Disney's California Adventure Project Tracker II

[bfdf55]

Good detective work ICe101!

I think you have possibly solved the mystery. You will also notice the piece of concept art you found has no visible queue covering and no pier out around the wheel. Instead, there seems to be a fence of some sort that sits on top of the concrete dam. Maybe a themed element to soften the concrete wall look? I can't really make out too much detail in the shop facades, but there does appear to be some taller buildings down toward the Maliboomer.

It appears that they are painting the Fun Wheel a different color (red/black) than the one you pictured (yellow).

[bfdf55]

There will be no outer boardwalk/walkway around Mickey's Fun Wheel.



The wooden, covered queue structure has also been cancelled, along with the covered boardwalk. It is unclear how much will be done to the existing queue. Currently, the existing metal handrails are being painted a dark green color.



As for bad show -- it's ugly and uninspiring... but it isn't any different than what we've had for the last 8 years.

But the whole idea of the $1.2 billion upgrade was to correct what we've had for the last eight years.

[MasterGracey]

But the whole idea of the $1.2 billion upgrade was to correct what we've had for the last eight years.

This is true. To be honest, I'm pretty disappointed with the cost-cutting they're doing on Paradise Pier. From the concrete walkway they stuck with (instead of switching to "wood" all the way across, to the half-hearted Fun Wheel makeover -- the cost-cutting is going to take its toll on the park just like it did in 2001. Hopefully more significant projects like Buena Vista Street and Cars Land don't see this sort of thing.

[stitchon]

The Disney Details that we were expecting are getting chipped away bit-by-bit.

I'm starting to get worried.

[The Disneylander]

Ditto. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[flynnibus]

Well anyone who lives with a true wood boardwalk knows... they do not hold up and require tons of maintenance to keep up. It could have fell victim to practicality reviews.

[Kritter]

Jack hammers were heard pounding away at the street in front of Fortuosity and the switch tracks.

I knew I posted this in the wrong place.

[disneyfann121]

This is true. To be honest, I'm pretty disappointed with the cost-cutting they're doing on Paradise Pier. From the concrete walkway they stuck with (instead of switching to "wood" all the way across, to the half-hearted Fun Wheel makeover -- the cost-cutting is going to take its toll on the park just like it did in 2001. Hopefully more significant projects like Buena Vista Street and Cars Land don't see this sort of thing.

Budget cuts. Penny pinching. The damn bean counters in control. What else is new??

[k_peek_2000]

Budget cuts. Penny pinching. The damn bean counters in control. What else is new??

Not exactly, the budget is just being moved. Not cut.

[mycroft16]

Not exactly, the budget is just being moved. Not cut.

I've tried explaining that.. oh, 2 dozen times now... but no one seems to get it.

[bfdf55]

Not exactly, the budget is just being moved. Not cut.

OK. So say they had ten items budgeted at $100m ea. If they are reducing the budget on three to $80m, then are they increasing the budget on the others by $60m? Is the increase to those due to cost overruns, increased budgets for enhancements or what? Where is the budget being moved to and why?

[mycroft16]

OK. So say they had ten items budgeted at $100m ea. If they are reducing the budget on three to $80m, then are they increasing the budget on the others by $60m? Is the increase to those due to cost overruns, increased budgets for enhancements or what? Where is the budget being moved to and why?

YES! You have got it perfectly. They take some away from project that, while totally cool and would be awesome, is not absolutely critical, and put it somewhere else where funding is needed for one of those reasons. We don't know where it went to yet, nor why. It could be that something ended up costing a lot more, or that they have come up with an amazing way to plus something that is worth the re-purposing.

[spacemtn77]

I love this thread. Thanks everyone for keeping it interesting.

I can understand why some of you feel the way you do. However, does anybody who reads or posts to this tread TRULY know someone at WDI who has told them specifically and in detail what the Fun Wheel queue will look like in its final, completed state?

Budget reallocation from the boardwalk and covered queue still doesn't mean that there is no budget to spruce up the queue. Keep the faith! I believe we're in good hands with Bob Weis and John Lasseter.

[bfdf55]

YES! You have got it perfectly. They take some away from project that, while totally cool and would be awesome, is not absolutely critical, and put it somewhere else where funding is needed for one of those reasons. We don't know where it went to yet, nor why. It could be that something ended up costing a lot more, or that they have come up with an amazing way to plus something that is worth the re-purposing.

Well, if we don't know where it went or why, how do we know that it wasn't just a budget cut?

[Ice101]

Why does everyone in this thread seem to jump to conclusions? No one knows what the final outcome of the Fun Wheel's line will be like, o one knows budget details for the park, and no one is truely obligated to have a complete opinion without hearing the whole story. That is like calling Star Wars a stupid movie cause you didn't like the first scene. I am just saying, lets not get ahead of our selves and wait until things are finished before we truely start criticising the park for there lack of whatever.