Hi all, my name is Dexter! :D

First time posting on the forums. I've been playing creative games since the late 90ties when my love for these games started with Roller Coaster Tycoon, Zoo Tycoon and The Sims. I've grown up with RCT3, remember the old Atari and Shyguy forums days with much joy. I've had my dreams crushed by Roller Coaster Tycoon World and my dreams came true with Planet Coaster & Planet Zoo. It took quite some time to get in the Planet Coaster 2 flow but the game has grown on me and provides me with a creative outlet. I use the game for buildings parks but also as a digital miniature building space for random ideas.

~Paradise Pier~

I've always been fascinated by the 2012 large scale remodeling of Disney California Adventure. One of the highlights other then Buena Vista Street for me has always been the Paradise Pier area and the cosmetic makeover it has gotten. The turn of the century buildings and seaside vibes are something I adore. I love Pixar but the Pixar Pier redo is a big miss for me. The 2012 remodel wasn't perfect and did suffer some cuts between the concept blue sky stage and what got build in the end. I've tried to build in the Paradise Pier style in PC1 before but my skills have grown and PC2 is a much more powerful tool to realize my vision. It also has given me the drive and opportunity to build stuff from the concept stage that never made it into the parks or got cut during the Pixar Pier redo.

My park started as a recreation of the midway games and has steadily been growing into it's own full park inspired by the Paradise Pier area instead of a one on one recreation. I wanted to share my progress from start to now and into the future. I've shared some of these build before on reddit but wanted to go the classic route and go the forum way with the park. I think it'll give me more space to share work in progress stuff and such. My reddit posts are mostly just the glamour shots and workshop codes. I hope you all enjoy!

I always enjoy doing research for recreations, searching the internet for concept art and pictures. Lucky for me is that the DCA remodel has been documented quite well with a preview center in the park at the time (The Blue Sky Cellar). The place was packed with pictures, art, models and props. I'm very grateful for everyone that has taken pictures of this preview center allowing me to follow along with remodel and still keep me inspired so many years later :D

~Games of the Boardwalk 01~

The actual Games of the Boardwalk 2012 redo of Paradise Pier in Disney California Adventure

This image is from my 2018 recreation in PC1. We didn't have arcades or stuff like that so I build and scaled it as a shell for facilities.

This next build is from 2024 and is my first go at it in Planet Coaster 2. This was before the arcades happened so I made an implied midway game section with 2 games. To trick the people from walking up to the games I've added 2 souvenir counters in the building.

I had fun building these and did some more facades but ran out of steam and ideas soon after.

Then came the arcade update in may 2026 and my drive to rebuild it all over again to a more accurate theme park scale and fit in the arcade games.

The strip of facades slowly formed and I started on more buildings!

Coming up!

In the next post I want to show the next 2 facades and how the park slowly has grown! I you don't mind spoilers you can look at my Frontier Workshop profile and see how far along I am with the park. So far I've done 4 facades with arcade games, 2 modular souvenir shops, 1 theater facade, 1 flat-ride and 1 ice cream parlor. I'm currently actively working on the coaster, a hotel/restaurant, Ferris wheel, carousel, parachute drop tower, entrance building, parade and general park layout. I still have more ideas for a dark-ride, bathhouse/swimming pool and more rides. My goal is finish the boardwalk area as a single park. The dream is to expand the park with more themed lands beyond the boardwalk area.

I'll be sharing all the individual buildings and rides on there so you download and play around with them yourself :D Workshop profile

Feel free to ask questions, share ideas, give advise about the build and share your opinion of Paradise Pier 2001, 2012 and Pixar Pier! English also isn't my first language excuse my wonky sentences. Have a great day!

~Dexter~

Edited June 29Jun 29 by Dxtrrr
1 picture didn't upload like it should

Welcome to ParkCrafters. Great to see you here! As you know, I've been following your work over on Reddit, and it's top tier stuff. I look forward to seeing your work in more detail over here. I love the animated GIFs. I've never gotten into making GIFs but it's such a great way to show off animated scenery.

1 hour ago, shyguy said:

Welcome to ParkCrafters. Great to see you here! As you know, I've been following your work over on Reddit, and it's top tier stuff. I look forward to seeing your work in more detail over here. I love the animated GIFs. I've never gotten into making GIFs but it's such a great way to show off animated scenery.

Thanks for the warm welcome and kind words! Like I've said before you've been influential for my builds and love for theme parks :D The gifs where fun to make and surprisingly easy, I should make more. I want to make some videos too but I don't have experience with making those and I don't really know where to start.

I've been overjoyed to be able to find your structures in the Workshop and downloaded then for use in my current project...they really are so well done! Thanks for sharing them and looking forward to what else you come up with!

6 minutes ago, Wabigbear said:

I've been overjoyed to be able to find your structures in the Workshop and downloaded then for use in my current project...they really are so well done! Thanks for sharing them and looking forward to what else you come up with!

Thanks! Glad to be of help. I didn't want to put my stuff on the workshop because I was scared people would claim it to be their own. But now I do enjoy sharing them and seeing what people can do with it.

1 hour ago, Dxtrrr said:

I want to make some videos too but I don't have experience with making those and I don't really know where to start.

Well, I say go for it. And I'm sure there are many people who would be happy to help you get started and give you tips, myself included.

Obsessed with this project! I've seen you around on Reddit and let me just say that your project is looking incredible so far! Everything looks so thoughtfully placed and the colors are so nice and lovely!

I've only been to DCA twice, but the pier has left such an impression on me. It's certainly one of my favorite areas Disney has made recently. I absolutely agree that the Pixar overlay missed the mark, it's cute, but I'm full of the opinion that IP doesn't need to be in everything. Non-IP areas are often times better and more iconic! I'm building a whole main street that is based on Buena Vista Street, it's such a wonderful entrance and so beautifully detailed.

If you are looking for tips and help with videos, ShyGuy is right! I'd be happy to help as well! <3

Looking forward to updates! And I can't want to see how you use some of the new pieces that came in the parades pack! They would be perfect for this theme!

On 6/29/2026 at 11:27 PM, shyguy said:

Well, I say go for it. And I'm sure there are many people who would be happy to help you get started and give you tips, myself included.

Thanks, I think I'll give it a try. I think a smaller project like a properly filmed version of my mini parade would make a fun start/try-out. My first questing is what program do you use to edit videos? I use the Microsoft build in gaming mode on my desktop PC to screen capture pictures and videos. Would that be a good way or do you recomend another way?

On 6/30/2026 at 6:18 AM, OakieDokie said:

Obsessed with this project! I've seen you around on Reddit and let me just say that your project is looking incredible so far! Everything looks so thoughtfully placed and the colors are so nice and lovely!

I've only been to DCA twice, but the pier has left such an impression on me. It's certainly one of my favorite areas Disney has made recently. I absolutely agree that the Pixar overlay missed the mark, it's cute, but I'm full of the opinion that IP doesn't need to be in everything. Non-IP areas are often times better and more iconic! I'm building a whole main street that is based on Buena Vista Street, it's such a wonderful entrance and so beautifully detailed.

If you are looking for tips and help with videos, ShyGuy is right! I'd be happy to help as well! <3

Looking forward to updates! And I can't want to see how you use some of the new pieces that came in the parades pack! They would be perfect for this theme!

Thanks for all the support and love you've given my work so far!!

Cool to hear you've been to DCA, I've never been to parks so I only have pictures and videos to work off on. I'm from the Netherlands and have only been to parks in Europe so far. I like some of the more classic elements of the Pixar Pier but they somehow feel very out of scale and the colors are very garish (look at how they've done the Midway Mania building dirty big time!!) Yeah sadly modern Disney and theme-park lands lean hard on IP only. Can't wait to see more of your Buena Vista Street build. I might be working o a 1 on 1 recreation of Buena Vista Street myself. I've gathered quite some blueprints, pictures of the model, concept art and more. I've layered multiple blueprints and drawings to have everything on scale so far.

Thanks! I wondered what kind of software you use to make/edit videos. I've used the game mode on my PC to capture pictures and record videos but don't have software to edit (let alone add sound/music and record sound)

I feel a bit overwhelmed by the scenery pieces. I debate on whether I want to renovate the buildings I already have of just use them for newer buildings. I did replace all the viking roofing with the new roofing so that already looks good and more shiny that before. I've also played around with the new pieces on top of the existing Western riverboat for a parade float. (link to redit post with pictures)

4 hours ago, Dxtrrr said:

My first questing is what program do you use to edit videos? I use the Microsoft build in gaming mode on my desktop PC to screen capture pictures and videos. Would that be a good way or do you recomend another way?

I use Davinci Resolve for video editing. It's free, very powerful, but has a steep learning curve. There's a huge manual you can download to get you started. Although, whenever I have a question on how to do something with the software, asking AI such as Copilot, always gets me the answer I need and honestly is quicker and easier to understand. I think you need a pretty beefy computer to run it, but as its free, you can check it out, see how it runs, and see if you like it.

For screen and video capture, there are many ways to do this. I use Nvidia overlay which, of course, you need an Nvidia graphics card. If you're happy with the way you're currently doing it, I see no reason to change.

Edited Wednesday at 03:47 PM4 days by shyguy

Welcome! Loved your structures before, and I love them now! Really gives off that old time atmosphere!

Looking forward to getting a good look at that coaster!

1 hour ago, shyguy said:

I use Davinci Resolve for video editing. It's free, very powerful, but has a steep learning curve. There's a huge manual you can download to get you started. Although, whenever I have a question on how to do something with the software, asking AI such as Copilot, always gets me the answer I need and honestly is quicker and easier to understand. I think you need a pretty beefy computer to run it, but as its free, you can check it out, see how it runs, and see if you like it.

For screen and video capture, there are many ways to do this. I use Nvidia overlay which, of course, you need an Nvidia graphics card. If you're happy with the way you're currently doing it, I see no reason to change.

Thanks for the tip! I've just downloaded it and looked around, it does look like something i could use. I'll go try some stuff.

1 hour ago, citytrader said:

Welcome! Loved your structures before, and I love them now! Really gives off that old time atmosphere!

Looking forward to getting a good look at that coaster!

Thanks for the welcome and kind words! Any specific requests on what you want to see of the coaster? I've got most of the station and queue done, I still need to clean up some edges. I've used the in-game layout of the Cirrus (City Peninsula Wooden) from the Vintage Funfair Ride pack. I did raise the coaster quite a bit for a more dramatic skyline. Raising the coaster also gave me the opportunity to deepen the dips, lengthen the chain lift and reposition the station.

Hi all!

Thanks for all the kind words so far, I feel really welcome here and am happy to show my creations. In this post I wanted to share the other facades I've done for the arcade games. I know it's stuff I have shared before on reddit (excluding the PC1 pictures and builds) but I wanted this topic to be a chronological look at how I've done this park. I'll try to some build per post so we will catch up to the here and now (and new stuff!) faster.

~Games of the Boardwalk 2/3/4~

The next few facades also started in PC1 and have been rebuild in PC2 in a more accurate scale and made to fit the arcades. With these 4 buildings I have found a place for all the games and machines that came with the arcade update. I didn't add the video game arcades because I don't think they fit the time and theming I'm going for with this park.

The second games facade houses the Casey at the bat game,

The third games facade houses the Bullseye Stallion Stampede game,

This fourth games facade is actually the queue for Midway Mania but I converted it also to fit the shops.

Casey at the bat became 3 Alley-Oop games for the second facade.

Bullseye Stallion Stamped became 3 Token Tumble games for the third facade.

The Midway Mania queue building is where I started to slowly step away from a full recreation and give more of my own spin on the buildings. This queue was turned into more space for the arcades with 2 Paddle Battle games, 5 Popup Panic games and 5 ticket Claw Machines.

The completed facade row for all the arcade games :D I'm really happy how this has turned out in the end and how far it has grown from the PC 1 days!

Coming up!

For the next post I'll do the 2 souvenir shops, Ice Cream Parlor and Restroom facilities. After that I'll move on to the first 3 Rides with the Fun Wheel, Cosmic Caterpillar and Coaster! Then we'll still have some other rides and facades left before we get to my current time in the game.

~Dexter~

Edited Wednesday at 06:42 PM4 days by Dxtrrr
1 picture was misplaced

I love seeing people recreate their PC1 parks in PC2. So fun to see the huge boost in quality and details.

1 hour ago, shyguy said:

I love seeing people recreate their PC1 parks in PC2. So fun to see the huge boost in quality and details.

It really is a stark contrast when you see them next to each other. I've played a lot of PZ in the past years before PC2 came along. I got so used to PZ that I forgot how PC looked. It's also really fun to now have a lot of the same pieces from PC in PC2 again like the swirling icings pieces I used for decorating.

Love the work on those building , fit the pier perfectly , adding the project to another I'll follow haha

13 hours ago, Miss Barbare said:

Love the work on those building , fit the pier perfectly , adding the project to another I'll follow haha

Thanks!! That means a lot coming from you!

15 hours ago, Dxtrrr said:

It really is a stark contrast when you see them next to each other. I've played a lot of PZ in the past years before PC2 came along. I got so used to PZ that I forgot how PC looked. It's also really fun to now have a lot of the same pieces from PC in PC2 again like the swirling icings pieces I used for decorating.

Yes, here's hoping we get the Studio Pack and the Vintage imported into PC2 as well. Of course, Adventure and Spooky go without saying.

Looks like we're going to have a parade!

Love the overhead view, it gives one a much better idea of how it all fits together. Were you planning on releasing your buildings on the workshop? I, for one, will be "stealing", sorry I meant "borrowing" them if you do!!! 😁

19 hours ago, citytrader said:

Yes, here's hoping we get the Studio Pack and the Vintage imported into PC2 as well. Of course, Adventure and Spooky go without saying.

Looks like we're going to have a parade!

Love the overhead view, it gives one a much better idea of how it all fits together. Were you planning on releasing your buildings on the workshop? I, for one, will be "stealing", sorry I meant "borrowing" them if you do!!! 😁

I'm really curious about the PC DLC's and if they will bring them back. Bringing back the PC base game themes felt like reaction and quick fix to the initial backlash. I feel like bringing back paid DLC for free would be a step to far for them. I do think It could work if they included 1 PC DLC with every new PC2 DLC pack. In that way they don't have to give away previous paid content for free and it'll give them a strategy and roadmap to drip feed them. That will also give all the new DLC an extra boost when they release.

Thanks for the comment! Well you're in luck because they all are on the workshop already. This topic is a bit behind where I am in real life so you'll also get a sneak peak in what's to come :P Have fun stea- borrowing! Workshop page

Hi all!

Moving on to the other side of the street for more facades! From this point forward most building will be based on concept art and model pictures. The Paradise Pier redo got some budget cuts a lot of buildings did not get the level of details that the boardwalk games and Midway Mania got.

~Boardwalk Bazaar - Seaside Souvenirs - Restrooms - Ice Cream Parlor~

This strip of facades all got budget cuts and looked mostly like how they did on DCA opening day, the did add some paint and slight wooden details but it's not on the same level as the rest of the pier. The building in the middle is the one that I ended up calling Boardwalk Bazaar for my recreation.

 

The green building on the right is the Boardwalk Bazaar. The 2 on the Left are for the Restroom and Seaside Souvenirs.

This is my interpretation of the shop. I hadn't played around with the modular shops much before so it was fun to do that for this project!

The next 2 facades are the red one on the left and the tattoos shop on the right. Like before these also got minimal redressing and mostly looked the same as their opening day counterpart. I looked at the model and turned these 2 into a restrooms building and Seaside Souvenirs.

The blue building was the proposed redo of the red one in the picture above and the new red one is a redo of the tattoos shop.

These were my PC interpretations of the building back in 2018.

The new restrooms building in PC2.

The new Seaside Souvenirs. I do think I'll go back to redo the interior for this one but for now it's fine.

And the last one for today is the Ice Cream Parlor. This one also received very little upgrades from its opening day counterpart

On the model it looked like the red building above.

Another piece of concept art showed it like this.

This is my final take on the Ice Cream Parlor.

The final position for these shops are in the bend directly next to the row of arcade games facades.

The final position of the Boardwalk Bazaar is a bit father away because I didn't want 2 souvenir shops so close together. I also still have to do the parade gate and parade barn nextdoor as you can see :P

This is how the park looks right now. I had push and switch around a few facades to make the parade work. I also had to push out the boardwalk 8 more meter into the bay to make the street wide enough. I used to have a chair swing instead of the parachute drop but I think I'll save the chair swing for another part of the park.

Coming up!

For the next post I'll do the first 3 Rides with the Fun Wheel, Cosmic Caterpillar and Coaster! The Hotel/restaurant, theater, entrance arcade, parade and other rides are still being worked on :D

~Dexter~

Beautiful work!

I really like how you are trying to follow the outline of the park, but definitely putting your own spin on it!

13 minutes ago, citytrader said:

Beautiful work!

I really like how you are trying to follow the outline of the park, but definitely putting your own spin on it!

Thanks! it has been fun branching out of the 1 on 1 recreations and moving into my own creations.

The wild mix of colors and architecture really make this an exciting and fun place to be!

21 hours ago, JB said:

The wild mix of colors and architecture really make this an exciting and fun place to be!

Thanks for the comment!