Long lost Westcot

[brian9549]

I was going through my Disneyland stuff that I have kept over the years and I found the original press kit from Westcot. This was from 1993. Have a look at what we could have gotten, sorry for the quality of some of the images, my scanner is not the best. I hope you enjoy.

[Cuddles McHenry]

Very very cool, thanks for sharing. I remember when this was announced.
What a great piece of Disney history to keep.

[Ortizmo2000]

Yeah, I remember seeing glimpses of this too. This would've rocked.

hey....at least we have Soarin' and ToT.

[sailerm]

I recall the term Wescot, but did not realize that press kits had released. Very Cool.

[basx]

It is interesting all the parking lot/structures. I can tell where Mickey and Friends parking is now compared to this map but what about the other 2 "10"‘s? I was under the impression that Disney only owned the strawberry field, which looks like the "future expansion area". An area much larger then what the field is.

[Mad_Hatter_Lover]

So Westcot was going to go where DCA is now?!

[Bob Weaver]

Thanks! If only they had built that instead of DCA! That would have been truly awesome. Why did they discard the Westcot plan? Could they still build it now, in the location marked "Future expansion area?" Could they extend the Monorail over to that area? I think that area is occupied by a cast member parking lot now.

[Mojave]

Originally Posted by basx

It is interesting all the parking lot/structures. I can tell where Mickey and Friends parking is now compared to this map but what about the other 2 "10"‘s? I was under the impression that Disney only owned the strawberry field, which looks like the "future expansion area". An area much larger then what the field is.

For the other 2 "10"s on the east side of the map, the bottom one is what became Garden Walk. The bottom half of the top one is the Pumbaa Lot which will become a parking structure. The top half has warehouses/businesses mixed into another parking lot. I remember talking about this space a year ago, but don't recall what we determined about the possibility of Disney owning/buying that land.

The problem I see with a Westcot is that it would try to do too much in too little a space: future world and the world showcase. Those pyramids, for instance, would have been interesting, but probably underwhelming given the limited space. Then again, Cars Land is being built in limited space and looks to be pretty amazing.

[Peoplemover Priit]

I think I'm kind of caught in the middle. I think that what was planned for Westcot and what we got in DCA is an obvious lead to Westcot. But I think that DCA has much more potential.

[LittleImagineer]

Wow, that's awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Okay, so I wasn't alive at the time when Westcot was announced and all that so was Westcot a huge deal that everyone knew about? Why did they scratch the idea if they had already gone sooo far with it and released a bunch of stuff and all that?

[Tomorrowland_1967]

I remember this very well. Have the same literature.

As much as we all would have appreciated this FAR more than DCA ...... my only issue is it would have been a completed park with no room for future expansion. And the only way to renew the park .. would have been to tear out something .. to build something new.

[Tomorrowland_1967]

Originally Posted by LittleImagineer

Wow, that's awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Okay, so I wasn't alive at the time when Westcot was announced and all that so was Westcot a huge deal that everyone knew about? Why did they scratch the idea if they had already gone sooo far with it and released a bunch of stuff and all that?

Eisner got cold feet.

Three things shifted his interest in quality theme parks, attractions, etc:

1. Well's death in 1994
2. Eisner's own health issues around the same time.
3. Lackluster performance at Euro Disney (the hotels, not the park).

Enter - the era of "El Cheapo-land". (DCA, TL:98, Light Magic, etc.)

Another little bit of history Disney does not like to publicize - These "glamorous" ideas (Westcot) was ALSO a ploy to get the city of Anaheim interested in a Second Gate. While ... simultaneously .. Disney made their phony "DisneySea/Queen Mary" plan for Long Beach. But it was just a cocked up scheme to get the city of Anaheim in their back pocket .. which was what they really wanted.

[dogtherock]

I really wish WestCOT has happened.

[Rob™]

Originally Posted by Tomorrowland_1967

Eisner got cold feet.

Three things shifted his interest in quality theme parks, attractions, etc:

1. Well's death in 1994
2. Eisner's own health issues around the same time.
3. Lackluster performance at Euro Disney (the hotels, not the park).

Enter - the era of "El Cheapo-land". (DCA, TL:98, Light Magic, etc.)

Another little bit of history Disney does not like to publicize - These "glamorous" ideas (Westcot) was ALSO a ploy to get the city of Anaheim interested in a Second Gate. While ... simultaneously .. Disney made their phony "DisneySea/Queen Mary" plan for Long Beach. But it was just a cocked up scheme to get the city of Anaheim in their back pocket .. which was what they really wanted.

Misguided and disheartening times.

Oh how I remember them so vividly.

[Mac Daddy]

It really is amazing to think about how much more acreage would have gone into that park when you include Downtown Disney as part it. Now THAT'S a park. DCA....really now. What were they thinking?

On the other hand, you really have to wonder where they would have put all of those cars...Maybe it's not shown on the map. Is that a monorail or a people mover running from the hotels? No trams that I can see...