanThemePark]

Great video! Have been to the park when it was in its original form and when it is current and I agree with a lot of your opinions. Right now I think the park has a great collection of rides but does lack identity with so many IPs everywhere. There isn't much "California Adventure" there right now.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I like it better than Hollywood Studios at least. At least DCA handles its capacity well.

[@Leanne-mw8nm]

@@PoseidonEntertainment What does that mean? All theme parks have a hell of alot people in them. So, handling their crowds better doesn't seem to make sense. What could they do better?🤔

[@BoredomCorner]

It never stops killing me how Michael Eisner had however many years to learn how to say ONE SENTENCE in proper French and he couldn’t be bothered.

[@sideshowonacid]

California adventures has always felt .....nice and homey to me. This video actually makes me appreciate it more.

[@Freshnewz10]

I understand why DCA decided to make a theme land for Marvel and Pixar. Is basically related to the project they had in mind about promoting the companies they bought which is LucasFilms, Marvel studios, and Pixar studios which already belong to Disney. The issue is that DCA can't seem to make up it's mind whether to call be a park about IP and films or California theme. Buena Vista fits well and Hollywood land although small doesn't seem so bad but I now hear there's rumors of changing Hollywood land. I do think that the back lots are pointless but the ride where the Little mermaid doesn't seem like it belongs in DCA but more in Fantasyland at Disneyland.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Yeah, it's clear that Disneyland Resort now represents all major media divisions. It's just such disgusting arrogance, chasing short term profit for what will inevitably age. Iger wanted Star Wars as a legacy brand, and what happened? He let Kennedy literally hire directors whos visions were to create films that went against Lucas' vision.

[@sweetgal7644]

i just started watching so idk if you’ll mention this but even the soarin ride that was a airplane ride through popular california landmarks got replaced by soarin around the world taking you to different countries

[@artix548]

Ah, yes, a California-themed theme park in the already California-themed California.

[@howleyteraster]

I actually miss the original theming of the early park. I like the bright colors that they use around the park. I think that the early areas themes worked pretty well. I think paradise pier captured the feelings of an 1950's boardwalk. I think that Pixar Pier is a lot worse. I also think that the redwoods area captures the feeling of Northern California pretty well.

[@troykawahara4496]

Yup. OG California Adventure had flaws, but it also had true character. The current park unfortunately doesn’t know what it wants to be.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

In retrospect, the tacky theming did have a certain charm to it. At the very least, it was unique in comparison to the stale corporate direction of the parks today.

[@ethanol1586]

Say what you will about dca, but at least it was thematically coherent

[@thatsawrapstudios2674]

I think what they should do is have each area be a different era in California History. Car land would be set in the 50s and be a tribute to car culture around that time and have a version of radiator springs racers themed to drag racing. Grizzy Flats would be vaguely in the mid-20th century. Paradise Pier would be in the 1910s with minor dark and flat rides The Hollywood backlot would be in the 20s with a new speakeasy that gets occasionally raided by the cops, and iconic celebrities like Laurel and Hardy, The Three Stooges, and the Marx Brothers. As well as a new version of the Dick Tracy Crimestoppers ride replacing Superstar Limo Bountiful Valley Farms would be in the late 1800s and a minor homage to Westerns Pacific Warf would be turned into a tribute to the 60s surfing craze

[@MonStarGuy]

I'm just surprised we don't have an animatronic of Duane Johnson on the Jungle Cruise [yet].

[@tristannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn]

they gave up on the california aspect of the park long ago and it isn’t coming back

[@djbronzed]

Disney has given into a sole corporate mindset and has lost it’s artistic whimsy and vision. They’re placing “must ride” attractions into all of their parks so all parks become “must visit” parks, regardless of theme (Guardians of The Galaxy at Epcot is so out of place).

[@williamspendlove]

Apparently the answer is, yes it could be fixed considering the park was fixed after Buena Vista Street.

[@ChromeOfTheFuture]

I loved the park during the 60th anniversary, I felt like that was the best era imo.

[@paige9083]

i went during that time and absolutely loved it! Went back this year for the first time since and it felt like a lot of the magic was gone

[@CourtneyW]

Grew up going to to California adventures, holds many good memories!

[@raymondsramirez]

Disney’s Chaotic Adventure. You’re welcome lol I found the concepts for non-IP based rises very well thought out and in the same vein of Disneyland in its original form. However I think the title of the video should have been “Could the original Disney’s California Adventure have been fixed?” I watched the video expecting ideas on what to do with the current version of the park. Like what to do with Hollywood Land and other themed areas where the theming is inconsistent or lacking. The concepts you proposed are a great “what if…” for back in 2001, but are unrealistic for the state of Disney to remove current attractions to be replaced with non-IP attractions. While these rides would better fit the original California theme of the park, Disney is (unfortunately) leaning towards removing the California concept entirely.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I don't even know what could be done to fix the park today. Like so many of their other parks, they've just become expensive messes that will have to be cleaned up by another administration in the next decade.

[@carminecdinoproductions]

My Ideal Version of Paradise Pier at DCA - California Screamin’ (kept in concept) - a Ferris Wheel - a Sea Creature Carousel - a Jumpin’ Jellyfish Ride - three boardwalk-styled dark rides - other rides

[@atimholt]

I was a resident of Southern California, and had an Annual Passport a couple times. California Adventure was a nice way to add some variety to a visit. Mostly, me and my brother would just go on California Screamin' (the roller coaster) as single riders over and over. The Hollywood Tower of Terror was pretty fun, too.

[@PreferredCustomer]

The changes to DCA seem to mirror what happens in Universal's Islands of Adventure. Specifically, how the Harry Potter Wizarding World successes led Bob Iger to go IP crazy. I'd argue that DCA isnt doing *enough* to emulate Universal, if that's what they're going for. And not just in quality of execution (such as Avengers Campus). Universal Orlando's park areas may be completely self-cobtained, or only loosely themed now to places like New York or San Francisco. However, they excel at the actual execution of the concept. Toon Lahoon, Kong Skull Island, Jurassic Parl and so on, are brilliantly stylized self-contained worlds. Even mini-lands like Diagon Alley and Men in Black do just enough to designate their difference from one area to another. There are exceptions: Despicable Me and the Bourne Stuntacular are effectively just dressed up soundstages hidden in the existing architecture. (Although, one is a kids ride dressed as a trade show loosely pairing with the old Shreck, and the other it's supposed to be about a clandestine government organization that could theoretically fit in anywhere. Not great, but not the worst.) The kids area is a hodgepodge of Fieval, ET, Curious George and Spongebob that doesnt much meld together (but eh, kids.) The Simpsons ride is probably most guilty in terms of lazy theming (but they did at least try to make up for the visuals with the show's unique brand of humor). And Rip Ride Rocket makes no attempt at all to fit into anything. Overall though, it does enough to convey what it intends--a smattering of self-contained IP that you can wander, like picking streaming shows at your own leisure. One could argue that the Disney Parks have a similar layout, stretching all the way back to the individual themed "lands" at Disneyland. However, each of these areas involved different ideas, or set- pieces, of experiences in general regarding that theme, rather than a tie-in to a particular movie or character. The Robinson Family Treehouse has practically nothing to do with the movie--it's a quirky diorama of Rube-Goldberg ingenuity all its own. Even rides like Snow White or Mr. Toad were more keen give you the "experience" from the perspective of the protagonist, and blended into a similar-looking Fantasyland theme area. DCA (and Hollywood Studios in WDW) really have that identity crisis now, where they started straying from their original intentions without breaking completely. Some attractions are meant to stand on their own in their own area, where others are meant to be shoehorned into a legacy space that doesnt quite fit. The careful blending of scenic elements into real world nature at Grizzly River run contrast pretty heavily against a Marvel comic style Mission Breakout ride. The Incredicoaster also has nothing to do with San Francisco or a boardwalk, and not nearly enough effort is made to seperate or portion off the two. Universal ironically becomes less of an IP and idea dumping ground when it looks *designed* that way, rather than the result of too many individual fixes without an overall plan.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

A large part of what allows USF to work is that it hasn't completely dropped the Studio theme. It's certainly true that Rock-It doesn't hide itself, but Production Central is unthemed. The coaster seems more like an abstract expression of music, as it's located right behind the concert stage. I'm unsure of how much knowledge you have of the coaster, but many of its track elements were designed to emulate music in the abstract, so I see how it fits. Because Production Central lacks that theme, other than "Production" I suppose, Minions and Shrek made sense. There's also that clear movie façade backdrop at the end of New York, as well as the production aspect of the Mummy. In addition, the Horror Make-Up Show, as well as Animal Actors and E.T. manage to retain that studio theme. While it's not overtly stated visually, I perceive the park as a large studio set, which I think is the intended point. It works as an encompassing theme for a variety of individual attractions that, as you pointed out, work as self contained experiences. With Diagon Alley, Men in Black and Springfield, the park appears to have moved away from this, but the overall theme of the park transitions into these lands as stepping into the films far better than Hollywood Studios does. I think part of why the individual IP experiences work for Universal is because they were designed that way from the beginning.

[@JettSpitzer]

@@PoseidonEntertainment This is exactly encapsulates how I feel about Universal Studios Hollywood. In many places they don't even try to hide the fact that these are all just facades, for example, when entering Hogsmeade and heading towards Hogwarts there is a giant office building right next to the castle with no attempt to cover it at all with anything. Even further when entering the lower lot, everything is very clearly sound stages, but when combined with the active soundstages of the actual in use movie studio, the sound stages for The Mummy, Jurassic World, Transformers, and eventually Super Nintendo World just blend into the surroundings. And on the studio tour, the blank ride soundstages sells the tour that much more. This is why I dislike Fast and Furious, even though it ends the studio tour with some action, it attempting to immerse the guest breaks the immersion even more.

[@nlpnt]

Universal Hollywood's big advantages are that it's (adjacent to) a working studio backlot and on the Metro. Also AFAIK you can go to City Walk without paying park admission.

[@WEdway33]

So true, everything, especially the fact that The Great Movie Ride would have been perfect for that park... I started laughing when you mentioned the Wonder Wheel as being terrifying. I live in NY near Coney Island and I was on it about 45 years ago,,,,,,,, JUST ONCE,,, and it IS Terrifying. It doesn't look it, but when that car starts to swing, HOLIEE CRAP!!! I have to say, i was laughing for about 15 minutes after hearing that.

[@astroguster5522]

I can proudly say, I rode Superstar Limo 🦸‍♂️

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Lucky.