What's new on the discussion board: Rainy days and fun days

February 8, 2011, 10:18 AM · The Theme Park Insider Discussion Board is the place to ask your questions about planning theme park vacations. And to share the advice you've learned from previous trips. Here are this week's top new threads:

Mary Nikisher asks, on a Rainy day - which park is best? (By the way, don't forget to read our tips for enjoying a theme park in the rain.)

Disneyland in the rain

Lauren Hayhurst is coming to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter from the UK and asks Do you recommend a weekend or weekday?

Speaking of Harry Potter, Andy Milio wants to know Is the Forbidden Journey Bad For Roller Coaster Haters?

Claire French is planning a two-week visit to Orlando and wants to know Have I covered everything?

Terri Pierce is thinking ahead to summer and is looking for information about attraction closures due to Disney Construction.

And finally, today is the 10th anniversary of the official opening of Disney California Adventure, the theme park that bombed so badly at first that Disney's now spending $1 billion-plus to re-Imagineer it. Frankly, I'm much more interested in anticipating what looks like an exciting next 10 years for DCA than remembering the past 10 years of that park's history.

Thoughts?

Replies (8)

February 8, 2011 at 11:37 AM · Perhaps I was seeing it on its upswing (2005), but I actually really enjoyed DCA the first and second (2010) time I have been there. Its great to have this site to see differing opinions, but this is the one park that I always felt that TPI slammed too much. Then again, its everybody's opinion and thats great!

I see DCA getting better though!

February 8, 2011 at 11:58 AM · Before the additions of Aladdin, Tower of Terror and Monsters, Inc., I thought this a truly terrible park - one that substituted corporate cynicism for Disney magic. (I always thought Soarin' and Screamin' overrated, FWIW.)

Then, with those three attractions and now with Toy Story and World of Color, the park's becoming something special.

By cutting some of the worst attractions (Golden Dreams, Superstar Limo) and changing others (Orange Stinger to Silly Symphony Swings), Disney has helped put this park onto the right track, even before the future additions of Little Mermaid and Cars Land.

Now if Disney could bring the Country Bears to Grizzly Peak and simply bulldoze A Bug's Land, the transformation would be complete.

February 8, 2011 at 3:04 PM · I actually loved Golden Dreams...

Superstar Limo was gone by 2005

February 8, 2011 at 7:34 PM · If they do bring the Country Bears to DCA, it needs to be a shooting gallery attraction, a la Buzz Lightyear.

The fascinating thing about the 10 years since DCA opened is the growth and influence of social media. I would assert that had the Disney community been as loud and strong 10 years ago as they are today, DCA would have been a much better park. Just look at the impact "we've" had on New Fantasyland!

Anyway, by the time the DCA "do-over" is complete, the park is going to be a real gem, Bug's Land notwithstanding. I can't wait to visit when the work is "complete".

February 8, 2011 at 8:08 PM · I've always really enjoyed DCA. The park has gotten better every year. Once Cars land is opened and everything else is also done than DCA should be my second favorite Disney theme park in the country(behind Disneyland). Its attraction line-up would be impressive:

Radiator Springs Racers and other minor Carsland rides
Little Mermaid
World of Color
Toy Story Mania
Screamin'
Soarin' over California
Grizzly River Run
Tower of Terror
Aladdin
Monsters Inc, revised Paradise Pier rides,It's Tough to be a bug, a new entrance

Disney World may have 4 parks, but the Disneyland resort will have the 2 best parks in the country.

February 9, 2011 at 4:19 AM · Can't beleive thats 10 years already.

My first visit was in 2001 and I have to admit I was one of the few people who actually enjoyed it. So much so I spent 2 of my 3 days at the Resort there. It was so refreshing to have new rides, areas, restaurants and shows as opposed to the same old things going on next door.

Saying that the novelty did quickly disappear but with the next 10 years looking as good as they do this is gonna be a top, top park!

C'mon DCA! Show DL what you can really do!

February 10, 2011 at 4:17 PM · On a rainy day and a thunderstrom is great for a theme park guest. Because the outside rides will have no lines and the indoor lame rides will be more crowded. Just don't go to a water park because they don't like rain and will shut down the park for some stupid safety reasons.
February 12, 2011 at 8:16 AM · ^^
Safety is stupid now? I must have missed the memo.

I've been on 280 roller coasters and countless other theme park rides. Even at the ripe old age of 46, it's still instinctive for me to check my restraint, even after the attendant has done so.

To borrow a phrase from Forrest Gump's mom, "Stupid is as stupid does," Chris.

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