DCA Improvements - Sunshine Plaza

[dlfreak]

I like the letters too... and if they keep doing creative things like the candy cane stripping/statues then it's a great thing... kinda like the Mickey floral at the other park.

[PragmaticIdealist]

I always liked the Golden Gate ... but if something better can be implemented I'm all for it. I never realized the sun was supposed to be "rising" over the Golden Gate either... it's all just a bad, muddled entrance. The Murals are nice, but really just don't ...fit.

I think the California Sun is supposed to be perpetually setting into the Pacific Ocean. The sculpture is a nice touch since the visual idea of chasing the sunset captures the spirit of California's idealistic dreamers perfectly.

The Beaux Arts tile murals are also really quite nice, and I like that they resemble the tile murals of the Casino in Avalon Harbor on Catalina Island. On one of my visits to Imagineering, I did notice that the original concept (pre-budget cuts) included multiple layers of walls for the murals. So, had it been implemented, people might have a better opinion of them.

I also like the way that the space leads to fragments of tiles embedded in the pavement and the planters that recall Watts Towers. The more abstract look instantly communicates a contemporary setting and a differentiation from The Magic Kingdom. The entry sequence leads to that ingenious water feature with the fragments of blue mirrored tiles, which are also quite nice.

All in all, I do appreciate these show elements, as well as the imaginatively designed light standards and the funky banners. But, the idea of the postcard is that, which is problematic. And, the idea of the Golden Gate Bridge has the potential to turn people off.

The Golden Gate Bridge does not look bad, although, it is too tall since it can be seen from Main Street, U.S.A. The bridge just does not relate very well to The Magic Kingdom, Disney, or Anaheim. The monorail also seems to be out of place there.

The space on the South side of the bridge (Sunshine Plaza) is intended to give guests a sense of arrival, and I think that the area does succeed towards this end. But, the shops and restaurants at the entrance definitely need refinement.

The names are embarassingly bad, and "Sunshine Plaza", itself, is awful.

[MasterGracey]

I think the California Sun is supposed to be perpetually setting into the Pacific Ocean. The sculpture is a nice idea since the visual idea of chasing the sunset captures the spirit of California's idealistic dreamers perfectly.

The Beax Arts tile murals are also really quite nice, and I like that they resemble the tile murals of the Casino in Avalon Harbor on Catalina Island. On one of my visits to Imagineering, I did notice that the original concept (pre-budget cuts) included multiple layers of walls for the murals. So, had it been implemented, people might have a better opinion of them.

I also like the way that the space leads to fragments of tiles embedded in the pavement and the planters that recall Watts Towers. The more abstract look instantly communicates a contemporary setting and a differentiation from The Magic Kingdom. The entry sequence leads to that ingenious water feature with the fragments of blue mirrored tiles, which are also quite nice.

All in all, I do appreciate these show elements, as well as the imaginatively designed light standards and the funky banners. But, the idea of the postcard is that, which is problematic. And, the idea of the Golden Gate Bridge has the potential to turn people off.

The Golden Gate Bridge does not look bad, although, it is too tall since it can be seen from Main Street, U.S.A. The bridge just does not relate very well to The Magic Kingdom, Disney, or Anaheim. The monorail also seems to be out of place there.

The space on the South side of the bridge (Sunshine Plaza) is intended to give guests a sense of arrival, and I think that the area does succeed towards this end. But, the shops and restaurants at the entrance definitely need refinement.

The names are embarassingly bad, and "Sunshine Plaza", itself, is awful.

Thanks for clearing up some design elements that I never really grasped. From your descriptions it all sounds like it should have been a really stunning entry plaza... It's a shame it was poorly executed - or maybe I should say "underfunded"

[mmmmike]

I am concerned about what will take the aluminum sun's place though, as it is a part of the overall effect of the front gate. You know, the way the sun looks like it's rising over the Golden Gate bridge. If the put a new building there, it'll ruin the effect.

Al's original update about the current DCA make-over states that the hub-cap sun will be replaced with a new theater, showing Golden Dreams. It should be interesting to see how this will fit in.

Also, if this is the case, what will replace Golden Dreams in it's present theater? Will the building simply be shut, like some other DCA locations?

[PumpkinKing!]

I love the sun wheel hub cap and the water effect oh how I will miss you!!!!!

That being said cant wait to see whats next! I love what they did to HPB very MGM and I love that park too! Its nice to have a litle glimpse of it here in CA. I believe they were gonna "tranplant" the show building. Yes?

[phruby]

What they need to do is remove the bridge in favor of just the monorail beem. Behind create a huge golden geosphere with a ride in it describing California history.

[PragmaticIdealist]

I love what they did to HPB very MGM and I love that park too! Its nice to have a litle glimpse of it here in CA.

Why is it a good thing that D.C.A. copied the Disney MGM Studios Theme Park?

Wouldn't it be better to have something that looks like an actual studio rather than something that looks like a theme park that is made to look like a studio?

[DifrntDrmr]

Why is it a good thing that D.C.A. copied the Disney MGM Studios Theme Park?

Wouldn't it be better to have something that looks like an actual studio rather than something that looks like a theme park that is made to look like a studio?

Have you ever taken the Universal Tram Tour? Most of a movie studio looks like what Disney works hard at not showing you!

[PragmaticIdealist]

Have you ever taken the Universal Tram Tour? Most of a movie studio looks like what Disney works hard at not showing you!

Studios, and especially their backlots, generally do not have guide signs like those used in the revised H.P.B. So, now, we have something that does not look like an actual studio but looks, instead, like a theme park.

It's a theme park that is trying to look like a theme park.

I want a studio backlot. There is something magical about the process of making movies and seeing the variety of costumes, sets, and props that go into film production.

I think the Hollywood area of D.C.A. is at its strongest when it is showing an assortment of telephone booths from different times and places or a variety of park benches. Those juxtapositions are whimsical, and H.P.B. needs more of such things, not less.

[Jack's Return]

As long as they don't take out the letters thatws ok. Those are the DCA"s version of the Main Street Station. Its the first thing you see before you go throught the turnstile.

I always did think the "sun" and the Golden Gate bridge were a bit of an eyesore. The murals almost no one notices. I do like the planters and those might be the only things. I have also heard rumors of them moving Golden Dreams to Sunshine Plaza to that tree area bewtween the "Sun" and Bugs Land. I really hope that doesn't happen because the building looks best in the Pacific Wharf/Paradise Pier area. They just need to slowly make the theme to the boardwalk and not go from that kind of architecure to the boardwalk architecure.

[jepple]

I think the whole idea behind moving Golden Dreams is to put it in an area where it will get better traffic, but also to leave room for expansion into the area it previously occupied and the Route 66 area. That whole section of the park is ripe for redoing.

[dchun2007]

I've never really liked DCA's "hub". When you walk into that center area with the sun, it's not really inviting and warm and spacious as Disney's. One of the problems is the plant wall behind the sun. I wish they'd open it up more and put a much warmer scene. One of the great things about Disneyland is that open Main Street warm scene. But then again, one of the things about Disneyland's hub and opening area is that it gained rich history and warmth over the years. It has a very sentimental value to it because of its age. Anyways...I'm very glad that DCA is being improved! =D The park has a lot of potential.

[tloolgb]

I am going to be glad if the area gets more of a Mission style redo. It is a nice style and would be much more pleasant. Also all this talk of a big train station would be nice since California and trains are a good mix...but this station...is this the outside of the theater building or just a new station at the entrance like the entrance to DL?

[dchun2007]

MAYBE THEY COULD PUT A MONORAIL STATION!!

just kidding

[Hilsbro]

You do know if the make the Entrance plaza like a Grand central mission inspired enterance......A monorail station would not be half bad....