So I'm all set for my first of many "serious" visits to one of the most popular amusement destinations in the world—Disneyland in Anaheim, California. I grew up a short drive away, so I have been to Disneyland many, many times. But with the exception of the single visit I did for my design study on the park for Visual Communications class in the Fall of 2006, I have yet to do serious, detailed field research there. I think I'm going to plan on three days, with a pass that will allow me access to both the original park (1955) and its new (2001) neighbor, Disney's California Adventure (DCA). DCA has been heavily criticized by both the fan community and the press as an inferior themed experience. I am thus especially interested in how the two parks compare as design examples. What works and what doesn't? How have the methodologies and the visual techniques changed in the nearly fifty years between the two parks' developments?
I will have a photographer friend with me for at least one of these days, to professionally document the parks. I will be taking my own pictures as well. I think jotting notes is a good idea but I've considered (at the suggestion of a classmate) buying a small digital audio recorder so I can capture my ideas and associations in rapid fashion. I need to compile a punch list for my photographer so that her time will be well spent.
I plan on returning to Disneyland periodically throughout the development of THEMERICA™, since it is not only a primary mecca for theming, but a very short flight away and surrounded by scores of friends and family to stay with.